G2 Esports releases legendary AWP player kennyS

G2 Esports has released legendary AWP player Kenny “kennyS” Schrub from their Counter-Strike: Global Offensive roster, with Nikola “NiKo” Kovač moving into his role and Audric “JACKZ” Jug returning to the team in general. 

Since his move to G2 in 2017 kennyS’, his skills have led the team to numerous victories. However, according to Danny Engles, the team’s head of esports, they could no longer cater their roster to kennyS’ specific needs despite his status as a legend in CS:GO.

“This is done with a heavy heart and an appreciation for his legacy and talent,” Engles said in a statement released on Twitter. G2 coach Damien “maLeK” Marcel added that despite the memories the team shared with kennyS, all parties agreed it was time to move in a new direction.

CS:GO Roster Update pic.twitter.com/P0hgB1chRR

— G2 Esports (@G2esports) March 4, 2021

Trouble started for kennyS’ place on G2 when he failed to lead the team to a Champions Cup win in 2019. While G2 won some regular seasons along the way, they finished second constantly in the events that mattered most.

The relationship between kennyS and G2 wasn’t always so rocky. When he left Team EnVyUs to join G2, his skill on the AWP (despite regular nerfs) led the team to key wins, like Dreamhack Malmo in 2017. After all, kennyS’ experience with Counter-Strike goes all the way back to the days of Source.

While kennyS is still under contract, Engles made it clear that teams interested in acquiring him could contact the G2 official directly. It is unclear which teams, if any, can build around the player’s AWP talent in time for the first CS:GO major in two years, but G2 said they were confident going forward without him.

NiKo will make his debut with the new G2 roster when the team plays its first match on March 13 for ESL Pro League Season 13.