Sentinels’ anchor player Michael “dapr” Gulino has solidified himself as one of the best in VALORANT. The best Cypher, the best at callouts and the best … at BM. But it wasn’t always this way. Before he was part of one of the best teams in the world, dapr spent years trying, and failing, to make it to the top of Counter-Strike. So, how did a kid on no one’s radar, with a reputation for toxicity, turn himself into one of the best players in the world?
This is the Rise, Fall and Rise Again of dapr.
The Rise
Dapr started out as so many VALORANT pros do, playing in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Coming up through various semi-pro leagues and competitions, he eventually found himself with an offer to join a team that longtime FPS esports fans might be familiar with, for all the wrong reasons: Denial Esports.
Despite traveling west for his shot at the big time, It wasn’t the rise to stardom that Dapr might’ve hoped for. Being young and inexperienced, and lacking a certain amount of tact, led to some tension on the team. This perceived toxicity soured his relationships with fellow teammates and ultimately made for an unwelcoming environment. So, when former iBUYPOWER member Sam “DaZeD” Marine messaged him months later with an offer to join a team called GX Esports, dapr didn’t hesitate.
Experience The Rise, Fall and Rise Again of dapr by watching the video above or heading to Upcomer’s YouTube channel.
Watch more Rise and Fall:
The Rise of Team Spirit — Dota’s $18 million Cinderella story
The Rise of Cloud9 White — VALORANT’s first dynasty
From the worst team in history to champions — The Fall and Rise of the Shanghai Dragons
