Cloud9 is weighing changes to its Valorant roster and Jaccob ‘yay’ Whiteaker might not be a part of the team moving forward, according to reports.
yay will no longer be on Cloud9’s starting roster moving forward, according to a report from independent journalist Max Katz. According to a separate report by Dot Esports, Cloud9 is discussing possible changes to its Valorant roster with all of its players.
The Dot Esports report also said that no moves have been solidified.
yay’s future with Cloud9 in doubt
I don't usually tweet/report about talks that are ongoing, but Cloud9 is internally discussing changes. I was told yay is still on the roster, they are still talking about options prior to the start of the Americas region. I don't report on rumors. pic.twitter.com/irZ5PfXSef
— George (EXG) (@GeorgeGedd) February 23, 2023
After getting selected to join the VCT international league in the Americas by Riot Games, C9 added yay, Jordan ‘Zellsis’ Montemurro and coach Matthew ‘mCe’ Elmore to their core of Nathan ‘leaf’ Orf, Erick ‘Xeppaa’ Bach, and Anthony ‘vanity’ Malaspina.
The North American team also picked up Mateja ‘qpert’ Mijović and then added Hasan ‘BlackHeart’ Hammad in early February.
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While the offseason is over, the VCT mid-season transfer window opens on March 6 and closes on March 25, giving teams some time to make moves before the international leagues start. Cloud9 could be a team that takes advantage of the window to move players or shuffle the squad as it already has seven players signed to its roster.
The team has not been able to live up to the hype generated by the signing of yay, the best Valorant player of 2022. Cloud9 placed placed second at Red Bull Home Ground, in December, and were knocked out of VCT LOCK//IN in the second round by DRX after beating Paper Rex in their opening match.
Cloud9 won’t play again until after the mid-season transfer window closes as the VCT Americas league starts on March 26. The organization has yet to announce any changes to its roster.