Tyson “TenZ” Ngo Joins Cloud9 as First Pro VALORANT Player
Tyson “TenZ” Ngo recently made a transition from the competitive CS:GO scene to become the first pro VALORANT player for Cloud9. In a recent interview with Red Bull, the 18-year-old phenom explained his decision to switch games and offered advice to aspiring players.
“I’ve decided to go pro in VALORANT because when I was playing the beta, I realized I haven’t had as much fun as I was having in a long time,” TenZ said. “Although it might be seen as risky to switch games, I feel like the future of this game is very bright.”
TenZ hopes to see a professional VALORANT scene similar to Riot Games’ popular title, League of Legends. League’s competitive scene has grown into one of the most popular esports since its release in 2009. Teams from around the world compete at the highest level, battling for dominance.
The young pro believes that transitioning from CS:GO to VALORANT will be easier due to the similar skillsets required in both games. Ultimately, VALORANT players must rely heavily on their aim, just like in CS:GO.
Although the VALORANT esports scene has not yet started, many players are aspiring to play professionally. TenZ shares some valuable advice for those looking to compete at the highest level once competitive VALORANT begins to form.
“Being able to take criticism is very important. When you put in the work to improve yourself, you’ll see results,” TenZ said. “The biggest mistake I see people making is not effectively communicating their intentions or the actions they want their teammates to take, which often leads to confusion and unnecessary deaths.”
Tyson “TenZ” Ngo is a retired CS:GO player who currently plays VALORANT for the Sentinels. See the gear TenZ used to compete at the highest level.
Related: Sinatraa retires from Overwatch, moving to VALORANT
Catch TenZ and Cloud9 in action when Riot announces its plans for the competitive VALORANT scene later this year.