Envy Sign yay To Their Valorant Roster

Team Envy announced the signing of Jaccob “yay” Whiteaker as the newest member of their Valorant roster. The 22-year-old joined the team on Thursday, August 5, to bolster Team Envy’s chances at VCT Playoffs.

Unsurprising Roster Change

Although signing yay is a massive move from Envy, it’s not like his addition shocked anyone. Team Envy have been trying out players to join their ranks over the last few weeks, and it didn’t take long for rumors about yay joining Envy to appear.

Further confirming the rumors of yay joining Envy way Andbox’s (yay’s previous team) decision to trial new players. Andbox have also been playing without yay since the team crashed out of VCT qualifiers earlier last month.

As a part of roster rebuild, Andbox parted ways with Noah “jcStani” Smith on Tuesday and unveiled the departure of yay on Thursday.

At the same time, Envy were looking to make much-needed roster changes to their roster ahead of the upcoming tournament. They eventually decided to bench Anthony “mummAy” DiPaolo to make room for yay, who became an official member of the team on Thursday, August 5.

The Firepower Envy Need

Team Envy haven’t had much success over the season. Although they always secured solid tournament placements, Envy consistently fell short in the latter stages of the competitions.

Since the turn of the year, Envy attended six Valorant esports tournaments and won only one. Their first and only gold medal of 2021 came in February when Envy won VCT 2021: North America Stage 1 Challengers 2.

Since then, the North American team have managed three top-four finishes and one bronze medal at VCT 2021: North America Stage 2 Challengers 1 in April. In their last two outings, Envy lost to Version 1 in Stage 2 Challengers Finals and Sentinels at Stage 3 Challengers 1.

However, despite their iffy showings, Envy should feel confident about their chances to shine with yay. The 22-year-old adds plenty of firepower to the team that seemingly has everything but that.

Yay has proven himself as an extremely valuable player during his stay at Andbox, where he played over most of the year. He primarily filled the duelist role on Jett.

Despite all the roster changes and lack of stability Andbox were dealing with, they managed impressive achievements. With the help of yay, Andbox qualified for several Challengers series, including Stage Two Challengers Finals.

Although Andbox did not make it far at the tournament, yay stood out with his performances. He posted the tournament’s highest KD (1.35) and the second-highest KDA (1.81).

What’s more, he has posted the highest kills/map at the tournament (21.4) and outperformed some of the biggest names in the Valorant esports scene.

Considering his impressive showings at Andbox, it shouldn’t come off as a surprise that yay got picked up by Envy. He now joins a team that consistently did well as a key player on their quest for international success.

Envy Enter VCT Stage 3 Challengers Playoffs

Yay will make his debut for Envy at VCT Stage 3 Challengers Playoffs. There, Envy will face off against eight North American Valorant esports teams for the lion’s share of the $100,000 prize pool and ticket for the Berlin Major.

Envy will begin their journey on Wednesday, August 11, when they face off against TSM. The two NA Valorant esports teams will clash in the upper bracket quarter-finals.

Odds for Team Envy vs. TSM Match

Odds courtesy of BetOnline Sportsbook:

• Team Envy +111
• TSM -149
• Team Envy +1.5 Maps -303
• TSM -1.5 Maps +211
• Over 2.5 Maps -116
• Under 2.5 Maps -116

TSM and Team Envy last met way back in December 2020, during First Strike North America. TSM won the match 2-0, albeit with a different roster.

TSM have since parted ways with Aleko “LeviathanAG” Gabuniya, and benched Taylor “drone” Johnson. Still, the core has remained with the team.

Similarly. Envy have made roster changes since they last met with TSM. Not only have Envy signed yay, but they also parted ways with Victor “Victor” Wong and Jake “kaboose” McDonald, who retired in July 2021.

TSM are priced as favorites to repeat their success from 2020, and while they have the talent to do so, they will have their hands full trying to stop yay. If yay can gel with his teammates in time, Envy should be the team to watch at VCT Stage 3 Challengers Playoffs.