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Evil Geniuses have announced that they will make use of rookie marksman Muhammed Hasan “Kaori” Şentürk for the upcoming 2022 League of Legends World Championship.
The organization’s CEO, Nicole LaPointe Jameson, took to Twitter to disclose that while Evil Geniuses would continue supporting their star AD carry, Kyle “Danny” Sakamaki, Kaori would join the team in their run as North America’s third seed in Worlds 2022. The Academy AD previously stood in for the team during the Playoffs Finals.
Kaori made his LCS debut with Evil Geniuses’ main team during the 2022 Summer Playoffs. He joined the team in the middle of the lower bracket playoffs final, and while he was no Danny, he helped EG reach a 5-game set against 100 Thieves, which EG won.
The squad eventually lost out on getting their back-to-back championships. However, the Academy AD carry gave an impressive performance during his first LCS appearance and with little time to practice with the rest of the team.
Danny took a step away from competitive playing earlier this month to focus on his mental health after the team rounded up their tough five-game series against Team Liquid.
In the statement Jameson released at the time, the CEO called the AD carry “a part of the family” and revealed that while he was away, Evil Genius would support him as best they could until he felt fit to return to competitive playing.
“It takes a great deal of courage and self-awareness to recognize when the right time is to step away from something you’ve worked so hard at achieving, especially when you care so deeply for this organization and your teammates, in order to focus on mental health,” Jameson said.
“Kyle is a part of this family, and we will continue to support him in every way possible as he takes time away, and we look forward to welcoming him back when he’s ready.”
Prior to his hiatus, Danny was referred to as the “King of Pentakills” and was an integral part of Evil Geniuses’ improved performance. The player notably forged a path in the 2022 LCS Summer Split as the best-performing marksman in the league. Danny’s hard carry playstyle was integral to the team’s back-to-back wins during the Spring Finals.
The AD carry continued to give Evil Geniuses their money’s worth in the Summer Split, but the team’s tough battle and eventual 3-2 win against Team Liquid prompted the young player to take some time off.
The organization did not make it clear whether Kaori would be the starting AD carry for Evil Geniuses during the tournament or if Danny would make his return at any point during the team’s run in the Worlds 2022. It is also unknown how long Danny will remain benched or how much longer the player will stay away from competitive playing.
Evil Geniuses will commence their run in the Worlds 2022 from the Play-In stage. The team’s first game against Fnatic is slated for September 29 in Mexico City, with the American esports franchise being pegged as outsiders by top esports betting sites.
