Sources: Odoamne benched from GIANTX; Team set to explore jungle options as well

GIANTX has decided to bench its veteran top laner, Andrei "Odoamne" Pascu, sources tell Sheep Esports. To accompany this news, sources have also clarified that the team is set to explore options for its jungle position in the LEC 2024 Summer Split, with Lee "Juhan" Ju-han currently appearing as a front-runner for the position. Sources indicate that the team is also exploring other options, one of which would lead to them retaining Lee "Peach" Min-gyu.

Following two back-to-back 8th-place finishes in the 2024 LEC Winter & Spring Playoffs, the European organization has decided to actively work towards improving its form. Despite showing improvements in the later half of the Spring Split, the team ultimately failed to improve on its past failures, falling to MAD Lions KOI in the first round of the playoffs for a second time in a row.

Having only performed small changes to its coaching staff in March, the team now appears unsatisfied with its roster's performances. Coming in as the organization's first move, GIANTX has now decided to bench its veteran top laner, Odoamne. Originally, the Romanian player had joined the organization at the start of 2023, prior to its rebranding from EXCEL. During his tenure with the team, the two parties have had mixed results, averaging 7-8th place finishes in 5 regular splits.

At this time, it is unknown who GIANTX will seek as its new top laner. Considering that the team currently has its import slots maxed out due to fielding a Korean jungler and support, it is expected that GX will seek a replacement within the EMEA Regional Leagues (ERLs). While the organization does field a team within the LVP SuperLiga, sources have not indicated any interest in promoting Antonio "Th3Antonio" Espinosa Bejarano at this time.

In the jungle position, the team is currently exploring its options and trialing different players. Among the team's options is former world champion and DRX substitute jungler Juhan, who joined GIANTX Pride in February to compete in the LVP SuperLiga. At this time, Peach is still in the running for the position of starting jungler in summer, but sources indicate that his chances appear slim.

Currently, Odoamne & Peach are contracted until November 2024, indicating that they most likely will be required to be bought out or traded if they wish to join new teams.