Sources: stax is set to be benched from T1

According to sources close to Sheep Esports, Kim “stax” Gu-taek has been placed on the bench following a complicated start to the year with T1. After tryouts for all the players on the roster, the team decided to bench Stax and replace him with Kang "DH" Dong-ho. The former in-game leader of DRX, who arrived in 2024 to bring experience and leadership, is no longer expected to be part of the Korean organization’s rebuilding plans for the remainder of the VCT season.

His arrival at T1 was intended to stabilize a roster in search of consistent results at the highest level. Considered one of the most experienced IGLs in the Pacific region, stax was expected to guide a lineup combining young prospects and established players, helping T1 take a step forward on the international stage. He did manage to achieve a notable milestone with the team, securing a Masters Bangkok title.

Before joining T1, stax established himself as one of the key figures of the Korean VALORANT scene. He first rose to prominence with Vision Strikers, a historic lineup known for its domestic dominance in the game's early competitive days, before continuing his career under the DRX banner following the transition to VCT. There, he further built his international reputation, most notably achieving a third-place finish at VALORANT Champions 2022, one of the organization’s strongest results to date.

Widely recognized for his structured approach to the game and tactical discipline, he long stood as one of the most respected in-game leaders in the region. After leaving DRX in 2024, he joined T1 in an attempt to revitalize an ambitious project in the Pacific. Despite some encouraging performances and a strong start to 2025, the roster ultimately failed to maintain the expected level of consistency, leading the organization to reportedly consider a change of direction for the upcoming season.