Sources: N4rrate, Bang set to join Sentinels in VCT Americas

Marshall “N4RRATE” Massey and Sean "bang" Bezerra have reached a verbal agreement to join Sentinels in VCT Americas, sources tell Sheep Esports. During last year's offseason, N4RRATE was set to play in his home region for 2024 with NRG. However, when the Evil Geniuses players unexpectedly became available, NRG changed their minds to sign players from the championship-winning team.

This allowed Karmine Corp to sign the player — though it was just for one year, in contrast to the two-year contracts the French organization signed with the rest of the roster, per the contract database. The American arrived at KC at the end of 2023 from MAD Lions, though he wasn't initially one of the league's standout players. But N4RRATE quickly changed his perception by pulling off an exceptional EMEA Kick-Off with the Blue Wall. He was undoubtedly his team's best player right up until Karmine Corp's title victory, and likely would have been named tournament MVP if such an award had been given.

He quickly captured the hearts of the fans, who needed someone like him after a disastrous season in 2023. They made him the team's key player, even dedicating songs to him. And even when, as a team, Karmine Corp had more difficulties throughout the season, N4RRATE maintained his excellent level, especially on Fade. He holds the 8th best Ranking 2.0 in Stage 2 of VCT EMEA, with a score of 1.14. According Sheep Esports sources, Karmine Corp therefore — logically — tried to renew his contract. With no buy-out, N4arrate has chosen instead to freely move to Sentinels alongside the 20-year-old bang for 2025.

Bang has already been competing in the elite North American circuit for three years. He made his debut at the highest level in 2021 with TSM before joining 100 Thieves the following year. In 2022, he participated in the first international tournament of his career, VCT Champions held in Istanbul. Bang remained with the Thieves through 2023 and 2024, where he secured the first title of his career at Stage 1 of the VCT Americas.

Sentinels, the team that won the VCT Americas Kick-Off and VCT Masters Madrid earlier this year, was left reeling after Tyson "Tenz" Ngo and Gustavo "Sacy" Rossi — each veteran legends in their own right — announced their retirements last month. Tenz, considered by many to be the face of VALORANT, was the only player still with the organization from its oft-regaled 2021 Masters Reykjavik win that made the team VCT's first-ever international champions. Sacy, a former League of Legends pro in Brazil, came to Sentinels after making history by winning VCT Champions 2022 with LOUD.

After the 2023 season, Tenz role-swapped to a Controller to give Zachary "Zekken" Patrone breathing room as the primary Duelist — bang is now expected to fill Tenz's former position. N4RRATE, who played a flex role for Karmine Corp, is expected to fill Sacy's position as an Initiator. At this year's Red Bull Home Ground, Sentinels lost in the grand finals against Cloud9 with a temporary roster featuring team substitute Rahul "Curry" Nemani and 17-year-old phenom Yassin "reduxx" Aboulalazm. Sentinels are expected to field bang and N4RRATE at future offseason tournaments.