Sources: babybay exploring VCT China options for 2027 after G2

One of the biggest personalities in the VCT Americas, Andrej "babybay" Francisty nevertheless appears to be heading to China for the next chapter of his competitive career. According to sources close to Sheep Esports, the American, who ended VALORANT Champions Shanghai as G2's second highest rated player is set to remain in China after the tournament to explore offers received and appears interested in continuing his career there. According to information obtained by our journalists, he "enjoyed China so much that it has become his priority."

As previously reported by sources close to Sheep Esports, G2 Esports had already decided ahead of VALORANT Champions Shanghai to replace babybay for the 2027 season. Despite G2 securing a top-four finish at the World Championship, the organization is set to bring in Eduardo "Sato" Nagahama, who played for Leviatán during the latest VCT Americas season.

Returning to competition in August 2025 after retiring at the end of 2023, babybay and the G2 project he joined have been in excellent form ever since. From his arrival, and throughout the rest of 2025, the German organization, which competes in North America on VALORANT, dominated the Americas league. Joining the team in place of Nathan "leaf" Orf for Stage 2 of 2025, babybay helped his teammates secure the title and qualify for VALORANT Champions Paris. However, he did not compete at the tournament, as leaf had recovered in the meantime from the health issues that had kept him away from the server.

Following Jonah "JonahP" Pulice's departure for Sentinels at the end of 2025, babybay stayed with G2 for the 2026 season. Finishing second at the Americas Kickoff, where they were beaten only by a surprising FURIA side, the team qualified for Masters Santiago, the first international LAN of the North American player's competitive career. In Chile, G2 made it out of the group stage and went on to secure a top-four finish, before being eliminated by Paper Rex, who had already beaten them during the group stage. The return to Los Angeles and Riot Games' studios went very well for the German organization, which claimed the Stage 1 title by defeating Leviatán in the grand final.

In London, G2 advanced directly to the playoffs after finishing first in the VCT Americas, earning a direct spot in the knockout stage. This route has rarely proved successful for teams, which often struggle against opponents who have already found their footing in the tournament. babybay and his teammates were no exception, losing to Xi Lai Gaming in the upper bracket before falling to FUT Esports in the lower bracket and being eliminated. G2 also qualified for the Esports World Cup but failed to make it out of the group stage, marking the roster's first major disappointment.

Ultimately, the organization secured its place at VALORANT Champions Shanghai by the narrowest of margins, qualifying as the VCT Americas' fourth seed after finishing fourth in Stage 2. The points accumulated throughout the year proved enough to secure G2's spot. Perhaps motivated by the fact that the World Championship would be the final tournament for this project, G2 Esports arrived in China in excellent form. After defeating TYLOO in their opening match, the team once again fell to Paper Rex in the match for first place in Group C. The European organization and its North American players nevertheless managed to advance, eliminating Team Liquid in the deciding series.

In the playoffs, G2 opened with a win against fellow American organization 100 Thieves before losing 2-0 to Team Vitality and dropping to the lower bracket. There, babybay and his teammates defeated T1 but failed to repeat their earlier success against 100T in the semifinals, ultimately exiting the tournament in the top four.