by G2 Esports has officially confirmed the return of Nemanja “?nexa?” Isakovi? to their Counter-Strike roster, marking the departure of Justin “?jks?” Savage.
This move aligns with earlier reports by HLTV, putting an end to the speculation surrounding G2’s roster changes.
Nexa, a seasoned player at 26, is no stranger to the G2 organization, having previously served as the in-game leader (IGL) for the team in 2021.
Despite not securing major trophies during his initial tenure, G2 remained a formidable force, securing second-place finishes at IEM Cologne 2021 and the PGL Major Stockholm, and reaching the No. 2 spot in the global rankings.
Having played alongside Nemanja “?huNter-?” Kova? and Nikola “?NiKo?” Kova? during his first stint at G2, nexa brings familiarity to the current line up.
However, the lack of tangible success eventually led to changes, and nexa moved to OG in 2022, with Aleksi “?Aleksib?” Virolainen taking over as G2’s IGL.
Unfortunately, nexa’s time at OG did not yield significant achievements, with the team achieving modest success at LAN events.
Despite briefly reaching the No. 8 spot in the world rankings, OG slid out of the top 30 in 2023.
The return of nexa to G2 comes as a replacement for jks, who is stepping down from the active roster.
While speculation abounded that nexa might reassume the role of IGL, he has clarified that, for now, he will focus on his primary role as a rifler.
This move follows NiKo’s decision to stay with G2, turning down an offer from Falcons.
G2’s CS2 division has undergone recent turbulence with roster uncertainties, but the organization is experiencing its most successful year in Counter-Strike esports.
With victories at the BLAST Premier World Final in December 2022, IEM Katowice in February, and IEM Cologne in August, G2 has solidified its presence as a top-tier team.
Nexa’s return to G2 brings anticipation for the upcoming BLAST Premier World Final scheduled between December 13 and 17, where the team will aim to continue its success.
While the exact debut date for nexa in this new stint remains unclear, fans can expect an experienced and familiar presence to bolster G2’s competitive edge.
WELCOME BACK @nexaOG pic.twitter.com/ozHJg1ZTaj
— G2 CS (@G2CSGO) November 21, 2023
