How TenZ went from sub-par CS:GO pro to Valorant legend

Few players in esports history have had a journey quite like Tyson "TenZ" Ngo. From his early days in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in Valorant ^[1], TenZ’s career has been a story of raw talent, adaptability, and resilience.

His rise to fame wasn’t immediate. After a brief stint with Cloud9’s CS:GO roster, he took a leap of faith by transitioning to Valorant, where he quickly became the face of Cloud9’s new competitive team. However, it was his move to Sentinels that truly defined his legacy. With his unmatched mechanical skill and innovative playstyle, TenZ helped lead Sentinels to multiple championships, including Valorant’s first international LAN event. 

Now, after years of competing at the highest level, he has stepped away from professional play, but his influence on the scene remains stronger than ever. Here’s everything to know about how TenZ went from a decent and not-so-good CS:GO professional player to a legend in the Valorant scene.

The Beginnings: Cloud 9

At just 18 years old, TenZ took his initial breakthrough into professional esports in July 2019, signing with Cloud9’s CS: GO roster. Even before officially joining the team, he had already built a reputation as a rising star in North America. He impressed many with his mechanical skill, sharp aim, and lightning-fast reflexes. His talents had not gone unnoticed. He had previously stepped in as a stand-in for several organizations, showcasing his potential on multiple occasions.

With Cloud9, expectations were high, and many believed he could develop into one of the region’s next rising stars. However, despite his prowess, the team struggled to compete at the highest level. As the results failed to meet expectations, the organization made roster adjustments. Just a few months later, TenZ found himself benched. Though disappointing at the time, this setback would ultimately serve as a pivotal turning point in his career. It led him down a path that would later cement his name among the best in esports.

Moving from CS:GO to Valorant

With his official release of Riot Games’ tactical shooter, Valorant, in 2020, TenZ made a bold and immediate decision. He shifted away from his CS: GO career to embrace this brand-new title. However, unlike his time in Counter-Strike, where he was one of many rising talents, this new chapter placed him at the center of Cloud9’s plans.

TenZ wasn’t just another addition to the team- he was the foundation. As the first official player in Cloud9’s Valorant roster, he became the cornerstone of the team. The organization built the entire squad around him, a testament to their confidence in his talent and potential.

At the time, Valorant’s competitive scene was still in its infancy. Riot Games had yet to introduce an official structured league. The e-sports ecosystem primarily consisted of third-party tournaments and independent competitions. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the game’s future as an e-sport, TenZ wasted no time making his mark. He was quickly established as one of the most dominant players in early competitions. 

He secured top placement and earned his first accolades in Valorant. His blistering mechanics, innovative playstyle, and deep understanding of the game set him apart from the competition. These qualities cemented his status as one of the scene’s earliest stars.

Cloud9’s announcement of their Valorant roster and TenZ as their first player signified more than just a new beginning for the organization. It marked the start of an era in which TenZ would go on to redefine what it meant to be an elite Valorant pro.

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A career-defining move: from Cloud9 to Sentinels

By March 2021, TenZ found himself at a crossroads. After spending months as one of Cloud9’s most prominent Valorant players, he was moved to the organization’s inactive roster. Many speculated about his next move- would he step away from professional play entirely, or was this just a temporary pause? As it turned out, his next chapter was already unfolding.

A few months later, in what would become a career-defining move, TenZ joined Sentinels as a stand-in. At the time, Sentinels was already a strong team, but TenZ's inclusion would propel them to a new level of dominance. This transition wasn’t just a simple roster change- it was the spark that ignited one of the most dominant runs in early Valorant history.

With TenZ in the lineup, Sentinels wasted no time making an impact. His first major tournament with the team, "VCT 2021: North America Stage 1 Masters", ended in triumph. Sentinels stormed through the competition, securing a first-place finish and a $600,000 prize. It was an incredible achievement, but this was just the beginning.

The defining movement of TenZ’s career came at "VCT 2021: Stage 2 Masters - Reykjavik", Valorant’s first international LAN event. With the world’s best teams in contention, the pressure was immense. However, Sentinels, powered by TenZ’s explosive performance, were unstoppable. They tore through the tournament, claiming the title and a $200,000 prize. This dominant victory cemented their legacy and established TenZ as one of Valorant’s biggest superstars.

At a time when Valorant’s e-sports scene was still taking shape, this triumph was a milestone, proving the game’s potential on the global stage. With Sentinels at the forefront and TenZ as their centerpiece, the future of Valorant had never looked brighter.

Stepping away from competitive play

All great journeys eventually reach their final chapter, and for TenZ, that moment was September 14th, 2024. In an official video on Sentinels’ social media, he announced his partial retirement from competitive Valorant. This video marked the end of an era.

Despite this, TenZ has no plans to fade from the spotlight. He’s looking forward to new adventures. Traveling more, filming vlogs, and attending content creator events. While his competitive days may be behind him, his passion for Valorant remains strong. He reassured his fans that he’ll continue playing at a different pace. Though his content may not be as frequent as before, TenZ isn’t going anywhere. His journey is merely evolving.

FAQs

How did TenZ become a professional Valorant player?

TenZ, whose real name is Tyson Ngo, started his esports career in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive before transitioning to Valorant. He was one of the first players signed by Cloud9 in 2020 but later stepped back from competitive play to focus on streaming. His impressive mechanics and aim made him a fan favorite, leading to his return to pro play when Sentinels signed him as a stand-in for VCT Masters Reykjavik 2021. His performance there helped Sentinels win the tournament, solidifying his reputation as one of the best players in Valorant.

Why did TenZ leave Sentinels?

After playing with Sentinels for several years, TenZ decided to step away from the team due to a combination of factors, including performance struggles, team changes, and personal health concerns. While he remained a key player, Sentinels faced difficulties maintaining dominance in the Valorant competitive scene. In 2024, he officially parted ways with the organization, leaving fans curious about his next move. He has since focused on content creation and streaming, though he has expressed openness to returning to pro play under the right circumstances.

References

1. [1] "official Valorant homepage". playvalorant.com. Retrieved April 01, 2025