The American Kyle “Danny” Sakamaki had a fantastic debut season in League of Legends in 2021/2022. The ADC was considered one of the greatest talents that US LoL has ever produced. The now 19-year-old even became a champion with Evil Geniuses. But then, before important finals, he disappeared from the spotlight. Now it’s clear: He is not coming back.
This was what made Danny special:
- The USA has major issues developing strong LoL players. For years, Korean veterans like Impact or European import players, especially Scandinavians like Bjergsen, Jensen, or Zven, have dominated the league.
- However, the team “Evil Geniuses” took a new approach in 2021: They gave young North American talents a chance, not parking them indefinitely in the Academy teams, but placing 2 young North Americans in the pro team: Botlaner Danny (19, USA) and jojopyun (18, Canada).
- To shape these 2 young talents, Evil Geniuses formed a team that even became champions of the LCS in April 2022.
So successful was Danny: The then 18-year-old Botlaner had a dream start to his professional career.
In the final of the Spring Split 2022, Danny outperformed everyone, even superstar Bjergsen:
- Danny secured 111 kills in the playoffs – no one had ever achieved more kills in the final round of an LCS season. The old record had stood for 9 years until then.
- Throughout the season, he secured the most penta-kills: He achieved four pentakills in the current season.
In his 2nd playoffs came the crisis
What was the turning point? Even in the regular season of the next year, Danny played strong LoL. But in the playoffs, he began to struggle.
The opposing teams identified Danny as a key player for Evil Geniuses, focusing their efforts on taking him out of the game.
Although Evil Geniuses could utilize this focus on Danny and let other players win the game, Danny’s performance deteriorated.
Surprisingly, Danny announced in September 2022 that he would be taking a break from professional gaming and would not participate in the final matches. Immediately, Evil Geniuses was eliminated 2-3 against 100 Thieves.
Fans speculate: Danny might have fallen out with the team
What happened next? Danny also did not play in the Worlds 2022 after the season. But many fans expected to see him back with Evil Geniuses at the beginning of the new season 2022/2023. However, that simply did not happen.
Instead of Danny, Evil Geniuses suddenly played with FBI, a 24-year-old Botlaner they had brought in in November 2022.
Fans speculated: There might have been a rift between Danny and his team. And Evil Geniuses might be stopping him from switching to another team, which is why Danny is sitting out his contract now. But that’s not the case.
Danny says: The pressure was too high, led him to “Breaking Point” – will now be a full-time Twitch streamer
This is what Danny says now: Months after his sudden disappearance, Danny, now 19, speaks up on Twitter with a short message.
He says: No one should blame Evil Geniuses, it was solely his decision. The pressure of being an esports pro overwhelmed him and led him to the “breaking point.” His team always supported him.
Danny says he loves LoL and wants to provide the community with unique insights, which is why he will now become a full-time Twitch streamer in the content team of Evil Geniuses.
This is what is special: It is already common for LoL pros to choose to become full-time Twitch streamers after a long esports career. In Germany, former pros like Tolkin or NoWay4u have taken this path and are successful. In the USA, there are many examples of former pros among streamers.
Typically, players do this in their late 20s, after a several-year career and when they realize they can no longer keep up with young players. That Danny is ending his career before it has really begun is rare.
It reminds one of the case of the footballer, Sebastian Deisler, who was considered one of Germany’s greatest talents but ended his career at just 27 years old.
More about German former pros in LoL who became Twitch streamers:
