One of the longest-running and most successful rosters in Western Dota may soon lose one of its youngest and most talented members.
Artour “Arteezy” Babaev will soon leave Evil Geniuses, according to two sources close to the team and player. The news is an unexpected development for a team who have made consistent success the hallmark of Evil Geniuses Dota squad.
Under Babaev’s tenure, Evil Geniuses rose to the top of Western Dota. With five major tournament championships and six silver medals, the team only finished outside of the top four placeholders in two of the 22 tournaments they entered.
Babaev was, without a doubt, the backbone of many of those campaigns. With world class performances on Naga Siren, Death Prophet, Lycan, and Razor, his ability to carry the squad turned close contests into foregone conclusions and lost matches into spectacular comebacks.
While Babaev’s departure is imminent, it’s not clear why—or where he’s headed. What we do know is that, wherever his considerable talents land, the Canadian phenom will have an immediate, impact as teams prepare for esports‘ most lucrative tournament.
Photo via Valve
