How TenZ Risked It All and Became a Valorant Superstar

Sponsored by @krakenrum
Tyson "Tenz" Ngo was an up-and-coming CS:GO prodigy, but when his pro career came to an unceremonious end, he had to find another path to prove to everyone that he was the head-clicking superstar they thought he could be. And that path was Valorant.
Written by: Josh Bury (@ThrownGauntlet)
Hosted by: Danny Burke (@lurkeyburke)
Edited by: Connor Dunn (@ConnorDunn_)
Produced by: Danielle Rosen (@_DanielleRosen), Matt Massey, Keith Capstick (@KeithCapstick) & Miles Hackett (@miles_hackett)
Production assistance by: Nic Buck, Alina Sotula (@ASotula), Bennett Grainger & William 'Magoo' O'Keefe (@MagooMagoof)
Thumbnail by: William 'Magoo' O'Keefe
Footage Credits: pastebin.com/9...
Music used under license from Associated Production Music LLC (”APM”).
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[@theScoreesports]

This episode's featured cocktail is the Sea Monster Mai Tai. Recipe: 2 parts Kraken® Black Spiced Rum 1/2 parts Orange Curaçao 3/4 parts Lime Juice 1/4 parts Orgeat 1/4 parts Ginger Syrup Combine all ingredients (except rum) in a shaker, add ice and shake. Dump into a large rocks glass, and top with crushed ice. Finish the drink by topping with rum. Garnish with mint sprigs and freshly grated nutmeg.

[@josephpugh1331]

Cringe

[@Sg190th]

The vct chat still brings up TenZ no matter what. Hate or love, he's just that man.

[@tobiletsplay]

True😂

[@jenishmaharjan9655]

Every valorant highlights have one comment talking about tenz, even he has zero business to be talked about.

[@Diinzie]

We heckin love TenZ

[@phm04]

Somehow after the collapse of sentinels in 2022 he's still one of the biggest names in valorant esports

[@EthanHay-wm9di]

ye cus everyone know him

[@Vune_GG]

One of? No, he still is the biggest name in valorant esports

[@imPyroHD]

Tarik is arguably bigger and he was never even a pro@@Vune_GG

[@boothecat333]

Because he’s tenz

[@doinyamaam3677]

​@@imPyroHDno. No he's not a bigger name in valorant

[@timzy4395]

Gotta give props to Shahz cos without him I doubt the old roster would be able to help set him up and take over games the way he did

[@Puskar3k]

Dude i feel like Shaz is one of the best igls that can enhance these young gun talents somehow.

[@leverball3357]

i think his experience in competing would be useful for young teams

[@timzy4395]

@@Puskar3k FR look at how he managed to make LFT OXY such a good player to the point he's being trailed to play on C9

[@tobiletsplay]

Indeed

[@Dylan-np4oy]

@@Puskar3k you can say that but its not enough to just set up ur star anymore his mid rounding obviously needs work or he would've done better in 2022 and tier 2

[@iqlalfd]

not just his aim, man so down to earth like how could anyone hate him

[@zackattack6398]

This felt like a trashy Netflix documentary😂

[@joelstephens4239]

I'm a TenZ fan but main reason the dude failed in cs is because he's a headshot machine that doesn't practice, sleeps in and misses scrims, and overall just the worst work ethic you've ever heard of. He's obviously really good but multiple former teammates have complained about how hes the laziest dude ever lmao

[@LshowKnows]

And doesn't listen to actual criticism. To this day I'll still go back to his live stream clip where he blames C9 CS Team for his failure, saying they never wanted to follow his Pug style. When anyone with half a brain knows that doesn't work in T1, there's a reason why even the Smoke Criminal himself, "Stew", wasn't as agressive in actual tournaments as he usually is. Tenz is essentially Shroud incarnated, good aim but no brain, difference is that Shroud came up to the scene at a time where aim was all that mattered. Tenz till this day still falls for the same basic mistakes, like over peeking or holding two angles hoping to land every single flick he does

[@justRedX]

Well yeah he was immature but it seems he learned from that switching into Valorant

[@KishorKumar-tp3zu]

Rip TenZera, C9 TenZ you weren't meant to be those Welcome SEN TenZ....You will be remembered My GOAT.

[@fantasticfifth5]

I saw him on world's greatest gamer tournament Ludwig and I was impressed by his skills

[@MasterM23]

The alcohol ads are sinking the video. Please rethink both your choice of ad partner and how invasive you allow ads to be.

[@btrillman9231]

Yeah the alcohol sponsor does not feel good. I totally agree, the over injection of the alcohol in this video is absurd

[@Cobxcorn]

It's not that deep. They need sponser ship money to keep money coming in. Don't drink

[@MasterM23]

@@Cobxcorn i know they need sponsors, but you don't need to accept all the sponsors. While I don't know the exact demographics of theScore esports, I'm pretty sure they have a decent percentage of people below 18 (most countries legal age for drinking alcohol). Advertising not just alcohol, but spirits is morally questionable IMO. Regarding the invasiveness of the ads, while they do a decent job of not interrupting the flow of the video too much, the sheer amount of time and the constant occurrence lowers the quality of the video drastically IMO.

[@riker8214]

It’s prominent but I’m sure that’s the deal from kraken. They tell them how much they’ll pay and how it has to be featured in the episodes. It must have been a good payday because they agreed. I don’t drink but it’s socially acceptable and it’s not weird for adults to have a drink. If you don’t like it, don’t watch.

[@thevattakaiman]

Yea bro surely it made you start drinking just watch the video ffs

[@008ay.sumanth7]

His story is incomplete without this commentary 0:52

[@free_microwave]

yo is that a killer queen cab in the background??? whens theScore Esports Killer Queen video coming👀? goated underground scene that deserves some love!!

[@MusingMuso]

Been waiting for this ❤ I fucking love TenZ. The guys an actual legend.

[@domokuo6318]

Hecking*

[@Ninja-Hunter]

We all heckling love TenZ

[@imnotwhitebutimwhite]

@@domokuo6318I FUCKING LOVE TENZ

[@MadeForD]

@@imnotwhitebutimwhite heckin

[@hypocr1te]

That’s so inspiring watching that after Tenz incredible comeback on Masters 2024

[@Zh-dy1ge]

Its funny for me that the biggest name in a game is not any top tier pro but a streamer/average pro

[@GarroshYT]

Haven't played cs in 5 years, and I saw so many former cs pro names in valorant now its unreeal

[@yangtv3036]

coz they cant handle the competition in CS

[@yamiRic]

It is amazing to remember again the early days of Valorant. There are 3 names, Tenz, Sinatraa, and brax. In the end, only Tenz emerged as the Valorant first superstar. Looking forward to his return to highest stage.

[@tawmydukes]

Sinatra is arguably way better

[@senpaitriton]

So basicall, we should drop everything and become a Valorant pro

[@bodhgdj]

anyone watching this after the latest Sen win?

[@vlastimilsvub5441]

That hamfisted product placement with that creepy hentai feel makes me want to not drink rum ever again

[@KasyfurRifAt]

We heckin love tenz

[@Aliyea]

I heckin love tenz fr

[@crazycooll6296]

The production is great minus the fact that you can clearly see the camera operator walking around in the reflection of the glass. I've noticed this in multiple videos...

[@HalfbowTV]

Is no one gonna talk about how 🔥 the old C9 CS jerseys were

[@FangMania9898]

Ayo.. Narrator be Drunk AF 😂😂

[@ihavelonghere]

TenZ + Octopus juice

[@CHEH_tf]

sponsored by cirrhosis! let's fucking go bro

[@_cecile]

damn lets make another tenz video

[@thatjosiahburns]

he's aight

[@MrDT2012]

Another tenz video when EG just won lol. Like he hasn’t done anything in a while.

[@amyciao1707]

They should have spent the time to make how eg won the vct champions lol instead of this crap

[@Obito1994]

“I got depressed when people said mean stuff about me” that’s 90 percent of gen z in a nutshell . Soft

[@Ttt092]

how about I say, by people he does not means he's teammates cursing him in a ranked game. tell me how famous you are mr. non gen-z?

[@Obito1994]

@@Ttt092 zero percent famous and the point still stands valid gen z is hella soft , cry over anything . Bring back bullying

[@benjys1901]

you should do a video on zen from rocket league dudes the best 👍

[@ganuwoahh]

you’ve literally made 2 videos that are just like this

[@user-vc1gb5ix5m]

Yeah the alcohol ad was a little too much, at first i was gonna drink it now was like, nah towards the end. Hope you got the money tho

[@guppygills]

40 year olds in the comments pretending to be 12 like kids these days dont see subliminal alcohol messages in tons of their regularly consumed content 💀 can yall bffr

[@alcaeusandrea]

i am so sorry i saw baby ethan lmaooo

[@sauccy9112]

Wonder who sponsors these guys?

[@Astrohhh]

Gee, I wonder as well.

[@AntiDragon]

I don't know but it looks like they are very good at their jobs enough to get some high-paying sponsors. Like, the production quality is getting really good for them. I don't watch these guys that often but it looks like they are pretty dedicated.

[@NghT-dh7wx]

Cant tell if u are joking

[@jerryyy.]

@@AntiDragon they've improved now but back in like 2019 they did a little bit of spreading misinformation on the internet and taking clips wildly out of context

[@sauccy9112]

@@NghT-dh7wx obv I'm kidding they putting it everywhere it's mad annoying

[@KJ_XCV]

His CS career was already over. I don't think he risked anything.

[@MadeForD]

I heckin love TenZ

[@sleepyguy6201]

havent you made this video twice already?

[@gnomekid9407]

I hecken love tenz

[@hueywyatt8856]

Maybe I should start drinking again…

[@prod.zer000]

Bro switched to the easier game? 😂

[@mbm0206]

We love alcohol

[@C0nnie]

who

[@zzeppy8829]

were just milking the same video again ?

[@Vernardo]

With that?

[@33smimu]

He didn't risk anything though? He changed from a dying scene that he wasn't even doing well in. Valorant is just a retirement home for CS.

[@carlosguevara5154]

it was, now kids been playing for couple of years, new talent soon there wont be needed any CS player and I am a cs player lol

[@33smimu]

@@carlosguevara5154 Viewership and competition is not good enough. CS still owns a very large majority of this market.

[@_VinSi]

dying scene? When was csgo's pro scene ever close to dying

[@33smimu]

@@_VinSi CS in NA is nonexistent.

[@_VinSi]

@@33smimu I mean, na is kinda non existent in every esport tbh, the only reason why they even get in higher tiers tournaments in riot's games is because of how their esport scene works, they literally have spots reserved for every region, even the shittiest team in the shittiest region is able to get in if they don't have competition in the same region

[@DataQx]

Kinda sad how he wasnt a big name in CS, makes it big in Valorant and then gets injuries and his fiance getting ill. Lately hes just very unlucky career wise...

[@BxJct0]

bro is stuck in 2021

[@Soul_iNF]

Does anyone know the song name at the start

[@logik99]

Congrats on putting the game name in the title 👍🏾

[@donaldquack7551]

no more content?

[@thejimshep2503]

Love the channel, love the topic selections, love the growth and evolution of thescore, love that you guys are getting bigger sponsors and improving the setting of the casters during filming...... this particular video seemed very odd and uncomfortable in regards to the format. Something about it didnt feel genuine or honest. Some of the dialogue felt like an attempt to create drama and the guest was just reading their lines. Again, love the channel, just giving honest feedback as a long time subscriber.

[@IrideLastMtb]

does anyone else thnk that the @04:22 Kraken Rum Sit Down Discussion Sponsored by Kraken Rum is super cringe?

[@alvaromartinez5707]

why the alcohol ?

[@10OmarkO01]

Well not a Superstar anymore?

[@rtrdcabbage2887]

do u guys ever drink the drinks or is kraken rum that shite

[@rtrdcabbage2887]

like i fucks with the new content format jsut drink yo shit

[@ak.9459]

No risk because he average in CSGO and will never success like he in Valorant now.

[@Jungle76]

In the professional world, there are many different elements to consider. As a football player, you cannot survive at the highest level of competition if you are only good at shooting. You must be the best in many aspects, including mental strength, skill, concentration, intelligence, injury management, physical, etc. even in personal life. It means a lot that average players who did not stand out in the CSGO scene are the best players in the VALORANT scene. TenZ DID NOT risk it, He was pushed out of the competition. He wasn't dedicated player, lack of experience, no strategy, tactics and patience, etc. He was just god aim ranked gamer who became average pro player. In the begining of VALORANT pro scene, There was no professional level competition. Tournaments were an extension of ranked matches. That's why players who fell behind in CSGO had an advantage in the beginning. TenZ didn't achieved shit when it became to pro level of competition. Like when he was in CSGO scene. He is better suited for streamer who has god tier aim.

[@unlocking_potential123]

TITLE SHOULD BE: HOW TENZ ENDED UP IN VALORANT BECAUSE CS:GO IS WAY TO HARD FOR HIS GENIUS MIND TO HANDLE.

[@jored37]

these ads are such a turn off for the video. hope the contract or whatever's making them keep doing this ends soon, though i am glad the money is helping them with production value. im glad they have a consistent sponsor, and i wanna support but this is so odd.

[@amenbrother777]

Tenz and alcohol what seems to be common? You get high quick and next thing you are in the mud. Same. Seen the LCQ " scrim god ". Yeah senz fanboi. Come back when your boi wins somethingm

[@specs_u]

Who the fuck is Tenz?

[@PsYcOTEbAG]

Val pros are fr players that weren’t good enough for cs

[@kodyhonegger6677]

This is so inaccurate. First of all, Tenz did not flop on C9 valorant. Everyone who followed esports knew Tenz was on another level but his team sucked ass. He also didn’t join SEN 24 hours before Reykjavík. The first masters event was a regional tournament because covid prevented anything international. Tenz joined SEN 24 hours before the REGIONAL masters and they absolutely slaughtered everyone. At this point Tenz was the biggest rising star in esports and most people knew the results of Rek before it happened.

[@alwinkc2197]

Blyaaaaaath

[@mvn4337]

Valorant pros are basically just like people that either are to old for Cs or didnt get far in the scene

[@Ant1cs9716]

W vid

[@aryanmakavana3767]

Tenz our king 👑

[@Mesling_]

here before this gets 1 million views 🔥🔥🔥

[@johnsabat2173]

this didnt age well

[@NichDevRumble]

Washed.

[@darrenalmodiel4291]

Alcohol ads lame

[@SevenTheWORS7]

we need aceu here

[@toysgone]

ADDDSSSSSS

[@ragedsins1742]

i just hate how they say he was a csgo wash when he was like 17-18 why he first entered the pro scene, they looked for to much in him when it was his first time competing. if he stayed with cs for they next 5 years he would prob be in the same sentence of simple of pro level

[@Zh-dy1ge]

Delusional m0nesy just 17 yo but he won something and way more better then tenz

[@Sommitps]

As many other streamers/pros, he's overrated and the skill level of the game is generally low.

[@xSEBROCKxstfu]

The alcohol sponsoring is pretty bad.

[@justine.5776]

he's good, he's just lazy sometimes

[@efx80]

No one cares about this guy anymore. Move on

[@leunammanuel6295]

Facts: TenZ is the best Choker in CS and the most overhyped, overrated player in Valorant

[@rarigate]

He has been long irrelevant in the pro scene yet he still appears like in this content shows how overrated he is

[@dreidrei1643]

Jesus Loves all of you guys

[@miguelsalunga9244]

tenz is trash lol

[@literalspam6894]

valorant’s “superstar” hasnt been relevant for the past 2 years

[@creativecome-ons3963]

Everything in life works like that. Even your ❤

[@doinyamaam3677]

Ain't no way you just called the face of valorant "irrelevant"

[@jerryyy.]

me when i spread misinformation on the internet

[@xdd543]

hes the goat of valorant.

[@Utrashbot]

damn cant have a tenz vid on yt without a hater barking nonsense

[@BxJct0]

y are u making this, at the point at his lowest time of his career, he washed af

[@TeoEmil]

bro is washed now no?

[@harshit9360]

yeah

[@ace.ethan7]

He ain’t washed he just not doing the same success in 2021

[@ermir_skg5696]

funny how some random guy in a comment section who peaked in gold is calling a masters winner "washed"

[@Vune_GG]

Not at all, a team makes the success, TenZ does amazing still in his matches

[@literalspam6894]

@@ace.ethan7 ye thats called being washed buddy

[@alexanderwei7644]

how can u advertise alcohol just like this? u know that not everyone is at least 18 y.o.

[@yobboiiuuuuu]

Ngl he fell off

[@yvwn22]

FIRST!

[@hivbia]

I like the channel but not this style of video. Comes across as trying too many new things.

[@arnavawasthy8032]

i get that he is a pretty cool person but he aint valorants superstar he hasnt even played any international LANs for a real long time and his performances ingame are not that special compared to some of the other pros that have come up. The hype is over they just keep him on the team due to his large following and how many fans he has thats it

[@xdd543]

he is valorant superstar and the goat. and face of valorant

[@arnavawasthy8032]

@@xdd543 nope

[@ImLoreYT]

Pin me

[@spicycurry7238]

Yet another video that just cherry picks the 2 months that tenz was relevant in the comp scene. Only reason for his stardom these days is the horde of losers that worship him

[@razen_cz]

More fitting title would be "How TenZ realized he sucks on CS lan so he decided to try cartoonish random mess and be "good" at it"

[@doinyamaam3677]

Tell me you've never played valorant without ever playing valorant

[@Artorias_The_Abysswalker1]

What color is your trophy?

[@rizzfarmer11]

tell me u hate tenz without telling me u hate tenz

[@yangtv3036]

sounds rude. but a fact

[@34s-c7y]

overrated...

[@ace.ethan7]

Quit hating

[@JY0002]

overrated af

[@ace.ethan7]

Quit hating

[@timzy4395]

I just hope Masters Madrid, Sentinels do make it there, just wanna see TenZ on the big stage again

[@doongie07]

Maybe JohnQT can cook up something as the new IGL let's hope

[@blyatCN1]

@@doongie07 fax johnqt might be able to cook up something knowing that he might have the best aim as a igl. no ?

[@fmilluzionz6699]

@@blyatCN1yeah but it’s not that the igls have bad aim I think it’s just the agents they are put on don’t give them the spotlight for multi frags

[@nafeessheikh1910]

Becoz of the roster crisis in NA every team has new guys don't know where EG players are gonna be goin with that sen are the only team who have not changed much . And they decimated everyone in scrims with huge margin so sen have all odds on their side. Of table to qualify for madrid

[@Willy_Gee]

@@nafeessheikh1910 The most important thing for SEN now is time they will have a lot of time to work with the new star IGL since he was the second best in tier 2 and made a name for himself and it helps the other team are making changes bigger than what SEN have made for the first time since before the 2022 season SEN has a roster set with more than 2 weeks of practice

[@stahduhst]

Rip TenZera, welcome TenZ.

[@djawjskdndn]

TenZedZombie

[@KishorKumar-tp3zu]

*SEN TenZ

[@MadeForD]

@@djawjskdndn u know ball

[@yalocaldex]

@@KishorKumar-tp3zu yeah I don't think it will ever change. SEN is like the best org for him and everyone love him there.

[@wobbywobbo]

Thanks to this ad i, a 13 year old, am now going to drink this spiced rum everyday for the rest of my existence. Thanks thescore esports for kickstarting my alcohol addiction early!

[@appletuna3382]

Same! I'm 9 years old and I cant wait for my liver failure at age 30!