OpTic Drop iLLeY, Ripping Apart Champs-Winning XEO Trio
After just one split back together - this time under OpTic Texas rather than the retired Dallas Empire brand - the 2019-Championship-winning XEO trio have been ripped apart again. All as Indervir "iLLeY" Dhaliwal has been removed from the roster.
Following the retirement of Seth "Scump" Abner, OpTic reunited the long-standing duo of iLLeY and Anthony "Shotzzy" Cuevas-Castro, with their third leg being Cuyler "Huke" Garland.
Together, the trio won the inaugural CDL World Championships, and under the OpTic banner, managed a top-four placing with only a handful of practice games. Now though, OpTic's increasingly high expectations has purged iLLeY from the line-up.
iLLeY Announces Restricted Free Agent Status
After a topsy-turvey year and a half on OpTic, iLLeY has now revealed that he is a restricted (still under contract and requires a buy-out fee) free agent.
The statement means that OpTic has chosen to make a second roster move in as many months, despite a top-four placing.
In his tenure at OpTic, iLLeY proved instrumental in winning their first title since reforming the organisation, taking home Major I in the Vanguard era.
iLLeY's journey with the Green Wall did peak there though, and has since been subject to a hand injury, ruling him out of much of last season. A 0.83 overall K/D in Major II seemingly put the nail in his coffin, and OpTic are now in search of a new flex.
Who Is Replacing iLLeY On OpTic?
The first question players have begged is, "Is Scump coming back?" The recently retired superstar has admitted he is still contracted to OpTic as a substitute and could slip back into an SMG role with Huke picking up the flex slot.
However, it's unlikely that he would return so soon after his retirement, and OpTic's search appears to be spanning into the Challengers scene. After failing to purchase stars like Alex "Arcitys" Sanderson, Amer "Pred" Zulbeari, and Paco "HyDra" Rusiewiez in recent months, rumours have emerged that an amateur could be pulled in.
One name being tossed around is Daniel "Ghosty" Rothe, who has made massive waves in the Challengers scene, winning the most recent Boston Major for Decemate Gaming.
OpTic's usual superstar marquee signings will likely have to wait until the post-season window now, with most of the best talent having been locked up into binding contracts, but it does offer one rising star the chance to become the next Scump.
