Boston Uprising announced the signing of Overwatch DPS player, Nam-joo "Striker" Kwon, on Tuesday, October 26. The 21-year-old joins Uprising after a half-year break from the Overwatch League in 2021.
Boston Uprising are making some serious noise this Overwatch League offseason, having completed another big signing with the acquisition of the two-time OWL champion. The 21-year-old Korean esports pro joins Boston from San Francisco Shock, which he was a part of for the past three seasons.
Although Striker has made a name for himself as a member of the Shock - helping the organization win back-to-back OWL titles - his first team in the OWL was the Boston Uprising, which he was a part of throughout the inaugural season.
Striker began his Overwatch esports career in 2016 as a member of ACE White and has since represented a Korean team, ROX Orcas, who competed in the Overwatch APEX. After showcasing his talent in the Overwatch APEX, Striker got picked up by the Uprising, who signed him to their inaugural OWL roster in 2018.
Back where it all began.
— Boston Uprising (@BostonUprising) October 26, 2021
Welcome home, @STRIKER_OW! pic.twitter.com/D0YyJMfWRm
In his debut year with the North American organization, Striker paved the way for the Uprising to emerge as one of the top teams in the league. His most notable accomplishment at the Uprising was a perfect 10-0 run through the third stage of the 2018 OWL season.
Striker left the Uprising during the offseason, ahead of the 2019 OWL season, to team up with coach Dae-hee "Crusty" Park on the San Francisco Shock. There, he would go on to win two OWL titles and establish himself as one of the best DPS players in the scene.
Striker is the second signing Boston Uprising have made ahead of the 2022 OWL season and possibly one of the biggest signings of the offseason. Uprising already acquired Canadian flex support, William "Crimzo" Hernandez, from Houston Outlaws just last week.
The next OWL season will be played on a new game - Overwatch 2 - and all teams will want to be crowned as the new champions. Boston Uprising have the same ambitions, and they did not hesitate in forming an all-star roster to bolster their chances for a title run.
Hi I'm back! Super excited to play in Boston. I'm really happy to come back where I started. Also looking forward to meet Boston fans again!!! https://t.co/Ry0MNQBLnR
— STRIKER (@STRIKER_OW) October 26, 2021
Even with the addition of Striker and Crimzo, Boston Uprising are still missing one more player to complete their lineup. However, if their last two signings are any indication, the Uprising fans can expect another star name to put on the blue and yellow jersey.
Boston Uprising's current roster features two DPS players in Striker and Byeong-ju "Valentine" Kim, supports Crimzo and Hong-gyu "Faith" Kim, and tank Leyton "Punk" Gilchrist.