One of the most renowned Japanese organizations, ZETA DIVISION, recently announced significant changes to their Valorant roster. It has been revealed that Koji "Laz" Ushida, who has been competing under the team's banner for the last four years, is stepping down from his position as a player and transitioning to a streamer role.

This information confirms the rumors that have been circulating online over the past few days. These rumors emerged after Laz removed the title of professional player from his official social media profiles. Read more about it in our material. Although the rumors were true, the player has not left the organization entirely but has instead taken on the role of team streamer. 

Farewell to the Team

Yesterday, ZETA DIVISION's official social media accounts shared a post titled "From Laz, to you." It was accompanied by a 5-minute video showcasing the player's journey with the team. The video highlights Laz's best moments at various tournaments, his emotions and experiences, as well as his own comments and those of other ZETA DIVISION members.

Laz's Contribution to the Team's History

Koji "Laz" Ushida, a 28-year-old Japanese player, began his esports career in Valorant in mid-2020 with the team Absolute JUPITER. In 2021, the team rebranded to ZETA DIVISION. Laz spent four long years as a player with the organization and is one of the few who has never changed teams throughout his career. Among the most significant achievements under the ZETA DIVISION banner are: 3rd place at VCT 2022: Stage 1 Masters - Reykjavík and 5th-6th place at VCT 2023: Pacific League. Additionally, he participated in the world championships twice, securing 9th-12th place at VALORANT Champions 2022 and 13th-16th at VALORANT Champions 2023. Over the course of his career, Laz has earned approximately $70,000, and in 2022, he was ranked among the top 10 players in Asia, according to the portal VALO2ASIA.

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Now, Laz will take on the role of team streamer, meaning his fans can continue to enjoy his gameplay, albeit not at the highest level anymore.