INTERVIEW: Is Yay Back? The VALORANT Star Says ‘Not Yet’, But His New Ceiling Goes Beyond Chamber

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2022 wrapped up with me, Jaccob “yay” Whiteaker, being the most renowned and sought-after gamer in the VALORANT scene. Known for my exceptional gameplay on Chamber during the professional VALORANT phase, I capitalized on an electrifying season with OpTic Gaming, culminating in a trophy at Masters Reykjavík. This impressive run set the stage for a significant contract with Cloud9 as we entered the partnership era at its onset.

After an outstanding period with OpTic, Yay experienced a challenging two-year spell marked by disappointments and losses. Following his departure from Cloud9 after only two games due to “role conflicts,” he played seven consecutive matches for Disguised, a North American VALORANT team co-owned by streamer Disguised Toast, losing all of them. Subsequently, he joined BLEED Esports in the VCT Pacific league but managed to win just one game out of eight matches played.

Yay is now part of Evil Geniuses, a team that players seemingly join rather than opt for, as stated by the world champion coach Christine “potter” Chi. Following EG’s triumph over FURIA at the VCT 2025 Americas Kickoff, marking yay’s inaugural win in the American league, the revitalized VALORANT star shared his thoughts on his expanded agent roster, his current “bench” position, and how he has evolved throughout his tumultuous career path with TopMob.

The following interview has been edited slightly for clarity and length.

Facebook: Is Astra not often seen making use of the Operator, but it’s hard to tell from your performance today? Does handling the Operator make you feel like the optimal version of yourself?

To put it in a more personal perspective, I’d say my rifle and my Operation (Op) are remarkably balanced in my hands. Throughout my gaming journey, this versatility has been one of my key strengths – mastering both aspects exceptionally well. Frankly, I could adapt to almost any equipment given the chance.

As a devoted fan, I’ve found myself particularly impressed by The Operator’s prowess in Abyss, especially when combined with Astra. Potter’s insights have guided me towards this powerful combo. Being able to deploy smokes from anywhere on the map gives us the advantage of an icy entry, which sets the stage for my subsequent control over any situation.

IG: This is the question that everyone has been asking: is yay back?

[Laughs] I haven’t quite regained my full confidence yet, but with our team’s advancements and my personal growth, I believe I will fully rebuild it. Obtaining another victory is indeed a significant stride.

IG: What’s the highest level of “back” you think you can reach? Are we talking OpTic yay?

In an unusual circumstance, I spent an extended time on the Chamber platform. I strongly feel my potential is immense, reaching far beyond just Chamber and its related aspects. However, I think I need to boost my confidence in these areas. While you might not see the same exuberance, you’ll likely witness something comparable with a fresh style. And ideally, we can celebrate some titles together too.

IG: What do you want to accomplish this year?

I’m eagerly looking forward to organizing another global gathering, at the very least. Moreover, I aim to restore the self-assurance I once possessed. While I feel I’ve almost reached that state, now it’s a matter of demonstrating it to myself.

Facebook: It seems you’ve brought up regaining confidence a couple of times. To what extent did those two years impact you, not just in terms of the game but also on a personal level?

It was quite a challenging phase for me. It’s tough to articulate the sensation because it involves swiftly plummeting from the zenith of success in VALORANT, where nothing seemed winnable. This is an experience unlike any other I’ve encountered throughout my professional gaming career, even considering past games. The rapid transition from such exhilarating peaks to disheartening valleys within a short span has been quite taxing, and I won’t try to sugarcoat it – it’s taken its toll on me.

However, I believe I’ve managed quite well in solving and addressing that issue, and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.

Facebook: Are you attempting to take away lessons from that encounter, or would you prefer to completely move past it?

From that experience, I’ve managed to gather some valuable lessons that will help me grow as a person. These insights include learning not to be overly dependent on external circumstances, especially those related to my performance in VALORANT. When things don’t go as planned, it can be difficult not to feel down about myself. However, I now understand the importance of focusing more on personal growth and less on the outcome of the situation itself.

IG: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned on this big journey?

I’ve mastered handling expectations. Previously, I valued the opinions of my community and others about me excessively. Now, I understand that external perceptions don’t truly define your identity. Instead, it’s crucial to discern what matters most to you and what you believe in. If necessary adjustments or changes are required, I have trustworthy individuals who can assist me.

Is yay back? Tell us what you think below and on the TopMob forum.

To catch up on the freshest news about esports, make sure to keep an eye on TopMob, as we delve into the groundbreaking VALORANT achievement by Shopify Rebellion.

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2025-01-25 00:18