FaZe Clan has announced a ground-breaking moment for FaZe and the gaming industry: the signing of FaZe’s first all-female professional esports team. The new team, which will compete under FaZe’s VALORANT banner is comprised of pro players Jennifer “refinnej” Le, Emma “emy” Choe, Vannesa Emely “panini” Emory, Madison “maddiesuun” Mann, and Diane “di” Tran.
The team will make its first public appearance under FaZe Clan while competing in the upcoming 2023 season of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Game Changers Series. The VCT Game Changers Series was first introduced in 2022. It was created to supplement the standard VCT competitive season by creating new opportunities and exposure for women and other marginalized genders within VALORANT esports. The start of the 2023 season sees the introduction of FaZe Clan and other major gaming organizations to the series.
“It’s been a long time coming but we’re stoked to officially announce bringing on our first all female esports pro team for VALORANT. Signing this group of talented women is just the beginning of bringing female gamers to the forefront at FaZe and I can’t wait to watch them play as a team. Check them out during the 2023 VCT Game Changers Series – they’re ready to bring the heat to the competition,” said FaZe Clan head of esports Erik Anderson.
Before joining FaZe Clan, the women played together on various pro teams throughout the years, making the new FaZe Clan female VALORANT team an exciting reunion. Refinnej, panini, and maddiesuun previously played together for Complexity GX3, while refinnej, emmy, and di played competitive Counter Strike Global Offensive (CS:GO) for Count Logic Gaming (CLG) Red. The first time all five women competed together was in 2022 for the Champions Tour Game Changers Series III: North America playing under the name ‘Hamboigas’.
The team announcement brings FaZe Clan’s professional esports roster up to 14 teams currently holding a total of 37 world championships.
Emma “FaZe emy” Choe is originally from New Jersey and brings her skills as an esports pro player to the FaZe Clan roster as a VALORANT Initiator. Her previous player experience includes playing CS:GO for Counter Logic Gaming Red back in 2022.
Diane “FaZe di” Tran is originally from Seattle, WA and currently resides in Houston, TX. Di has been in the esports scene for the last few years previously playing CS:GO for Counter Logic Gaming Red up until 2022. She joins FaZe Clan’s female VALORANT team as a Controller / Initiator Agent.
Madison “FaZe maddiesuun” Mann is joining the FaZe Clan female roster as the team’s skilled Duelist Agent. Before FaZe, she played for Complexity GX3 and was previously a professional Fortnite player for GenG. During her time with GenG, Maddiesuun was a major advocate for female pro players and aided in the organization’s continued hunt to bring more women on board.
Vannesa Emely “FaZe panini” Emory is originally from the Bay area and splits her time in Los Angeles, CA. Her professional esports career includes playing for Complexity GX3 followed by Shopify Rebellion GC. Panini joins FaZe Clan’s female VALORANT team as a Smoker.
Jennifer “FaZe refinnej” Le is originally from the Bay area and recently planted her roots in Dallas, TX. Before joining FaZe Clan’s VALORANT roster, she played competitively for Complexity GX3 and was previously a CS:GO pro for Counter Logic Gaming Red in 2021. Refinnej will hold down her position on FaZe’s VALORANT team as a Sentinel Agent.
