Zekken
A former XSET player who joined Sentinels in late 2022 to help secure their second Masters title, with teammates Sacy and pANcada originally from LOUD.
Zachary "zekken" Patrone joined Sentinels in late 2022 as part of a major roster overhaul, arriving from XSET alongside Gustavo "Sacy" Rossi and Bryan "pANcada" Luna, who transferred from LOUD. He became a key member of the team that won VCT Masters Madrid on March 24, 2024.
- Join Date (Sentinels)
- October 2022
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Zekken arrived from XSET during a significant roster change in October 2022. He was part of the lineup that defeated Gen.G 3–2 in the grand final of VCT Masters Madrid, earning Sentinels their second Masters trophy. He was already a starter upon joining, not promoted later. Notably, Sacy and pANcada came from LOUD, not XSET.
In Their Own Story
In September 2022, Sentinels let go of Shahzeb "ShahZaM" Khan, Jordan "Zellsis" Montemurro, Michael "shroud" Grzesiek, and Eric "Kanpeki" Xu. They replaced them with former XSET players Zachary "zekken" Patrone and in-game leader Rory "dephh" Jackson, along with 2022 Valorant Champions winners Gustavo "Sacy" Rossi and Bryan "pANcada" Luna. Zekken remained a core part of the team through their historic run at Masters Madrid.
Reader's Guide
Zekken joined Sentinels from XSET in September 2022 alongside Sacy, pANcada, and dephh. He was promoted to the starting roster on February 9, 2024, after pANcada moved to the bench. His contributions helped Sentinels win VCT Masters Madrid in March 2024, defeating Gen.G 3–2 in the grand final.
Did You Know?
- Zekken joined Sentinels from XSET in October 2022 as part of a major roster overhaul.
- He was already a starter upon joining Sentinels in late 2022, not promoted in February 2024.
- Zekken helped Sentinels defeat Gen.G 3–2 in the grand final of VCT Masters Madrid on March 24, 2024.
- The victory at Masters Madrid made Sentinels one of multiple organizations with multiple Masters titles, alongside Fnatic; OpTic Gaming (Envy) has only one Masters title (Reykjavík 2022).
Organizational Evolution and Franchise Origins
Sentinels traces its roots back to May 2016 when it was established as Phoenix1. The organization rebranded to Sentinels in June 2018 after a partnership with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment for the Los Angeles Gladiators ended. Internal friction led to a split with KSE in August 2019, leaving Sentinels as an independent entity based in Los Angeles.
The Rise of the Valorant Dynasty
Sentinels entered the competitive Valorant scene in April 2020. In September 2022, they overhauled their roster by signing former XSET players Zachary "zekken" Patrone and Rory "dephh" Jackson alongside Sacy and pANcada. This group eventually won VCT Masters Madrid on March 24, 2024.
Historic Triumphs at Masters Madrid
Sentinels defeated Gen.G 3–2 in the grand final of VCT Masters Madrid on March 24, 2024. This victory made them the only organization to win two Masters titles. Zekken was part of this roster as a starting player after being promoted on February 9, 2024.
Resilience and Road to Champions 2024
After winning Masters Madrid, Sentinels struggled in Americas Stage 1 but recovered in Stage 2 to qualify for VCT Champions 2024. Zekken remained with the team through these fluctuations, having been promoted to the starting roster earlier that year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Zekken?
Zachary Patrone, known professionally as Zekken, is a professional Valorant player currently competing for the North American organization 100 Thieves. He is widely recognized as one of the most talented duelists in the region's history.
What role does he play on the team?
Zekken primarily operates as a Duelist and serves as the team's main entry player during matches. His aggressive style allows him to create space for his teammates using agents like Jett, Raze, and Reyna.
When did Zekken join 100 Thieves?
He joined the roster in 2023, initiating a highly successful chapter that revitalized their standing in North America. This tenure is viewed as a pivotal moment in the organization's esports history.
Which agents are his signature picks?
While versatile across multiple characters, his signature picks include Jett, Raze, and Reyna to maximize entry potential. These choices highlight his strength in close-quarters combat and high-impact plays.
Why is Zekken important to the organization?
Zekken bridges the gap between local success and global competition for the organization. His presence has changed how the team plays aggressively on the world stage, making him a key part of their history.
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