Sentinels Sign Canezerra After Riot Lifts Hardware Ban

Sentinels announced the signing Friday, Nov. 6, adding Alex “canezerra” Banyasz to the organization’s roster rebuild for the 2027 VALORANT season. Riot Games lifted Banyasz’s 12-month hardware ban in late October, several months before its scheduled end in April 2027.

Banyasz won Ascension Americas 2025 with ENVY. The team defeated TSM 3-1 in the grand final in São Paulo, earning a place in VCT Americas for the 2026 season. Banyasz did not play in the league because he had not yet reached the minimum competition age of 18.

Riot issued Banyasz the ban on April 16, 2026, after identifying multiple violations of its Terms of Service related to his conduct. The punishment barred him from playing, competing, streaming or participating in promotional activities involving Riot Games titles. ENVY confirmed that the ban was unrelated to cheating and terminated Banyasz’s contract.

Banyasz later apologized publicly and acknowledged immature behavior, particularly in ranked matches. Sentinels introduced him in a social media video featuring his Ascension championship.

Banyasz began competing in North American VALORANT with RANKERS in 2024. ENVY signed the roster in March 2025 when the organization returned to competitive VALORANT after nearly four years away. Banyasz primarily played duelist for the team.

He is Sentinels’ third announced signing of the offseason. The organization signed Francis “OXY” Hoang, formerly of Cloud9, on Nov. 2 and Brock “brawk” Somerhalder on Nov. 3. Brawk won Champions 2025 with NRG and was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

Sentinels have not announced how Banyasz and OXY will divide roles or confirmed the starting roster for 2027. In-game leader Mohamed Amine “johnqt” Ouarid remains with the organization, while Yassin “Reduxx” Aboulalazm is under contract.

Sentinels finished 2026 without qualifying for an international VCT event. The team placed ninth to 10th at VCT Americas Kickoff and Stage 1, then lost 2-0 to KRÜ Esports in the Stage 2 Play-Ins. The organization later confirmed the departures of Gurjiwan “Jerrwin” Gill and Jonah “JonahP” Pulice.

Sentinels remain a partnered VCT Americas team for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

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Reviewed and fact-checked by Alex Panasenko on November 7.