SK Gaming has officially secured their top laner for the 2025 season: Janik “JNX” Bartels will be filling the vacant spot.
Image Credit: LFL
JNX Steps in for Irrelevant in the Upcoming Season
According to reports from Sheep Esports, JNX has solidified his position with SK Gaming. The German player, formerly with Team BDS Academy, is set to return to the SK lineup where he previously played in 2019.
JNX will be taking over from Joel “Irrelevant” Miro Scharoll, who has agreed to join Team BDS for the 2025 season. SK Gaming considered options like LEC top laners Kyeong “Photon” Gyu-tae and Adam “Adam” Maanane before finalizing their decision.
A Comeback to the LEC
JNX has prior experience on the LEC stage with SK Gaming in 2020, but has since been competing in ERLs for the past two years, first with SK’s academy team and then with Team BDS Academy.
His recent standout performance in the LFL summer playoffs included a victory over KCB and setting a new record for most solo kills by a top laner with 82 during the regular season.
Recognized for his versatility as a player who can carry or play weakside, JNX has further honed his skills to enhance his carry potential and leadership qualities to guide his team to success.
With JNX onboard, SK Gaming appears to have finalized their top side lineup for 2025, with verbal agreements also in place for jungler Ismaïl “ISMA” Boualem and mid laner Steven “Reeker” Chen. The Korean bot lane duo of Rahel and Luon, who competed in the previous season, are contracted until 2025. However, the complete lineup is yet to be officially confirmed.
