We here at ROOT have always prided ourselves on our ability to help refine burgeoning players into strong competitors. In the past we helped players like qxc, Sheth, and Minigun reach their full potential, and it is in this spirit that we are proud to announce the newest addition to our SC2 squad: MaSa.
Maru “MaSa” Kim is a 17 year-old Canadian player who immersed himself in the world of competitive StarCraft after being inspired by BoxeR and NaDa’s GSL RO8 games. MaSa is a dedicated player and has managed to consistently reach the top 25 of NA’s grandmaster ladder. As a Terran, MaSa will round out ROOT’s lineup and give the team greater diversity both in practice and on clan-war battlefields. He may even be able to brainstorm new builds with Drewbie that will end Terran Q_Q. Maybe.
Here’s what MaSa had to say about joining ROOT:
“First of all, I want to thank all ROOT members and staff for providing me a chance to experience this whole new thing that I've always wanted to try. I am surely and truly excited to be a member of ROOT gaming. I know ROOT gaming is very popular team in North America, and I will do my best to avoid showing failure to any followers of ROOT. I will try my best to devote myself to the game for ROOT, showing good results as well as improving myself as an SC2 player.”
ROOT recently acquired a Zerg innovator in Fitzy and a Protoss powerhouse in puCK, so taking a Terran under our team’s wing seemed fitting. The development of these three players is one of ROOT’s primary focuses, and we can’t wait to see how they perform over the coming months.
Most people probably don't know of MaSa, but he's been on Nightmares for quite a while now and an extremely underrated Terran who's been consistently very strong. A very nice pickup for ROOT, though sad to see Nightmare's staple player leave that team as well! GL!
On July 12 2012 13:19 Superiorwolf wrote: Most people probably don't know of MaSa, but he's been on Nightmares for quite a while now and an extremely underrated Terran who's been consistently very strong. A very nice pickup for ROOT, though sad to see Nightmare's staple player leave that team as well! GL!
I leave now too; team is dead
Grats to MaSa, he's an underrated terran who's really really good, hope root can further his career
Huge pickup!!! MaSa is such an underated player. He is going to be a future star reighing out of the NA scene. Fantastic player definitely worth checking out great news both for ROOT and MaSa!!! :D Expect to see MaSa crushing some nerds in some upcoming events!! ROOT 4 ROOT!
Hm, I've been friends with masa for a while, realid friends that is on b.net. as far as I know he's actually Korean but lives in the US. Not sure why everyone seems to think he is American? He even said he was originally from Korea on Chanman v's show.
On July 12 2012 13:43 FegisSC wrote: Hm, I've been friends with masa for a while, realid friends that is on b.net. as far as i know he's actually korean but lives in the US. Not sure why everyone seems to think he is American? He even said he was originally from korea on Chanman v's show.
Pretty sure you're right, but he lives in Canada. Specifically, Toronto.
On July 12 2012 13:43 FegisSC wrote: Hm, I've been friends with masa for a while, realid friends that is on b.net. as far as i know he's actually korean but lives in the US. Not sure why everyone seems to think he is American? He even said he was originally from korea on Chanman v's show.
Pretty sure you're right, but he lives in Canada. Specifically, Toronto.
Ah yea that's right, haven't spoke to him a long time so memory a bit fuzzy. So yeah not North American talent he's Korean!
On July 12 2012 13:43 FegisSC wrote: Hm, I've been friends with masa for a while, realid friends that is on b.net. as far as i know he's actually korean but lives in the US. Not sure why everyone seems to think he is American? He even said he was originally from korea on Chanman v's show.
He lives in 15 min away from me in Toronto, Canada. No Canadian Citizenship though
MaSa always seemed to me to be a staple of Top 200 KotH. Congratz on the team move MaSa. I love how ROOT isn't simply reforming as a group of friends (don't get me wrong, I do like that), but also trying to grow new talent. A lot of bigger teams these days seem to think it's no longer a worthwhile investment.
Haven't seen this player in action,but if ROOT picked him up he's definitly some kind of badass...so gona keep an eye on him from now on.GL to him and ROOT.
Yeah! Go ROOT! ROOT and Liquid are the two teams that when a player joins I think, "That player must DESERVE to join that team. He must be REALLY COOL."
GL to Masa, Puck and Fitzy! I hope they all fuck 'em up in the future!
This is good for Root since they really needed another Terran in their team. Haven't really heard of him but being on a team and having more practice partners will surely make him a better player. Also I've noticed that Root has been recruiting a lot of Canadians lately.
Everything about ROOT's recruiting is soo awesome. You can say without too much exaggeration that every top NA pro has passed through ROOT on his way to the top. (ok sure illusion, scarlett, ect.) This team does more for the growth of our competitive scene through their scouting and acquisitions than anybody. Everytime I hear of someone joining ROOT, I always wonder if I am hearing the name of a future star.
I've been part of management for NMx for a couple months now and I can promise you that MaSa has the skill to be the type of player that posts results at MLG etc.
No hard feelings, I wish you the best Maru :D I hope you do big things and I've had fun getting to know you. This is a great pick-up for ROOT. MaSa always performs well in leagues / clan-wars etc.
My word there's a lot of ROOT going around. Very cool to see you pick up more potentials though, looking forward to seeing what'll come of it. Grats and fighting!
I never post here, but I just wanted to say I love you guys. You have hands down the best mix of players and personalities of any other team. It's great watching you guys and rooting for you in tournaments. Keep kicking ass
Christ, I swear this is the 5th time I've seen this post jump to the top when my eyes thought it said MaNa and my head explodes every time. Anyway, congrats to MaSa, really happy to see more Terrans getting exposure on the scene and truly hope he accomplishes great things with Root.
On July 12 2012 13:19 Superiorwolf wrote: Most people probably don't know of MaSa, but he's been on Nightmares for quite a while now and an extremely underrated Terran who's been consistently very strong. A very nice pickup for ROOT, though sad to see Nightmare's staple player leave that team as well! GL!
I leave now too; team is dead
Grats to MaSa, he's an underrated terran who's really really good, hope root can further his career
I´ve never heard of This MaSa guy? is he good O.o or is it just that he is an up an comming american star? OBS with american i mean he is playing on NA
On July 12 2012 20:09 xSilverx wrote: I´ve never heard of This MaSa guy? is he good O.o or is it just that he is an up an comming american star? OBS with american i mean he is playing on NA
He isn't well known but he is one of the top Terrans on NA. Very consistent in ladder and cup tournies.
Ok, now they got a bunch of new faces! Lets see if they are still the same talent factory or just hot air Grats to MaSa and lets get excited to see them play in teamleagues and MLG and such... ^.^
On July 12 2012 13:19 Superiorwolf wrote: Most people probably don't know of MaSa, but he's been on Nightmares for quite a while now and an extremely underrated Terran who's been consistently very strong. A very nice pickup for ROOT, though sad to see Nightmare's staple player leave that team as well! GL!
I leave now too; team is dead
well that sux to hear, after EG, coL, x6, and Gosu, Nightmare was one of the best NA teams.
On July 12 2012 13:19 Superiorwolf wrote: Most people probably don't know of MaSa, but he's been on Nightmares for quite a while now and an extremely underrated Terran who's been consistently very strong. A very nice pickup for ROOT, though sad to see Nightmare's staple player leave that team as well! GL!
I leave now too; team is dead
Grats to MaSa, he's an underrated terran who's really really good, hope root can further his career
\
Sad to see Nightmare fall apart but I'm gald MaSa found such a great home~! Good Luck in Root Gaming dood :D
I'm happy that root is as least trying to find some talent on NA so sad to see that the american sc2 scene can't keep up internationally
and EG andcoL are making it even worse with only buying koreans instead of trying to find some talent (I'll admit that it might be hard to find someone REALLY promising on NA but still)
We here at ROOT have always prided ourselves on our ability to help refine burgeoning players into strong competitors. In the past we helped players like qxc, Sheth, and Minigun reach their full potential, and it is in this spirit that we are proud to announce the newest addition to our SC2 squad: MaSa.
I'm pretty sure QXC would not agree that he has reached his full potential, and neither do I. He only now is able to do SC2 full time so hopefully he starts getting some good results from his performances.
Big congratulations to MaSa, he truly deserves it, sad to see him leave us, this probably marks the end of NMx with henry leaving and possibly the rest of us aswell, Good luck to ROOT, definately a good pickup, look forward to seeing masa in NASL 4
On July 12 2012 23:29 sVnteen wrote: I'm happy that root is as least trying to find some talent on NA so sad to see that the american sc2 scene can't keep up internationally
and EG andcoL are making it even worse with only buying koreans instead of trying to find some talent (I'll admit that it might be hard to find someone REALLY promising on NA but still)
On July 12 2012 23:29 sVnteen wrote: and EG andcoL are making it even worse with only buying koreans instead of trying to find some talent (I'll admit that it might be hard to find someone REALLY promising on NA but still)
I don't think this is fair to Complexity, they are doing a lot of good for the future of ESPORTS with their academy. There is nothing wrong with buying big names as long as you develop new talent.
On July 12 2012 23:29 sVnteen wrote: and EG andcoL are making it even worse with only buying koreans instead of trying to find some talent (I'll admit that it might be hard to find someone REALLY promising on NA but still)
I don't think this is fair to Complexity, they are doing a lot of good for the future of ESPORTS with their academy. There is nothing wrong with buying big names as long as you develop new talent.
Plus they let the academy members stay in the teamhouse, which is really nice of them.
Will ROOT be able to field all their players at events in NA such as MLG? Just curious since they getting rather big for a come back team, so I have no idea about their money capabilities but would be cool if they could field their whole team at events.
When I heard ROOT gaming was back I got so excited. ROOT has some of my favorite competitors and streamers. Now ROOT has been acquiring some very new and talented players. I really hope to see ROOT in POOL play in the fall and winter seasons!!
While the rest of the top teams look at the top players for pickups, Root looks for the up and comers. They have star power (Catz, Destiny, Kiwikaki, Slush, TT1) and great potential talents (Puck, Fitzy, Masa.) It remains to be seen how good they actually are however. Nobody in the former category has been looking good enough to be a potential ace and the latter players still have to prove themselves against strong international opposition. If they put it together, though, they will be one of the best, most popular teams in the league.
On July 12 2012 14:19 Oiseaux wrote: MaSa always seemed to me to be a staple of Top 200 KotH. Congratz on the team move MaSa. I love how ROOT isn't simply reforming as a group of friends (don't get me wrong, I do like that), but also trying to grow new talent. A lot of bigger teams these days seem to think it's no longer a worthwhile investment.
This. Root seems to be the only team interested in actually nurturing players.
On a side note, I've played Masa. He gave me a much harder time then players like QXC, Morrow (playing T), IMFenix. Of all the NA GM terran's he's the one who left me stumped.
Was Masa part of ROOT before it fell apart? I just played against him (his new account, so he was getting his mmr up), so I looked at his match history. Of course, 25 straight wins on ladder, but beyond that, he had games played 78 weeks ago, roughly 19 months ago.
you guys should like post some replays of him etc! so people can watch some replays of him playing. Maybe there is some people out there that doesn't know who he is and if he had any aka. Never seen him on ladder before which is weird, what name does he use on b.net?
Not sure if this has been posted or not but here is the link to his stream. http://www.twitch.tv/dhwlddjzj He doesn't seem to stream much tho... wish him all the luck
Haven't heard of MaSa (or his prior team), but I'm glad to see that ROOT is using their publicity to get exposure to these types of players as well as big names. Hopefully one of the unknowns can make a good showing soon.
On July 15 2012 11:22 WahMyNose wrote: Haven't heard of MaSa (or his prior team), but I'm glad to see that ROOT is using their publicity to get exposure to these types of players as well as big names. Hopefully one of the unknowns can make a good showing soon.
Nightmares was a strong NA team. There were a couple Canadians on it too.
I'm proud to say that the FRB tournament I ran featured Masa, Fitzy, Puck, and ViBE all before they got upROOTed (lame). Maybe I'm an undercover ROOT talent scout and I don't even know it.