The VALORANT competitive scene is losing one of its top players. Apeks, a team competing in the VCT EMEA, announced that Ava “florescent” Eugene will be stepping away from competitive VALORANT in 2025. This decision affects the team’s lineup for the upcoming season.
Florescent’s Competitive Journey
Florescent made history as the first player from the inclusive scene to compete in the VALORANT franchise system. She was twice named the world’s best player, showcasing her exceptional skills. In 2025, despite performing well, the team struggled in competitions. Florescent’s decision to leave competitive VALORANT stems from personal reasons, including being away from family and friends after relocating to Berlin.
Reasons Behind the Decision
Florescent cited several factors that led to her decision. These included:
- The strain of relocating to EMEA for boot camp just days after the GC Champs
- Dealing with personal and family emergencies during the Kickoff and Split 1
- The toll of being away from home and feeling ungrounded in Germany
She emphasized that this was a personal decision, not influenced by Apeks or the coaching staff. In fact, Apeks allowed her to explore other opportunities for Split 2 if she found a situation that motivated her to continue competing.
Florescent’s Statement
Florescent shared her thoughts on her decision on X (formerly Twitter):
I’m going to be taking off the rest of the 2025 VCT season to rest up and recharge. I may return to competing again in the future but that isn’t something I’m putting much thought into right now.
2024 was a very busy year for me. I relocated to EMEA for bootcamp just days after…
— Apeks x florescent (@florscnt) April 28, 2025
In her statement, she thanked Apeks’ management and her teammates for their support during her time with the team. She also expressed gratitude to the Riot Games operations team and other VCT EMEA professionals for their kindness and care.
The VALORANT community is now left to wonder what the future holds for Florescent and how Apeks will adapt to her absence.