TL;DR
- Danny leads LCS with 92 kills in his rookie split, averaging over 4 kills per game
- His standout Kai’Sa performance against Dignitas showcased elite carry potential
- Evil Geniuses holds 14-7 record, tied for third place in standings
- The 17-year-old successfully transitioned from academy to LCS starter
- Team riding momentum with championship contention aspirations

Evil Geniuses’ strategic promotion of Kyle “Danny” Sakamaki has yielded immediate dividends as the rookie sensation currently dominates the elimination charts during the 2021 LCS Summer Split.
In his inaugural professional split, the emerging bot lane talent demonstrates precisely why management fast-tracked him from the EG Prodigies development roster following spring competitions. At just 17 years of age, Danny ranks among the league’s youngest competitors yet simultaneously leads all players in total eliminations secured. Accumulating 92 kills across the initial 21 matches, he maintains a four-kill advantage over Team Liquid’s Edward “Tactical” Ra after concluding week seven with a commanding victory against Dignitas.
#EGWIN@EvilGeniuses (24-15) get back on track with a fountain-diving win over @dignitas! (19-20) #LCS pic.twitter.com/Bax9mU270m
— LCS (@LCSOfficial) July 18, 2021
Danny’s recent dismantling of Dignitas provided compelling evidence of his viability as a primary carry option despite limited professional experience. Executing flawlessly on Kai’Sa, he secured seven eliminations while coordinating with Evil Geniuses to conclude the match in merely 24 minutes, cementing their position tied for third place alongside Cloud9 in the competitive standings.
This exceptional display represents just one highlight in a series of impressive performances from the young marksman throughout the split. Despite his developmental stage, Danny has filled the bot lane vacancy perfectly, enabling Evil Geniuses to ascend toward the upper echelon of team rankings. The squad boasts one of the most impressive records this season with 14 victories against seven defeats, trailing only 100 Thieves in overall performance metrics.
Within a game meta that heavily favors bot lane impact for securing eliminations, Danny has shouldered substantial responsibility despite being among the league’s newest additions. Even with multiple potential carry threats across the Evil Geniuses lineup, he hasn’t hesitated to assume primary damage duties independently. Throughout the split, Danny has demonstrated proficiency across all relevant meta marksmen, with particularly dominant showings on Tristana and Kai’Sa that highlight his champion mastery.
The rookie’s split commencement featured notable instability with three consecutive losses, yet remarkably he maintained an average exceeding four eliminations per contest during that challenging period. Since those early struggles, both Danny and Evil Geniuses collectively have shown consistent improvement, now emerging as legitimate championship contenders. The team entered this week riding an eight-game victory streak that Golden Guardians interrupted, though they’ve since regained momentum with two decisive wins to conclude the week’s schedule.
Danny’s integration into Evil Geniuses’ strategic framework represents a masterclass in rookie development, with the organization carefully balancing his aggressive playstyle with team coordination requirements. His ability to maintain high elimination numbers while adapting to professional-level macro play distinguishes him from typical first-year players who often struggle with consistency.
The young prodigy aims to sustain his impressive elimination average when facing Lawrence “Lost” Hui and TSM on Friday, July 23, in what promises to be a critical test against established veteran competition.
For players looking to improve their own marksman skills, studying Danny’s positioning in team fights and resource management provides valuable insights. Common mistakes for aspiring bot laners include overextending for eliminations and poor recall timing – errors Danny has notably minimized through disciplined play.
Action Checklist
- Review Danny’s champion selection patterns and elimination efficiency metrics
- Analyze early-game laning phase strategies against different opponent types
- Study team fight positioning and target selection in VOD reviews
- Compare performance metrics across splits to identify improvement patterns
No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » Evil Geniuses rookie bot laner Danny leads the LCS in kills Rookie bot laner Danny dominates LCS kill charts with 92 eliminations in 21 games for Evil Geniuses
