Fusion University first to announce Academy team

The Philadelphia Fusion became the first Overwatch League team to announce their academy team with the release of a video earlier today. The team, named Fusion University, will compete in Contenders North America.

The roster of Fusion University is a seven-man mix of American and Korean talents. Whoru, ZachaREEE and ZerG will be the DPS for the team. Whoru formerly played for Lunatic-Hai and was a part of multiple APEX championship rosters, while ZachaREEE previously competed with Renegades. The Fusion will only be the second organization either player has ever been on.

The team's tank duo is Beasthalo and crakinlackin. Beasthalo previously played tank for You Guys Get Paid? and Tempo Storm, as well as a brief run in Open Division with 6rinas. Crackinlackin will also be coming fresh off a stint in Open Division after previously playing for Toronto Esports. The tanks and DPS will be receiving their heals from Elk and Alarm. Elk most recently played on the latest iteration of the MEGA Esports roster, whereas Alarm played for BK Stars and more recently played with Whoru on Lunatic-Hai's APEX Challengers team.

The most striking part of the roster is the youth of its players. Elk and crackinlackin are the two oldest members of the squad at 18 a piece. The rest of the team ranges between 16 and 17, expect for ZerG who at 14 will be the youngest on the team and could potentially end up the youngest in Contenders.

The Philadelphia Fusion is not throwing its teenage roster into the fires of Contenders without leadership. The team has brought on Aero, formerly a coach of Immortals and FNRGFE, to help coach and develop the players. At this time last year Aero and Immortals were taking home a victory from the NGE Winter Premiere LAN, a level of success he will hope to replicate when the team begins competing in Contenders North America in March.

Ecstatic to announce that I've joined @PHLFusion to head up the @FusionUni Overwatch team. I'm blown away by how incredible the staff and players are. It's going to be a good year! — Aaron Atkins (@AeroOW) January 29, 2018

The roster of Fusion University is: