Peter "Governor" No

Most athletes dream of going pro after college. But Peter No did the opposite.

Playing on the full-time professional esports circuit since 2020, the Valorant player stepped away from the pros in 2025 to join Winthrop’s esports team.  

While moving from elite pro organizations like Talon Esports and Apeks to the collegiate level may have surprised some, No, whose gaming name is “Governor,” had his reasons.

A persistent hand injury played a major role in his decision to step away from professional play. But the injury also made him think about his long-term goals.

“The injury changed everything for me,” said No. “Nothing I did made it better, so I knew that I had to have a backup plan.”

His future started to focus more on college. “Before I started playing esports, I wanted to be a dentist,” said No. “So going to college gave me the flexibility to pursue my dental career while also still being able to play esports.”

The freshman biology major chose to join Winthrop’s esports team because it aligned with his end game...to play for a top-tier team and continue his passion for competing while also earning his degree. “Winthrop is known for having a strong team. In just its few short years in existence, Winthrop esports has made a name for itself in the gaming world. The program has earned a lot of respect and attention,” said No.

In December 2025, No and his Valorant teammates won the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Spotlight Series held in Monterrey, Mexico.  The team also represented North America and finished fourth in VCT Ascension Americas that was held in Brazil in October 2025.

“I’m proud to be a part of Winthrop esports and the Valorant team. We’re doing some incredible things on the world stage, and  we’re just getting started,” said No.

Learn more about Winthrop's esports team here.