It's Counter-Strike awards season, and it's time for us at BLAST to look back at 2023 and celebrate the best of 2023.
For our 2023 awards, we have eight categories coming your way. We started off with the best Counter-Strike team of 2023, and now we'll be continuing with the best Counter-Strike rookie of 2023.
To find our winners for each award, we have enlisted the help of six of our most knowledgeable talent members and the BLAST.tv editorial team will have a vote, too.
"I feel like there's been a couple of players who have stood out, but the way donk has just burst onto the scene and won an MVP in his first tournament was very impressive. I think Jimpphat as well in MOUZ has shown a little more, been in a few more tournaments. If I have to choose, I'd probably say Jimpphat based on the fact he's played well at multiple tournaments, whereas for donk he's just getting started now. So, this year is Jimpphat's year, but I think next year will be donk's year."
"Jimpphat for sure. He reminds me of flusha, he's so good, he gets so many clutch kills, and he has great aim. Coming from the Academy League, you could see he was a good player, but you didn't think he was ready at all, he's stats weren't even that good in the Academy League. His jump up to tier one has been astronomical."
"The best rookie is a very good question. I think everyone would like me to say donk, everyone's obsessed with him right now and he is fantastic, but he's only played one big LAN this year. For me, it has to be Jimpphat.
I think what he's done for this team and the way he's performed on big stages and actually looked like he belongs at the top level is incredible. In terms of a true rookie that's actually been tested this year at tier one tournaments, it has to be Jimpphat all day long.
But of course, a very honourable shout out to donk, I think he's a superstar for the future and he also had a fantastic year."
"I think donk. He's not played much at the top, but he's just so good."
"I'm going to pick Jimpphat for this one. donk, I just think came onto the scene a little bit too late. I think Jimpphat played more big important tournaments, so I'll give it to him. Incredible player, just absolutely brilliant."
"Jimphatt - I would say donk but he didn’t play enough big events against good teams for me to fairly say it would be him.
Jimphatt is more than just a role player, he pulls off incredible clutches, plays some difficult positions and has a great attitude. Thinking about it, the way MOUZ is bringing up players from their academy team needs to be noted as such a positive here as well."
"If everyone is going to mention Jimpphat or donk, we'll switch it up by throwing Nertz's name into the ring. Despite being 24, 2023 was Nertz's first year in tier one, which qualifies him for the best Counter-Strike rookie of 2023.
An incredible year for him, he turned ENCE into title contenders instantly upon his arrival, and it's a real steal for Heroic that they';ve managed to secure him for 2024."
Nertz and donk may have gotten shouts in the vote for the best Counter-Strike rookie of 2023, but without a doubt, the award has to go to Jimpphat.
A phenomenal player, Jimpphat helped turn MOUZ's fortunes around in the second half of the year, and he'll be key to whatever success they have in 2024.
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