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Strafe’s Selections: The Best VALORANT Players of 2023
In competitive games, the window in which a player can be considered at their peak is fleeting. There is never a set expiration date or warning as to when their peak has begun, and when it all ends. Thus, to be a spectator in this brutal sport, we can only watch and attempt to savor every moment. That said, if our earlier Strafe Selections piece on the Best VALORANT IGLs of 2023 did not do enough to sate your appetite, fear not. Featuring a more comprehensive list per-role of some of the best performers this calendar year, we will also include our first All-Star Roster, comprised of talents that represent the best in their respective roles. Presenting - the Best VALORANT Players of 2023.
Best VALORANT Entry Player of 2023
Erick “aspas” Santos
For the second year in a row, aspas has distinguished himself as not only one of the best mechanically-inclined players in the world, but also one of the best entries. When we think of a stellar entry player, one a cut above the rest, we think of a player who can deliver the picks and man advantages in those crucial moments.
Be it breaking onto a site, or snatching an early frag for his team, aspas has been the premier player in the role. His style of steady aim and confident peeks not only lends him an aura of ease around his person, but also in 2023, he continued to showcase his dominance both domestically and internationally. While Masters Tokyo was not his nor LOUD’s tournament, LOUD managed to post a 2nd place finish at VCT LOCK//IN, a 1st place finish in VCT Americas and 3rd at Champions 2023. Overall, to the eye, LOUD’s peak rides and dies with aspas. When he’s a terror on the server, it serves to light everything on fire.
Honorable Mentions:
Wang “Jinggg” Jing Jie
With a will akin to the ‘unstoppable Juggernaut,’ Jinggg is often characterized by his explosive entries and energetic aim. Dont let him in the door, or you may not be able to get him out again.
Ilya “something” Petrov
While we expect great things from this aim prodigy, his time has not come to set the world aflame. A masterful addition for Paper Rex and already seemingly well-suited with the rest, something still embodies some of that rawness that often comes with one newer to the scene.
Konuralp “qw1” Şahin
This daredevil Turkish aim-star shook the European scene in 2023 with his entries. One of the few to even attempt to pilot Neon, qw1 brought a unique flair to the role that made him an exciting prospect to watch.
Best VALORANT Flex Player of 2023
Leo “Leo” Jannesson
There are only a handful of players who have entered the VALORANT arena and shocked the world from the start. TenZ. cNed. aspas. Rarefied air. You will also notice that the majority of these players are flashy superstars, mechanical prodigies who seized attention forcefully with their skill and will. Which is what makes Leo’s performance in 2023 all the more impressive. Not only did he not rely on the flashy duelists, he opted for a support role, slinging recon and support utility for the team on agents such as Sova, Fade, and Skye.
What truly allowed Leo to stand out as a talent this year was his apparent skill in the server and his talent for approaching situations calmly. At such a young age, he already demonstrates such clear lines of thinking, that he stands heads and shoulders above his peers in the same role. This flexibility extended to the point where Leo could seemingly play a large variety of support agents, and still find massive impact for Fnatic. While he may not have lifted the domestic Playoffs trophy, Leo along with Fnatic lifted the LOCK//IN and VCT Tokyo trophy, becoming the first VALORANT team to win back-to-back international titles.
Honorable Mentions:
Goo “Rb” Sang-min
Flex minister for DRX, Rb has worn many hats in 2023. In the process, he has revealed his supreme knack for clutches and has proven himself to be a stablising element within the DRX roster.
Ata “ATA KAPTAN” Tan
The Turkish Terminator continues to impress as the Swiss Army knife for FUT Esports. For the unaware, ATA KAPTAN has undoubtedly been the biggest carry factor for FUT, functioning as their emotional rock in the most dire of times.
Žygimantas "nukkye" Chmieliauskas
Once upon a time, nukkye was considered the quintessential Raze player. With clean movements and an aim that would not quit, he was the undisputed quiet star of his lineups. Now on Giants, he has moved onto the flex role, showing that trading paintshells for swarm grenades has done little to temper that ferocious aim.
Best VALORANT Rifler Player of 2023
Max “Demon1” Mazanov
Love him or hate him, Demon1’s electric performance in 2023 undisputedly earns him the spot as the number 1 rifler in 2023. There were many candidates that fall into this category, ranging across a spectrum of playstyles; from entry riflers to lurkers, from site anchors to secondary entries. So, we at Strafe decided to combine all these aspects, looking across the entire range at what makes sense to judge the best rifler. And it comes down to a number of factors - precision, consistency, impact, decision making.
Not only was Demon1 the catalyst for Evil Geniuses massive boost in performance with his arrival, he also dynamically changed the narrative of agents and roles. Typically, the star players of the team inhabited the duelist role, with the few rare exceptions. So, when there comes along a player who is willing and able to play Astra and Brimstone, and still find as much impact as he does. Then Demon1 can also swap onto the Jett, and let loose. A terrifying precision machine, flexible in role and positioning, absolute decision-making that he has proven through multiple won 1vX scenarios.
Honorable Mentions:
Emir “Alfajer” Beder
The Turkish wunderkind, Alfajer has cemented himself as Fnatic’s strongest performer. A mind-blowing season long performance that puts him not just as the best sentinel player, but in contention for one of the best players in the world.
Nikita “Derke” Sirmitev
The entry spear for Fnatic is a one-man can-do machine who has shown the capability to rifle, OP, entry, play any duelist, and still deliver numbers. This is Derke, the workhorse of Fnatic.
Jason “f0rsaKeN” Susanto
Last year he impressed us as one of the best Jetts in the scene. This year, after some deliberation and role-swapping, f0rsaKeN returns to our regularly scheduled broadcast on sentinels of all things - and he’s still top-fragging.
Timofey “Chronicle” Khromov
Widely considered one of the best players in the world currently, Chronicle’s more methodical style of aiming has netted him one of the most impressive performances year-long. Moreover, considering how many agents he has played for Fnatic, his consistency never seems to waver.
Saif “Sayf” Jibraeel
The will of a player. Liquid in 2023 was driven hard by the hunger of Sayf, with his hard and fast style grabbing many advantages for Liquid. As they got even more comfortable, Sayf regularly became the strongest point of this 2023 lineup, marking him as one of the best pickups of the off-season.
Felipe “Less” Basso
The Brazilian star truly encapsulates the concept of ‘you don’t have to be the flashiest to shine the brightest.’ In 2023, whenever LOUD needed a pick-me-up, more often than not, Less could be depended on. Stable, precise aim, it was rare to see him miss.
Best VALORANT OPer Player of 2023
Zheng “ZmjjKK” Yongkang
Heart on sleeve, full confidence in self, bold in action without any fear. ZmjjKK in 2023 encapsulated pure joy, energy, and confidence. Where angels feared to tread, ZmjjKK was already deep inside. Flashy, flicky OPing, he demonstrates the peak of what a dedicated OP player can bring to a team.
Honorable Mentions:
Erick “aspas” Santos
He may not have the flair of a certain devilish Chinese OPer, but he certainly has the smoothness of a Brazilian. Aspas’ OP style was clean, simple, minimalistic - but he rarely missed. Deadly on an angle, even deadlier on a trade peek, the man was deadly on any weapon, but on the OP - he became something special.
Mehmet "cNed" İpek
Arguably VALORANT’s first dedicated OPer in 2021, cNed makes a triumphant return to the grand stage in 2023. While others may be utilitarian in their OPing, cNed has always performed OPin like an art form - beautiful, alluring, and a dance across danger.
The All-Star Valorant Roster of 2023
In 2023, there were far too many standout performers. But these 5 stood out the most. When considering the construction of a team - you need a duelist, a controller, a sentinel, and two flexes. The IGL can fit into any of the roles. That makes an ideal ratio for the majority of teams. With that in mind, here is Strafe Esports’ first All-Star VALORANT Roster (of 2023).
- Max “Demon1” Mazanov
- Emir “Alfajer” Beder
- Jake “Boaster” Howlett
- Leo “Leo” Jannesson
- Ethan “Ethan” Arnold
These outstanding five are who we predict would make the most impressive/most accomplished dream team in 2023.
The search and argument for the Best VALORANT players of 2023 is a hard road (believe me, the in-house office arguments have been intense on this subject). Nevertheless, more than favorites, more than stars, we wanted to curate a list that truly embodies the idea of a Best VALORANT players.
With all that said, do you agree with our picks? Do you have another name in mind that we may have missed? We know - we couldn’t fit everyone in. Leave your thoughts down in the comments below.
Follow the latest VALORANT news on Strafe Esports. Keep up-to-date with the latest roster moves, tournaments, and news in the scene.
Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
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Strafe's Selections: The Best VALORANT IGLs of 2023.
