North American Counter-Strike has always walked a rocky road. In a scene often overshadowed by European dominance, North America’s rise in CS:GO was built on a handful of players who refused to settle for second best. They weren’t just good – they became some of the best CS2 players. Some of the greatest mechanical talents, fairytale runs, and guiding personalities in the scene have come out of NA, and today we’re going to take a look at five of the most enduring, in no particular order.
Twistzz
One of the sharpest aimers in Counter-Strike, Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken is a true NA icon. A major winner and two-time Grand Slam champion, the Canadian beast has carried the torch of NA flair both within the scene and in Europe. Wherever he has gone, Twistzz has found success, elevating every roster significantly with his presence. During his first stint in Team Liquid, he won IEM Sydney 2019, DreamHack Masters Dallas 2019, ESL Pro League Season 9, and ESL One Cologne 2019, securing his first Grand Slam. During this time, he was never in the conversation for the best NA CS:GO player in the world, but the next chapter in his career made him worthy of being in the conversation.
After his move to FaZe Clan, Twistzz had a dominant run with the roster, winning multiple championships over the course of 2022 and 2023. Together, the FaZe roster won IEM Katowice 2022, ESL Pro League Season 15, PGL Major Antwerp 2022, IEM Cologne 2022 (becoming the first team to win Katowice, Cologne, and the Major in a single year), and ESL Pro League Season 17 – netting Russel his second Grand Slam!
Truly, Twistzz is one of North America’s phenoms. His sharp aim, in-game intelligence, and implacable approach to self-improvement continue to ensure that he performs at the top of his game. Now back on Liquid, whilst the roster has had some troubles of late, Russel will doubtless drive them to success in the future.
EliGE
How could any list of the best CS2 players in NA history not include Refrag’s own Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski? Arguably the greatest American Counter-Strike player of all time, EliGE has proved to be an absolute master at his craft.
EliGE has defined what it means to be a star rifler in NA Counter-Strike. His consistency on Liquid – especially during their dominant 2019 Grand Slam run as mentioned above – put him among the best CS2 riflers in the world, not just the region. Known for his crisp aim, mastery of spray control, and unbelievable longevity, EliGE is arguably the most complete NA player ever.
With a Grand Slam under his belt and a wealth of experience playing at the top of the NA scene, EliGE has been the driving force of every roster he’s played in. While many NA stars have burned bright and faded fast, EliGE has remained relevant through countless meta shifts and team rebuilds. His passion for improvement, combined with a hyper-analytical approach to the game, has made him not just a star, but a true student of Counter-Strike. Now, after a blockbuster move to FaZe Clan, Jonathan is looking to transform a struggling beast and drive the FaZe team to their former glory. If anyone can, it’s EliGE!
Stewie2K
The Smoke Criminal! A wildcard turned champion, Jacky “Stewie2K” Yip brought an unpredictable and aggressive style that helped reshape NA CS’s entire identity. His bold, aggressive playstyle was pivotal in Cloud9’s historic ELEAGUE Boston 2018 Major win – the only Major title ever claimed by a North American team at the time of writing this article. He later helped Liquid during their 2019 peak as well, proving he could win with multiple rosters. Not only that, but we all know what happened with GStew, not too long ago…
Stewie’s aggressive, high-risk playstyle brought North American CS a kind of confidence – and chaos – that it had never truly embraced before. It gave a swagger to the scene, and his smoke-walking, high-risk playstyle earned him a lot of respect – and frustration – from his peers.
What cemented his legacy was that Major: ELEAGUE Boston 2018. Stewie’s iconic hold on Inferno’s B site in overtime, single-handedly keeping Cloud9 alive against FaZe, remains one of the most clutch and emotional moments in CS:GO history. It wasn’t just a win for C9 – it was validation for a whole region, and Stewie was right at the heart of it.
tarik
Tarik “tarik” Celik’s story is one of evolution. Starting out as a skilled aimer with a flashy playstyle, he gradually matured into a world-class competitor, an in-game leader, and – most famously – the IGL who led Cloud9 to North America’s first and only Major win.
Before his Boston glory, Tarik was known for his impeccable rifling and fearless plays, whether it was on CLG, OpTic, or early Cloud9. But what set him apart wasn’t just mechanics – it was his adaptability and composure under pressure. When C9 needed a leader, Tarik stepped up as IGL, a decision which resulted in their Cinderella run at ELEAGUE Boston 2018, capped off by a legendary final against FaZe Clan. Tarik called the shots, held his nerve, and lifted the trophy – not just as a great rifler, but as the architect of NA’s greatest Counter-Strike triumph to date.
With a successful streaming career after his retirement from professional Counter-Strike, Tarik has continued to be a loud and beloved voice in the esports scene. His Counter-Strike days may be behind him, but NA fans will never forget that one day in Boston…
n0thing
Before CS:GO even found its footing, Jordan “n0thing” Gilbert was already a household name in the Counter-Strike scene. A prodigy from the 1.6 days, he made the leap into CS:GO with the same flair and skill that made him a legend in the old school. For years, he was the face of NA Counter-Strike. But n0thing wasn’t just a player; he was a true pillar of the scene.
As part of the iconic Cloud9 core from 2015 to 2017, n0thing brought experience, stability, and a unique brand of charisma to a roster that gradually evolved into an enduringly beloved team. While he never lifted a Major trophy himself, his role in helping to build the foundation that would eventually win one can’t be overstated.
On the server, n0thing’s crisp aim, intelligent positioning, and uncanny sense of timing made him a lethal rifler. Off the server, he was a mentor, a morale booster, and a showman. Whether it was hyping up a live crowd, doing the flashbang dance, or making Twitch and YouTube feel like home long before most pros embraced content creation, Jordan truly made the NA Counter-Strike scene engaging, enjoyable, and powerful.
More than just a player, n0thing was a bridge. He was a bridge between eras, between communities, and between the casuals and the pros. You can count trophies and stats, but when it comes to cultural impact, personality, and long-term dedication to the game, n0thing stands in a tier of his own.
So, there you have it. A rundown of five of the greatest NA CS2 players of all time, in no particular order. Of course, as with any region, there are countless names that could have made the list. Whilst you wait for the next regional ‘best-of’ list, remember to keep up the grind by loading into a Refrag server and getting your aim and utility as sharp as the players covered in this article!
