The landscape of young Counter-Strike talent has shifted once again. Following the graduation of Adrian "xelex" Vincze from the HLTV Prospects list, the race for the number one spot has been blown wide open. Stepping into the void is the Ukrainian rifler David "Dawy" Bibik, who has officially claimed the top position in the September 2026 update.
Dawy’s ascent is a story of persistence. Having been part of the Prospects list since its inaugural edition last year, he has navigated a rollercoaster journey that saw him reach as high as second place back in January before a temporary dip outside the top ten. His recent standout performances at the EWC open qualifier proved to be the catalyst for this return to form, allowing him to leapfrog the previous runner-up, Klimentii "kl1m" Krivosheev.
The ranking update also highlights the rise of Aleksey "xeedo" Mikulich. The K27 player has enjoyed a steady climb since entering the list in January, now sitting comfortably in second place. Behind the top two, the Swedish duo of Liam "MaiL09" Tügel and Alex "poiii" Nyholm Sundgren continues to solidify their status as elite prospects.
Elsewhere, the list welcomes back Gleb "gr1ks" Gazin, who returns to the top ten after a short hiatus. His impact was immediate, posting a 1.58 rating that helped propel BIG into the EWC main event. Meanwhile, the Liquid sniper Georgi "Jorko" Mitev has made his debut in the top ten, signaling a bright future for the organization’s newest acquisition.
With the graduation system keeping the list fluid, the pressure is on for these players to maintain their form while competing for spots in tier-one lineups. As the season progresses, keep an eye on these names during upcoming events.
For those tracking the movement of these rising stars, you can stay updated on their performances through our matches page or check out our latest MyEsports predictions.