HLTV Prospects May 2026: FUT Stars dziugss, dem0n and Krabeni Dominate CS2 Rising Talent Ranking

The latest HLTV Prospects ranking for May 2026 confirms what many Counter-Strike 2 fans already suspected: FUT’s young core is becoming one of the most dangerous rising projects in professional CS2.

Lithuanian rifler Džiugas “dziugss” Steponavičius retained the No.1 spot in HLTV’s monthly prospect rankings, while teammate Dmytro “dem0n” Myroshnychenko remained inside the top three. FUT captain Aulon “Krabeni” Fazlija climbed into sixth place, giving the organization three players in the top six prospects worldwide. 

The achievement further strengthens FUT’s reputation as one of the fastest-growing teams in Counter-Strike 2 esports after acquiring the former NAVI Junior roster in 2025.

FUT’s Ex-NAVI Junior Core Is Taking Over CS2

FUT signed the ex-NAVI Junior lineup after NAVI promoted Drin “makazze” Shaqiri to its main roster and transferred the remaining academy squad. At the time, many analysts viewed the move as a long-term development investment. Less than a year later, the roster is already competing for tier-one titles. 

The team’s breakthrough came at PGL Bucharest 2026, where FUT captured its first major international LAN trophy. The squad defeated B8, The MongolZ, and Astralis during a deep playoff run that established them as one of the hottest young teams in CS2. 

Their recent performances have also boosted the visibility of several players in the HLTV Prospects ranking.

Krabeni Emerges as One of CS2’s Most Promising IGLs

One of the biggest stories in the May 2026 HLTV Prospects update is the rise of Krabeni. Unlike many young stars who focus purely on fragging, the FUT leader combines strong individual statistics with in-game leadership responsibilities.

According to HLTV, Krabeni posted a 1.06 rating against top-20 opposition over the past six months while maintaining 101.3 ADR in rounds won — impressive numbers for an in-game leader competing against elite opposition. 

Krabeni previously explained that the roster received multiple transfer offers before ultimately deciding to stay together under FUT.

“We all knew what we are capable of together, so in the end everyone declined everything,” Krabeni told HLTV earlier this year. 

The 19-year-old also admitted that becoming an IGL was initially unexpected during his NAVI Junior days, but he eventually embraced the role and developed into one of the scene’s most promising tactical leaders. 

MaiL09, poiii and tikuak Continue Rising in HLTV Rankings

Outside of FUT’s dominance, several other players made major moves in the HLTV Prospects standings.

Swedish talent Liam “MaiL09” Tügel entered the top ten after strong LAN performances with Alliance, while Alex “poiii” Nyholm Sundgren also secured a place among the top-ranked young CS2 players. 

Meanwhile, Mongolian prospect Zolbayar “tikuak” Chimedtseren climbed from 48th to 38th after impressive performances against TYLOO, continuing the rise of Asian Counter-Strike talent on the international stage. 

Adam “Grizz” Golden also gained momentum following his standout showing at FRAG 20.

What’s Next for the HLTV Prospects Ranking?

HLTV confirmed that results from PGL Astana and IEM Atlanta were not included in the May update because the rankings only account for matches played before May 6. Those tournaments are expected to significantly impact the next edition of the prospect rankings. 

With only two ranking updates remaining before eligibility resets, the battle for the No.1 CS2 prospect spot is entering its decisive stage.

After winning PGL Bucharest, Krabeni made FUT’s ambitions clear: the team is no longer satisfied with smaller titles and now wants to win a full S-tier event against the best Counter-Strike teams in the world.