Jorko and nEMANHA named eligible for HLTV Rookie of the Year 2026

GG Brief Editorial Desk · AI-assisted, source attributed

Dust2.us reports that Georgi “Jorko” Mitev and Nemanja “nEMANHA” Đukić have been listed as eligible for HLTV’s Rookie of the Year award for 2026. Jorko joined Team Liquid in July and has averaged a 1.04 rating across 87 maps since joining. nEMANHA signed with Wildcard from illwill and is eligible despite being 29, as Dust2.us notes the award’s eligibility is based on a breakout year in tier-one Counter‑Strike rather than age. Dust2.us also indicates both are longshots compared with other contenders such as FUT’s Džiugas “dziugss” Stepona.

• What happened: Dust2.us reports that Georgi “Jorko” Mitev (Liquid) and Nemanja “nEMANHA” Đukić (Wildcard) were named eligible for HLTV’s Rookie of the Year 2026.
• Why it matters: Dust2.us notes eligibility is for players in their breakout year in tier-one Counter‑Strike, and highlights Jorko’s 1.04 rating across 87 maps since joining Liquid in July as performance evidence.
• Context: Dust2.us reports nEMANHA joined Wildcard from illwill and is eligible at age 29 because the Rookie criteria are not age‑based; Dust2.us also describes both as unlikely to win compared with contenders such as FUT’s Džiugas “dziugss” Stepona.
• What next: Dust2.us does not confirm the award winner or a timeline for HLTV’s announcement; the report lists eligible players and contenders but does not state when HLTV will name the Rookie of the Year.