Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/vhosts/sevenone-esports.staging.dept42.de/httpdocs/web/app/plugins/better-wp-security/core/modules/security-check-pro/class-itsec-security-check-pro.php on line 52 Esports Legends: ChrisJ - | esports.com
Today we’re taking a look at the long and interesting career of Dutch CS:GO star Chris “ChrisJ” de Jong, following his loan move to FunPlus Phoenix.
Often in the Legends series, we talk about all the teams a certain player has joined and how he progressed through them. Today however we come across a rare specimen in the form of Chris ‘ChrisJ’ de Jong, a man that can quite simply be described as ‘Mister Mousesports’. Even for the most consistent and best players in the world, staying at the same organisation for more than seven years seems almost impossible. Chris ‘ChrisJ’ de Jong has been at Mousesports for such a long time, he’d most likely have a statue built for him if it were a football team. The most successful Dutch Counter-Strike player has not been without his struggles however.
“ScoutJ”
ChrisJ was known for his godly Scout gameplay, making jump shots all over the map before the weapon was nerfed. Rarely has a gun seemed so tailored to a player, that even the fans start to adjust its name to the Legend wielding it. Unfortunately with the nerf of the weapon back in 2016, this name and fame has slowly faded.
Up and down
One thing that has seemed to be a constant in the career of ChrisJ is unfortunately the periods where he was put on the bench. During his lengthy stay with Mousesports, he’s been put on the inactive roster three times. These times where he was benched often lasted about a month before ChrisJ would be back with the team. The first benching occured in 2017, just after the ELEAGUE Major, as he was replaced by Tomáš ‘oskar’ Šťastný.
The Majors never really went all that great for Mousesports, as they never really got close to a final. Luckily he quickly made his return to the active roster as Nikola ‘NiKo’ Kovač was transferred to Faze Clan. Early on in 2019 ChrisJ was benched once more, only to be back with a reformed team soon after. This roster was a big change, which resulted in possibly one of the best years of ChrisJ’s career.
Coming back stronger
With such a big change coming to the team, a lot of people would imagine a decently long adjustment period to set in. The team came out hot from the get-go though, doing well at the ESL Pro League Season 9 Groupstage, and even winning some A and B-tier tournaments. Once more however, it seemed as if the Majors just weren’t made for Mousesports, finishing in a disappointing 9th-11th position. However, progress was being made. This all came to fruition towards the end of the year where multiple big titles came soon after one another.
First they went on to play in the CS:GO Asia Championships 2019, where they merely lost two maps before winning the title and showing Mousesports could make true on their potential. Some would argue the field of teams was limited here but ChrisJ and his team had another challenge for themselves just two weeks after at the ESL Pro League Finals Season 10. With the best of the best attending it would be hard to repeat what they did before, and despite going to the lower bracket in the group stage and losing some maps every now and then, they went on to win once more.
It seemed as if the team was at an all time high and as they went on to also play in cs_summit 5, regarded as a slightly lower tier tournament. Yet ChrisJ felt that winning streak and took one more with his team before closing out the year with a second place finish at EPICENTER 2019.
The loan move
2020 Just wasn’t the year of Mousesports. Their performance was all over the place and at the start of 2021, ChrisJ had to make room for change once more. This time was different compared to before though, as he is now on a loan to FunPlus Phoenix. This might mean he will get more playtime but also that his return is not as imminent as it was with prior benches. ChrisJ is known to show up when he needs to, either in big tournaments or with a new team. Hopes are high for this new roster and the Dutch scene will most likely still support their local hero for a long time to come.
Our last piece of the puzzle for the first tournament of 2021 is ready📍
Please welcome chrisJ to stand-in and fight with us for the DreamHack Open! Let the Phoenix fly even higher boys!
