Paper Rex ace Ilya “something” has been enjoying a newfound popularity with the recent success of his team in the international Valorant tournaments this season. His exceptional mechanics and aggression have earned him accolades from viewers and experts, who have dubbed him one of the surprise transfers of the year. And speaking of transfers, the young Russian recently admitted he once tried to force a move to two Indonesian Valorant teams before settling up with the Singaporean team.
During a live streaming session on Twitch, he admitted that he had offered himself to Team RRQ and Boom Esports while still participating in the Japanese regional competition for Sengoku. He did it when he was listed as inactive player on the team, which spanned from September to December 2022.
However, the two parties were unable to reach an agreement on his proposal. He mentioned that RRQ rejected him without offering a trial, while Boom Esports opted not to continue with the contract due to a language barrier experienced during the trial period, which he found odd given that he and the team were communicating in English.
But fortune was clearly on his side, as Paper Rex saw his potential and wasted no time to sign him to be their new duelist in March 2023. In a short period of time, he brought about the change that elevated the team’s performance against the heavyweights. The two teams that denied him, on the other hand, wrapped up in miserable circumstances: RRQ failed to qualify for the 2023 Pacific League playoffs, and Boom Esports was eliminated in the semifinals of the lower bracket of Ascension 2023.
In light of his exceptional match record, something has been recognized as an underrated gem in the Valorant tournament. Based on VLR GG statistics, he scored the highest K:D ratio in the Pacific League and was crowned Grand Finals MVP in May. At the moment, he is also one of the highest rated players in the 2023 Champions and might break a new record if his side makes it to the grand finals.
His success this season has undoubtedly set a new standard for professional Valorant teams in Southeast Asia in their search for undiscovered talent. Previously, Boom Esports analyst Fidel “Fidelwow” Saputra said that Paper Rex’s success with Something had inspired his team to determine transfers for the next competitive season.
