# Best/Most Influential Players/Pro From Your State/Country **URL:** \ **Category:** General Yo-Yo\ **Created:** [November 23, 2022, 4:21pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280 "2022-11-23T16:21:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LeftyThrower24](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/leftythrower24/32/264593_2.png) [@LeftyThrower24](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/LeftyThrower24)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 4:21pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/1 "2022-11-23T16:21:06Z")
Hey guys, hadn’t seen a topic like this at least in a long time. Who is the best/most influential yoyoer where you’re from, current or past? Have you met them, seen them anywhere etc? Since I’m from Colorado I think it’s a safe bet for me to say Zach Gormley and it’s not even remotely close lol. I have not met him or seen him anywhere, thought we both attended University of Colorado at the same time but he actually went to BYU lol ---
**Author:** ![craZivn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/crazivn/32/124648_2.png) [@craZivn](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/craZivn)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 5:43pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/2 "2022-11-23T17:43:47Z")
I’m from Wisco and from here it’s gotta be Mark Proksch AKA Kenny Strasser! This guy is a genius. > **[Mark Proksch of 'What We Do in the Shadows' Pranked Midwest TV Stations as...](https://laughingsquid.com/mark-proksch-yo-yo-expert-prank/)** > > Before Mark Proksch was in "What We Do in the Shadows", he pranked morning shows in the 2000s as yo-yo expert Kenny "K-Strass" Strasser. [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/2/9/d/29d8153c48f81de7e0ddc0e8251cfadaeae9b177.jpeg "Kenny "K-Strass" Strasser Strikes Again 🪀 Yo-Yo Master") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBzWHudBoiA) Ivan ---
**Author:** ![nikit\_g](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/nikit_g/32/241453_2.png) [@nikit\_g](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/nikit_g)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 5:48pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/3 "2022-11-23T17:48:00Z")
For me it has to be Ilya Agarishev. Actually I think he is the best yo-yo player in the world atm. Just look at this flow 🤩 [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7rvAFCR_S0) ---
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 6:07pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/4 "2022-11-23T18:07:46Z")
I’d have to say Evan Nagao. ---
**Author:** ![ToastedOats](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/toastedoats/32/182384_2.png) [@ToastedOats](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/ToastedOats)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 6:18pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/5 "2022-11-23T18:18:51Z")
Anyone know of any famous yoyoers from Maine? ---
**Author:** ![LeftyThrower24](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/leftythrower24/32/264593_2.png) [@LeftyThrower24](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/LeftyThrower24)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 6:31pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/6 "2022-11-23T18:31:18Z")
I absolutely love this dude’s style of play ---
**Author:** ![AaronW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/aaronw/32/49251_2.png) [@AaronW](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/AaronW)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 7:08pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/7 "2022-11-23T19:08:52Z")
What qualifies someone to be “the best”? ---
**Author:** ![LeftyThrower24](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/leftythrower24/32/264593_2.png) [@LeftyThrower24](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/LeftyThrower24)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 7:10pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/8 "2022-11-23T19:10:32Z")
Good question, id say accolades and general popularity within the community. Maybe “best” wasn’t the “best” word lol. ---
**Author:** ![MoosaK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/moosak/32/116955_2.png) [@MoosaK](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MoosaK)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 8:06pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/9 "2022-11-23T20:06:59Z")
Adrian Velez [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/7/e/4/7e402672c91b191e81acd29019eb0f4e0459a6f9.jpeg "Edition x Adrian Vélez") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz-AmsQdKN8) ---
**Author:** ![Ardeus](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/ardeus/32/594405_2.png) [@Ardeus](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Ardeus)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2022, 5:35am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/10 "2022-11-24T05:35:39Z")
Does Pedro Flores count? :thinking: :joy: ---
**Author:** ![SR1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/sr1/32/104603_2.png) [@SR1](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SR1)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2022, 6:44am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/11 "2022-11-24T06:44:53Z")
We’ve been lucky to have lots of pros at the DXL meets, which is awesome. Yoshi, Anthony Rojas, Justin Dauer, Kris Toledo and others I’m probably totally forgetting right now are regulars/usually always there. We’ve sometimes gotten “special guests” to join us like Evan Nagao, Brandon Vu and Hunter Feuerstein. If you’re in Socal, definitely try and make it out! ---
**Author:** ![nightshadow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/nightshadow/32/1574_2.png) [@nightshadow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/nightshadow)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2022, 6:40pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/12 "2022-11-24T18:40:13Z")
Dude, I’ve GOT to make it down there sometime. It’s a ways down from Berkeley, but it would so much fun to meet everyone when I get a break. ---
**Author:** ![KorinaMcCarty](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/korinamccarty/32/674591_2.png) [@KorinaMcCarty](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/KorinaMcCarty)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2022, 6:42pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/13 "2022-11-24T18:42:40Z")
With so many excellent players, does it draw a crowd watching? ---
**Author:** ![LeftyThrower24](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/leftythrower24/32/264593_2.png) [@LeftyThrower24](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/LeftyThrower24)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2022, 10:38pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/14 "2022-11-24T22:38:11Z")
I usually come to SoCal once or twice a year so I gotta make sure it’s during a time of a meet! ---
**Author:** ![Pun1sh3R](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/pun1sh3r/32/193125_2.png) [@Pun1sh3R](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Pun1sh3R)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2022, 11:22pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/15 "2022-11-24T23:22:51Z")
Where in SoCal is this please? Where can I find more info? ---
**Author:** ![SR1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/sr1/32/104603_2.png) [@SR1](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SR1)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2022, 11:54pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/16 "2022-11-24T23:54:55Z")
It’s usually always in Artesia since it’s pretty centrally located for LA and OC throwers. If you’re on FB, look up DXL Crew Worldwide YoYo Meetup. If you’re in Insta follow @DXLcrew, Michelle is always great about scheduling and posting meetups when they happen. There’s also [this thread here on YYE](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/dxl-crew-meet-up-december-4th-1pm-holiday-special/352267/115) you can follow for updates if you’re not on social media. It’s a great community and everyone is super chill and welcoming so def come out if you can! ---
**Author:** ![Pun1sh3R](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/pun1sh3r/32/193125_2.png) [@Pun1sh3R](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Pun1sh3R)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 12:00am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/17 "2022-11-25T00:00:21Z")
Thank You. ---
**Author:** ![RadioWaco](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/radiowaco/32/309730_2.png) [@RadioWaco](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/RadioWaco)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 12:38am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/18 "2022-11-25T00:38:54Z")
I’m from Maryland so…I’m going to say Coffin Nachtmahr. Never met him, but I would not be surprised at all if we know people in common unrelated to throwing because they call it Smalltimore for a reason. But if you’re considering the DMV/DC-metro area as a thing, then the answer is Ann Connolly, who is from DC. Never met her either, but if my parents had actually encouraged me to really get into yoyoing and meet people back when I originally started in the very early 00’s, then we would have almost certainly met because I think we’re also around the same age. ---
**Author:** ![Isaac](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/isaac/32/597931_2.png) [@Isaac](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Isaac)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 4:09am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/19 "2022-11-25T04:09:54Z")
If you’re at Berkeley you’ll have to make it down to some Spindox meets. Historically they’ve been in Alameda but they’ve been meeting in San Mateo this year; not sure if that’s the new permanent spot or what. But definitely join the FB group to stay up to date on meets! Cool players known to show up off the top of my head: Josh Yee, Alan Santiago, Alex Hattori, Brendan McGillis, Shuyun Tang (I think he might actually go to Berkeley too?). Then of course @DocPop is right over there in the city 🙂 Also @MaximShoots is near-ish to you and sometimes hosts meet ups literally on Berkeley’s campus lol. ---
**Author:** ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 4:16am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280/20 "2022-11-25T04:16:50Z")
From Minnesota I would have to say Dazzling Dave. I’ve met him, been to a couple of his shows, been to his house for the MWR barbecue, and ran into him at the grocery store. Very nice guy. [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-most-influential-players-pro-from-your-state-country/366280.md?page=2)