TSM will play with their academy roster in the LCS 2022 Lock In tournament, the team confirmed in a statement on Thursday. TSM’s main roster has faced complications in preparation due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“Due to multiple issues related to COVID, our LCS roster has not had the opportunity to come together as a team to practice and prepare for the upcoming Lock In tournament,” TSM said in a statement. “In addition, due to international travel restrictions related to the pandemic, Keaiduo and Shenyi are not likely to arrive in LA in time before the start of the Lock In tournament.”
While the main roster is not yet ready, TSM said their academy team has been boot camping overseas and producing strong scrim results during the offseason. This decision was made to avoid creating a combined roster of available players and changing things during the tournament.
The organization announced their main roster on Dec. 12, adding Zhu “Keaiduo” Xiong as mid laner, Edward “Tactical” Ra as bot laner, Wei “Shenyi” Zi-Jie as support and Hong Kong Attitude’s former head coach Wong “Chawy” Xing Lei. Jungler Mingyi “Spica” Lu and top laner Heo “Huni” Seung-hoon returned from last season.
We're making our first change ahead of the 2022 LCS season. A familiar face to many and our starting bot laner, @Tactical.
Welcome back to #TSM FTX, Edward "Tactical" Ra. pic.twitter.com/QWr0xuIJ0q
— TSM (@TSM) November 20, 2021
The TSM academy team consists of Omran “V1per” Shoura in the top lane, Young “Hyper” Seo in the jungle, Ji “Takeover” Cha Hyeun-min in the mid lane, Tony “Instinct” Ng as bot laner and Wang “Yursan” Sheng-Yu as support.
Introducing our LCS Academy roster for 2022.
We're excited to continue working with Hyper, Takeover, and Yursan again for another year, whilst adding 2 fresh faces to the line-up. Ahead of the season, the boys will be heading to KR to bootcamp (visa dependant). Let's get it. pic.twitter.com/bRR3jZA9cy
— TSM (@TSM) November 24, 2021
For some of these academy players, the Lock In tournament will be their first big event, although players like V1per already have a long history in the league of Legends scene, competing for teams like FlyQuest, Dignitas QNTMPAY and Immortals Academy.
Takeover, in turn, played for the Latin American League Of Legends teams Kaos Latin Gamers and LDM Esports.
