TL;DR
- PraY announced retirement after six months as free agent, citing confidence concerns
- Three-time LCK champion with multiple World Championship top-four finishes
- Key member of legendary ROX Tigers roster during Korea’s LoL dominance
- Turned down competitive offers in 2018, teammates moved to other organizations
- Leaves behind legacy as one of Korea’s most successful AD carry players
After securing three LCK championship titles and achieving three top-four placements in World Championships, veteran marksman Kim “PraY” Jong-in has officially concluded his professional gaming career.
The AD carry specialist revealed his decision to step away from competitive League of Legends during a live broadcast on AfreecaTV. This announcement follows half a year without a team affiliation.
“I lack the self-assurance that I can perform at a high level in professional competition,” PraY stated during the stream, according to Korizon.net. “However, declaring complete retirement means eliminating any possibility of returning to the competitive arena.”
PraY established himself as a foundational figure within South Korea’s competitive League landscape over many seasons. His initial breakthrough occurred with NaJin Sword squad, where the team secured third position at the 2013 World Championship tournament. The following year marked his transition to the Tigers organization, where he contributed significantly to building the franchise into a global powerhouse, culminating in a championship match appearance at the 2015 World Championship and capturing the LCK Summer 2016 title.
His winning trajectory continued through stints with Longzhu Gaming and KING-ZONE DragonX, collecting two additional LCK championship trophies. The organization’s competitive standing deteriorated throughout 2018, leading to separation from PraY alongside teammates Han “Peanut” Wang-ho and Kang “GorillA” Beom-hyeon. While Peanut and GorillA secured positions with Gen.G Esports and Misfits respectively, PraY disclosed rejecting contract proposals to take an extended hiatus from professional play, though he initially indicated plans for a summer season comeback. The factors influencing his changed perspective remain uncertain. Observers noted PraY’s evident emotional distress throughout the retirement declaration.
While professional gaming retirements frequently prove temporary, this departure carries indications of finality. Although the news arrives unexpectedly, PraY exits competition with an impressive competitive record as one of the premier performers during South Korea’s League of Legends golden era. His career trajectory offers valuable insights into the evolution of professional gaming careers and the challenges facing veteran competitors in maintaining peak performance across multiple seasons.
Action Checklist
- Review PraY’s championship performances across different team rosters
- Analyze the 2018 team transition period and its impact on his career decisions
- Study the evolution of AD carry role mechanics during PraY’s competitive tenure
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Former ROX Tigers carry PraY retires from League of Legends Legendary AD carry PraY retires after storied LCK career, leaving behind championship legacy