These are the best NA Academy players ready to take on the LCS

The North American Academy League serves as the premier development ground for emerging League of Legends talent, consistently producing players who transition successfully to the LCS stage. The 2020 season has showcased particularly impressive prospects who demonstrate both immediate impact potential and long-term growth trajectories that could see them competing at international levels.

Recent splits have demonstrated the system’s effectiveness, with multiple academy graduates making smooth transitions to starting LCS positions. Notable success stories include Edward “Tactical” Ra and Colin “Kumo” Zhao, both of whom have established themselves as reliable performers after their promotions. This proven track record makes identifying the next wave of talent both exciting and strategically important for organizations and fans alike.

Understanding which players possess the right combination of mechanical skill, game knowledge, and mental fortitude requires examining both statistical performance and contextual factors that influence their development paths.

Evolved: From Specialist to Complete Player

Jackson “Evolved” Dohan represents one of the most compelling transformation stories in the current academy landscape. His journey from being primarily recognized as a Katarina one-trick to becoming a versatile mid lane threat illustrates the developmental potential within the system.

Originally gaining attention through his dominant Katarina performances, Evolved has systematically expanded his champion pool to include control mages, assassins, and utility picks that make him a flexible asset for any team composition.

His professional career nearly began with Evil Geniuses after being selected at the 2019 LCS Scouting Grounds, but TSM quickly recognized his potential and secured his services for their academy roster. This rapid acquisition demonstrated how highly organizations valued his raw talent and growth potential.

The statistical evidence of his development is undeniable. Evolved currently leads all mid laners with an impressive 6.6 KDA while demonstrating champion diversity through five different picks during the summer split. His ability to carry games across multiple champion types signals his evolution into a complete player rather than a specialized one.

Despite his obvious readiness for LCS competition, Evolved faces the challenge of being behind Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg, who serves as both star player and co-owner for TSM. This organizational dynamic creates a significant barrier, likely necessitating a move to another organization for his LCS debut.

Ablazeolive: Veteran Presence with Untapped Potential

Nicholas “Ablazeolive” Abbott brings a different profile to the talent conversation—that of the experienced academy player who has consistently performed at a high level across multiple splits.

Ablazeolive’s career began at TSM Academy, where he spent two developmental years that culminated in winning the 2019 North America Academy League Spring Playoffs championship.

Currently competing for Golden Guardians Academy alongside established veterans Darshan “ZionSpartan” Upadhyaya and Yuri “Keith” Jew, he contributes to a squad positioned for playoff success with their 7-5 record.

What makes Ablazeolive particularly impressive is his ability to maintain elite laning statistics while adapting to team-oriented roles. His second-place ranking in gold differential at 10 minutes among all mid laners demonstrates his laning proficiency, particularly noteworthy given his frequent assignment to utility champions like Galio and Karma that typically sacrifice individual performance for team success.

The strategic flexibility he demonstrates by excelling on both carry and support-style champions makes him an attractive prospect for LCS teams seeking adaptable mid lane solutions.

Common mistakes for players in his position include overprioritizing personal statistics at the expense of team objectives, but Ablazeolive has shown he can balance both effectively—a quality that often separates academy players from LCS-ready talent.

Lost: Dominant Bot Lane Presence

Lawrence “Lost” Hui represents the international talent pipeline, having joined Echo Fox Academy in 2017 from New Zealand and now demonstrating why he deserves another opportunity at the LCS level.

Lost’s professional journey includes both academy competition and limited LCS appearances during his time with Echo Fox, providing him with valuable big-stage experience that complements his current dominant performances.

His current partnership with support Erik “Treatz” Wessén has developed into the most effective bot lane duo in the academy league.

The statistical dominance Lost exhibits is difficult to ignore. He currently leads the league in both total kills and KDA, establishing himself as the primary carry threat for TSM Academy. This reliability in high-pressure situations is precisely what LCS teams seek when evaluating promotion candidates.

Similar to his teammate Evolved, Lost faces organizational constraints with Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng occupying the starting bot lane position for TSM’s LCS roster.

Optimization tips for players in Lost’s position include focusing on champion versatility and demonstrating ability to play both strong-side and weak-side roles effectively—skills that increase their attractiveness to other organizations.

His performance clearly warrants LCS consideration, likely requiring either a roster move or expanded role within the TSM organization to realize his potential at the highest level of North American competition.

The path from academy success to LCS roster spots involves navigating complex organizational dynamics beyond pure performance metrics. Understanding these factors helps contextualize why certain players remain in academy despite demonstrating LCS-ready skills.

For mid laners like Evolved and Ablazeolive, the current LCS landscape presents both challenges and opportunities.

Practical strategies for academy players seeking promotion include diversifying champion pools to increase roster flexibility, maintaining consistent performance across different team contexts, and developing the communication skills necessary for integrated team play at the highest level.

Common pitfalls include becoming too specialized in specific champion types or playstyles, which can limit roster fit despite strong individual performance.

Time estimates for transitioning to LCS roles typically range from immediate promotion for exceptional performers to 1-2 splits for players requiring additional development in specific areas.

The most successful transitions often occur when players demonstrate not just mechanical proficiency but also strategic understanding and adaptability—qualities all three featured players have shown in their current academy performances.

For comprehensive guidance on professional gaming development paths, see our Complete Guide to understanding player progression systems.

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