MikeYeung leaves TSM, is now a free agent

After playing on the TSM Academy team for the summer, MikeYeung is now an NA LCS free agent.

Hey guys,
I’m exploring options for the 2019 LoL season

-Phoenix1 2017
-Rift Rivals group stage mvp
-Rookie of the split 2017
-All Stars 2017
-TSM 2018

Feel free to dm or email me at [email protected]
Thanks 😁

— MikeYeung (@MikeYeung) November 5, 2018

MikeYeung would make a post on the team’s official subreddit, saying his farewells. “Hey guys, I’ll probably be looking to join a new team for 2019. I’m sorry for letting you guys down this year. I have a lot of regrets and I’m hoping you’ll forgive me but I’m still really happy about the great memories I made on TSM.” It is a disappointing ending to his short stint with the perennial NA LCS champions.

What went wrong with TSM?

MikeYeung would join TSM for their 2018 year. The team would release multiple players including Dennis “Svenskeren” Johnsen, Vincent “Biofrost” Wang and Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng. In their place, they would bring in All-Star duo Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen and Alfonso “Mithy” Rodríguez. Additionally, MikeYeung would join the team in the jungle position. On paper, TSM was looking like a top-three team once again. MikeYeung had a great split the season before with Pheonix1, and his potential was high.

Of course, we now know that this iteration of TSM would bring the worst results in the organization’s history. MikeYeung did not seem to mesh well with the multiple stars on the roster, and the whole team would struggle as well. TSM would finish third in the 2018 Spring Split, only to drop to Clutch Gaming in the first round of playoffs. It was a very unexpected loss, but a loss that would force TSM to change their roster again. The team would replace MikeYeung in the jungle for rookie Jonathan “Grig” Armao for the Summer Split.

There were multiple rumors to why TSM would replace MikeYeung with Grig. MikeYeung would actually explain on his stream that “Grig fit really well into the team because he fit into their ideal jungle standards”. MikeYeung would also explain that he wanted to play high tempo and make plays. However, TSM wanted a jungler that would rather play around their strong laners. The play styles would clash, so the results would speak for themselves.

The Future for MikeYeung

Many fans still believe that MikeYeung has a ton of potential as a jungler. Unfortunately, TSM would misuse his skills during his time with the lineup. The 19-year-old jungler still has a lot to learn, and has plenty of time to grow. If there was a team that could utilize him properly, he could grow into a very good North American jungler. At times, his aggressiveness can be costly to him and his team. However, his willingness to start fights and stay proactive can be a good asset for a team moving forward.

For example, one NA LCS team that could use a jungler is Clutch Gaming or Counter Logic Gaming. Both teams are going to be looking for junglers in the offseason. Also, both teams will be looking to build from the ground up, after their lackluster 2018 year. MikeYeung could be a great complimentary piece to their teams should they decide to pick him up. Even OpTic Gaming could look towards MikeYeung, as they are allowing both Tristan “PowerOfEvil” Schrage and Matthew “Akaadian” Higginbotham to look for a new team.

What are your thoughts on MikeYeung’s chances for next year? Let us know what you think in the comments below! If you want more League of Legends coverage, check us out here!