TL;DR
- Cloud9 Academy built a veteran-heavy roster with international talent from Australia’s OPL region
- The team features former LCS players Inori and Diamond alongside rising stars Fudge and Palafox
- Riot’s format changes provide more exposure for Academy players in 2020
- Coaching from former pro Reignover aims to maximize the experienced roster’s potential
- Players express confidence in becoming a top Academy team despite competitive challenges
Cloud9 Academy has officially unveiled its competitive lineup for the upcoming NA Academy 2020 Spring Season, signaling a strategic shift toward experienced players in the developmental league.
Riot Games has implemented significant format enhancements this year to elevate Academy players’ visibility. These strategic changes now feature Academy matches during primary LCS broadcast days while introducing Monday League Night—an innovative programming block that strategically blends Academy and LCS competitions.
Organizations across the league are aggressively pursuing this expanded platform by investing heavily in competitive rosters. Nearly every team has undergone substantial Academy roster transformations. While some franchises prioritize developing fresh rookie talent, others are banking on seasoned veterans to drive immediate competitive success.
Cloud9 Academy has adopted a distinctly veteran-oriented philosophy. The organization has strategically recruited international talent from Australia’s OPL region to assemble a lineup positioned to continue Cloud9’s established winning tradition in Academy competition.
- Top lane, Ibrahim “Fudge” Allami
- Jungle, Rami “Inori” Charagh
- Mid lane, Cristian “Palafox” Palafox
- Bottom lane, Calvin “k1ng” Truong
- Support, David “Diamond” Bérubé
Fudge and k1ng arrive at Cloud9 Academy following an impressive competitive year with Mammoth in the Oceanic Pro League, capped by their appearance at the prestigious 2019 World Championship. Mammoth successfully navigated the play-in stage but ultimately fell short during the group phase. Despite their final tournament placement, this represented a monumental achievement for the Australian organization. Remarkably, four of Mammoth’s five starting Worlds players secured contracts with teams outside Oceania, highlighting the region’s growing talent export potential.
“Transitioning from Oceania to North American competition represents a massive career advancement in professional League of Legends. Additionally, Cloud9 stands as one of esports’ premier organizations. The opportunity to join their system carries tremendous significance for my professional development,” Fudge emphasized regarding his career move.
Inori brings substantial LCS stage familiarity to the Academy environment. The experienced jungler previously competed for organizations including Phoenix1, Team Liquid, and Dignitas before his unofficial competitive hiatus in 2017. Inori acknowledged the challenges of securing team opportunities post-2017. He joins Cloud9 Academy with renewed competitive drive and extensive professional experience.
Palafox has established himself within the Academy league ecosystem since his selection at Scouting Grounds in 2017. The mid lane talent was initially slated to join Clutch Gaming Academy but ultimately signed with OpTic Gaming Academy instead, making Cloud9 Academy his third organizational home. During 2019, Palafox contributed to Golden Guardians Academy’s successful summer split campaign that culminated in a finals appearance.
Diamond represents the sole carryover from Cloud9 Academy’s 2019 roster configuration. Diamond has maintained professional activity since 2014, competing with numerous smaller organizations before securing his Cloud9 Academy position in 2018. Notably, Diamond and Inori previously teamed together briefly in 2015 for TSM Darkness, establishing pre-existing synergy.
The strategic value of veteran Academy rosters often lies in their ability to provide stable leadership while developing younger talent. Teams must balance immediate competitiveness with long-term player development—a challenge that becomes particularly acute when integrating international players adapting to new competitive environments.
The organization has secured former professional player Kim “Reignover” Yeu-jin to guide the Academy squad. Players expressed both enthusiasm and ambitious expectations for the 2020 competitive season.
“Our roster comprises highly competitive individuals with substantial mechanical skill. I believe having an elite-level coach like Reignover will strategically guide us toward competitive success. We’re positioned to become a top-tier Academy team—I maintain strong confidence in our potential,” Inori stated regarding team outlook.
Successful Academy team construction requires careful consideration of multiple factors: veteran leadership integration, developmental timeline management, and cohesive team culture establishment. Organizations must navigate the delicate balance between cultivating future LCS talent and maintaining Academy league competitiveness, especially when working with players transitioning from international leagues.
Action Checklist
- Evaluate veteran player integration strategies for developmental teams
- Analyze international talent acquisition patterns from emerging regions
- Assess coaching impact on experienced Academy rosters
- Monitor roster performance metrics throughout the split
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Cloud9 Academy spotlights its 2020 roster ahead of debut Analyzing Cloud9 Academy's veteran-focused 2020 roster strategy and competitive outlook