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| Spica | ||
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| Background Information | ||
| Name | Mingyi Lu (卢明义) | |
| Country of Birth | China | |
| Birthday | February 17, 2001 (age 24) | |
| Residency | Americas | |
| Prev Residencies | North America | |
| Competitive | ||
| Team |  Near Airport | |
| Role | Jungler | |
| Favorite Champs | ||
| Soloqueue IDs | NA: TSM Spica, ASTROBOY99, Spica1, ONETRICKPOLICE CN: 河道肾, Beabadoobee | |
| Social Media & Links | ||
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Mingyi "Spica" (▶️ listen) Lu (Hanzi: 卢明义) is a League of Legends esports player, currently jungler for Near Airport.
Team History
| Team | Start | End | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 FOX Academy | Jul 20182018-07-25[2] | Mar 20192019-03-20[1] | 7mo 26d | Inactive ejel | ||
 TSM Academy | Apr 20192019-04-20[4] | May 20202020-05-27[3] | 1yr 1mo | ejel | ||
| TSM | Aug 20192019-08-03[7] | Dec 20192019-12-03[5] | 4mo | ejel | ||
| TSM | May 20202020-05-27[9] | Sep 20222022-09-06[8] | 2yr 3mo | ejel | ||
 FlyQuest | Dec 20222022-12-13[11] | Dec 20232023-12-19[10] | 1yr 6d | ejel | ||
| FlyQuest | Dec 20232023-12-22[13] | Jun 20242024-06-04[12] | 5mo 13d | ejel | ||
 Dignitas | Jun 20242024-06-04[12] | Jan 20252025-01-14[14] | 7mo 10d | ejel | ||
| Near Airport | Mar 20252025-03-01 | Present | 2mo 11d | ej |
| Team | Start | End | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOX Academy | Jul 20182018-07-25[2] | Jan 20192019-01-11 | 5mo 17d | ejel | ||
| FOX Academy | Jan 20192019-01-11 | Mar 20192019-03-20[1] | 2mo 9d | Inactive ejel | ||
| TSM Academy | Apr 20192019-04-20[4] | May 20202020-05-27[3] | 1yr 1mo | ejel | ||
| TSM | Aug 20192019-08-03[7] | Dec 20192019-12-03[5] | 4mo | ejel | ||
| TSM | May 20202020-05-27[9] | Sep 20222022-09-06[8] | 2yr 3mo | ejel | ||
| FlyQuest | Dec 20222022-12-13[11] | Dec 20232023-12-19[10] | 1yr 6d | ejel | ||
| FlyQuest | Dec 20232023-12-22[13] | Jun 20242024-06-04[12] | 5mo 13d | ejel | ||
| Dignitas | Jun 20242024-06-04[12] | Jan 20252025-01-14[14] | 7mo 10d | ejel | ||
| Near Airport | Mar 20252025-03-01 | Present | 2mo 11d | ej |
News
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
 FOX.A | July 25, Spica and Cake are added to the GCD.[2] Spica's contract is updated in the GCD, expiring on 17 November 2020. Cake's contract is updated in the GCD, expiring on 18 November 2019.[15] |
| FOX.A | January 11, Lourlo joins from main roster. Lost rejoins from main roster. Spica becomes inactive. | |
| FOX.A | March 20, Spica is removed from the GCD.[1] | |
| FOX.A | March 21, Spica's departure is confirmed.[16] | |
 TSM.A | April 20, Spica is added to the GCD. Fanatiik is removed from the GCD.[4] Spica's contract is updated in the GCD, expiring on 16 November 2021.[17] | |
| TSM.A | May 26, Spica's joining is confirmed. Johnsun moves to substitute. Grig leaves for main roster. Fanatiik's departure is confirmed.[18][19] | |
| TSM | August 3, Spica joins from academy roster.[7] | |
| TSM | December 3, Peter Zhang (Coach to Head Coach), Haitham (Analyst to Assistant Coach), Lustboy (Assistant Coach to Strategic Coach), and David Denis (Esports Psychology Trainer to Head of Performance) change positions. Spica leaves for academy roster.[5][6] | |
| TSM.A | December 3, Dhokla, Evolved, and Lost join. Spica and Treatz will remain with the team for 2020.[20][21] | |
| TSM.A | December 17, Spica's contract is updated in the GCD, expiring on 16 November 2021.[22] |
| TSM.A | May 27, Spica leaves for main roster.[3] | |
| TSM | May 27, Spica rejoins from academy roster.[9] | |
| TSM | December 10, Spica's contract is updated in the GCD, expiring on 15 November 2022. Lost's contract is updated in the GCD, expiring on 21 November 2023.[23] |
| TSM | July 29, Huni, Spica, PowerOfEvil, and SwordArt's contracts are updated in the GCD, expiring on 22 November 2022.[24] |
| TSM | September 6, Spica leaves.[8] | |
 FLY | December 13, Spica joins.[11] Spica's contract is updated in the GCD, expiring on 21 November 2023.[25] | |
| FLY | December 16, Spica's contract is updated in the GCD, expiring on 19 November 2024.[26] |
| FLY | December 19, Spica is removed from the GCD.[10] | |
| FLY | December 22, Spica (Content Creator) joins.[13] |
| FLY | June 4, Spica (Content Creator) leaves.[12] | |
 DIG | June 4, Spica and Jensen are added to the GCD. Mabrey (Strategic Coach/Sub/Bot to Strategic Coach)'s position is changed in the GCD.[12] Spica and Jensen's contracts are updated in the GCD, expiring on 19 November 2024.[12] | |
| DIG | June 5, Spica's joining is confirmed.[27] | |
| DIG | October 31, Spica changes residency from North America to Americas. |
Biography
2018 Season
Spica debuted at the 2017 NA Scouting Grounds as a relatively unknown solo queue prodigy. Playing for Team Infernal Drake, he impressed enough to be drafted second, by Echo Fox. Due to still being in high school, Spica would not play for the organization until after the school year ended, joining Echo Fox Academy in July to play in the final three weeks of NA Academy 2018 Summer. Echo Fox Academy already had a poor record when Spica joined and the team did not improve much afterward, winning only two of the six games he played. While on the team, Spica and teammates Cake and Mabrey received a competitive ruling for griefing in solo queue by target banning their own teammates.[28] Spica was issued a warning, while Cake and Mabrey were fined for additional instances of toxicity surrounding the incident.
2019 Season
Although Spica remained with Echo Fox Academy during NA Academy 2019 Spring, he became inactive to continue high school and did not play during the tournament. In April, Spica moved to TSM Academy where he competed for NA Academy 2019 Summer and achieved a fourth place finish in the regular split. In August, Spica was unexpectedly called up to the main TSM roster due to dysfunction with its two junglers Grig and Akaadian. Spica played for TSM during the final week of LCS 2019 Summer and continued as the starter during playoffs and regional finals, where TSM failed to qualify for Worlds 2019 after being reverse swept by Clutch Gaming. Although Spica managed to steal some critical objectives, the team failed to perform up to expectations while he was on the roster.
2020 Season
Although veteran TSM mid laner Bjergsen wanted Spica to continue as the team's starting jungler for the 2020 season, TSM management did not believe Spica was ready for the LCS. He returned to TSM Academy while the main team replaced him with Dardoch. After a decent NA Academy 2020 Spring, as well as continued disappointing performances from the main squad and Dardoch in particular, Spica was once more called up to the main TSM roster for LCS 2020 Summer. By this time, the jungler position on TSM had become highly volatile, with changes made to the position every split since 2018. Many fans had low expectations for Spica, especially after TSM's poor performance at the end of 2019. These low expectations were not helped when, during the first game of the split, Spica played Kayn (a jungler considered highly off-meta) and performed extremely poorly during a blowout loss to Team Liquid. TSM struggled for the first half of the split, with Spica's performance being inconsistent and often criticized by fans. However, TSM started to improve and ultimately finished the split with a respectable 12-6 record.
During playoffs, TSM was upset in the first round by Golden Guardians and dropped to the Loser's Bracket. After easily defeating the struggling Dignitas 3-0, TSM faced a rematch with Golden Guardians, which the team barely managed to reverse sweep with a close Game 5. Spica slowly started to make a name for himself during this playoff run, first with strong Nidalee play, then after picking the off-meta jungle Shen in two games against Team Liquid, where he performed some crucial engages to help win the series. After defeating FlyQuest in the finals, TSM completed the "miracle" Loser's Bracket run and won its first LCS split since 2017.
While hype for the team was high going into Worlds 2020, TSM heavily disappointed after finishing 0-6 in the group stage and being eliminated from the tournament. Although the team performed poorly, Spica was praised for his individual play.
2021 Season
After the retirement of superstars Bjergsen and Doublelift, TSM replaced almost its entire roster, keeping only Spica from the 2020 championship squad. The new roster struggled during the LCS 2021 Lock In tournament and the first few weeks of LCS 2021 Spring, leaving many fans unimpressed with the roster decisions and calling for substitutions from TSM's Academy squad. The team improved, but Spica had a relatively quiet split after the hype he had garnered the previous year, winning only two Player of the Game awards and not appearing on any All Pro team. TSM finished third in playoffs, losing to Team Liquid even after the emergency substitution of Armao to replace Santorin.
In Summer, TSM got off to a stronger start than the previous split, with Spica distinguishing himself as a top performer. During the split, commentators such as LS described Spica as both the best player on TSM and the best jungler in the LCS, with praise given to his mechanical ability and smart pathing. The LCS broadcast team frequently compared Spica to Blaber, the previous split's MVP jungler who also started his competitive career at the 2017 NA Scouting Grounds. Spica's performance helped lead TSM to a first place regular season finish, the first time TSM had accomplished that since 2017.
Trivia
- Is a Chinese citizen, despite living in the United States.[29]
- Fluent in English and Mandarin.
- Stole Baron in his LCS debut against FlyQuest in the LCS 2019 Summer, then again in his playoff debut against Clutch Gaming in the Summer Playoffs.
- Has since become known for winning Smite fights over neutral objections and stealing Barons.
- Jokingly known for his
Sejuani due to a low career win rate on the champion. - Known for performing a "9 man sleep" at Worlds 2020 after ulting all five enemy champions as Lillia but receiving no follow-up from his team.[30]
- Described by Bjergsen as the best Nidalee player in North America.
- Known for his taste in designer shoes and clothes.
- Is currently in a relationship with Team Liquid's Japanese-Brazilian streamer Mayumi.
- When he was invited to play in the CBOLÃO Season 6 along other LCS players, his NA team went by Near Airport. Funnily enough, he currently participates in Doublelift's NACL team that goes by the same name.
Individual Awards
- LCS Most Valuable Player (2021 Summer)
- LCS 1st All-Pro Team (2021 Summer)
- LCS 2nd All-Pro Team (2023 Spring)
Tournament Results
This table shows up to the 10 most recent results. For complete results, click here.
| Spica Showmatch Results | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Pl | Event | Last Result | Team | Roster |
| 2023-01-10 | 1 | SKE 2023 North America | 2 : 1  BOOM | ZOOM | Revenge, Spica, Jojopyun, Berserker, Busio |
| 2020-05-31 | 2 | NA Pro Exhibition Matches 2020 |  TSM | Bjergsen, Doublelift, Spica, Biofrost, Broken Blade | |
Media
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- April 2, [Academy Spring Playoffs] TSM Spica: "...I have confidence that we will be able to take on DIG"." with Nick Geracie on Inven Global
- June 14, TSM Spica: “We’re a new team, so we’re just going to slowly improve, and then at the end of the split, we’ll be top 3” by Tyler Esguerra on Dot Esports
- July 5, Spica talks TSM’s recent upswing and discovering their identity as a mid-focused roster by Tyler Esguerra on Dot Esports
- September 10, Why TSM Spica is on pace to become the best jungler in the LCS - Run It by Travis Gafford on YouTube
- March 8, 7 THINGS TSM SPICA CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT! • TSM LEAGUE OF LEGENDS by TSM on YouTube
- July 7, TSM Spica Extended INT: Growing up playing League, turning from TSM fan to pro, and his LPL plans with Travis Gafford on YouTube
- March 1, Spica on why TSM promoted Yursan to the LCS: "It didn't feel like we were moving forward." with Nick Geracie on Inven Global
- March 14, Spica speaks on the emotional side of TSM's struggles with Travis Gafford on YouTube
- June 20, Spica explains why Markz should be FIRED with Travis Gafford on YouTube
- December 28, Flyquest just built a CHAMPIONSHIP roster by Tony Rona on YouTube
- January 27, Time with QTC & SPICA: Yuumi Cake Decorating by LCS on YouTube
- February 1, Spica will make his critics "REGRET IT" this year with Travis Gafford on YouTube
- February 10, Rivalry match with Doublelift, Bjergsen looms large for Spica—and he’s even dreaming of picking Lillia with Tyler Esguerra on Dot Esports
- February 16, Spica reveals that FlyQuest “don’t feel challenged” in the LCS with Carver Fisher on Dexerto
- March 4, Catching Up With Doublelift ft. Spica with MarkZ on YouTube
- March 14, What League team was "INSANE" to play against according to FLY Spica? with dGon on YouTube
- July 9, FLY Spica Recollects his Memories w/ REGI and SWORDART with dGon on YouTube
- July 11, Spica Talks FLY Issues & Calls EG Frauds | The Dive with Azael and MarkZ on YouTube
- December 7, FLANALISTA, SPICA e PALAFOX - Da LCS para o CBOLAO - 2v1 Podcast #61 with 2v1 Podcast on YouTube
- June 13, DIG Spica: "APA has been talking a lot of shit in solo queue, and I want to put him in his place" with Armand Luque on YouTube
- June 18, LCS Junglers Winless Therapy Session | PROS ft. Spica, Contractz, & Tomio by Raz on YouTube
Post-Match Interviews
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
| Date | Tournament | Match | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-08-04 | LCS 2019 Summer |  FLY vs TSM | Link |
| Date | Tournament | Match | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-06-20 | LCS 2020 Summer |  IMT vs TSM | Link |
| 2020-07-26 | LCS 2020 Summer |  CLG vs TSM | Link |
| 2020-08-29 | LCS 2020 Summer Playoffs | TSM vs  C9 | Link |
| 2020-09-05 | LCS 2020 Summer Playoffs |  TL vs TSM | Link |
| Date | Tournament | Match | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-02-13 | LCS 2021 Spring | TSM vs  GG | Link |
| 2021-02-20 | LCS 2021 Spring | TSM vs  100T | Link |
| 2021-03-27 | LCS 2021 Mid-Season Showdown | TSM vs  EG | Link |
| 2021-06-13 | LCS 2021 Summer | CLG vs TSM | Link |
| 2021-06-19 | LCS 2021 Summer | TSM vs  DIG | Link |
| 2021-08-01 | LCS 2021 Summer | TSM vs CLG | Link |
| 2021-08-20 | LCS 2021 Championship | IMT vs TSM | Link |
| Date | Tournament | Match | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-03-07 | LCS 2022 Spring | TSM vs GG | Link |
| 2022-03-26 | LCS 2022 Spring | TSM vs CLG | Link |
| 2022-06-19 | LCS 2022 Summer | TSM vs IMT | Link |
| 2022-08-07 | LCS 2022 Summer | TSM vs DIG | Link |
| Date | Tournament | Match | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-01-27 | LCS 2023 Spring | FLY vs TL | Link |
| 2023-02-17 | LCS 2023 Spring | CLG vs FLY | Link |
| 2023-03-17 | LCS 2023 Spring | FLY vs TSM | |
| 2023-06-29 | LCS 2023 Summer |  NRG vs FLY | Link |
| Date | Tournament | Match | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-06-22 | LCS 2024 Summer | 100T vs DIG | |
| 2024-08-03 | LCS 2024 Summer | NRG vs DIG | |
| 2024-08-11 | LCS 2024 Summer | DIG vs IMT |
Images
-
INF Spica, NASG 2017 -
TSM.A Spica, NA Academy 2019 Summer -
TSM.A Spica, NA Academy 2020 Spring -
TSM Spica, LCS 2021 Spring
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TSM Spica, LCS 2021 Summer
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TSM Spica, LCS 2022 Spring
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TSM Spica, LCS 2022 Summer
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FLY Spica, LCS 2023 Spring
Name Pronunciation
| Spica | |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | Riot |
| Voiced By | Raafaa |
Redirects
The following pages redirect here:
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Archive Pages: before change - NA - 2019-03-19; after change - NA - 2019-03-20
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Archive Pages: before change - NA - 2018-07-24; after change - NA - 2018-07-25
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Team SoloMid's Tweet twitter.com
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Archive Pages: before change - NA - 2019-04-19; after change - NA - 2019-04-20
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 TSM's Official 2020 LCS Roster Announcement tsm.gg
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Team SoloMid's Tweet twitter.com
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Team SoloMid's Tweet twitter.com
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Spica's Tweet twitter.com
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Team SoloMid's Tweet twitter.com
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Archive Pages: before change - NA - 2023-12-18; after change - NA - 2023-12-19
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 FlyQuest's Tweet twitter.com
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 Archive Pages: before change - NA - 2024-06-03; after change - NA - 2024-06-04
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 FlyQuest's Tweet twitter.com
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Archive Pages: before change - AME - 2025-01-13; after change - AME - 2025-01-14
- ↑ Archive Pages: before change - ; after change - NA - 2018-07-25
- ↑ Spica's Tweet twitter.com
- ↑ Archive Pages: before change - ; after change - NA - 2019-04-20
- ↑ TSM League of Legends Mid-Season Update tsm.gg
- ↑ Team SoloMid's Tweet twitter.com
- ↑ TSM's Official 2020 LCS Roster Announcement tsm.gg
- ↑ Team SoloMid's Tweet twitter.com
- ↑ Archive Pages: before change - ; after change - NA - 2019-12-17
- ↑ Archive Pages: before change - NA - 2020-12-09; after change - NA - 2020-12-10
- ↑ Archive Pages: before change - NA - 2021-07-28; after change - NA - 2021-07-29
- ↑ Archive Pages: before change - NA - 2022-12-12; after change - NA - 2022-12-13
- ↑ Archive Pages: before change - NA - 2022-12-15; after change - NA - 2022-12-16
- ↑ Dignitas' X Post x.com
- ↑ Competitive Ruling: Mingyi "Spica" Lu, Tristan "Cake" Côté-Lalumière, and Joshua "Mabrey" Mabrey nexus.leagueoflegends.com
- ↑ Spica's Twitch Clip twitchstats.net
- ↑ TSM's Legendary 9-men Sleep at Worlds 2020 youtube.com