100 Thieves Rumored to Sign Kim “River” Dong-woo as Starting Jungler
After a disappointing competitive year, 100 Thieves might be making changes to their League of Legends roster. According to esports journalist Brieuc Seeger, the organization is reportedly signing Golden Guardians star Kim “River” Dong-woo as their starting jungler for the 2024 season. River will be joining his third LCS team since the end of 2021 and has gradually become one of the top players in his role.
River was one of the top-performing players during the 2023 LCS Summer Split. He had the second-most kills and most assists among all junglers in the league, according to League stats aggregate Oracle’s Elixir.
Known for his facilitation and engagement skills, River played a vital role in the Guardians’ potent offense. He excelled on champions like Vi, Sejuani, Jarvan IV, and Maokai, setting the stage for teamfights effortlessly. Additionally, he showcased his abilities on carry champions such as Viego and Kindred.
If the rumored move happens, River will replace 100 Thieves’ current jungler and former Finals MVP, Can “Closer” Çelik. Closer, who played a key part in the Thieves’ 2021 LCS Championship victory, has struggled to reach the same heights since then.
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Closer also had a lackluster performance over the past year, ranking among the worst junglers in the league. He recorded the second-lowest KDA and the lowest kill participation percentage among LCS junglers, as reported by Oracle’s Elixir.
Closer’s diminishing damage numbers and underwhelming early-game stats mirrored 100 Thieves’ subpar performances in 2023. The organization will need to revamp its roster for the upcoming year, as several players have already entered free agency.