Who should be the next Hall of Legends inductee after Caps?

Rasmus “Caps” Winther is rumored to be the next player inducted into the League of Legends Hall of Legends (HoL), following Faker and Uzi.

If the rumors are accurate, few could argue against his selection. Caps is the greatest Western player in League history, having won MSI, reached two Worlds finals, and collected more European titles than anyone else.

But who should be next? Which players are worthy of potential induction into the history of LoL Esports? I’ve compiled a list of names that I believe should be part of the discussion, for different reasons: some of them for their accolades, some of them for their contribution to the growth of the scene, and some purely because they redefined how the game was played.

Following Faker, Uzi, and potentially Caps, it would be easy to assume Riot wants to rotate the Hall of Legends between Korea, China, and the West. While the inductee has come from a different region every year so far, there are no clear plans for an official regional rotation.

There would therefore be no obligation to select a North American player after Caps or avoid returning immediately to the LPL or LCK. Every eligible player can be compared on the overall strength of their career.

Accolades and historical achievements should naturally carry considerable weight. Winning Worlds, maintaining a high level across multiple seasons, and dominating a role are all parts of building a legendary career. 

However, the Hall should also consider what each player left behind. Uzi, who hasn’t won Worlds throughout his career, was still chosen as the second inductee given his influence among Eastern viewers. The same can apply to players who might follow in the coming years.

When it comes to top laners, the first name that comes to mind for me is Kang “TheShy” Seung-lok. While he does not have the most consistent career, few players have influenced their role as much as he did.

At his peak, TheShy was an unstoppable force in the top lane. His hyper-aggressive playstyle allowed him to pressure opponents from the start of the game, pushing for every small advantage available. 

Back in 2018, it was this strength that allowed him to overpower all his opponents at Worlds, becoming the first LPL team to win a world championship.

TheShy proved that top lane was more than just absorbing pressure, playing tanks and enabling the rest of the map. With strong enough mechanical prowess and understanding of the lane fundamentals, you could carry as a top laner.

That influence remains visible to this day. Many younger top laners grew up watching him and attempt plays that other professionals would have considered too dangerous and volatile. While that become a double-edged sword, the upside is still worth the try.

After taking another competitive break, TheShy returned to Invictus Gaming for LPL Split 3 and one final push towards Worlds 2026. Supporters once again showed up to watch him, highlighting his drawing power during a difficult period for LPL engagement.

If the decision were based mainly on accomplishments, Ryu “Keria” Min-seok would have one of the strongest cases.

Keria has won three consecutive World Championships with T1, establishing himself as a core member of the most successful dynasty in modern League. He has also won an LCK title and collected multiple individual awards, including five consecutive Support of the Year awards (from 2021 to 2025).

What makes Keria so special is his influence inside the game. He expanded what teams believed could be played at support, consistently innovating and bringing unconventional ranged champions onto the professional stage. 

For years, T1 has been able to come up with combinations and drafts that other teams struggled to reproduce because no one possesses Keria’s mechanics, playmaking ability and champion pool.

There is no question that Keria should eventually enter the Hall of Legends. The only hesitation is timing.

Faker was the first inductee, while Oner, Gumayusi, and Keria have since completed an unprecedented Worlds three-peat together. Introducing another T1 player so soon could leave the early Hall overly concentrated around one team and era.

Keria’s induction is inevitable, but there is no need to rush it. Allowing him to further build his individual legacy would be ideal.

If Riot eventually turns towards North America, the decision will likely come down to Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg and Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng.

Bjergsen was arguably the better player on the Rift, especially when it comes to consistency. He won six LCS titles, earned four MVP awards, and went from being the youngster to a leader on TSM. For years, every LCS mid laner was compared against him.

Doublelift, instead, helped define the LCS from its earliest days. Since 2011, Doublelift spent over 12 years competing in NA, winning eight LCS titles and an MSI final with Team Liquid back in 2019. His personality and trash talk created rivalries, remaining as one of the region’s most recognizable players through several competitive eras.

Moreover, both of these players are no longer playing competitively, which should be an additional reason to have them as part of the HoL. Considering Caps is being added, however, the retired or active status doesn’t seem to be a part of the evaluation.

So unless Riot does end up following a regional rotation, neither should move ahead of TheShy or Keria. When North America chooses its first Hall of Legends inductee, however, these are the names I would go for.

If Riot decides to recognize a jungler next, three names deserve to be part of the discussion.

Moon “Oner” Hyeon-jun has won three consecutive World Championships and produced some of his best, most clutch performances on the international stage. His ability to find decisive engages and recover from difficult early games has repeatedly been central to T1’s success at Worlds.

Similar to Keria, however, he would represent another member of the same T1 dynasty shortly after Faker’s induction.

The same could apply to Bae “Bengi” Seong-woong, who won three World Championships with SK Telecom T1 in 2013, 2015, and 2016. If Riot wants to recognize a jungler from League’s first great dynasty, Bengi is the obvious candidate.

He may not have possessed the same carry reputation as some of the other names, but his ability to complement Faker and perform in the most important matches made him essential to T1’s success. His Nidalee game during the 2016 Worlds semifinal against ROX Tigers is still one of the most iconic moments from that era.

My choice among the junglers, however, would be Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu.

Canyon was the engine behind DAMWON Gaming’s dominant 2020 World Championship run and helped redefine what teams expected from the jungle position. His pathing, farming efficiency, and mechanical ability allowed DAMWON to build entire games around him.

Even though he hasn’t been able to reach similar heights in recent years, his peak and longevity still place him among the best junglers in League history. 

For me, Canyon has the strongest combination of peak dominance, longevity, and influence over the role.

The 2026 World Championship could significantly change the Hall of Legends debate, especially if Hanwha Life Esports win the tournament.

Choi “Zeus” Woo-je would become TheShy’s most immediate challenger. He already has two World Championships from his time with T1, won the 2023 Worlds Finals MVP, and has collected more international trophies since joining Hanwha Life.

A third Worlds title would give Zeus the greatest résumés ever assembled by a top laner. More importantly, he would’ve won the tournament with two different organizations, separating his individual story from T1’s dynasty.

Similarly, Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong would also force himself into the conversation. Winning Worlds with HLE would give Gumayusi four titles, including one away from T1. Like Zeus, he would prove that his success could continue outside the roster with which he built his reputation.

Uzi’s presence as the Hall’s first ADC would probably work against Gumayusi receiving an immediate induction. Four World Championships across two organisations, however, is something you wouldn’t be able to ignore.

As things stand, TheShy should follow Caps into the Hall of Legends.

He represents a role that has yet to receive recognition, inspiring many of the top laners who followed him and played a central part in the LPL’s first World Championship. With no regional rotation affecting the selection process, there is little reason to push him aside for a candidate from another region.

Keria is the closest alternative, but more time should pass before Riot inducts another member of T1. Zeus could overtake both if he wins Worlds 2026 with Hanwha Life, giving him three world titles across two organizations.

The larger issue is that Riot currently inducts only one player each year. League has more than a decade of competitive history, and the list of candidates is growing way faster than the Hall can recognize them.

A solution that would partially fix this problem would be the introduction of a class of players, with one headlining HoL each year. The highlighted inductee would still receive the full ceremony and in-game celebration while the other members get the official recognition they deserve.

It would also open up for Riot to make the entire HoL event relevant, with the potential of including more special skins and interactions among the inductees.