LPL probes Top Esports jungler Naiyou over Skarner build

Top Esports reported jungler Yang ‘naiyou’ Zijian to the League of Legends Pro League disciplinary team after an unusual in-game build during the March 2 elimination series against Weibo Gaming. The investigation centers on the fifth and deciding game of a five-game match that eliminated Top Esports.

The club posted on its official Weibo account that it suspects Naiyou of “seriously violating club rules and regulations and professional ethics, and engaging in improper conduct that affects the fairness of the competition.” The post said the organization will deal with internal violations “strictly and severely” and thanked fans and partners for their supervision. The statement was translated into English; minor differences may exist in translation.

The inquiry focuses on Naiyou’s item choices while playing the champion Skarner in game five. Late in that game, Weibo Gaming held a significant lead, helped by strong performance from ADC Zhao ‘Elk’ Jia-Hao on Jinx. Naiyou purchased multiple magic-resistance items, a choice some observers questioned because Jinx deals attack damage and players often buy armor to reduce physical damage from AD champions. Top Esports did not specify which in-game actions beyond those purchases formed the basis for the report.

Top Esports asked the LPL disciplinary team to investigate whether the player’s actions breached team rules or competitive fairness. The club did not provide a timeline for the league inquiry, give details on potential sanctions, or announce any roster changes. It said the matter will be treated as an internal violation while the club cooperates with league procedures.

After the series ended, top laner Bai ‘369’ Jiahao defended teammates on social media, writing: “I’ve seen a lot of malicious comments about the jungler and support, and I really can’t help but say something. How can newcomers achieve results and have the confidence to make a name for themselves if they keep saying that there are no new talents in the LPL?”

The case follows earlier integrity actions in professional League of Legends. In 2021, player Zhou ‘Bo’ Yang-Bo was suspended over allegations of match-fixing. In January 2025, Riot Games suspended League of Legends Circuit Oceania player Dai Phu ‘Hoopa’ Mong for 12 months for match-fixing breaches.