Lourlo: "we just keep getting better"
January 18 2016
It's true what they say. Life just happens. For Lourlo, it didn't just happened; it smacked him right in the face. While the esports dream is a once in a lifetime opportunity, Liquid took this rambunctious 17-year-old, and thrust him right in the spotlight. Yet, that doesn't stop Lourlo from doing what he just does best. Play League of Legends.
Team Liquid: Hi Lourlo! Let’s start by having you tell us a little bit about yourself.
Samson "Lourlo" Jackson: Hey my name is Samson "Lourlo" Jackson. I am 17 years old; born and raised in Illinois. I have been playing League of Legends since it came out of beta. Also, I have been following the scene for such a long time and I have been wanting to play competitive for as long as I can remember.
TL: How long have you been gaming? Have you always been a gamer or is League of Legends the big thing for you?
(Lourlo): I have been gaming for a long time and it all started with World of Warcraft around age 9 or 10, when my brother introduced me to it. After that other games grew on me and a year or 2 later I ran into League of Legends which has had me hooked ever since. Other than League of Legends, I've played tons of games including Hearthstone, Diablo, Minecraft, CS:GO, and many more.
TL: What does it feel like to join Team Liquid? You'll be making your major NA LCS debut on a top team, filling the shoes of Quas.
(Lourlo): It is honestly still pretty crazy to me and I am definitely going to be nervous for the first few weeks, but in terms of filling the shoes of Quas I think it will be challenging at first but not as bad as people set it out to be.
TL: What initially went through your head when you were given the opportunity to play top for TL?
(Lourlo): More than anything, it was just pure excitement having the chance to play on such an experienced team. This made me want to prove myself not only to my teammates, but also towards myself because I have always wanted to compete at the highest level.
TL: Are your parents/family supportive of your esports endeavors?
(Lourlo): My parents are very supportive about the road I took. At first it was hard to convince my dad about what I was doing but after I showed him people were actually making a lot of money from this, and it can be more than just a hobby, it started to grow on him and I am really grateful for that.
TL: I know you have limited experience on other teams… What’s the difference between those past experiences and now on TL, with structure, coaching, etc?
(Lourlo): When I was on CLG Black and Storm before this, the coaching and structure of the team was not always 100%. Partly because of it being Challenger and also because people had no clear direction on what they were doing. Since joining TL its been really crazy being able to learn so much in such a short time, not only about my personal mistakes, but also the communication and information each role should be providing.
TL: Can you tell us about the dynamic? I know you’re the newest member of the team, but how has the mesh and communication been so far between you and your teammates?
(Lourlo): So far the communication and mesh of the team has been a work in progress, but with the help of Locodoco it has been way easier to improve on the things we actually need to improve on, and I think we just keep getting better and better so I am definitely looking forward to this upcoming split.
TL: Coming into the NA LCS, what do you hope to accomplish?
(Lourlo): The main thing I hope to accomplish is to prove myself as a player, because I am coming right out of the Challenger scene with little to no experience and I want to show that hard work and being motivated can pay off.
TL: Now that you’re with the team, what other hobbies do you enjoy outside of practicing LoL?
(Lourlo): My main focus is obviously becoming the best I can be at my role, but in my free time I like to play card games like Magic the Gathering or Hearthstone> I have been trying to learn the guitar, and I am hoping to start going to the gym more frequently.
TL: Who are your favorite champions in LoL right now?
(Lourlo): My favorite champions in League at the moment are Tahm Kench, Fiora, and Riven.
TL: Lastly, anything else you’d like to add or say?
(Lourlo): Nothing in particular. I just want to thank everyone for supporting me and Team Liquid, and I can't wait for this upcoming split!
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