One of the most popular discussions in lacrosse today is the presence of American players in the NLL. It hit its lowest point last season with just 28 players, 18 of them on the Philadelphia Wings.
With leagues like the NALL and others, some players got more chances to show their NLL skills- Ethan Farrell is a good example, and some other American rookies like CJ Costabile have emerged.
This draft has the potential for some Americans who can make an impact. Below, we take a look at some of the ones we could see drafted in early rounds.
Peter Baum- Portland, Oregon
Baum is the 2012 Tewaaraton winner with Colgate and the top pick to MLL’s Ohio Machine. He made headlines this week choosing LXM Pro, a west coast based lacrosse tour instead of joining his pro team. Of course, LXM Pro does not run in the winter so Baum would have a chance to play NLL. Portland is closest to the Washington Stealth of any NLL team, so they might be a close to home fit for a team adding more and more Americans (Chris O’Daughtry, Tim Henderson, Drew Snider). The Stealth hold the 8th overall pick, but he might be a better pit around 17th overall or even 26th.
Tucker Durkin- Huntigton Valley, Pennsylvania
Durkin is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Johns Hopkins University after a successful career. He is currently with the Hamilton Nationals after having been traded from Charlotte after draft day. Durkin is a defender at 6’2 and 210 pounds but minimal box lacrosse experience. He seems like a perfect mid round pick for the Philadelphia Wings, maybe when they pick 32nd and 33rd back to back.
JoJo Marasco- Yorktown Heights, New York
Marasco is going to the National Championships in the NCAA on Monday with Syracuse after helping them defeat Denver on Saturday. He was also drafted to the New York Lizards of MLL. He has some of the most box lacrosse experience of any American draftee, spending his summers with Jr A’s Toronto Beaches and had 15 points in 11 games last year. Seems like a perfect fit for a Rochester team that loves Syracuse players, maybe around 27th when they have their first pick.
Rob Pannell- Smithtwon, Pennsylvania
Pannell was the 2011 Tewaaraton runner up with Cornell and he was the first overall pick to the Lizards last season, but stayed at Cornell for one more year. Pannell seems committed to trying out the box game, but with little experience it could be difficult. However, since he is so talented he will get a shot, and Philadelphia seems like a good fit again here.
Mason Poli- Downigton, Pennsylvania
This defender attended Bryant college in Rhode Island and was drafted to the Charlotte Hounds. He is known as a good offensive player in the field game for a long pole, however in the box game he would likely be strictly a defender. He led Bryant to their first NCAA tournament this season and was a Tewaaraton nominee in 2012. He was the 27th overall pick to Charlotte in the MLL.
Mike Sawyer- Waxhaw, North Carolina
Sawyer would be an interesting pick. You don’t see many box lacrosse players from North Carolina make the NLL. He had a terrific career, highlighted by a national championship, at Loyola and was drafted to the Hounds in MLL. He also has no box lacrosse experience, and being from the south, it is interesting to see where or if he will be selected.
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