by BALTIMORE – UAlbany senior attack Lyle Thompson (Onondaga Nation) has been picked first overall by the Florida Launch in the 2015 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Collegiate Draft.
The pick was announced at the 2015 US National Lacrosse Convention at the Hilton Baltimore in Maryland.
Thompson is the highest-selected player from UAlbany in MLL Collegiate Draft history. Previously, UAlbany alum Jordan Levine was the lone Great Dane selected in the first round, taken 10th overall in 2008 by the New Jersey Pride.
“I can’t say enough about what Lyle has done for our program and the game of lacrosse,” said UAlbany coach Scott Marr. “He truly exemplifies all the qualities you would want in a person.”
Lyle Thompson becomes the 11th Great Dane selected in the MLL Collegiate Draft. So far, 14 Great Danes have played in the MLL, with Lyle potentially being the 15th.
As a program, at least one Great Dane has been selected in eight of the past nine drafts dating back to 2007.
The Co-Tewaaraton Trophy winner set an NCAA single season record with 128 points in 2014. He tied the NCAA record with 77 assists, adding 51 goals, 48 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers.
He earned numerous yearly awards in 2014, including the USILA Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award for DI Outstanding Player of the Year, the Lt. Col. J.L. (Jack) Turnbull Award for DI Most Outstanding Attackman, IWLCA First Team All-American, America East Player of the Year and Lacrosse Magazine Person of the Year.
Lyle Thompson joins the league along with the rest of the Thompson Trio. Brother Miles Thompson, drafted 20th overall in 2013, and cousin Ty Thompson, drafted 28th overall last year, each are on the Rochester Rattlers roster.
The Launch started as an expansion team in 2014. Leading the team is MLL All-Star and UAlbany alum Brett Queener in goal.
