2022 All-Black NCAA Lacrosse Team
This is the 4th year (since 2018) that I’ve assembled an All-Black NCAA team for Division 1.
Headline — black players on D1 Men’s Lacrosse programs more than doubled since 2021! Thats right. 2022 is a break out year for black players in mens college lacrosse.
I’ve come up with 159 players in total across the 73 D1 programs, compared with only 72 players last year. This includes Hampton — the only historically black university with a D1 men’s team. Hampton restarted playing in 2022 in the SOCON league.
Below are the stars… but here is my full list for the All-Black NCAA team, Division 1 college men.
I’ve put together this list in the spirit of showcasing progress and the presence of diversity in the game. As noted in past years, I’m not an expert at evaluating lacrosse capability. I’m simply a fan and an African American father of lacrosse players. So I am definitely open to suggestions or revisions. I tried to be thorough, but apologize if I missed or mischaracterized anyone; no slight was intended.
Join me in celebrating these wonderful athletes!
First Team:
- Asher Nolting, Gr, A, High Point
- Xavier Arline, So, A, Navy
- Jordan Galloway, Fr, A, UMBC
- Nakeie Montgomery, Gr, M, Duke University
- Dylan Willis, Sr, M, St. John’s
- Levi Anderson, Sr, M, Saint Joseph’s
- Koby Smith, Gr, D, Towson
- Jaryd Jean-Felix, Sr, D, Rutgers
- Tony Diallo, Jr, D, UMBC
- Bobby Van Buren, Fr, D, Ohio State
- Trevor Yeboah-Kodie, Jr, SSDM, Brown
- James Pryor, Jr, SSDM, Army
- Mustang Sally, Jr, SSDM, Loyola
- Malik Sparrow, Jr, LSM, Denver
- BJ Farrare, Sr, LSM, Penn
- Justin Joseph, Sr, FO, LIU
- Zion Dechesere, Jr, G, Utah
Second Team:
- Amiri Austin, So, A, Cleveland State
- Khairi Sears, Fr, A, UMass — Lowell
- Miles Fawcett, Jr, A, Hampton
- Jeremy Winston, Gr, M, Jacksonville
- Josh Bass, Sr, M, VMI
- Justin Brown, So, M, Michigan
- LaJhon Jones, So, D, Bryant
- Jackson Phillips, So, D, Mount St. Mary’s
- Izu Onyekachi, Sr, D, Siena
- Stevie Jones, Jr, SSDM, Villanova
- Donovan Lacey, Sr, SSDM, Sacred Heart
- Mason Edwards, So, SSDM, UMBC
- Adrian Enchil, Gr, LSM, Brown
- Jordan Young, Jr, LSM, Jacksonville
- Judah Hicks, Sr, LSM, Lehigh
- Thomas Washington, Jr, FO, Marquette
- Aleric Fyock, Jr, G, Penn State
- Jayson Tingue, So, G, UMBC
Honorable Mention:
- Andre Myers, Jr, A, Hampton
- Ari Allen, Fr, M, Ohio State
- Wayne White, Gr, M, Stony Brook
- Dami Oladunmoye, Jr, SSDM, Syracuse
- Alex Smith, Gr, SSDM, Maryland
- Xavier Ritter, Sr, LSM, NJIT
- Ian Groom, Sr, FO, Hampton
- Colton Teitelbaum, Jr, G, Loyola
The depth of talent dictated a breakout of classifications:
- 1st and 2nd Team (35): elite players or best black players at their position
- Honarable Mention (8): players emerging as significant for their team
- Unranked (61): players who see the field and have playing time of note
- Roster (55): players who have limited or no playing time, or out on injury
2022 SEASON OVERVIEW
It has been in interesting year for college lacrosse in 2022— in many ways. The increased volume in the transfer portal, the number of 6th-year players with extended, COVID-driven eligibility, and the return of a daunting Ivy League. A particularly interesting trend with some black players is the emergence of the legit two-sport players coming from football. Navy, Duke, Michigan, and Ohio State specifically had star football players step into the lacrosse spotlight.
Watching my kids play, as well as their friends and teammates, I’ve grown to love and appreciate the game. I’ve enjoyed watching the game at every level, from youth to pro, over the last 12+ years. So I love to see such great growth at the college ranks.
Below are some interesting stats and a few trends from my research. Enjoy!
Positives trends:
- 78% of programs have one or more black player (UMBC and Hampton by far have the most with 8 and 31 respectively). This is up from 60% in 2021. At least a dozen teams added black players for the first time this season.
- Black players come from 26 states (+DC) and 3 Canadian provinces (New York is the clear leader again this year with 29 players from the Empire State). In 2021 there were only 19 states and 1 province.
- The list includes not just roster or role players, but potential All-Americans, All-Conference, and even player of the year candidates — showing the depth of talent.
But there’s work still to be done:
- 22% of programs have NO black players on the roster, including several top 20 and well-known teams.
- 24 states have no black players in D1.
- Black players still overwhelmingly come through the elite high school and club programs — and hotbed states; so still work to do with opportunities to come from public programs and modest resources.
Interesting stats:
