Lacrosse is one of the oldest and most popular sports in the world. It has seen many great players in its storied history, but in the top 6 ranked lacrosse men's players of all time, a few names stand out among the rest.
These are some of the all-time greats who made lasting contributions to their sport—changing it forever.
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Top 6 Ranked Lacrosse Men’s Players of All Time
1. Jim Brown
Source: insidelacrosse.com
The legendary player Jim Brown is widely considered one of the greatest lacrosse players of all time. He began his professional career at Manhasset High School in New York and played lacrosse for Syracuse University from 1955-57. During his time at Syracuse, he led the team to a perfect undefeated season and was awarded the Heisman Trophy of lacrosse, the Tewaaraton Legend Award, in 2011.
Jim Brown was also a standout football player, playing for the Cleveland Browns from 1957-1965. During his nine-year career with the Browns, he won three consecutive national championships and was named MLL MVP in 1965 after receiving the MVP award. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971 and is still considered one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
In addition to his football and lacrosse accolades, Jim Brown has been recognized for his philanthropic work throughout his life. In 2000, he founded The Amer-I-Can Program focuses on helping inner-city: youth develop life skills that will help them become successful adults. The valuable player also serves as a mentor to young athletes today who are looking to follow in his footsteps both on and off the field.
Lacrosse Championships & Awards:
2. Mikey Powell
Mikey Powell is one of the most decorated lacrosse players in history. He was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and became a four-time winner of the Jack Turnbull Award as the top attackman in Division I lacrosse. He also holds the record for the most career points (307) and is the only player to win the Tewaaraton Trophy twice.
Powell played for Team USA and competed in Major League Lacrosse (MLL) and LXM Pro Tour. During his time with Team USA, he helped lead them to three World Championships, two World Indoor Championships, and an International Lacrosse Federation championship game. His success on the field earned him a spot in the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the Syracuse University Athletics Hall of Fame.
In recognition of his accomplishments, Syracuse University will be retiring Mikey Powell's jersey number this year - making him only the second men's lacrosse player to have his jersey retired by SU. This honor is a testament to Powell's greatness on and off the field and his commitment to excellence throughout his career.
Lacrosse Championships & Awards:
3. Gary Gait
Source: wikipedia
Gary Gait is a retired Canadian Hall of Fame professional lacrosse player and is currently the head coach of the men's lacrosse team at Syracuse University. Widely considered the most outstanding player in lacrosse history, Gait has won an impressive 10 NCAA career assists championships and set a league record.
Gait won three titles as a player for Syracuse Orange (1988-90) and seven as an assistant women's lacrosse coach at the University. He has also been inducted into the US Lacrosse National Hall of Fame and was a Phi Delta Theta Fraternity member. In addition, he is only the second player in NLL history to have his jersey number retired.
In 2001, Gait started playing in Major League Lacrosse for the Long Island Lizards before moving to the Baltimore Bayhawks. He then became the head coach of the Syracuse women's lacrosse community from 2008-2022, leading them to 14 NCAA tournament appearances and two national championships.
Gary Gait is truly one of the most accomplished players in pro lacrosse history, with 10 NCAA championships under his belt and countless other accolades that make him one of the best players ever to play this sport.
Lacrosse Championships & Awards:
4. John Grant Jr.
John Grant Jr. is a Hall of Fame professional lacrosse player who has had an impressive career in Major League Lacrosse, the National Lacrosse League, and Team Canada. Throughout his 17 seasons in the MLL, he played in 171 games and put up an incredible 643 career points - almost 4 points per game! He also won two FIL World Field Lacrosse Championships, one as a player in 2006 and one as an assistant OC in 2014.
In addition to his success on the field, Grant Jr. has also achieved great success off the field. He currently serves as the Gerstell Academy Lacrosse Director/Head Coach, Redwoods LC OC, Epoch Lacrosse Sr Advisor, and Former NLL/MLL & Team Canada male player. In addition, he has played for the Ontario Lacrosse Association. Grant has achieved a historic milestone by reaching an incredible 110-point total in his senior year, which is the most points any player has ever scored single-season points in a lacrosse season!
In 2021 he was welcomed to Gerstell Academy as their coach, and he also stepped down from his role as offensive coordinator at Johns Hopkins after two successful seasons with the Blue Jays.
John Grant Jr.'s passion for lacrosse is evident through his long-standing career and accomplishments both on and off the field. His dedication to the sport has earned him a place among some of the greatest lacrosse players of all time.
Lacrosse Championships & Awards:
- 1x USILA National Collegiate Player of the Year
- 2x Major League Lacrosse MVP
- 3x Major League Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Year
- Winner of the Jack Turnball award
5. Paul Rabil
Paul Rabil is an American former professional lacrosse male player and co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League. He was born on December 14, 1985, in Austin, Texas, United States. Paul Rabil has played lacrosse since he was 12 years old and has achieved great success.
Rabil's first major success came when he led his high school lacrosse team to three WCAC Championships over four years, with a record of 49-16. He played college lacrosse at Johns Hopkins University, where he was named All-American twice and helped lead the team to two NCAA championships.
In 2018, Rabil retired from professional lacrosse and co-founded the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). The PLL is a professional field lacrosse league that features some of the best players in the world competing against each other every week. Since its founding, the PLL has become one of North America's most popular sports leagues and continues to grow rapidly every year.
The MLL MVP Paul Rabil is undoubtedly one of the greatest players ever to grace a lacrosse field and will be remembered for many years for his achievements on and off the field.
Lacrosse Championships & Awards:
6. Jim Thorpe
Source: Youtube
Jim Thorpe is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. He was an Olympian and a professional athlete who excelled at multiple sports, including lacrosse. Thorpe played for the Jim Thorpe All-Americans in the Professional Box Lacrosse Association (PBLA) league in December of 2022, representing his hometown of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.
Thorpe's career accomplishments in lacrosse are legendary. He was a member of the Sac and Fox Nation and was considered the first Native American to win a gold medal in the Olympics. During his playing career, he also won championships with teams such as the Bulldogs and Portsmouth Shoe-makers. In October 2022, PBLA announced that they would be naming their 9th team after Jim Thorpe, honoring his legacy and contributions to the sport of lacrosse.
In addition to being an incredible male player, Thorpe was also instrumental in introducing lacrosse to Carlisle Indian School, where he attended school as a young man. His influence on the game has been felt throughout its history. It continues today through organizations like Jim Thorpe All Americans, which honor his legacy by promoting youth participation in lacrosse.
Jim Thorpe's impact on the sport of lacrosse will never be forgotten. His skill and determination were unparalleled, making him an inspiration for generations of players who have followed him into the game.
Lacrosse Championships & Awards:
Best Players In The NCAA Lacrosse History
The NCAA Lacrosse landscape is full of talented players who have significantly impacted the sport. Some of the most notable players in NCAA records history include Kevin Leveille, Matt Gaudet, and Matt Danowski.
Kevin Leveille was an offensive standout during his time at UMass and is regarded as the NCAA's all-time leader in assists.
Matt Gaudet played for Duke from 2004 to 2007 and was one of college lacrosse's most consistent three-point shooters.
Finally, Matt Danowski is best known for leading Duke to two national titles in 2005 and 2007 and finished his career with 368 points which is tied for tenth on the all-time scoring list.
Best Major League Lacrosse Players
Major League Lacrosse (MLL) has been around since 2001 and has seen its fair share of talented players. Some of the best MLL players include Paul Rabil, Joe Walters, Kyle Hartzell, Max Seibald, and Jordan MacIntosh.
Paul Rabil is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest lacrosse players of all time and is a two-time MVP while playing in MLL.
Joe Walters was an offensive force during his time with the Chesapeake Bayhawks, leading the team to three Steinfeld Cup Championships.
Kyle Hartzell was known for his exceptional defensive play while suiting up for the Ohio Machine and Long Island Lizards. In addition, Max Seibald earned recognition as one of the top midfielders in MLL due to his great vision on offense.
Finally, Jordan MacIntosh provided leadership both on and off the field while playing with Rochester Rattlers and Denver Outlaws.
Best Premier Lacrosse League Players
The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is home to some of the best lacrosse players in the world. Some of the most notable player performances in PLL's short history include Paul Rabil, Joe Walters, Myles Jones, and Tom Schreiber.
Paul Rabil is one of the founding members of PLL and has been leading the league since its launch in 2019.
Joe Walters was named Offensive Player of the Year for his outstanding performance in 2020 with Archers LC.
Myles Jones had an impressive season with Chrome LC and finished second in points during the regular season.
Tom Schreiber was instrumental in Atlas LC's run to the final four, as he ranked third overall in goals scored during the 2020 campaign.
FAQs
Who is the best men's lacrosse player of all time?
The best men's lacrosse players of all time are widely debated, but many fans and experts agree that two-time NCAA champion Mikey Powell holds the title. As a midfielder for Syracuse University, he revolutionized the game with his physicality, scoring, and athletic ability.
Who was better, Paul or Gary Gait?
The debate between Paul Rabil and Gary Gait as the greatest lacrosse player of all time is ongoing. Still, many lacrosse fans and experts agree that Gary Gait was the superior athlete.
As a standout player for Syracuse University, he scored 93 goals and 98 assists over four seasons and won three national championships. He was named two-time All-American in 1989 and 1990, went on to win the gold medal in field lacrosse at the 1998 World Lacrosse Championship, and even coached the women's lacrosse team at Syracuse University from 1993 to 2009.
Who is the best lacrosse player in the world in 2022?
The best lacrosse player in the world in 2022 is tough to predict, but many experts believe Dylan Molloy of the Boston Cannons will be a top contender for the title.
Molloy was named MVP of the 2017 NCAA National Championship game and has established himself as one of the premier players in Major League Lacrosse (MLL).
Is lacrosse still the fastest-growing sport?
Absolutely YES. Lacrosse is still considered one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, lacrosse has experienced a 37% growth rate since 2011, and there are now over 848,000 high school lacrosse players.
Similarly, the National Collegiate Athletic Association has seen a 60% growth in college lacrosse over the last decade.
Who is the best NLL player of all time?
The best National Lacrosse League (NLL) player of all time is a debatable topic, but one name that comes up often is Gary Gait. Gait played for 20 seasons in the NLL and won eight National championship games with his teams. He is also the league's all-time leading scorer with 635 goals and 849 assists in 246 games.
What is the best men's lacrosse team in the world?
The Orange Crush of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is widely considered one of the world's best men's lacrosse teams. The team was founded in 2019 and has already impacted the sport considerably.
The Crush is loaded with talent and experience, boasting some top players from collegiate and professional programs. In 2020, they won the PLL Championship, firmly establishing themselves as one of the top teams in lacrosse.
Conclusion
It is clear that lacrosse has produced some of the greatest athletes of all time. Lacrosse may have changed over time, but the legacy of legendary players will remain forever.
Each has made an indelible mark in the game, with their skill and passion for the sport inspiring future generations to take up the game.
The game of lacrosse is ever-evolving, and the ranked lacrosse men's players of all time have laid down a path for others to follow.
