Summer Update: PLL All-Stars; Let’s take a look at the 2024 list

DURHAM It’s been a busy summer for the Blue Devils, both current and former, with PLL heading into the All-Star break and the United States winning gold at the 2023 World Men’s Lacrosse Championship in San Diego.

PLL All-Star pits veterans against rising stars

The Premier Lacrosse League All-Star Game pits veterans against the sport’s rising stars on Saturday, July 22nd in the annual All-Star event. The game airs on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. Duke is represented on both teams by three starters and four players. Former Blue Devil All-American defenseman in his 12th year of professional lacrosse Michael Manley to help anchor the veteran defense unit. On the other hand, third-year professionals JT Giles-Harris and Michael Sowers are the appetizers of Rising Stars. Nakeie Montgomeryin his second year in a Redwoods jersey, is a reserve for the Rising Stars.

A five-time All-Star, Manley has played 105 professional games in his career. He has 265 ground balls, 54 RBIs and 32 runs scored, and was named Major League Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 and 2016.

Giles-Harris and Sowers are fresh off helping lead the United States to a gold medal at the World Lacrosse Championships. Sowers, who helped the Waterdogs to the 2022 PLL crown, serves as captain of the Rising Stars. He is third in the league with nine assists and has a season total of 15 points. Giles-Harris is the reigning PLL Defensive Player of the Year and was instrumental in anchoring the USA defense in San Diego.

Montgomery, an All-Star for the second straight season, primarily plays defensive middle for the Redwoods. He has 11 ground balls and three assists.

School is back in session

Summer break is officially over for a handful of Blue Devils as 15 members of the 2024 Duke men’s lacrosse team began classes Monday, July 17, at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. The collection of Blue Devils pursuing a Master of Management Studies degree along with two other Master of Business Administration programs brings the number of Duke men’s lacrosse degrees from the Fuqua School of Business to 56.

This year’s cohort of graduate students is the last to have an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those enrolled in the MMS program are Kenny Brower, Jake Caputo, Tyler Carpenter, Connor Drake, Will Frisoli, Michael Grogan, Cameron Henry, Grant MitchellMichael Swirbalus, and Dyson Williams. AJ Delgado, also graduated in 2023, is pursuing a master’s degree in financial technology.

A familiar face returns

Duke’s starting goalie from last season is back between the pipes for the Blue Devils. Graduate student William Helm is entering his final year of eligibility after earning Duke’s starting spot last season after a four-year career at Division III Saint Lawrence. Helm holds a master’s degree in economics from the Fuqua School of Business.

In 19 starts for the Blue Devils last season, Helm had a 10.97 goals-against average and a .505 save percentage. He had double-digit saves in 11 games, including an impressive 14 in the NCAA quarterfinal win over Michigan.

Veteran players, but new faces

Duke welcomes six graduate student transfers to the program for the 2024 campaign. Princeton forward Alex Slusher and the Tiger goaltender Griffen Rakower to move from the Ivy League to the ACC. Slusher started 32 of his 34 games at Princeton and had 64 goals and 19 assists for 83 points. Rakower, who started five games last season, had a 12.14 goals-against average and a .564 save percentage.

Striker and goalkeeper tandem Josh Zawada and Mac Photiades to come to Duke after helping Michigan to the 2023 Big Ten Championship. A native of Raleigh, NC, and a product of Hill Academy, Zawada started all 51 of the Wolverines’ career games and had 119 goals and 74 assists for 213 points. He was a two-time All-Big Ten First Team selection and earned a USILA All-America Honorable Mention nod as a senior. Fotiades provided depth at goaltending for Michigan with three career starts.

Originally from Plantation, Fla. Brock Gonzalez comes to Duke from Division III Amherst College. In three seasons with the Mammoths, Gonzalez started 18 of 22 games. He scored 60 goals in 16 games as a junior and had five goals in two games before missing the rest of the 2023 season.

Probably the most unique addition to Duke’s roster is Henry White. A native of Richmond, Va., White attended Army West Point and graduated in 2017. He recently completed his six years of service and is returning to the lacrosse field and classroom. He is married to former Duke women’s lacrosse player and track athlete Callie Francis.

Youngest Blue Devils

The head coach John Danowski is excited to welcome a talented group of eight freshmen to the 2024 roster. Hailing from six different states and featuring five Under Armor Senior All-America selections, the class ranks No. 1 on Inside Lacrosse’s list.

Thomas Delgado and Colin McLane joins their older brothers AJ and Liam as Blue Devils. They are the 17th and 18th brothers to play under Danowski since 2007.

For more information on Duke men’s lacrosse, visit the Blue Devils websiteTwitter,FacebookandInstagramby searching for DukeMLAX.

#Good week