Syracuse players headline 2026 NLL Entry Draft

The 2026 National Lacrosse League (NLL) Entry Draft featured several standout players from Syracuse University. Finn Thomson was selected first overall by the Rochester Knighthawks, marking the sixth time a Syracuse player has been taken as the first overall pick. Joey Spallina was selected fifth overall by the Calgary Roughnecks, while Dante Bowen was taken sixth overall by the Buffalo Bandits.

The Buffalo Bandits made a total of eight selections during the draft. Their class includes Dante Bowen, Owen Rice, Obrigh Tallchief, Raymond Cortes II, Micah Hanson, Kyle Gonsiorek, Nate Ruff, and Nikhil Lowe. The Bandits honored Lowe, a former Jr. Bandits player, with a selection following his passing from germ cell cancer.

Syracuse standouts highlighted the draft, with Spallina leaving the university as the program's all-time leader in points and assists. Gonsiorek was also selected by the Bandits in the sixth round.