PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers men's lacrosse added to its tradition of placing players in the professional ranks after the National Lacrosse League (NLL) had its annual draft on Saturday night.
Adam Charalambides was drafted in the First Round, while incoming transfers Brad Apgar and Ronan Jacoby were picked in the sixth round. Additionally,
Connor Kirst will sign a free agent contract with the Georgia Swarm.
Charalambides was selected with the fourth overall pick in the First Round by the Vancouver Warriors. With his selection, Rutgers had a player drafted in the First Round of each of the major professional lacrosse drafts this year, with
Connor Kirst being a First Round draft pick (seventh overall) by the Whipsnakes in the most recent Premier Lacrosse League Draft.
Charalambides recently completed a stellar seven-year career at Rutgers, finishing as an All-American and First Team All-Big Ten selection while leading RU to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals last season. Ranking second all-time in program history in goals (149) and fifth in points (201) he recently had joined the Cannons in the PLL. The Canadian has a background in box lacrosse from his time playing with the Orangeville Northmen in the Junior A League.
Two of the newest Scarlet Knights, a pair of transfers that begin Rutgers classes this week, were also selected in the NLL Draft by teams that will hold their rights until after they complete their playing career 'On the Banks'. Ronan Jacoby was drafted in the Sixth Round (77th overall) by the Panther City franchise. Jacoby comes to RU from Division III Wesleyan, where the attackman was named an All-American and posted 150 goals and adding 28 assists in his career. Brad Apgar was drafted in the Sixth Round (85th overall) by the Georgia Swarm. A defenseman from Millford, N.J., Apgar was a three-time All-American at Division III Salisburty, compiling 115 ground balls and 70 caused turnovers in his 64-game career there.
Connor Kirst was eligible to sign with a team prior to the NLL Draft, and was picked up on a two-year deal by the Georgia Swarm. Kirst, currently playing in the PLL Playoffs with the Whipsnakes, was a Third Team All-American and First Team All-BIg Ten selection during his one season 'On the Banks' last year.
Rutgers alumn Joe Nardella also plays in the NLL for the New England Black Wolves, finishing fourth in the league last season with a 57.8% winning percentage of faceoffs, along with two goals, four assists and 86 loose balls.
