ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany men's lacrosse program continued its tradition of professional excellence on draft night, with four Great Danes hearing their names called in the 2026 National Lacrosse League (NLL) Draft. Highlighting the class, standout attackman Silas Richmond was selected No. 2 overall by the Toronto Rock. He was joined in the draft by fellow teammates Justin Lee (second round, 19th overall, Oshawa FireWolves), Koleton Marquis (second round, 24th overall, Vegas Desert Dogs), and Max Neeson (third round, 38th overall, Georgia Swarm), further cementing UAlbany's status as a premier pipeline to the professional ranks.
 
"You invest so much time with these guys—watching them grow up, grind through the tough days, and carry this program on their shoulders—that nights like tonight hit a little different," said head coach Scott Marr. "They earned every bit of this. They're just the newest Great Danes to carry on the tradition of making it to the NLL, and seeing them get this opportunity at the next level is a testament to everything they've put into our program."
 
Silas Richmond
Attack | Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Round: 1
Pick: 2
Team: Toronto Rock
Hailing from Delta, British Columbia, attackman Silas Richmond anchors the Great Danes' draft class as a four-year cornerstone of the program. A three-time America East First Team selection, two-time Conference Offensive Player of the Year, and two-time All-American Honorable Mention, Richmond decorated his collegiate resume with elite production. Over his career at UAlbany, he appeared in 69 games—making 64 starts—and amassed staggering totals of 161 goals and 114 assists for 275 total points. That prolific output etched his name deep into the UAlbany record books, propelling him to fourth all-time in career points (275), fifth all-time in career goals (161), and fifth all-time in career assists (114). His play helped drive UAlbany to the America East Championship game in all four of his seasons, capturing three consecutive conference titles from 2024 to 2026. Building on a collegiate career that cemented him among the program's all-time greats, Richmond's stock soared even higher in the spring when he was selected fifth overall in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) Draft by the Philadelphia Waterdogs.
 
Selected No. 2 overall by the Toronto Rock, Richmond becomes one of the highest-drafted UAlbany players in NLL history, joining the likes of Merrick Thomson, who went second overall in 2007, and Lyle Thompson, who went No. 1 overall in 2015. Richmond will join former teammate Elijah Gash in Toronto.
 
Justin Lee
LSM | Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Round: 2
Pick: 19
Team: Oshawa FireWolves
Long-stick midfielder Justin Lee finished his career with 56 games played, totaling four goals, three assists, seven points, 68 ground balls, and 18 caused turnovers. As a freshman in 2023, he appeared in seven games and collected two ground balls. In his sophomore season (2024), Lee saw action in 13 games, scoring a goal and adding an assist for two points along with five ground balls. He broke out as an every-game contributor in his junior year (2025), playing in all 19 games while racking up 33 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers alongside a goal and an assist. During his senior campaign (2026), he appeared in 17 games, setting career highs with two goals, two assists, four points, and 28 ground balls to go with eight caused turnovers. A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Lee provided key range and ground-ball pressure for the Great Danes during their multi-year championship run.
 
Lee will join former UAlbany great Ron John in Oshawa.
 
Koleton Marquis
Attack | Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, Quebec, Canada
Round: 2
Pick: 24
Team: Vegas Desert Dogs
Attackman Koleton Marquis finished his collegiate career with 39 games played and 25 starts, totaling 47 goals and 15 assists for 62 points. After beginning his career with four games at Johns Hopkins in 2023, he transferred to UAlbany ahead of the 2025 season. In his first year with the Great Danes in 2025, Marquis made an immediate impact by playing in 19 games with 25 starts, tallying 8 goals and 33 assists for 59 points. In his final season in 2026, he shifted his role to become a primary goal-scorer, appearing in 16 games with 9 starts and netting 21 goals with 7 assists for 28 points. Hailing from Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, Quebec, he brought a high-IQ, natural box background to the Great Danes' offense during their championship runs.
 
Max Neeson
Defense | Pottstown, Pa.
Round: 3
Pick: 38
Team: Georgia Swarm
Defenseman Max Neeson finished his career with 68 games played and 64 starts, anchoring the UAlbany backline with 144 ground balls and 91 caused turnovers while adding 10 goals. As a freshman in 2023, he played in 14 games with 10 starts, collecting 21 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers. In his sophomore season (2024), Neeson stepped into a full-time starting role across all 18 games, setting the tone with 41 ground balls and 16 caused turnovers. He elevated his production further as a junior in 2025, playing in 19 games with 19 starts while chipping in six goals, 47 ground balls, and 27 caused turnovers on his way to earning his first America East Defensive Player of the Year honor. In his senior campaign (2026), he capped off his career by starting all 17 games, recording 4 goals, 35 ground balls, and 36 caused turnovers to secure his second consecutive conference Defensive Player of the Year award. A native of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, his relentless shutdown play helped lead the Great Danes to four straight America East Championship appearances and three consecutive titles.
 
Neeson will join former Great Dane legend Lyle Thompson in Georgia.
 
Richmond, Lee, Marquis, and Neeson join a strong contingent of former Great Danes playing across the NLL, bringing the program's total active players in the league to 15. For a full list of former Great Danes currently playing, see below.
 
Former Great Danes Currently in the NLL:
Connor Fields – Rochester Knighthawks
Elijah Gash – Toronto Rock
Graydon Hogg – Rochester Knighthawks
Ron John – Oshawa FireWolves
Justin Lee – Oshawa FireWolves
Koleton Marquis – Vegas Desert Dogs
Tehoka Nanticoke – Buffalo Bandits
Max Neeson – Georgia Swarm
Jake Piseno – Rochester Knighthawks
Silas Richmond – Toronto Rock
Blaze Riorden – Rochester Knighthawks
Corey Small – San Diego Seals
Adam Thistlethwaite – Rochester Knighthawks
Lyle Thompson – Georgia Swarm
Amos Whitcomb – Rochester Knighthawks
 
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