THREE UCBLL PLAYERS SELECTED IN NLL DRAFT

(Rochester, NY)… On September 15, Conner Fingar, Grant Breyo, and Connor Boss became the latest players from the Upstate Collegiate Box Lacrosse League (UCBLL) selected in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) Entry Draft. The UCBLL, powered by the NLL's Buffalo Bandits and Rochester Knighthawks, now has seen 13 players taken in the past four NLL Drafts.

"Every player drafted to the NLL comes with a sense of pride. Before this league, very few local players were scouted, let alone drafted," said UCBLL Co-Commissioner Dan Ristine. "To be able to provide a spot for these young men to excel and further their lacrosse careers is exactly what the Bandits and Knighthawks set out to do at the start of the UCBLL."

The first UCBLL player selected in the 2024 NLL Entry Draft was Conner Fingar. The hometown Rochester Knighthawks chose Fingar in the second round (27th overall). The Penn Yan, NY, native spent three seasons (2021-22, 24) in the UCBLL with the Hawkeyes. He is one of the most decorated players in league history, winning two Mearns Cups and earning team MVP honors in 2021. He was also the team captain of the 2024 NCBS National Championship.

"Conner was the glue for our defense the last couple of years," said Hawkeyes coach and Rochester Knighthawks defenseman Dan Coates. "His athleticism jumps out to you, but his character and work ethic set him apart. He was a steady force for us on the back end in our run to the NCBS championship. He is a natural leader with a great future ahead of him."

Fingar will return to play his final college lacrosse season at the University at Albany. He will then compete for a spot on the Knighthawks next fall. Wearing a Knighthawks uniform will fulfill his childhood dream.

"It's an incredible feeling to be drafted by Rochester, especially since it's my hometown. Growing up, I attended countless games and always knew I wanted to be a Knighthawk. To have the chance to play for the team I've admired for so long is just incredible!"

The next UCBLL standout taken in the NLL Entry Draft was Grant Breyo. The Buford, Ga., native was also selected by his hometown team. Breyo, who played for the Buffaloes in 2023, was named a First Team All-UCBLL selection and the winner of the team's Darris and Rich Kilgour Most Valuable Player. He also played for the Hawkeyes at the NCBS National Championship, notching eight points in five games (6+2).

In 2024, he took his game to the next level, appearing in one game with the Senior A Brooklin Lacrosse Club and posting one goal and four assists in five games with Senior B Brooklin Merchants.

The University of Massachusetts grad is now preparing for his first NLL training camp.

"Being drafted by Georgia was a dream come true," said Breyo. "They (the Swarm) moved to Georgia when I was in ninth grade. We attended all of the games when I was in high school, and it made me love the box game. I always wanted to try to play in the NLL, and getting drafted where I grew up is very special to me."

Breyo used the UCBLL as a springboard to the NLL. Playing in NLL arenas and under NLL rules helped him acclimate to the box game. More importantly, he was coached by NLL players Ethan O'Connor and Dalton Sulver.

"Playing in the UCBLL greatly developed my box game," he said. "The speed of play is tremendous. Playing with NLL rules and on turf allowed me to get much better with my hands, which translated into my senior year at UMass. The coaching is top-level, and I learned so much from the current NLL players and staff. It also allowed me to play all over the floor, which was great for versatility."

Georgia took another UCBLL product, selecting Connor Boss in the sixth round (83rd overall). Boss has been a member of the Buffaloes since the UCBLL began in 2021. This season, he helped the Buffaloes to their best season in team history as they advanced to their first Mearns Cup Finals. 

"It's been amazing watching the UCBLL talent grow," said Ristine. "Connor Boss has played in our league since day one, and his lacrosse IQ has improved each season. This past year, he wanted to learn how to play defense and became one of the best transition players in the UCBLL."

In 2024, Boss posted seven goals and three assists in seven regular season games. He was named team MVP and a First Team All-UCBLL member. In October, he will join former Buffaloes teammate Grant Breyo in the Swarm's training camp.

"I felt quite a (sense of) relief and excitement," said Boss about being selected. "I can't wait to get to camp and get to work."

He credited his four seasons in the UCBLL for preparing him for the next step in his lacrosse career. With the Buffaloes, Boss was coached by NLL veterans Josh Bryne, Ian MacKay, Zack Belter, and Ethan O'Connor.  

"The coaching I was exposed to in the UCBLL had a huge impact on my game," he said. "Learning firsthand from guys like OC, Belter, McKay, and Byrne, who've had so much success professionally and internationally, really helped me come into my own as a box player."