UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State lacrosse star Grant Ament can add top pick in the Premier Lacrosse League Draft to his impressive resume. The three-time All-American was selected first overall by the Archers Lacrosse Club on Wednesday night. The draft aired on NBC Sports Network.
Ament is the second Penn State player drafted into the PLL, which enters its second season of existence. Chris Sabia was picked 10th overall by the Chrome Lacrosse Club in 2019.
"Our staff is extremely proud of Grant for being selected first overall during tonight's PLL Draft," Penn State head coach Jeff Tambroni said. "He has worked tirelessly through his collegiate career and it's rewarding to see him realize a lifelong dream. We look forward to supporting him in his new role as a member of the Archers."
Despite multiple obstacles, including a major injury that forced him to take a season off and the cancellation of his final season after seven games, Ament smashed Big Ten and program records in career points (284) and career assists (191). Those numbers were bolstered by the greatest season in Penn State history when Ament, as a junior, led the Lions to their first Big Ten regular season and Big Ten Tournament titles. He was the heartbeat of the team, setting NCAA records for assists (96) and assists per game (5.65).
Ament was named the Lt. Col. J.I. (Jack) Turnbull Award for Outstanding Attackman following his impressive junior season. He went on to become Penn State's first Tewaaraton Award finalist as the best player in collegiate lacrosse.
Ament picked up his second first-team All-America honor following his shortened senior campaign. At the time the season was canceled, he ranked second in the nation in assists/game (4.57) and third in points/game (6.43). He was also a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award.
Penn State went 41-15 overall and 10-5 in the Big Ten in the four seasons that Ament was on the field. Following the conference regular season and tournament titles in 2019, the Lions went on to beat UMBC and Loyola (Md.) to advance to the NCAA Semifinal Round for the first time in program history. They were ranked No. 1 in the nation in the USILA Coaches Poll for nine weeks in 2019 and for one week in 2020.
Ament is the second Penn State player to be drafted into a professional lacrosse league this year. Defenseman Tommy Wright was a third-round selection by the New York Lizards in the Major League Lacrosse Draft on May 4.
The PLL will hold a two-week tournament in lieu of a full season this year due to the ongoing concerns around Covid-19. The PLL Championships Series will be a fanless tournament that runs from July 25-August 9. All 20 games will be presented live across NBC, NBCSN, or NBC Sports Gold, as well as stream live on NBCSports.com and NBC Sports App.
