The 2019 Nike Boys Philly Showcase takes place this Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 at United Sports in Downingtown, PA.

In 2018, this highly competitive event attracted 186 college coaches from 144 different schools. 53 Division I, 14 Division II, and 70 Division III schools populated the sidelines. Expecting the same caliber of coaches on the sidelines this fall, the Nike Boys Philly Showcase will provide players in the graduation years of 2021, 2022, and 2023 maximum exposure to showcase their talents in front of the college recruiters in attendance. 

Featured below are a few players to look out for.

NIKKO DIPONIO | Defense | 2022
Bloomfield Hills High School - Juiced Cherries

Love how he plays. He is all over the field and has dominated in our Showcases before as a Manney’s Man previously. Nikko is great covering the ball, has his stick in the right positions, and is comfortable and slick with the ball in his stick.

Nickname: Dip (short for DiPonio).
Favorite TV show: The Office.
Hidden talent: I know every lyric to every Beatles and Queen song.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard: Hard work pays off!
Sports Holy Site: A smooth brick wall.
If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be:  Chris Hogan.
What is one thing on your bucket list: Drink a cup of coffee in Italy.
Postgame meal: Mac & Cheese.
If you could compete in any Olympic sport, which would it be:  Table tennis.

DARIUS STANLEY | Midfield | 2022
La Jolla High School - Mad Dog Lacrosse

If Darius could spend the day with any celebrity it would be Philly native Lil Uzi Vert, so it's fitting he's heading to Philly this weekend. Darius is elite at breaking down defenders in the middle of the field and creating separation. Whether it is offense or defense he makes an impact when he is on the field.

Nickname: Big D.
Favorite TV show: All American.
Hidden Talent: I don't really have a hidden talent.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard: Never stop working.
Spend a day with any celebrity: Lil Uzi Vert.
One thing on my bucket list: Go to a Lil Uzi concert.
Postgame meal: Whatever sounds good to me in the moment.
The Olympic sport would I compete in: Handball.

JUSTIN LAWLER |Midfield | 2021
Randolph High School - NJ Riot Chaos

When Lawler is on his game, watch out. The Rutgers commit is lethal in a half fieldset with a strong shot and great size. If he is more consistent in his play he will be even more dominant.

Nickname: Thiccums.
Favorite TV show: The Big Bang Theory.
Hidden talent: Very good at chess.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard: Compete in everything.
Sports holy site: Randolph, NJ.
If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be: Frank Sinatra.
What is one thing on your bucket list: Win a Big 10 Championship.
Postgame meal: A 4 for 4 from Wendy's.
If you could compete in any Olympic sport, which would it be: Javelin.

PRESTON WHITEHURTS | LSM | 2022
Phillips Academy Andover - Madlax

A late add to the event, Preston is a prototypical LSM. Preston is a motor all over the field and is constantly making plays between the lines with his relentless pursuit of the ball.

Nickname: "Presto."
Favorite TV show: Parks and Recreation.
Hidden talent: Avid fisherman with a magic touch.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard: "In all situations, experience is key. Successful people learn to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations.”  
Sports Holy Site: Cameron Indoor Stadium
If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be: Will Ferrell.
What is one thing on your bucket list: Swim with sharks.
Postgame meal: Chicken Parmesan.
If you could compete in any Olympic sport, which would it be: Basketball.

DANIEL MARTIN | Attack | 2021
Christian Brothers Academy- Mad Dog National

“Mr. Big Fundamental” is a big body at attack that knows how to finish. If you let Dan get his feet set and release his overhand shot, it is accurate and usually in the back of the net.  

Nickname: Big Fundamental.
Favorite TV show: The Office
Hidden talent: Juggling.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard: "You should never worry about anything in life. There are things you can control and things you cant. For the things you can't control, let them go because there is nothing you can do to fix it. For the things, you can control, go out, fix them and turn that situation in your favor. If you can do this there is no need to worry in life" 
Sports Holy Site: Aloha Stadium.
If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be: Jamie O'Brien.
What is one thing on your bucket list: Skydiving.
 Postgame meal: Chicken Parm.
If you could compete in any Olympic sport, which would it be: Snowboard halfpipe.

HARRISON HANSON | Attack | 2023

For a freshman, Harrison has great size and vision. As a righty, he is comfortable above and below the goal. He is a threat every time he has it to either release a sidearm shot or uses his body effectively on roll dodges on his defenders.  

Nickname: Harry.
Favorite TV show: The Office
Hidden talent: Eating loads of Eggos.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard: Don't cut corners.
Sports Holy Site: Backyard.
If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be: Taco Tuesday with Lebron James.
What is one thing on your bucket list: Witnessing the Dallas Cowboys win a Super Bowl. 
Postgame meal: Whataburger double cheeseburger with vanilla milkshake.
If you could compete in any Olympic sport, which would it be: Basketball.

JOSHUA ARNESON | Defense | 2022
Holly Springs High School - Team 91 Carolina

The Arneson family has been coming to the Showcase events for some time now. His brother Noah (2020 HS, Marist commit) dominated at our Baltimore Showcase a few years ago. Josh has great instincts and loves to pressure the ball all over the field. He plays hard, cross-checks at the right time, and has good footwork. 

Nickname: Josh.
Favorite TV show: Stranger Things.
Hidden talent: Annoying my older brother.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard: Don't suck!
Sports Holy Site: The Pitt in Holly Springs - where it all started.
If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be: Mike Bronzino, Cornell.
What is one thing on your bucket list: Go to outer space.
Postgame meal: Bojangles chicken biscuit.
If you could compete in any Olympic sport, which would it be: Ski jump.

CJ LAURETANI | Attack | 2022 
Ridgefield High School - Eclipse LC (CT)

CJ has played in our events before but what separates him is his box background. He is adept at finishing and dodging when he guarded. His game is very polished for a '22 and he should put on a show this weekend with the arsenal of skills he possesses.

Nickname: C Flow, CJAICE, JC.
Favorite TV show: Pretty much any game that's on tv (PLL, NBA, NFL).
Hidden talent: Sports Video Editing, I actually started my own business producing highlight videos and other sports content this past year. 
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard:  My HS Coach Colsey always talks about the "great divide," as you get older the kids that work and train continue to separate themselves from the kids that don't work as hard.
Sports Holy Site: TD Garden in Boston (I'm a huge Boston sports fan)
If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be: Gronk, I think that would be a pretty fun day!
What is one thing on your bucket list: Win a state championship with Ridgefield HS.
Postgame meal: My mom's chicken parm.
If you could compete in any Olympic sport, which would it be: It would be great to be able to play lacrosse in the Olympics but if they don't have it, maybe ping pong.

DANTE BATISTA| Goalie | 2021
Kent School- Prime Time

I remember Dante as a rising freshman being very poised between the pipes for his Prime Time team. Now more mature and developed, Batista has seen great competition leading the Kent School. The netminder is consistently making saves and leading his defense which I expect to see on Saturday.

Nickname: Dantizzle.
Favorite TV show: Silicon Valley.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard:  Be smart in what you do.
Sports Holy (web)Site: Inside Lacrosse.
If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be: T.J. Miller.
What is one thing on your bucket list: To see an All-Blacks game in New Zealand.
Postgame meal: Shrimp scampi.
If you could compete in any Olympic sport, which would it be: Rugby.

ANDREW MORRIS| Midfield | 2022
Trinity High School- Long Island Express 2022 Channy

A big North/South dodger, Andrew uses his size to his advantage when dodging towards the goal. If he gets a head full of steam on his dodges, defenses will be in for a long day. 

Nickname: Drew.
Favorite TV show: Dragon Ball Z.
Hidden Talent: Singing in the shower.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard:  You have to give in order to get.
Sports Holy Site: MSG.
If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be: Saquon Barkley.
What is one thing on your bucket list: Go to Australia.
Postgame meal: Chicken parm.
If you could compete in any Olympic sport, which would it be: Soccer.

SAM WHITEHURST| Attack | 2022
Next Level

I am sure Sam has only grown and developed as a player going up against his older brother Preston (2022, LSM)  in the backyard for some sibling battles. Sam is smooth and very talented with the ball in his stick leading an offense.  The young attackman has a bright upside as only a freshman.

Nickname: #24.
Favorite TV show: All American.
Hidden Talent: Handbells.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard:  Work hard, be nice.
Sports Holy Site: Cameron Indoor Stadium.
If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be: Will Ferrell.
What is one thing on your bucket list: Ski Corbet’s Couloir.
Postgame meal: Chicken parmesan.
If you could compete in any Olympic sport, which would it be: Beach volleyball.

DAWSON RIELLY| Attack | 2022
Manhasset - BBL 2022 Elite

Dawson put on a show last year at the Showcase and is back for year two. Dawson is very skilled and takes advantage of quick restarts to create separation. He has a knack for scoring at low angles and dodging hard from x to the goal.

Favorite TV show: South Park.
Hidden Talent: I can solve a Rubik's cube.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard:  Always give a 110%.
Sports Holy (web)Site: Barstool Sports.
If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be: Travis Scott.
What is one thing on your bucket list: Swim with the sharks.
Postgame meal: Pulled pork sandwich.
If you could compete in any Olympic sport, which would it be: Basketball.

HARRY LAFEERRIERE| Goalie | 2022
Kent School - Leading Edge Elite

The Kent School is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to Batista and understudy Laferriere waiting in the wings. The southpaw is quick on his feet, very good at reacting to shots up high, and is not afraid to mix it up out of the cage.

Nickname: HLaf.
Favorite TV show: Gossip Girl.
Hidden Talent: Good at telling corny jokes.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard:  "If I tell you the truth, you won't ever have to remember what you said."- My Grandpa.
Sports Holy (web)Site: ESPN.
If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be: Tom Brady.
What is one thing on your bucket list: Travel to Italy.
Postgame meal: Steak Frites.
If you could compete in any Olympic sport, which would it be: Ice hockey.

DYLAN KAVANAGH| Midfield | 2023
Council Rock North HS - Team 11

Dylan used to go to my youth lacrosse camps back in the day and was always one of the best kids in his age groups. Now as a high school midfielder he is a threat between the lines and very effective at alley dodging and getting to his right hand. Will be able to showcase his talents well this Saturday.

Nickname: Kav
Favorite TV show: The Office
Hidden Talent: Ping Pong
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard:  Work hard and the results will come
If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be: Joel Embiid
What is one thing on your bucket list: Participate in the Pamplona running of the bulls
Postgame meal:  Italian hoagie from Wawa
If you could compete in any Olympic sport, which would it be: Water Polo

Follow along all weekend on social media!
Instagram: @NXT_Showcase
Twitter: @NXT_Showcase
Tik Tok: @NXTLacrosse