2022 Boys Philly Summer Showcase Player Preview

Zach Friend (A) 2023
Brotherly Love | Salesianum School

 An All-State selection and two-time state champion, Zach Friend brings a rare type of energy every time he steps on the field. He is a shifty attackman who is able to get a shot off anywhere on the field. Friend is the complete attackman, with insane speed, great shot placement, and the ability to ride his defender and cause turnovers in the midfield. With his complete game Friend will surely thrive in the Showcase this Friday.

 Warm-up Playlist songs:

  • Lord Knows – Drake, Rick Ross
  • You Only Live Twice – Drake, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross
  • Free RIC – 42 Dugg
  • 712PM – Future
  • Churchill Downs – Jack Harlow, Drake

Brett Maguire (A) 2024
Thunder | Harrison 

Watch out for Brett Maguire and his killer inside-roll all day long on Friday. Maguire has found his sweet spot on the field as a low attackman and he plays it well. He has great footwork and is able to use this to shake his defender at X to get a good shot off. On top of this he’s never selfish with the ball and is constantly looking to dish it out to his teammates. While his sweet spot is behind the cage, defenders should be on high alert wherever Maguire goes because he can put the ball in the back of the net from anywhere. 

Warm-up Playlist songs:

  • Hypnotize – Notorious B.I.G.
  • Bankroll – Rich the Kid, NBA YoungBoy,
  • Nonstop – Drake
  • Freestyle – Lil Baby
  • 5% Tint – Travis Scott

Liam Murray (M) 2023
Team 91 Georgia | Pope 

If you ever need help getting something down from the top shelf, just call Liam Murray, because his shots can be found there constantly. The placement and power behind Murray’s shot are second to none. He shows grit and hustle on the field, even after missing a shot he is the type of player to fight hard to get the ground ball after. Murray can make plays all over the field, from his deep range to his physical play in the midfield, Liam Murray is just the type of player you want on your team. Looking forward to seeing him bring his A-game to the Showcase this Friday.

Warm-up Playlist songs:

  • Life Goes On – Kodak Black
  • No Rodelz – J. Cole
  • Seeing Green – Nicki Minaj, Drake, Lil Wayne
  • Homegrown – Zac Brown Band
  • Wants and Needs – Drake, Lil Baby

Michael Savadove (D) 2024
NXT LC | Radnor

Michael Savadove is a product of recently crowned back-to-back state champions, Radnor High School. The multi-sport athlete defenseman is a ballhawk, he sees it, he gets it. He has great hands and stick control, he is able to make checks and body his man. If a ball is on the ground Savadove will get it, tallying 57 ground balls this season. He is fast, strong, sees the ball well, and is everything you need to be a great defender. Savadove will surely be filling up the stat sheet on Friday.

Warm-up Playlist songs:

  • Tap – NAV, Meek Mill
  • Sharing Locations – Meek Mill, Lil Durk, Lil Baby
  • Super Gremlin – Kodak Black
  • Thunderstruck – AC/DC
  • Back in Black – AC/DC

 Ryan Barker (M) 2023
Oakville Buzz | The Hill Academy

Ryan Barker just makes it look easy. The Ontario native is a product of the nationally-ranked Hill Academy. He gets open for his teammates and places shots well. He is a fast midfielder who can transition the ball. His lax IQ is evident as he consistently makes smart passes and great off-ball cuts. Looking forward to seeing Barker bring his north-of-the-border skills this Friday at the Showcase.

 Warm-up Playlist songs:

  • Blue Notes – Meek Mill
  • Kickstart My Heart – Motley Crew
  • Dreams and Nightmares – Meek Mill
  • Back to Back – Drake
  • Galvanize – The Chemical Brothers 

 Hudson Waldorf (LSM) 2025
2Way | Darien

Hudson Waldorf is the product of one of the top lacrosse clubs in the country, 2Way.  Waldorf is an LSM who makes big plays on either end of the field. As a defender, he is able to keep his man from driving, and getting decent shots off. He is quick off the wing and able to come up with ground balls. Waldorf is tough and fast, a great combination especially when it comes to transitioning the ball. His ability to make big plays when needed most shows exactly why he is one of our players to watch on Friday.

Warm-up Playlist songs:

  • Enter Sandman – Metallica
  • No Church in the Wild – JAY-Z, Kayne West, Frank Ocean, The Dream
  • The Buzz – Hermitude
  • Tennis Court (Remix) – Lorde, Flume
  • Badman (Toro Toro Remix) – Autoerotique, Max Styler

 Ian Williams (GK) 2023
UNRL | St. Mark’s School of Texas

Ian Williams is a big-body goalkeeper at 6 ‘4 who takes up a lot of space in the cage. Texas has produced some stud goalies recently at the collegiate level, is Williams next? He’s extremely athletic and is able to drop to low shots quickly and get right up to stop a high shot. Williams’ ball tracking skills are second to none, allowing him to make saves look effortless and always be ready for the next one. Williams is able to act as a true leader on the defense and can be seen being loud and communicating where the ball is on that end of the field, where communication is crucial. Looking forward to seeing Ian Williams making big saves at the Showcase.

 

Warm-up Playlist songs:

  • ’Til I Collapse – Eminem, Nate Dogg
  • Rockstar – Post Malone, 21 Savage
  • Invincible – Pop Smoke
  • Going Bad – Meek Mill, Drake
  • Too Easy – Gunna, Future

Jackson Chase (A) 2024
Kings Lacrosse | Tabor Academy

Even when Jackson Chase is marked up, he’s not. He is a player who has excellent footwork, great stick skills, and can handle the bumps very well. When Chase sees the shot he takes it. Defenders don’t intimidate him. On top of his ability to find the back of the cage, he’s able to find his teammates with ease. Looking forward to seeing Chase fill up the stat sheet.

Warm-up Playlist songs:

  • Day for Day – Kodak Black
  • 4 Da Gang – 42 Dugg, Roddy Rich
  • Going Up – Lil Tjay
  • Litty – Meek Mill, Sound M.O.B., Tory Lanez
  • Wants and Needs – Drake, Lil Baby

Follow along all-day on our socials:
Showcase Twitter: @NXT_Showcase
Showcase Instagram: nxt_showcase