Best of Lacrosse 2023: Vote for Best Breakout

Welcome to #BestOfLacrosse2023. Help us celebrate the past year of lacrosse by voting in 15 polls over 15 weekdays in December, beginning Monday, Dec. 4. All voting will be conducted on X (@usalacrossemag), and fans will have 24 hours to make their selections.

For more information — including upcoming categories, rules and more — check out our introductory post to #BestOfLacrosse2023.

Household names were born before our eyes in 2023.

Witnessing the rise of the next crop of great players is a treat every year, and 2023 delivered. We watched players step up in national championship environments, against the best players in the pros and on the grandest stage of international competition.

Here are the nominees for Best Breakout.

Household names were born before our eyes this year.

VOTE in our #BestofLax poll to determine the Best Breakout of 2023.

NOMINEES: https://t.co/ml6FQpTt8l

— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) December 8, 2023

BEST BREAKOUT

SAMMY WHITE, NORTHWESTERN

Sammy White was a one-woman wrecking crew in the national championship game against Boston College, earning game most outstanding player honors for Northwestern. A midfielder by trade, White shifted to defense full time in 2023 and did not disappoint. Always playing with a smile while being an integral part of the Wildcat chemistry, White is a fan favorite.

ASHER NOLTING, CANNONS

We already knew plenty about Asher Nolting from his outstanding career at High Point. But in the Premier Lacrosse League, Nolting blossomed in 2023 for the much-improved Cannons. Nolting was an MVP finalist, finishing second in the league with 41 points (21 goals, 20 assists). He nearly doubled his rookie-year production.

MCKENNA DAVIS, BOSTON COLLEGE

Mckenna Davis was first in the ACC and second in the nation with 66 assists. She started all 23 games and put together 88 points as a sophomore, far eclipsing her freshman marks of 19 goals and 12 assists. The Eagles offense soared with Davis running the show.

RUSSELL MELENDEZ, JOHNS HOPKINS

Russell Melendez broke out with both Johns Hopkins and Team Puerto Rico in the World Lacrosse championship in San Diego. The Marquette transfer was a key reason for the reintroduction of Hopkins to the upper-tier of lacrosse, as he produced 37 goals and 16 assists. For Puerto Rico, he had 13 goals and five assists in seven games.