Player Spotlight


Player Spotlight highlights the finer details and elements while supplying insight to the fans on what a player's thought process may be pertaining to a certain play, game or situation. It brings the intensity, passion, and inner most thoughts of the individual player that otherwise may not be felt or heard.

In the Player Spotlight this week is John Grant Jr. of the Rochester Knighthawks. Canadian John Grant Jr. seems to be sitting on top of the lacrosse world after coming off a very successful year playing division 1 lacrosse for the University of Delaware. John was named the 1999 USILA National Collegiate Player Of The Year and led Delaware to its finest season in school history. More recently, John Grant Jr. showed his prowess as a lacrosse player by being drafted number 1 overall by the Rochester Knighthawks in the 1999 National Lacrosse League Draft.

The PLPA caught up with John Grant Jr. recently to get his thoughts on his college lacrosse and being drafted 1st in the 1999 National Lacrosse League Draft.

Question What was it like to be drafted first overall in the 1999 National Lacrosse League Draft?
Answer It was very exciting! I had heard rumours I might be picked first, but of course I had to wait like everyone else to find out if it were true or not. When I heard the news, I was very happy.


Question Have you seen much of the NLL league play? What do you think of the league?
Answer Last year I saw two live games in addition to a few on television. I think it is a very good league; very exciting and fast paced. It is a little different from the league back home where it is more physical.


Question Would you have been thrilled to be drafted by the Philadelphia Wings like your father John Grant Sr. was in 1974?
Answer It probably would have been more exciting had that happened, but I am also very happy to be with Rochester. I know a few guys on the team, they seem to be good guys and great athletes. I watched the team play last year, they are a very good team. Philadelphia would just have been a bonus.


Question Are you going to play this year?
Answer I plan to play this year, but it will depend on my education. If I sign and play with a team I'll lose my scholarship which would mean I would have to pay for my education. Playing will depend on my ability to have my education paid for. If I'm unable to have it paid for then I won't play.


Question Has Rochester stated they will help out in any way to pay for your education?
Answer They haven't talked to me about finances yet. They are aware that my education is very important to me and that I don't want to lose my scholarship. I told my coach Paul Day, that funding for my education was essential if I was to sign and play for Rochester.


Question How has playing college lacrosse at Delaware helped your game in box lacrosse?
Answer I'm not sure if field lacrosse has helped me in box lacrosse because the games are so different. Since I played so much field lacrosse down here, it took me a while to readjust to the indoor game and to do the things that make you successful.


Question Was collegiate lacrosse all you expected and imagined?
Answer Yes it was! I wish I would have had more than just two years to play. It was exciting how well our team did. We received some publicity as a result of how well we did, which made it even more exciting.


Question You were named top collegiate player in the United States. Was this your biggest highlight in lacrosse to date?
Answer This past season had some of my biggest highlights to date. Being named top collegiate player was a goal I wanted to achieve well before I attended school. The Sports Illustrated faces in the crowd was something minor, but I did grow up wanting to be one of those faces in the magazine. When Peterborough in Canada retired my number 24 from Junior "A" lacrosse, that too was very special for me.


Question How has your family, back in Canada, supported you over the years in lacrosse?
Answer They have been huge supporters. When I was young they never forced me to play lacrosse, it was always my own decision. They have helped me any way they could from traveling to tournaments, to supplying my equipment. They have even traveled the 15 hours on several occasions to visit and see me play over the past two years.


Question What is the biggest difference between the traditional OLA box game and the National Lacrosse League?
Answer I've only seen two games, but I would say the pro league is quicker with more run and gun offense. It also is far less physical than the OLA.


Question Do you think it will be a lot tougher going to the net against the defenders in this league?
Answer I expect to be guarded by the same players that have guarded me in the OLA. I can't imagine it being any different.


Question Do you have any advice for younger players coming into the game today; the future players of tomorrow?
Answer Stay in school. I wrestled with the decision years ago whether to go directly into the pro league or whether to go to college and play. Coming here to college has been the greatest experience of my life. Being able to get that degree will enable me to do many more things after lacrosse


Question What helped you obtain the stick skills that you have today?
Answer As a kid I virtually lived in the arena. When my father was playing and coaching he would stay at the arena with the team after games and practices which allowed me to play on the arena floor until late into the evening. As a kid, I would play all day and all night if I could.


Question Is there anything you would like to accomplish in your first season in the National Lacrosse League?
Answer I would like to win a championship. I try not to set very many personal goals. I would like to play well at both ends of the floor. To win a championship would be amazing. I haven't won a championship since Bantam I believe (laughs).


Question Next summer, will you be playing and if so, where will you play?
Answer I would like to play in the pro field lacrosse league if it is a go. I will probably play in Peterborough again if I don't play in the field league.