For making the 2021-22 NLL BREAKOUT CANDIDATES List!
November 26, 2021 | Laxflash Staff | www.lacrosseflash.com
As fans and analysts of the sport, we always like to take a look at the next crop of stars that could be in the NLL. They may be players who are just starting out their careers or individuals who are getting a bigger chance to shine on new teams.
Our staff has put together one breakout candidate for every team heading into the 2021-22 NLL campaign. We didn’t include incoming rookies from the 2020 or 2021 classes. With that in mind, let’s go through each team and which players could be in line for a good year.
(View full list here: https://www.lacrosseflash.com/read/2021/11/15/nll-breakout-candidates)
Buffalo Bandits – Frank Brown, Transition
Cousin Brownie has had an interesting NLL career since entering the league with the Georgia Swarm in 2017.
The 27-year-old has played for five different organizations during his pro stint — including both Rochester franchises. Let’s quickly go through his stops.
Following a seven-game run with the Swarm, Brown was released before signing with Rochester to finish out to 2017-18 campaign. After being left unprotected for the 2018 Expansion Draft, he was selectted by the Philadelphia Wings, where he had his best season to date. In a transition role, he scored six goals and had 12 points on the year, adding 36 loose balls and six caused turnovers as well.
Despite that, he was unprotected once again and found himself on the expansion Knighthawks to start last season. A mid-season trade landed him with Buffalo, where he’ll suit up this year.
Brown has definitely landed in a fantastic situation. He’ll feature with one of the better defensive units in the league and have the ability to get out on the run with their other weapons. Standing at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, he’s going to be able to create some chaos out of the back gate while chipping in offensively.
It was a small sample size, but he had two assists in as many games with Buffalo in 2019-20. It could prove to be the year that Brown takes that next step as a top transition threat.
