Lyle Thompson facts for kids
Lyle Thompson in 2015
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| Born | September 9, 1992 Nedrow, New York |
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| Nationality | Haudenosaunee | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 180 pounds (82 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shoots | Right | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Attack / Forward | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NCAA team | Albany (2015) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NLL draft | 1st overall, 2015 Georgia Swarm |
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| NLL team | Georgia Swarm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MLL draft | 1st overall, 2015 Florida Launch |
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| MLL teams | Florida Launch Chesapeake Bayhawks |
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| PLL team | Cannons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NCAA team | UAlbany | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 2015–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Lyle Thompson (born September 9, 1992) is an amazing professional lacrosse player. He is from the Haudenosaunee people, specifically the Hawk Clan of the Onondaga Nation. His native name is Deyhahsanoondey, which means "He's Flying Over Us."
Lyle plays both indoor and outdoor professional lacrosse. In outdoor lacrosse, he is an attack player for the Cannons Lacrosse Club in the Premier Lacrosse League. For indoor lacrosse, he plays as a forward for the Georgia Swarm in the National Lacrosse League. He also plays for the Haudenosaunee men's national indoor lacrosse team and the Haudenosaunee men's national outdoor lacrosse team in international games.
He played college lacrosse at the University at Albany. In 2014, he won the Tewaaraton Award with his older brother Miles. They were part of the famous Thompson Trio with their cousin, Ty Thompson. This trio broke many college records and is known as one of the best attack lines in college lacrosse history. Lyle won the Tewaaraton Award again by himself in his senior year.
As a professional indoor player, Lyle won the NLL MVP award and the championship in 2017. He was also named the championship's Most Valuable Player. In outdoor lacrosse, he was the 2022 PLL Attackman of the Year. He has also won silver medals in world box lacrosse and bronze medals in world field lacrosse.
Many people consider Lyle Thompson to be one of the greatest lacrosse players ever. He is known for his incredible stick skills, scoring ability, and smart playmaking. The coach of the USA men's lacrosse team, John Danowski, said that Lyle "transcends the sport," meaning he is truly special.
Lyle helped make the "shovel shot" popular, which is a backhand shot. This move is a big part of his signature move, the Deyhaus Dunk. The Thompson family has also brought back the traditional Indigenous American way of playing lacrosse. This style is more creative and uses many different stick handling, passing, and shooting techniques. They have inspired many young lacrosse players, especially in the Indigenous American community.
He helped start 'Thompson Brothers Lacrosse', a company that teaches about lacrosse, develops projects, and builds communities. They always highlight the Indigenous roots of the sport.
Lyle Thompson is also a humanitarian. He uses his fame to help others and has won awards for his efforts. He supports the #everychildmatters movement and helps spread awareness about the terrible things that happened in residential schools. These schools tried to force Indigenous children to adopt Christian Canadian culture.
Contents
Early Life and High School Lacrosse
Lyle grew up in the Onondaga Nation, New York. He is one of five children of Doloris and Jerome Thompson. He started playing lacrosse very young because the sport has deep spiritual and cultural meaning for the Onondaga people.
He went to LaFayette High School for his sophomore and junior years. For his senior year, he attended Salmon River High School. There, he was named an All-American.
Developing Unique Skills
Lyle played for Salmon River High School when he was in eighth grade. He scored 50 points before he broke his collarbone. Even with one arm in a sling, Lyle still went to practice. He used his healthy arm to practice with his lacrosse stick. This helped him develop amazing one-handed stick skills. This technique became a key part of his playing style and later became popular in the sport.
In his freshman year of high school, he scored 114 points. He was named to the first-team Times All-North.
Becoming a Top Recruit
Lyle played for LaFayette High School during his sophomore and junior years. In his sophomore year, he scored 59 goals and 52 assists. He led his team to the Class C State Final. He played incredibly well in the state title game, scoring five goals. After this, he became the number one recruit in the country as a sophomore.
In his junior year, he scored 111 points. This was the second-highest in his section. He was named first-team All-CNY for the second time. For his senior year, Lyle went back to Salmon River High School. He scored 66 goals and 54 assists and earned All-American honors.
College Lacrosse at UAlbany
Lyle Thompson went to the University at Albany for college. He studied sociology, but he also loves drawing and first wanted to study art. He was recruited to play for the school's Division I lacrosse team.
Usually, Native American lacrosse players would go to Syracuse University. But the Thompsons chose UAlbany, which was a big decision. They wanted to make their own mark on the sport.
Lyle Thompson is considered the best lacrosse player in University at Albany history. Many also say he is one of the greatest college lacrosse players ever. ESPN lacrosse analyst Paul Carcaterra called Lyle the best passer in NCAA lacrosse history. Another ESPN analyst, Anish Shroff, said Lyle was "transformative and transcendent."
Freshman and Sophomore Seasons
In his freshman year (2012), Lyle played midfield. He scored 22 goals and 16 assists. This was his last college season where he scored less than 100 points.
He moved to attack in his sophomore year (2013) and scored 113 points. That season, Albany beat Syracuse for the first time ever. Lyle's brother, Miles Thompson, scored the winning goal in double overtime.
Winning the Tewaaraton Award
In 2014, Lyle and his brother Miles became the first Native American players to win the Tewaaraton Trophy. Tewaaraton is a Mohawk word for the old version of lacrosse. That same year, Lyle was nominated for the 2014 Best Male College Athlete ESPY Award. He was also named Lacrosse Magazine's 'Person of the Year' in 2014, the only college player to receive this honor.
In his final college season (2015), Lyle won the Tewaaraton Award for the second time in a row.
Professional Lacrosse Career
Lyle Thompson plays both indoor and outdoor professional lacrosse. He is widely seen as one of the greatest lacrosse players of all time. ESPN analyst Paul Carcaterra put Lyle on his 'Mount Rushmore' of greatest lacrosse players. In 2017, fellow player Paul Rabil said Lyle's "legacy of success on the field will live on for generations to come."
Outdoor Lacrosse Leagues
Major League Lacrosse (2015–2020)
Lyle Thompson was the first player picked in the 2015 Collegiate Draft by the Florida Launch. His brother Miles was drafted by the Launch the year before. Lyle played eight games for the Launch in 2015, scoring 22 goals and 16 assists. In 2017, Lyle and his brother Jeremy Thompson were traded to the Chesapeake Bayhawks.
Premier Lacrosse League (2021–Present)
Lyle Thompson is an attackman for the Cannons Lacrosse Club in the PLL. He didn't join the PLL when it started in 2019 because he had a long contract with the MLL. When the two leagues merged in 2020, he finally joined. The PLL president, Paul Rabil, said that getting Lyle Thompson was the main reason for the merger.
In the 2022 season, Lyle set a new league record for most points (44 points) in a season, even though he missed one game due to injury. He also led the league in one-point goals. This record was broken two seasons later by Jeff Teat.
Thompson decided to take a break from the PLL for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He said he wanted to focus on himself, his family, and his community. The PLL website calls Lyle Thompson "one of the greatest players of all-time."
Indoor Lacrosse Leagues
National Lacrosse League (2015–Present)
On September 28, 2015, Lyle was the first player picked in the 2015 NLL draft by the Georgia Swarm. Lyle played alongside his brother Miles on the Swarm. In 2017, Thompson was named both the league MVP and the Championship MVP as the Swarm won their first NLL title. Winning the MVP award in only his third year was the fastest anyone had ever done it.
Before the 2023 NLL season, Inside Lacrosse ranked Thompson as the #4 best forward in the NLL. Lyle Thompson has also won the NLL Sportsmanship award many times.
Major Series Lacrosse (2023, 2024)
Thompson played for the Six Nations Chiefs in the Major Series Lacrosse League in 2023. He won that season's MVP award and the championship. Lyle also played for the Six Nations Chiefs in the 2024 season.
International Competitions
Lyle Thompson has proudly represented the Haudenosaunee in international lacrosse.
International Box Lacrosse
2015 World Lacrosse Box Championship
Lyle Thompson played forward for the Haudenosaunee men's national lacrosse team (then called Iroquois) at the 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship. The team won the silver medal, losing to Canada in the finals. Lyle was named to the first-team All-World team.
2019 World Lacrosse Box Championship
Lyle also played forward for the Haudenosaunee men's national lacrosse team (then called Iroquois) at the 2019 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship. The team again won the silver medal, losing to Canada in the championship game.
International Field Lacrosse
2014 World Lacrosse Championship
Lyle Thompson played attack for the Haudenosaunee men's national lacrosse team (then called Iroquois) in the 2014 World Lacrosse Championship. The team finished third, which was their highest placement ever at that time. Lyle earned first-team All-World honors.
2018 World Lacrosse Championship
Lyle played attack for the Haudenosaunee men's national lacrosse team (then called Iroquois) in the 2018 World Lacrosse Championship in Israel. The team finished in third place again.
2023 World Lacrosse Championship
Lyle played attack for the Haudenosaunee men's national lacrosse team in the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship in San Diego, California. The team once again placed third.
Career Statistics
NLL Career Statistics
| Lyle Thompson | Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||||
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| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | LB | PIM | Pts/GP | LB/GP | PIM/GP | GP | G | A | Pts | LB | PIM | Pts/GP | LB/GP | PIM/GP |
| 2016 | Georgia Swarm | 18 | 27 | 33 | 60 | 81 | 14 | 3.33 | 4.50 | 0.78 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 6.00 | 8.00 | 0.00 |
| 2017 | Georgia Swarm | 18 | 45 | 71 | 116 | 126 | 8 | 6.44 | 7.00 | 0.44 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 21 | 20 | 0 | 5.25 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| 2018 | Georgia Swarm | 18 | 46 | 40 | 86 | 123 | 6 | 4.78 | 6.83 | 0.33 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 3.00 | 10.00 | 0.00 |
| 2019 | Georgia Swarm | 18 | 43 | 62 | 105 | 94 | 6 | 5.83 | 5.22 | 0.33 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7.00 | 7.00 | 0.00 |
| 2020 | Georgia Swarm | 12 | 27 | 33 | 60 | 87 | 4 | 5.00 | 7.25 | 0.33 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2022 | Georgia Swarm | 17 | 47 | 55 | 102 | 107 | 8 | 6.00 | 6.29 | 0.47 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2023 | Georgia Swarm | 18 | 46 | 60 | 106 | 113 | 2 | 5.89 | 6.28 | 0.11 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 119 | 281 | 354 | 635 | 731 | 48 | 5.34 | 6.14 | 0.40 | 7 | 14 | 23 | 37 | 45 | 0 | 5.29 | 6.43 | 0.00 | ||
| Career Total: | 126 | 295 | 377 | 672 | 776 | 48 | 5.33 | 6.16 | 0.38 | ||||||||||
GP–Games played; G–Goals; A–Assists; Pts–Points; LB–Loose balls; PIM–Penalty minutes; Pts/GP–Points per games played; LB/GP–Loose balls per games played; PIM/GP–Penalty minutes per games played.
MLL Career Statistics
| Lyle Thompson | Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Season | Team | GP | G | 2PG | A | Pts | Sh | GB | Pen | PIM | FOW | FOA | GP | G | 2PG | A | Pts | Sh | GB | Pen | PIM | FOW | FOA |
| 2015 | Florida Launch | 8 | 22 | 0 | 16 | 38 | 53 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2016 | Florida Launch | 9 | 14 | 0 | 18 | 32 | 50 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2017 | Chesapeake Bayhawks | 6 | 19 | 1 | 8 | 28 | 54 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2018 | Chesapeake Bayhawks | 3 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 23 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Chesapeake Bayhawks | 15 | 46 | 0 | 27 | 73 | 137 | 35 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | Chesapeake Bayhawks | 5 | 14 | 0 | 5 | 19 | 37 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 46 | 122 | 1 | 77 | 200 | 354 | 104 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 21 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career Total: | 49 | 131 | 1 | 81 | 213 | 375 | 112 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
GP–Games played; G–Goals; 2PG–2-point goals; A–Assists; Pts–Points; Sh–Shots; GB–Ground balls; Pen–Penalties; PIM–Penalty minutes; FOW–Faceoffs won; FOA–Faceoffs attempted
PLL Statistics
| Lyle Thompson | Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GP | G | 2PG | A | Pts | Sh | GB | Pen | PIM | FOW | FOA | GP | G | 2PG | A | Pts | Sh | GB | Pen | PIM | FOW | FOA |
| 2021 | Cannons | 9 | 22 | 0 | 10 | 32 | 67 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Cannons | 9 | 26 | 0 | 18 | 44 | 66 | 22 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 18 | 48 | 0 | 28 | 76 | 133 | 43 | 3 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career Total: | 19 | 49 | 0 | 30 | 79 | 139 | 47 | 3 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
GP–Games played; G–Goals; 2PG–2-point goals; A–Assists; Pts–Points; Sh–Shots; GB–Ground balls; Pen–Penalties; PIM–Penalty minutes; FOW–Faceoffs won; FOA–Faceoffs attempted
Humanitarian Work
The Thompson brothers started a non-profit organization called the 4 The Future Foundation. This group helps Indigenous and other kids who need support to grow and succeed.
In the early 2020s, many gravesites were found at former Canadian Indigenous residential schools. Lyle Thompson worked to raise awareness about this issue. He helped make the #everychildmatters movement popular. He wore special orange helmet chinstraps and an orange ribbon in his braid during games. He even appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated to bring attention to the movement.
Lyle Thompson also supported the Dakota Access Pipeline protests to help the Standing Rock Reservation. His college lacrosse coach, Scott Marr, also spoke out for the Standing Rock Reservation.
Personal Life
Lyle Thompson is a strong believer in Native American religion, especially the Haudenosaunee religion. This faith focuses on the Great Spirit, also called 'the Creator'. His spirit animal is the eagle. He wears his hair in a braid, which is a tradition for the Haudenosaunee people. He speaks two languages: English and Onondaga language, which is his first language.
Lyle believes that playing lacrosse is a way to entertain the Creator. For him, lacrosse is more than just a game; it's a very important part of Haudenosaunee religion and culture. He once said:
It isn't just a game. It isn't just about going out and winning. You hear me talk about that all the time. It's not about winning; it's about having fun and playing with the right mindset and using the game as medicine.
He worries about too much commercialism in youth sports and the idea of winning at all costs. He thinks these things can take away from the true value of playing sports. He also worries that some parents push their children too hard in sports and "forget to ask them if they just had fun.”
Lyle is also an artist who loves drawing. He designed the cool "T" logo for his company, 'Thompson Brothers'. The logo has a braided spine, like his family's hair, with one tip up and one tip down. He also enjoys collecting sneakers.
Lyle Thompson is married to Amanda Longboat. They have four daughters and one son. They live on the Six Nations reservation in Canada. Their children are homeschooled, and Lyle teaches them art and physical education.
Awards
| Preceded by Dhane Smith |
NLL Most Valuable Player 2017 |
Succeeded by Mark Matthews |
See also
- 2014 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship
- Albany Great Danes men's lacrosse
- Miles Thompson
- Jeremy Thompson
