Tehoka Nanticoke facts for kids
Nanticoke with the Buffalo Bandits in 2023
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| Born | January 18, 1998 Six Nations, Ontario, Canada |
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| Nationality | Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 230 pounds (104 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shoots | Right | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Attack (Field), Forward (Box) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NCAA team | Albany (2021) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NLL draft | 3rd overall, 2021 Buffalo Bandits |
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| NLL team | Buffalo Bandits | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PLL team | Carolina Chaos | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 2021– | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Tehoka Nanticoke (born January 18, 1998) is a professional lacrosse player from the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people. He plays for the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). He also plays for the Carolina Chaos in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL).
Tehoka is well-known online for his amazing trick shots and incredible skills. Besides playing, he is also an assistant coach for the Women's Lacrosse team at Niagara University.
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Early Life and Lacrosse Beginnings
Tehoka Nanticoke grew up on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Canada. He started playing lacrosse at a very young age. His older brother, Chancey Hill, who is 10 years older, taught him many unique moves. These special moves helped Tehoka develop his own exciting style of play.
He was noticed early on by scouts and invited to the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. There, he became one of the best players on the team. In 2017, he was considered the top recruit for college lacrosse players.
College Lacrosse Journey
At first, Tehoka wasn't sure about going to college to play lacrosse. But his mother, Catherine, encouraged him to go. He chose to play for the University of Albany. He liked how Coach Scott Marr's team played with a strong focus on offense.
In 2018, during his first season at Albany, Tehoka scored 49 goals and made 32 assists. This was a fantastic start to his college career. However, he did not play with the team in the fall of 2018 because he was not enrolled in the university. He did not return to the team after March 2021.
Professional Lacrosse Career
Tehoka Nanticoke was a top pick in the 2021 NLL Draft. The Buffalo Bandits chose him third overall. He quickly became an important player for the team.
In 2022, the Carolina Chaos picked him up from the PLL player pool. He now plays for both professional leagues.
Coaching Young Athletes
Before the 2024 women's college lacrosse season began, Tehoka became an assistant coach. He joined the Niagara University Purple Eagles women's team. He helped Head Coach Wendy Stone lead the team to a great 16-4 record. They won their first conference championship and made it to the NCAA tournament. Tehoka enjoys the team's fun celebrations, especially those led by Delaney Banks.
NLL Player Statistics
| Tehoka Nanticoke | 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 |
| 2022 | Buffalo Bandits | 18 | 32 | 19 | 51 | 53 | 47 | 2.83 | 2.94 | 2.61 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 16 | 6 | 2.33 | 2.67 | 1.00 |
| 2023 | Buffalo Bandits | 13 | 21 | 18 | 39 | 31 | 26 | 3.00 | 2.38 | 2.00 | 6 | 15 | 8 | 23 | 18 | 6 | 3.83 | 3.00 | 1.00 |
| 2024 | Buffalo Bandits | 16 | 27 | 16 | 43 | 37 | 10 | 2.69 | 2.31 | 0.63 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 2.40 | 2.00 | 0.40 |
| 2025 | Buffalo Bandits | 16 | 18 | 15 | 33 | 38 | 10 | 2.06 | 2.38 | 0.63 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 2.17 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| 63 | 98 | 68 | 166 | 159 | 93 | 2.63 | 2.52 | 1.48 | 23 | 29 | 33 | 62 | 53 | 20 | 2.70 | 2.30 | 0.87 | ||
| Career Total: | 86 | 127 | 101 | 228 | 212 | 113 | 2.65 | 2.47 | 1.31 | ||||||||||
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.
Playing for His Nation
Tehoka Nanticoke proudly represents the Haudenosaunee Nationals. He played for the under-19 team in the 2016 FIL U-19 World Championship. He also joined the 2019 FIL Indoor World Championship team for the Haudenosaunee Nationals.
Tehoka's Unique Playing Style
Tehoka Nanticoke is known for being a very skilled and talented lacrosse player. Even in high school, he became popular online for his amazing moves and trick shots. In 2017, he made ESPN's top ten plays. This was for scoring incredible one-handed, behind-the-back, and between-the-legs goals while at IMG Academy.
He is also a very strong and physical player. He weighs over 200 pounds, which helps him push past opposing defenders. Sometimes, he has been criticized for being too physical during games. For example, a penalty he received in a 2018 NCAA Tournament game against Yale was seen as a turning point.
Personal Life and Heritage
Tehoka is a member of the Mohawk Nation. In 2018, he was one of eight Indigenous players on the Albany team roster. His family is deeply connected to their culture and traditions. Many of his grandparents are "faith keepers," meaning they help preserve Mohawk culture, language, and traditions.
Tehoka is greatly influenced by his heritage. He chooses not to cut his hair, which is a cultural practice. He believes that lacrosse, often called the "Medicine Game," has spiritual importance. He follows the Longhouse Religion and can speak the Mohawk language fluently.
