Draft:Ajax Zappitello

Ajax Zappitello is a Maryland Lacrosse player who got drafted in 2024 to the Maryland Whipsnakes. His contract is through the 2026 season. After this, the Whipsnakes could renew his contract or he could become a free agent. In 2024, Ajax Zappitello and his Maryland Lacrosse team made it to the 2024 NCAA Lacrosse championship but fell short to Notre Dame 15 - 5. They had an outstanding season.

Ajax Zappitello:
ZAPPITELLO HONOR ROLL

• Earned the prestigious #1 jersey prior to the 2024 season, the second close defensemen to wear the jersey.

• No. 3 overall pick in 2024 PLL Draft (Maryland Whipsnakes)

• 68 career caused turnovers ranks tied for 10th all-time in program history

• 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year

• 2024 Tewaaraton Nominee

• Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week: 2/20

• USILA Team of the Week: 2/13, 2/20

• 2024 Tewaaraton Watch List

• 2023 USILA Second Team All-American

• 2023 Inside Lacrosse Second Team All-American

• 2023 USA Lacrosse Second Team All-American

• 2023 All-Big Ten First Team

• 2023 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (4/18)

• 2022, 2023 Academic All-Big Ten

• 2022 Inside Lacrosse Third Team All-American

• 2022 USILA Third Team All-American

As a Senior in 2024:

• At least one caused turnover in each of the first ten games of the season. Two-plus turnovers in eight out of eleven games.

• Two groundballs in NCAA Quarterfinals vs. #2 seeded Duke (5/18).

• Held Duke's Josh Zawada to just one assist (5/18).

• Three caused Turnovers vs. Princeton in First Round (5/11)

• One goal, four groundballs and two caused turnovers vs. #9 Penn State (5/2).

• Recorded a groundball vs. Rutgers (4/13).

• Two caused turnovers and had two groundballs vs. Ohio State (4/6).

• Two caused turnovers and a new career high of six groundballs at #4 Penn State (3/31).

• Two caused turnovers and a groundball at #20 Michigan (3/23).

• Two caused turnovers vs. #4 Virginia (3/16).

• Three groundballs and a caused turnover vs. Brown (3/9).

• Caused turnover vs. #11 Princeton (2/24), and at #6 Notre Dame (3/3).

• Four GBs and game-high three CTs at #7 Syracuse. Held nation's leading point scorer Joey Spallina to just three points (1g-2a) (2/17).

• Guarded Loyola's Evan James (9 points in season opener) and held him scoreless. Part of defensive effort that held Greyhounds scoreless for two quarters and to just four goals overall.

• Scored one goal, caused two turnovers and recorded a groundball at #19 Richmond (2/3).

As a Junior in 2023:

• Tied for most caused turnovers on the team with 21, 29 groundballs rank sixth on the team.

• Missed final four games due to injury, started the other 12 at close defense usually guarding opponent's best attackman.

• Also added two goals and two assists.

As a Sophomore in 2022:

• Started all 18 games on close defense, guarding some of the best attackers in the nation.

• Finished season leading team with 27 caused turnovers and had 26 groundballs.

As a Freshman in 2021:

• Played in 15 games, earning time at LSM and as a man down specialist.

• Grabbed three groundballs.

• Scooped a groundball in NCAA Tournament win over Vermont (5/16).

• Picked up a groundball in Big Ten Championship vs. Johns Hopkins (5/8).

• Made collegiate debut vs. Michigan, scooping a groundball (2/20).

Before Maryland:

• Played defense at Sunset High School in Portland, Oregon, where he was a three-time team captain

• Four-star recruit and No. 1 ranked senior defender in the West by Inside Lacrosse.

• 2019 US Lacrosse All-American,

• Played in the Adrenaline All-American 2020 game.

• Chosen as 2019 Metro League Player of the Year.

• Three-time All-Metro performer.

• Played club lacrosse for Legends West and LB3 Thunder National.

Personal:

• Son of Brian and Beth Zappitello.

• Has a younger brother Hopper, who plays lacrosse at Dartmouth.

• Hobbies include basketball, soccer, swimming, playing FIFA with friends, and watching Netflix.

Why Maryland?: “I chose Maryland because it offered so many things I was looking for. I really connected with the coaches and players that I met on my visit. I wanted a larger school with lots of activities, including great athletics, and a great business school.”

Zappitello's Career Highs

Points: 1 (10x), last vs. Penn State (5/2/24)

Goals: 1 (5x), last vs. Penn State (5/2/24)

Assists: 1 (5x), last vs. Johns Hopkins (4/22/23)

Groundballs: 6, at Penn State (3/31/24)

Caused Turnovers: 4 vs. Princeton (5/28/22)

More:
Height - 6 - 1"

Class - Graduated

Hometown - Portland, OR

Instagram - ajaxzappitello

Opendorse - ajax-zappitello

Weight - 190 lbs

Major - Business Managment

High School - Sunset

Twitter - Ajaxzap4