Nicky Polanco

Nicky Polanco, born Nicholas Polanco on 18 August 1980, is an American former lacrosse player regarded as one of the best defensemen in the history of Major League Lacrosse and of professional lacrosse more broadly. He attended Oceanside High School, played two seasons at Nassau Community College, where his team won National Junior College Athletic Association championships in 1999 and 2000 and he was named that association's Player of the Year, and then transferred to Hofstra University, earning All-America honors in each of his two years there. As a professional he was drafted fourth overall by the Bridgeport Barrage in the 2002 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft, won the league's Defensive Player of the Year award in 2004 and again in 2005 after a trade to the Long Island Lizards, and led the Barrage to the Steinfeld Cup in 2004. He also played one National Lacrosse League season, with the New York Saints in 2003, and was a member of the 2006 United States national team.