Austin Staats Bio
Austin Staats is a Canadian professional lacrosse player who plays for the San Diego Seals of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and formerly played for the Chaos Lacrosse Club of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). Born on April 23, 1998, in Six Nations, Ontario, Canada, Staats was drafted first overall by the Seals in the 2018 NLL Entry Draft. Known for his aggressive playstyle, he quickly became a standout player, receiving honors such as Rookie of the Year in 2019. Throughout his career, Staats faced challenges, including injuries and legal issues, but he continues to be a key figure in professional lacrosse.
Early Life and Background
Austin Staats was born on April 23, 1998, in Six Nations, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in a lacrosse-loving family and learned the sport from his older brother, Randy Staats. After graduating from Assumption College High School in 2016, he pursued his lacrosse career at Onondaga Community College, where he excelled on the field. In July 2016, he was named to the Haudenosaunee National Lacrosse team, competing in the 2016 Men’s U-19 World Lacrosse Championship in Coquitlam, British Columbia, where the team won a bronze medal and Staats was named to the All-World Team. During his time at Onondaga Community College, Staats had back-to-back breakout seasons in 2017 and 2018, totaling 156 points and helping his team win the NJCAA national championship while earning All-America honors.
Path to Lacrosse
Rather than continuing his collegiate career at an NCAA program, Austin Staats declared for the 2018 NLL Entry Draft. He was selected first overall by the San Diego Seals, marking a significant moment in his career as it was the team’s first-ever draft selection. Under the guidance of head coach Patrick Merrill, Staats made an immediate impact in his rookie season, scoring 61 points and leading the Seals to the playoffs. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL late in the season, which sidelined him for the postseason. Despite this setback, he was recognized as NLL Rookie of the Week four times and received the Rookie of the Year award, along with a spot on the All-Rookie Team.
Austin Staats Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
Austin Staats began his professional career in 2019 with the San Diego Seals. His debut season was marked by impressive performances, but his injury prevented him from participating in the playoffs. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the league, and Staats faced challenges in returning to form.
Breakthrough (2021-2022)
After a challenging 2020 season, Staats returned to the field in 2022, playing a full season for the first time since his injury. He scored 79 points, leading the Seals to another playoff appearance. However, the team was eliminated in the Western Conference Final. In 2024, Staats achieved a career-high of 102 points, contributing significantly to the team’s success. Unfortunately, his aggressive playstyle led to suspensions and legal issues, which have impacted his career trajectory.
Notable Works and Milestones
Austin Staats is recognized for his significant contributions to the San Diego Seals, earning accolades such as Rookie of the Year and being named to the All-Rookie Team. His aggressive style of play has made him a notable figure in the NLL, despite facing challenges off the field.
Austin Staats Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Austin Staats has received several nominations, including being named NLL Rookie of the Year in 2019 and earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team.
Austin Staats Awards Won
Austin Staats has won notable awards, including Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team honors in 2019.
Austin Staats Family
Information regarding Austin Staats’ family is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Due to the low pay in professional lacrosse, Austin Staats supplements his income by working as a part-time firefighter. However, he has faced legal challenges, including charges of aggravated assault in October 2023 and multiple counts of assault in August 2024.