Brennan O’Neill Bio
Brennan O’Neill is an American professional lacrosse player who competes for the Denver Outlaws of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) and the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). A native of Bay Shore, New York, he played college lacrosse at Duke University, where he became one of the most decorated attackmen in program history. O’Neill is widely regarded as a generational talent and was the winner of the 2023 Tewaaraton Award, presented annually to the top collegiate lacrosse player in the United States.
Born on April 12, 2002, O’Neill stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs around 250 pounds. He plays the attack position and shoots left-handed, and he has represented the United States at multiple international events, including the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship, which Team USA won.
Early Life and Background
Brennan O’Neill grew up in Bay Shore, New York, a community on the south shore of Long Island with a strong youth sports culture. He first picked up a lacrosse stick in second grade, following the example of his older sister, who also played the sport. By eighth grade, O’Neill was already competing at the varsity level for Bay Shore High School, where he recorded 98 points in a single season to lead all of Long Island in scoring.
After his middle school success, O’Neill transferred to St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington, New York, one of the premier lacrosse programs in the country. Playing three varsity seasons for the Friars, he scored 153 goals and added 66 assists for 219 career points. As a junior, he helped St. Anthony’s win the CHSAA Long Island championship, scoring seven goals against rival Chaminade in the title game, and was named the US Lacrosse Magazine National Player of the Year. His senior season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. O’Neill also played football at St. Anthony’s as a linebacker, showcasing the athleticism that would later define his lacrosse career.
Path to Lacrosse
O’Neill’s rapid rise through the youth and high school ranks put him on the radar of top college programs long before he graduated. When he was just 14 years old, he verbally committed to Penn State before later flipping his commitment to Duke University. That decision set the stage for one of the most productive college careers in recent memory.
At Duke, O’Neill joined a Blue Devils program with national championship ambitions. He immediately stepped into a featured role as a freshman, leading the team in goals while finishing second in total points. His combination of size, shooting skill, and playmaking ability allowed him to play both attack and offensive midfield, and he quickly earned a reputation as one of the most dynamic young attackmen in the sport.
Brennan O’Neill Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
O’Neill’s early career at Duke began in the 2021 season, when he burst onto the NCAA scene as a freshman. He led the Blue Devils with 45 goals and finished second on the team with 55 points, recording at least one point in all 17 games. Duke reached the national semifinals that year, giving O’Neill valuable postseason experience in his first collegiate campaign.
The following season, O’Neill once again led Duke in goals, scoring 53 times while adding 21 assists for a team-best 74 points. Although the Blue Devils missed the NCAA Tournament that year, O’Neill continued to build his resume and represented the United States at the 2022 U-21 World Lacrosse Championships, where he led Team USA with 18 goals and 25 points on the way to a gold medal.
Duke Breakthrough (2023)
O’Neill’s junior season at Duke in 2023 established him as the top player in college lacrosse. He led the nation with 97 points and was the only player in Division I to finish in the top 20 nationally in points per game, goals, and assists. That performance earned him both the Tewaaraton Award and the Lt. Raymond Enners Award as the nation’s top player.
Duke rode O’Neill’s production all the way to the 2023 NCAA national championship game, where the Blue Devils ultimately fell to Notre Dame. Despite the loss, his junior campaign remains one of the most statistically dominant individual seasons in recent NCAA lacrosse history.
International Career (2023)
Following his standout U-21 performance in 2022, O’Neill was selected to the United States men’s national lacrosse team for the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship in San Diego. He was the only college player on the roster and the youngest American to represent the United States at a World Championship since 2002.
Although he played as a midfielder rather than his natural attack position, O’Neill scored five goals in the gold medal game, leading the United States to a 10–7 victory over Canada. He was named the tournament’s best midfielder and Most Valuable Player, cementing his status as a generational talent on the international stage.
Denver Outlaws and Philadelphia Wings Era (2024–Present)
O’Neill entered the professional ranks in 2024 as one of the most hyped prospects in the sport’s history. He was selected first overall by the Denver Outlaws in the 2024 Premier Lacrosse League draft and wears jersey number 42 for the club. He has quickly become a centerpiece of the Outlaws’ attack and was named a PLL All-Star in each of his first two professional seasons, earning First Team All-Pro honors in 2025.
Despite limited experience in the box game, O’Neill was also drafted first overall by the Philadelphia Wings in the 2024 NLL draft, becoming the fourth player ever to be selected first overall in both the NLL and outdoor professional drafts, following Kevin Crowley, Lyle Thompson, and Jeff Teat. He was also the first American to be the top pick in the NLL draft since Casey Powell in 1998. O’Neill now plays a condensed indoor and outdoor schedule for both franchises.
Playing Style and Strengths
O’Neill combines rare size for a lacrosse attackman with a powerful left-handed shot and strong vision as a passer. His 6-foot-3 frame and 250-pound build allow him to absorb contact around the crease, while his footwork and stick skills make him effective from the perimeter as well. Coaches have praised his composure in big moments and his ability to play both attack and midfield, giving his teams flexibility in personnel groupings.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among O’Neill’s signature moments are his five-goal performance in the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship gold medal game, his 97-point junior season at Duke, and being selected first overall in both the 2024 PLL and NLL drafts. His back-to-back PLL All-Star selections and 2025 First Team All-Pro honor further underscore his rapid rise in the professional game.
Brennan O’Neill Career Wins
Across his playing career, Brennan O’Neill has compiled an impressive list of team and individual successes at every level. From high school championships to international gold medals and NCAA championship game appearances, he has consistently performed on the biggest stages in the sport.
College Highlights
At Duke, O’Neill led the Blue Devils to the 2023 NCAA national championship game and won the Tewaaraton Award and Lt. Raymond Enners Award that same season. He led the nation in points as a junior and was a multi-year team leader in goals and assists during his three collegiate seasons.
International Highlights
O’Neill won gold with the United States at both the 2022 U-21 World Lacrosse Championships and the 2023 senior World Lacrosse Championship, where he was named tournament MVP and best midfielder. He led Team USA in scoring at the U-21 level and scored five goals in the senior gold medal game against Canada.
Brennan O’Neill Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
O’Neill comes from an athletic family in Bay Shore, New York. He first picked up lacrosse in second grade because of the influence of his older sister, who also played the sport. That early family introduction helped launch one of the most promising lacrosse careers of his generation.
Personal Life
Off the field, O’Neill continues to be based in the United States as he balances professional commitments with both the Denver Outlaws and the Philadelphia Wings. He remains closely connected to his Long Island roots and his family in Bay Shore.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks O’Neill’s second year as a professional in both the Premier Lacrosse League and the National Lacrosse League. With the Denver Outlaws, he has built on a strong rookie campaign and was named First Team All-Pro in 2025, reinforcing his role as a primary offensive option. He also returned as a PLL All-Star for the second straight year.
In the NLL, O’Neill continues to develop his indoor game with the Philadelphia Wings after entering the league as a first overall pick with limited box lacrosse experience. His progression as a box player remains a key storyline as he adapts to the smaller playing surface and faster pace.
Looking ahead, O’Neill is positioned as a long-term building block for both franchises. His combination of size, shooting, and playmaking gives Denver and Philadelphia a centerpiece attacker for years to come, and he remains a candidate for additional individual awards as his professional career matures.