Justin Inacio Bio
Justin Inacio is a Canadian professional lacrosse player who plays as a faceoff specialist in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) and as a defenceman for the Calgary Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Born on November 6, 1998, in Oakville, Ontario, he built a reputation as one of the top faceoff specialists of his generation through standout work at The Hill Academy and Ohio State University. He was drafted 10th overall by the Calgary Roughnecks in the 2021 NLL Entry Draft and won a championship in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Justin Inacio was born and raised in Oakville, Ontario, to his parents Nelson and Sandra Inacio. He has an older sister and grew up in a household that supported his early interest in athletics. Inacio began to play lacrosse at the age of four, and the sport quickly became the central focus of his youth.
He attended The Hill Academy, a Canadian private school well known for developing elite lacrosse talent. While there, Inacio trained and competed under head coach Brodie Merrill, a former NLL star, who helped shape his understanding of the faceoff position. Although Canada rarely produces top faceoff specialists, Inacio was ranked as the top faceoff player in the high school class of 2017 and was named an Under Armour All-American.
Path to Lacrosse
His success at The Hill Academy earned him a scholarship to play lacrosse at Ohio State University, where he became the first person in his family to attend college. The decision to head south of the border was significant because it marked a step into the top tier of American collegiate lacrosse and the strongest competitive environment available for faceoff players.
At Ohio State, Inacio transitioned from a highly regarded prep prospect into one of the most productive faceoff specialists in the NCAA. His blend of size, strength, and technique quickly translated at the college level, setting the stage for his professional career in both the NLL and PLL.
Justin Inacio Career
Early Career at Ohio State (2018–2022)
Inacio wasted little time establishing himself with the Ohio State Buckeyes. As a freshman in 2018, he won 61.3 percent of his faceoffs, leading all freshmen nationally and earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. The following season, he led the Big Ten in faceoff percentage and finished ninth nationally with a 63.7 percent win rate.
During his time with the Buckeyes, Inacio set the Ohio State single-game record for faceoff wins with 23 and the single-game record for ground balls with 19. In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he won 30 faceoffs in a single game against Cornell, the third most in NCAA single-game history at that point. He graduated as Ohio State’s all-time leader in ground balls with 357 and ranked second in program history in faceoff percentage at 60.7 percent, while earning a degree in biology with a minor in business.
NLL Breakthrough with Calgary Roughnecks (2022–Present)
Inacio was selected 10th overall in the 2021 NLL Entry Draft by the Calgary Roughnecks. He opted to return to Ohio State for a fifth collegiate season before joining the professional ranks. A knee injury delayed his debut and forced him to miss the entire 2022 NLL season.
Once healthy, Inacio settled into a role with the Roughnecks as a defenceman, where his faceoff experience and ground ball instincts have carried over from his college career. He continues to be part of the Calgary organization, contributing on the defensive end while also serving as an assistant lacrosse coach at Ohio Wesleyan University.
PLL Career with Archers (2022–Present)
Inacio was selected 18th overall by Archers Lacrosse Club in the 2022 PLL College Draft. As a rookie in the PLL, he appeared in eight regular-season games and two playoff games, winning a total of 41.3 percent of his faceoffs while learning the professional field game.
He won a championship in 2023 as part of the Archers organization, a milestone that confirmed his arrival as a contributor at the professional level. In 2025, Inacio was named an NLL All-Star, adding another line to his growing résumé. He also represents Canada internationally, having played in the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship in San Diego, where his team finished as runner-up.
Playing Style and Strengths
Inacio’s game is built around the technical and physical demands of the faceoff. His lower-body strength allows him to win clamps and exit cleanly, while his relentless ground ball work turns faceoff wins into immediate possession. Standing 5 feet 10 inches and weighing around 188 pounds, he pairs compact size with quick hands and a disciplined approach that translates across box and field formats.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature accomplishments, Inacio’s 30-faceoff performance against Cornell stands out as one of the most dominant single-game showings in NCAA history. His 2023 PLL championship with the Archers and his 2025 NLL All-Star selection further reinforce his standing as one of the elite faceoff specialists of his era.
Justin Inacio Career Wins
Justin Inacio’s win résumé includes one PLL championship earned in 2023 with the Archers Lacrosse Club, along with an NLL All-Star selection in 2025. While detailed league-by-league win totals for the NLL and PLL are not fully published, his verified honors confirm a championship-level impact at the professional level.
PLL Highlights
In his rookie PLL season with the Archers, Inacio appeared in eight regular-season games and two playoff games. He won a championship in 2023 as a member of the Archers organization, marking his first professional title.
Other Wins and Performances
Inacio represented Canada at the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship in San Diego, where his team finished as runner-up. He was also named an NLL All-Star in 2025, recognizing his performance as a defenceman with the Calgary Roughnecks.
Justin Inacio Family
Family Background and Lacrosse Lineage
Justin Inacio is the son of Nelson and Sandra Inacio, and he has an older sister. He became the first person in his family to attend college when he enrolled at Ohio State University, a milestone that shaped his path from Oakville to professional lacrosse.
Personal Life
Inacio is a Canadian athlete who was raised in Oakville, Ontario, and he continues to balance his professional playing career with work as an assistant lacrosse coach at Ohio Wesleyan University.
2025 Season Performance
Justin Inacio entered 2025 coming off a 2023 PLL championship and continued his dual role across the NLL and PLL. With the Calgary Roughnecks of the NLL, he has been part of the team’s defensive rotation as a defenceman, and his 2025 NLL All-Star selection reflected his strong play during the season.
With the Archers Lacrosse Club in the PLL, Inacio remained a steady presence in the faceoff circle and the team’s overall midfield structure. His experience as a championship-winning player has given the Archers a reliable specialist for high-leverage possessions.
Looking ahead, Inacio continues to build on his role with the Calgary Roughnecks and the Archers while representing Canada on the international stage. His combination of faceoff skill, ground ball work, and box lacrosse background positions him as a long-term contributor in both leagues.