Marcus Holman Bio
Marcus Holman is an American professional lacrosse player who currently plays for the Boston Cannons of the Premier Lacrosse League. An attackman who shoots right, he has built a reputation as one of the most consistent scorers of his generation. In addition to his playing career, Holman serves as an assistant coach for the Utah Utes men’s lacrosse team. He first entered professional lacrosse in 2013 after a decorated college career at the University of North Carolina.
Holman was born on May 2, 1991, in Baltimore, Maryland. Across Major League Lacrosse, the Premier Lacrosse League, and international competition with Team USA, he has accumulated five all-star selections, a league championship, and a Championship Game MVP award. His journey from a Baltimore high school standout to a national champion reflects steady development and a long family connection to the sport.
Early Life and Background
Marcus Holman grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, in a family deeply embedded in the lacrosse community. His father, Brian Holman, coached goalkeepers at the University of North Carolina and helped coordinate the Tar Heels’ defense, joining head coach Joe Breschi in Chapel Hill in 2009. Brian later became the head coach of lacrosse at the University of Utah, extending the family’s coaching footprint to the West Coast. Marcus’ older brother, Matthew, was a goalkeeper for the Tar Heels during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
Holman’s mother serves as the Director of Operations for the North Carolina Tar Heels women’s lacrosse team. His sister, Sydney, has played for the program since the 2014 season. Surrounded by the sport at home, Marcus developed his skills early and attended the Gilman School in Baltimore. In his senior year of 2009, the Gilman lacrosse team was ranked number one by Inside Lacrosse, and Holman served as team MVP and captain. He was also a captain of his high school football team during his freshman year.
Path to Lacrosse
Holman’s college career at the University of North Carolina began in 2010, when he won the ACC Freshman of the Year award as an attackman. He switched from attack to midfield during his sophomore year, broadening his game and demonstrating the versatility that would later help him at the professional level. His teammates voted him UNC’s most valuable player in both 2011 and 2012, and he was named a second-team All-American in 2012.
Holman earned spots on the All-ACC team in both 2012 and 2013, with the conference coaches confirming his 2013 selection on April 24 of that year. On April 28, 2013, he became the Tar Heels’ all-time leading scorer, surpassing Bruce Ledwith’s previous school record of 204 points, set between 1970 and 1973. He held that record until Joey Sankey passed him during the 2015 season. Holman was also a nominee for the Tewaaraton Award in 2012 and 2013, finishing his college career among the most decorated scorers in program history.
Marcus Holman Career
Early Career (2013-2018)
The Ohio Machine selected Marcus Holman in the second round of the 2013 Major League Lacrosse draft. He spent six seasons with the Machine, appearing in 81 regular-season games and establishing himself as one of the league’s most reliable attackmen. Across his MLL career, he finished with 208 goals, which ranked 12th all-time in the league, along with 87 assists and 302 total points, which placed him 16th all-time.
Holman was selected as an MLL All-Star in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, building a five-year streak of midseason recognition. In 2017, he was named First Team All-Pro and was voted Championship Game MVP after scoring four goals with two assists to lead the Ohio Machine to their first MLL Championship. That same year, he also represented the United States at the World Lacrosse Championship in Netanya, helping Team USA win gold.
Premier Lacrosse League Breakthrough (2019-Present)
When Paul Rabil launched the Premier Lacrosse League in 2019, Holman joined the Archers Lacrosse Club for the league’s inaugural season. He was selected to the 2019 PLL All-Star Game, where he played for Team Baptiste, signaling his continued status among the sport’s elite attackmen. He spent four seasons with the Archers, providing veteran scoring and steady leadership.
In 2023, Holman signed as a free agent with the Cannons Lacrosse Club, and the franchise announced him as a co-captain ahead of the season. The move reunited him with a broader organization known for its championship ambitions and allowed him to continue his professional career in a growing league. He is represented by Athelo Group, a sports agency based in Norwalk, Connecticut.
Driving Style and Strengths
Holman is recognized for his accurate right-handed shot, strong field vision, and ability to create scoring chances from the attack position. His background as a midfielder in college gave him a broader skill set than a typical attackman, including comfort in transition and off-ball movement. Combined with his experience in high-pressure games, these traits have made him a reliable contributor in late-game situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Holman’s signature moment came in the 2017 MLL Championship Game, where he scored four goals and added two assists to claim MVP honors and deliver the Ohio Machine their first league title. He also helped Team USA win gold at the 2018 World Lacrosse Championship in Netanya, after earning a silver medal at the 2014 event in Denver. In 2015, he added a World Lacrosse Box Championship title on the international stage.
Marcus Holman Career Wins
Across professional and international lacrosse, Marcus Holman has compiled a strong collection of championships and individual honors. His most notable triumph was the 2017 MLL Championship with the Ohio Machine, paired with the Championship Game MVP award. On the international stage, he helped the United States win gold at the 2018 World Lacrosse Championship and the 2015 World Lacrosse Box Championship.
MLL Highlights
Holman spent six seasons with the Ohio Machine and tallied 81 regular-season games. He ended his MLL career with 208 goals, 87 assists, and 302 total points, ranking among the league’s all-time leaders. His five consecutive All-Star selections from 2014 through 2018 remain the foundation of his professional resume.
Other Wins and Performances
Holman won gold with Team USA at the 2018 World Lacrosse Championship in Netanya and at the 2015 World Lacrosse Box Championships in Onondaga. He also earned a silver medal at the 2014 World Lacrosse Championship in Denver, adding international experience to his trophy collection.
Marcus Holman Family
Family Background and Lacrosse Lineage
Lacrosse runs throughout the Holman family. His father, Brian Holman, coached goalkeepers at UNC and helped coordinate the Tar Heels’ defense before becoming the head coach of lacrosse at the University of Utah. His older brother, Matthew, played goalkeeper for North Carolina in 2011 and 2012, while his mother serves as the Director of Operations for the UNC women’s lacrosse program. His sister, Sydney, has played for the Tar Heels’ women’s team since the 2014 season, giving Marcus strong family ties to the sport at every level.
Personal Life
Marcus Holman married fellow professional lacrosse player Alex Aust on December 17, 2021, in Tulum, Mexico. The couple, both prominent figures in the lacrosse world, have been public about their shared careers in the sport. Holman has also transitioned into coaching as an assistant with the Utah Utes men’s lacrosse program, joining his father in the college coaching ranks.
2025 Season Performance
Marcus Holman continues his professional career as a co-captain of the Cannons Lacrosse Club in the Premier Lacrosse League. Entering 2025, he provides veteran leadership on the attack and remains a steady scoring presence for one of the league’s most historic franchises. His experience from six MLL seasons and multiple PLL campaigns positions him as a mentor for younger teammates.
The Cannons have built their recent rosters around experienced attackmen, and Holman’s consistency fits that blueprint. As a co-captain, he is expected to play a central role in the team’s offensive system and in-game adjustments. His durability and track record suggest he will continue to log significant minutes throughout the season.
With a full PLL schedule ahead and the postseason in sight, Holman’s outlook in 2025 centers on contending for a PLL Championship while maintaining his status among the league’s top attackmen. His championship pedigree from 2017 and his international experience with Team USA make him a key piece of any title push for the Cannons.