Randy Staats Bio
Randy Staats (born November 23, 1992) is an Iroquois professional lacrosse player who competes for the Halifax Thunderbirds in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and the Six Nations Chiefs of the Major Series Lacrosse (MSL). A dynamic attackman, he was drafted sixth overall by the Georgia Swarm in the 2015 NLL Entry Draft and has built a reputation as one of the most skilled offensive players in the modern game. Beyond his club career, Staats represents the Haudenosaunee in international competition and is a leading voice for Indigenous inclusion in the sport.
Standing 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) and weighing 200 lb (91 kg), Staats shoots right-handed and is recognized for his quick release, vision, and scoring instincts. He has also played in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) and Major League Lacrosse (MLL), where he was drafted 29th overall in the 2015 MLL Entry Draft. His career, which began in 2015, has included individual awards, a league championship, and steady production at the highest levels of the sport.
Early Life and Background
Randy Staats was born on November 23, 1992, in Six Nations, Ontario, Canada. Six Nations of the Grand River is the most populous First Nations reserve in Canada and has long been a stronghold of Haudenosaunee culture and a major source of lacrosse talent. Growing up in that environment gave Staats early, regular exposure to the Creator’s Game, which is deeply tied to Haudenosaunee identity and ceremony.
He attended McKinnon Park Secondary School, where he developed his foundational skills before moving on to organized lacrosse at a higher level. His upbringing in Six Nations shaped both his playing style and his sense of responsibility to represent his community. Family ties also connect him to the professional game: he is the brother of fellow professional lacrosse player Austin Staats and the cousin of Cody Jamieson, an established name in the sport.
Path to Lacrosse
Staats began his collegiate lacrosse career at Onondaga Community College (OCC), a powerhouse junior college program. During his two seasons with the Lazers, the team went undefeated and captured the NJCAA national championship in both years, giving Staats a winning foundation and exposure against top competition.
After his time at OCC, he transferred to Syracuse University, joining the Syracuse Orange in 2014. At Syracuse, he earned USILA Honorable Mention All-American recognition, was named to the Inside Lacrosse Preseason Second Team All-American, and was selected to the ACC All-Tournament Team. Those honors confirmed his status as a top collegiate talent and helped position him as a first-round prospect for both the NLL and MLL drafts in 2015.
Randy Staats Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
Staats entered the professional ranks in 2015 after being selected sixth overall by the Georgia Swarm in the NLL Entry Draft and 29th overall by the Rochester Rattlers in the MLL Entry Draft. In his first NLL season, he made an immediate impact, producing at a pace rarely seen from a rookie. His offensive output earned him the 2016 NLL Rookie of the Year award, and his 95 points set a rookie point record at the time.
In the MLL, he was named an All-Star in 2016, signaling that his scoring touch translated to the field game as well. The combination of NLL and MLL duties allowed him to refine his two-way game and adjust to the speed and physicality of professional lacrosse on both sides of the border.
National Lacrosse League Breakthrough (2016–Present)
Staats’s rookie campaign in 2016 established him as a cornerstone for the Georgia Swarm. Beyond his record-setting point total, he became a focal point of the Swarm offense and a key contributor in their drive toward a championship. In 2017, he was part of the Swarm team that captured the NLL title, adding a championship to his growing resume.
Throughout his NLL career, Staats has continued to produce, later suiting up for Panther City Lacrosse Club before landing with the Halifax Thunderbirds, his current NLL club. His combination of vision, shooting accuracy, and playmaking has made him one of the league’s most respected attackmen.
Major League Lacrosse and PLL (2016–2020)
In the MLL, Staats suited up for the Rochester Rattlers, the Dallas Rattlers, the Atlanta Blaze, and the Boston Cannons across his outdoor career. He was again named an MLL All-Star in 2019, reinforcing his reputation as a top-tier outdoor attackman.
His most significant outdoor achievement came in 2020, when he won the MLL championship as a member of the Boston Cannons. He also competed in the Premier Lacrosse League, continuing to play elite summer lacrosse against the best competition the United States had to offer.
Halifax Thunderbirds Era (Years–Present)
Staats joined the Halifax Thunderbirds and has continued to serve as a primary offensive weapon for the franchise. His role with Halifax has allowed him to remain a featured NLL attackman while continuing his parallel commitments to the Six Nations Chiefs in Major Series Lacrosse.
With Halifax, he has remained a consistent point producer and veteran presence in the locker room. His transition to the Thunderbirds gave him a fresh organizational setting while keeping him in a starring offensive role, and he has been central to the team’s push for postseason success.
Driving Style and Strengths
Staats is best known for his quick-stick finishing, strong field vision, and ability to create offense in tight spaces. In the box game, he excels in the high-traffic areas near the crease, using a fast release and accurate shot to beat goalies. In the field game, his dodges, off-ball cuts, and two-point range make him a multidimensional scoring threat.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Staats’s career include his 2016 NLL Rookie of the Year award and his rookie point record of 95 points, his 2017 NLL championship with the Georgia Swarm, his two MLL All-Star selections in 2016 and 2019, and his 2020 MLL championship with the Boston Cannons. He has also represented the Haudenosaunee at multiple World Lacrosse Championships, earning medals on the international stage.
Randy Staats Career Wins
Across both the box and field games, Randy Staats has accumulated individual awards and team championships that mark him as one of the most decorated active lacrosse players of his generation. His résumé includes a league Rookie of the Year honor, a championship in each major professional league, and multiple All-Star selections.
NLL Highlights
Staats’s NLL résumé is anchored by his 2016 Rookie of the Year award, when he set a then-rookie point record with 95 points, and his 2017 NLL championship with the Georgia Swarm. He went on to play for Panther City Lacrosse Club before joining the Halifax Thunderbirds, where he continues to be a featured offensive contributor.
Other Wins and Performances
On the outdoor side, Staats is a two-time MLL All-Star (2016 and 2019) and won the 2020 MLL championship as a member of the Boston Cannons. He has also represented the Haudenosaunee at the World Lacrosse Championship in 2014, 2018, and 2023, and at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championship/World Lacrosse Box Championships in 2015, 2019, and 2024, collecting multiple medals along the way.
Randy Staats Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Staats comes from a lacrosse family rooted in Six Nations of the Grand River. He is the brother of Austin Staats, who is also a professional lacrosse player, and the cousin of Cody Jamieson, a well-known name in the professional game. That family connection to the sport has helped shape his development and his standing within the Haudenosaunee lacrosse community.
Personal Life
Beyond his playing career, Staats is a prominent advocate for Indigenous representation in sport. He has publicly championed the inclusion of the Haudenosaunee, who do not hold International Olympic Committee recognition, in the 2028 Olympic Games. His advocacy has made him a respected voice in conversations about Indigenous athletes and the future of lacrosse on the world’s biggest stage.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NLL season, Randy Staats remains a central figure for the Halifax Thunderbirds and an established offensive leader in the league. His role with the Thunderbirds, combined with his continued play for the Six Nations Chiefs in the MSL, gives him a heavy workload across two elite competitions.
Internationally, Staats is expected to remain a key contributor for the Haudenosaunee as the program continues to pursue broader global recognition. His combination of scoring, experience, and leadership positions him as a player to watch in both league and international play.
With multiple championships, individual awards, and a reputation for clutch performances already in hand, Staats enters 2025 focused on adding to his trophy case and continuing to grow the game for Indigenous communities. His ongoing production suggests he will remain one of the NLL’s most influential attackmen for the foreseeable future.