Tehoka Nanticoke Bio
Tehoka Nanticoke (born 18 January 1998) is an Iroquois professional lacrosse player from Six Nations, Ontario, Canada. He plays in the National Lacrosse League for the Buffalo Bandits and in the Premier Lacrosse League for the Carolina Chaos. Standing 6 ft 2 in tall and weighing around 230 pounds, Nanticoke has earned a reputation as both a creative and a physical attacker. He has also built a large following online thanks to a steady stream of trick-shot videos. In addition to his playing career, Nanticoke serves as an assistant coach for the women’s lacrosse program at Niagara University.
Early Life and Background
Tehoka Nanticoke was raised on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, where lacrosse is woven into daily life and family tradition. From a young age, he learned the sport from his older brother, Chancey Hill, who is roughly ten years his senior. Hill introduced his younger brother to a wide range of nontraditional moves and shots, planting the seeds of the unorthodox style that later made Nanticoke famous.
His raw talent drew the attention of recruiters in the United States, and he eventually enrolled at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. There he developed into one of the program’s standout players and became a viral sensation in 2017 when a one-handed, behind-the-back, between-the-legs goal landed on ESPN’s top-ten plays list.
Path to Lacrosse
Coming out of high school, Nanticoke was rated as the top college recruit in the country for 2017. In 2016 he committed to play at the University at Albany, a program known for its attack-minded system under head coach Scott Marr. The commitment represented a major step in his progression from a youth standout on the Six Nations Reserve to a prospect with national visibility.
His family played a key role in nudging him toward the college route. Nanticoke has said he initially did not plan to play collegiate lacrosse, but his mother, Catherine, encouraged him to pursue higher education and continue competing. He joined the Great Danes for the 2018 season and finished his freshman year with 49 goals and 32 assists.
Tehoka Nanticoke Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Nanticoke’s college career at the University at Albany produced flashes of brilliance alongside periods of uncertainty. He posted a strong freshman line in 2018 but did not take part in the fall portion of the 2018–19 academic year for personal reasons, then returned to the team for the 2019 spring season. His mix of skill and physicality made him a focal point of the Great Danes offense, though he was also criticized at times for overly aggressive play, including a cross-checking penalty that proved costly in UAlbany’s 2018 NCAA Tournament semifinal against Yale.
His time at Albany ended on March 31, 2021, when he was dismissed from the program. Later that year, his next chapter began when the Buffalo Bandits selected him third overall in the 2021 NLL Draft, making him one of the highest-drafted Iroquois players in league history.
National Lacrosse League Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Nanticoke joined the Buffalo Bandits in 2021 and quickly carved out a role as a powerful and creative forward. He plays the attack position in field lacrosse and the forward spot in box lacrosse, and he shoots right-handed. His combination of size, vision, and finishing touch made him a natural fit for the Bandits’ run-and-gun style.
Buffalo’s investment in Nanticoke paid off in a major way. He was a key part of the team’s three consecutive NLL championships from 2023 to 2025, contributing timely goals and tough, physical defense during the team’s rise to dynasty status.
Premier Lacrosse League Era (2022–Present)
On March 5, 2022, Nanticoke was claimed from the PLL player pool by the Carolina Chaos, giving him a summer home alongside his Bandits commitments. The dual-league schedule has allowed him to showcase his full skill set in two different formats of the sport.
At the Chaos, Nanticoke has continued to grow as a complete attacker, using his 230-pound frame to bully defenders in tight spaces while still flashing the trick-shot creativity that first made him famous.
Driving Style and Strengths
Nanticoke is known as an extremely skillful and talented player, but he is also far more physical than the average attacker. He weighs more than 200 pounds and is often capable of outmuscling opposing defenses in the middle of the floor or field. Coaches and teammates have praised his creativity, his willingness to try high-difficulty shots, and his relentless work rate on both sides of the ball.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of Nanticoke’s career are his 2017 ESPN top-ten goal at IMG Academy, his status as the top-ranked college recruit of 2017, and his three straight NLL championships with the Buffalo Bandits from 2023 to 2025. Internationally, he has represented the Haudenosaunee Nationals at the under-19 and indoor levels, including the 2019 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship.
Tehoka Nanticoke Career Wins
Tehoka Nanticoke has built a championship résumé that few young lacrosse players can match. Most notably, he helped the Buffalo Bandits capture three consecutive National Lacrosse League titles from 2023 to 2025. On the international stage, he earned a silver medal with the Haudenosaunee Nationals at the 2019 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship in Langley and competed at the 2018 Men’s Lacrosse World Championship in Netanya.
National Lacrosse League Highlights
Nanticoke joined the Buffalo Bandits after being selected third overall in the 2021 NLL Draft, an immediate sign of the franchise’s belief in his potential. His first major breakthrough came as part of the team’s three-peat run from 2023 to 2025, where he served as a key contributor on a deep, balanced roster. Those championships established him as one of the league’s most promising young stars.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the NLL, Nanticoke has represented the Haudenosaunee Nationals on the global stage, including a silver medal at the 2019 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship. He has also been a regular contributor for the Carolina Chaos since joining the club in March 2022 and is widely recognized for his highlight-reel trick shots, which have helped grow the sport’s audience online.
Tehoka Nanticoke Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Family and cultural heritage are central to Nanticoke’s identity. His mother, Catherine, encouraged him to pursue college lacrosse and has remained a steady influence throughout his career. Several of his grandparents are faith keepers, or stewards of culture, language, and tradition in Mohawk society. His grandfather participated in the protests at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, and his mother spent a year of her childhood summer at the Occupation of Alcatraz, giving the family a deep history of cultural and political activism.
Personal Life
Nanticoke is a member of the Mohawk Nation and one of the most visible Indigenous athletes in North American lacrosse. He was one of eight Indigenous players on the University at Albany roster during the 2018 season. Deeply connected to his cultural roots, he refuses to cut his hair, views lacrosse as a spiritual practice known as the Medicine Game, follows the Longhouse Religion, and is fluent in the Mohawk language.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked the culmination of the Buffalo Bandits’ historic three-peat in the National Lacrosse League, with Nanticoke playing a meaningful role on a deep, championship-tested roster. Paired with the Carolina Chaos in the Premier Lacrosse League, he continued to handle a demanding dual-league schedule, balancing box lacrosse’s physical style with the more open-field play of the PLL. His mix of size, scoring touch, and creative shot-making made him a consistent matchup problem for opposing defenses throughout the summer.
Beyond his playing duties, Nanticoke also continued his work as an assistant coach for the Niagara University Purple Eagles women’s lacrosse program, helping Head Coach Wendy Stone guide the team to a strong 16–4 record and its first conference championship and NCAA tournament appearance. That coaching success mirrored the winning culture in Buffalo and reinforced his growing reputation as a leader in the sport.