Grant Named Lacrosse Player of the Week

ROCHESTER, NY -- A record-setting 15-point game by lacrosse star John Grant, Jr. of the Rochester Knighthawks propelled him to earn National Lacrosse League honors as Player of the Week. Grant dazzled a home crowd with his display of athletic artistry, scoring nine goals and six assists every which way -- behind his back overhand, backhanded behind his legs, underhand, airborne and even on a roller perfectly placed where it couldn't be stopped. His spectacular night kept the video replay guy busy, and Grant also notched the top two spots in the league's weekly countdown of outstanting plays on its website (www.nll.com). A highlight reel of his goals were aired on ESPN's Plays of the Week today, logging in at #7 for a sport that does not usually command headlines.

The previous record for total points in one game was 14, shared by Derek Keenan of the Buffalo Bandits in 1992, Gary Gait of Baltimore in 1999 and Derek Malawsky of Buffalo in 2001. Grant fell short of the single-game goal record of 10 set by Gary Gait and equaled by his brother Paul.

The Knighthawks (4-2) claimed a share of the Eastern Division lead, defeating the New york Titans 22-18, setting up a Saturday night showdown with the expansion Chicago Shamrox (3-1). Shamrox goalie, Brandon Miller earned Defensive Player of the week accolades by saving 41 shots and defeating the San Jose Stealth 11-10.

Grant, whose goal total was lagging behind previous years as he entered the game, raised his 2007 goal total to 16, and now leads the NLL in points with 38 in five games. Amazingly, Grant set the record even though he was double- and triple-teamed most of the night. He has gotten used to that for most of his career, yet the Canadian from Peterborough, Ont. has averaged an astounding six points per game (296 goals-312 assists-608 points in 94 regular-season games) entering the 2007 season. Amazingly, Grant also maintains that average in playoff games against the best competition, where he has 67 points in 11 playoff appearances.