ROSEMONT, Ill. – Six Big Ten student-athletes from four schools were selected in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday evening.
Maryland’s Kimani Stewart-Baynes led the way, as the 2023 Big Ten Freshman of the Year was selected fourth overall by the Colorado Rapids. He is the 26th first round selection in Maryland’s SuperDraft history, marking the third straight year in which the Terps have had a top-five pick.
Stewart-Baynes led the Terps with seven assists, while scoring three goals. His 10 combined goals and assists is the most for a Maryland freshman since Eryk Williamson had six goals and five assists in 2015.
Indiana defender Hugo Bacharach joined Stewart in the first round as the ninth overall pick by Minnesota United FC. His selection marks the seventh consecutive season that Indiana has produced a top-10 pick, the longest active streak in the NCAA.
Bacharach paired four goals and four assists, while anchoring a defense that surrendered just 0.79 goals en route to Big Ten regular season and tournament titles and an NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals appearance.
Indiana’s Joey Maher was the Big Ten’s lone second round selection, coming off the board as the first pick in the second round and 30th overall to Toronto FC. The sneior defender, who started 83 of his 85 career matches, helped the Hoosiers to 40 clean sheets, including nine in 2023.
Junior Patrick McDonald completed the Indiana trio when he was also chosen by Toronto FC to open the third round, 59th overall. McDonald, an All-Big Ten First Team honoree, tallied three goals, including one game-winning marker, and five assists for the Hoosiers.
Ohio State’s Laurence Wootton was drafted by Chicago Fire FC with the sixth pick of the third round, 64th overall. A two-time Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and four-time All-Big Ten First Team performer, Wootton paced the Buckeyes with 10 points and five goals.
Junior Nate Crockford was selected one spot behind Wootton by DC United. Crockford saw every minute of the 2023 campaign between the Badgers’ pipes, sporting a 1.06 goals against average and tying for second in the Big Ten with seven clean sheets.
For the full 2023 MLS SuperDraft, click here.
Round 1
No. 4 – Kimani Stewart-Baynes, F, Maryland (Colorado Rapids)
No. 9 – Hugo Bacharach, D, Indiana (Minnesota United FC)
Round 2
No. 30 – Joey Maher, D,…
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