Calgary Roughnecks Karsen Leung named finalist for NLL Transition Player of Year

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Former Bellarmine University standout Karsen Leung is among three finalists for the 2015 National Lacrosse League’s Transition Player of the Year award.

In his second season with the Calgary Roughnecks after being chosen 10th overall in the 2013 draft out of Bellarmine, Leung is vying for the award with the Colorado Mammoth’s Joey Cupido and the Toronto Rock’s Brodie Merrill.

Leung built upon a debut season in the professional ranks in which he was selected to the NLL All-Rookie Team. In 17 games played, the Victoria, B.C. native, finished fifth for his position in points (35), tied for fifth in assists (24) and tied for sixth in goals (11) while accumulating 79 loose balls and 12 caused turnovers.

“Karsen is a phenomenal athlete who plays the game at a very fast and intense pace,” praised Roughnecks head coach and assistant general manager Curt Malawsky in a release on the team’s website. “He maintains an optimum level of fitness and makes decisions quickly and decisively, a testament to his high lacrosse IQ. His ability to create turnovers, anticipate the play and pounce on loose balls, complemented by his breakaway speed and scoring touch, are key components to our transition game.”

Leung is tied for second on Bellarmine’s all-time assists list (45), ranks third in ground balls (137) and is 10th in points (74 on 29 goals and 45 assists). In his senior campaign at BU, he led the Knights in points (34) behind a team-best 23 assists and 11 goals.

According to the NLL website, the 2015 NLL Season Awards are determined by a vote of the league’s Board of Governors, general managers and head coaches at the end of the regular season. The winners will be announced at the NLL Season Awards Ceremony on Sept. 29 in Toronto.

via Bellarmine University – Knights lacrosse product Leung named finalist for NLL Transition Player of Year.