Wake Forest Athletics
Harrison, Gamble Selected in 2016 MLS SuperDraft
1/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeMSoccer)
BALTIMORE -- Wake Forest men's soccer had two players selected in the first two rounds of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday afternoon, as Jack Harrison was selected No. 1 overall by the Chicago Fire and Michael Gamble was picked No. 30 overall by the New England Revolution.
With Harrison being selected No. 1 overall, it marks the first time in men's soccer program history Wake Forest has had a player drafted No. 1 overall. Prior to Harrison's top-overall selection, Wake Forest's highest draft pick was Sam Cronin in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, when he was picked second overall by Toronto FC. Harrison is also the second No. 1 selection in Wake Forest University athletics history. He joins Tim Duncan as the only two players taken with the top-overall pick, as Duncan was taken No. 1 by the San Antonio Spurs in the 1997 NBA Draft.
"This has been a great day to cap off a great year for Wake Forest soccer," said head coach Bobby Muuss about the two players getting drafted. "I think it's a testament to not only these two young men, but to the team's accomplishments this year. We're excited to see what next season brings for the program, but this has definitely been one for the ages."
Harrison is also the ninth player out of Wake Forest to be selected in the top 10. Other top-10 draft picks out of Wake Forest are listed below. Overall, the Demon Deacons have now had 12 players picked in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft since Wake Forest's initial first-round pick when Michael Parkhurst was drafted ninth overall by the New England Revolution in the 2005 SuperDraft.
Following the Fire's pick, the organization later traded Harrison to New York City FC. NYCFC tried to put a homegrown player claim on Harrison prior to the SuperDraft, but the claim was rejected by MLS.
"What an incredible year for the young man with all of the accolades and his great season," Muuss said of Harrison. "From being the ACC Offensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year and an All-American to now being the first-ever Wake Forest players taken No. 1 overall in the draft, it's a statement because of how much tradition we've had and we wish him the very best of luck moving forward."
Selected 30th overall, Gamble is the seventh player to be picked by New England out of Wake Forest. Gamble leaves Wake Forest tied for ninth in program history with 68 points and tied for 13th in goals (24) and assists (20). With the Revolution, Gamble joins former Demon Deacon Sean Okoli, who joined the club in 2015.
Other players previously drafted by the Revolution include Zack Schilawski (No. 9) in 2010, Wells Thompson (No. 5) and Ryan Solle (No. 25) in 2007, Michael Parkhurst (No. 9) and James Riley (No. 21) in 2005 and Jeremiah White (No. 23) in 2004.
"In my opinion Michael is the steal of the draft for New England," Muuss said of Gamble's 30th overall pick to the Revolution. "He's an incredible pickup for the New England Revolution to have the experience he's had and the dynamic leadership he brings to a team and now he gets to chase his dream of being a professional soccer player after finishing his education early. Everyone at Wake Forest is excited to follow him in the next chapter of his life."
Gamble finished his education at Wake Forest in three and a half year and earned his degree in Mathematics, graduating in December.
Notes
Other Top-10 Picks
2010: First Round, No. 3 -- Ike Opara -- San Jose Earthquakes
2010: First Round, No. 9 -- Zack Schilawski -- New England Revolution
2009: First Round, No. 2 -- Sam Cronin -- Toronto FC
2009: First Round, No. 9 -- Michael Lahoud -- Chivas USA
2008: First Round, No. 10 -- Pat Phelan -- Toronto FC
2007: First Round, No. 5 -- Wells Thompson -- New England Revolution
2006: First Round, No. 7 -- Justin Moose -- D.C. United
2005: First Round, No. 9 -- Michael Parkhurst -- New England Revolution
