Three Demon Deacons Selected in 2024 MLS SuperDraft
12/19/2023 7:41:00 PM | Men's Soccer
This marks the third time the Deacs have had three or more MLS SuperDraft selections in a year under head coach Bobby Muuss.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Headlined by the 21st first-round MLS SuperDraft pick in program history with St. Louis City SC's selection of Hosei Kijima, three from Wake Forest men's soccer were picked in the 2024 edition of the league's annual draft.
With the 17th-overall pick, St. Louis selected Kijima followed by a second-round selection for Jahlane Forbes (No. 38 overall by Charlotte FC) and a third-round selection for Babacar Niang (No. 78 overall by Minnesota United).
The Deacs have now had 10 first-round picks under head coach Bobby Muuss and had at least one first-round pick in nine of the last 10 drafts and 15 different years since 2001.
With this year's MLS SuperDraft, a player who is drafted by a league club and has remaining college eligibility will have the option to return to school and further their development, but will not be draft-eligible in the future. A selected player who elects to go back to college will have their SuperDraft Priority held by the drafting club for approximately two years following the SuperDraft, culminating on December 31 of the second year.
Hosei Kijima | St. Louis City SC | Round 1, Pick 17
In his four seasons in Winston-Salem, Kijima appeared in 64 matches with 53 starts to record 28 points from nine goals and 10 assists. In 2023, he was named a United Soccer Coaches All-South Region first-team selection and an All-ACC second-team honoree.
A versatile player who spent time at numerous positions including center midfield, winger and outside back, Kijima's influence was felt in all facets as the Demon Deacons were 14-0-1 when he recorded either a goal or an assist.
As a freshman, Kijima recorded the game-tying and game-winning goals in the 85th and 89th minutes respectively in a 3-2 victory over Boston College while also notching the ACC Atlantic Division-winning goal in a 2-2 draw at Louisville as a senior.
Kijima is the first Demon Deacon selected by St. Louis City SC in the franchise's history.
Wake Forest First Round Picks Under Head Coach Bobby Muuss
From 2020-23, Forbes appeared in 70 matches for the Demon Deacons with 59 starts, recording 35 points from 19 assists and eight goals.
A two-time All-ACC selection and a 2023 United Soccer Coaches All-South Region second-team selection, Forbes' 19 career assists is tied for the 19th in program history alongside Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famers Sam Cronin and Neil Covone along with former teammate Isaiah Parente, Ben Stafford and Jeremiah White.
Forbes led the Deacs in assists in 2022 and his seven assists in 2023 was tied with Jake Swallen for the team lead. In 2023, he also scored a career-high five goals.
The Florida native became the second Demon Deacon selected by the club, joining Kyle Holcomb, who was taken 29th overall in 2022.
Babacar Niang | Minnesota United | Round 3, Pick 78
In his first three campaigns with the Deacs, Niang has appeared in 38 matches with 19 starts to record 19 points through seven goals and five assists. He has scored a game-winning goal each of the last three years including the winner against Grand Canyon in a season-opening victory over the Lopes this past August.
During the 2022 season, the Dakar, Senegal, native was named an All-ACC third-team selection as he collected four goals with two assists.
Niang is the third Wake Forest player drafted by the club, joining Alec Ferrell (23rd overall, 2017) and Justin McMaster (17th overall, 2021).
With the 17th-overall pick, St. Louis selected Kijima followed by a second-round selection for Jahlane Forbes (No. 38 overall by Charlotte FC) and a third-round selection for Babacar Niang (No. 78 overall by Minnesota United).
The Deacs have now had 10 first-round picks under head coach Bobby Muuss and had at least one first-round pick in nine of the last 10 drafts and 15 different years since 2001.
With this year's MLS SuperDraft, a player who is drafted by a league club and has remaining college eligibility will have the option to return to school and further their development, but will not be draft-eligible in the future. A selected player who elects to go back to college will have their SuperDraft Priority held by the drafting club for approximately two years following the SuperDraft, culminating on December 31 of the second year.
Hosei Kijima | St. Louis City SC | Round 1, Pick 17
In his four seasons in Winston-Salem, Kijima appeared in 64 matches with 53 starts to record 28 points from nine goals and 10 assists. In 2023, he was named a United Soccer Coaches All-South Region first-team selection and an All-ACC second-team honoree.
A versatile player who spent time at numerous positions including center midfield, winger and outside back, Kijima's influence was felt in all facets as the Demon Deacons were 14-0-1 when he recorded either a goal or an assist.
As a freshman, Kijima recorded the game-tying and game-winning goals in the 85th and 89th minutes respectively in a 3-2 victory over Boston College while also notching the ACC Atlantic Division-winning goal in a 2-2 draw at Louisville as a senior.
Kijima is the first Demon Deacon selected by St. Louis City SC in the franchise's history.
Wake Forest First Round Picks Under Head Coach Bobby Muuss
- Jack Harrison (Chicago Fire; No. 1 overall pick in 2016)
- Jacori Hayes (FC Dallas; No. 18 overall pick in 2017)
- Jon Bakero (Chicago Fire; No. 5 pick in 2018)
- Ema Twumasi (FC Dallas; No. 11 pick in 2018)
- Logan Gdula (FC Cincinnati; No. 13 pick in 2019)
- Alistair Johnston (Nashville SC; No. 11 pick in 2020)
- Calvin Harris (FC Cincinnati; No. 2 pick in 2021)
- Michael DeShields (DC United; No. 5 pick in 2021)
- Justin McMaster (Minnesota United; No. 17 pick in 2021)
- Hosei Kijima (St. Louis City SC; No. 17 pick in 2024)
From 2020-23, Forbes appeared in 70 matches for the Demon Deacons with 59 starts, recording 35 points from 19 assists and eight goals.
A two-time All-ACC selection and a 2023 United Soccer Coaches All-South Region second-team selection, Forbes' 19 career assists is tied for the 19th in program history alongside Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famers Sam Cronin and Neil Covone along with former teammate Isaiah Parente, Ben Stafford and Jeremiah White.
Forbes led the Deacs in assists in 2022 and his seven assists in 2023 was tied with Jake Swallen for the team lead. In 2023, he also scored a career-high five goals.
The Florida native became the second Demon Deacon selected by the club, joining Kyle Holcomb, who was taken 29th overall in 2022.
Babacar Niang | Minnesota United | Round 3, Pick 78
In his first three campaigns with the Deacs, Niang has appeared in 38 matches with 19 starts to record 19 points through seven goals and five assists. He has scored a game-winning goal each of the last three years including the winner against Grand Canyon in a season-opening victory over the Lopes this past August.
During the 2022 season, the Dakar, Senegal, native was named an All-ACC third-team selection as he collected four goals with two assists.
Niang is the third Wake Forest player drafted by the club, joining Alec Ferrell (23rd overall, 2017) and Justin McMaster (17th overall, 2021).
Players Mentioned
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