C.J. Kirst

The Family Connection

One of four brothers that has played in the U.S. national team system, C.J. Kirst has rapidly become one of the biggest names in the sport. Older brothers Connor, Colin and Cole have all worn red, white and blue and C.J. has medaled with two of them – a gold with Cole at the 2022 World Lacrosse Men’s U21 Championship in Limerick, Ireland and a silver with Connor at the 2024 World Lacrosse Men’s Box Championship in Utica, New York.

That’s not the only history he’s making in his career. He led Cornell to the 2025 NCAA championship – the school’s first national title since 1978 – and he won the Tewaaraton as the nation’s top player while finishing his career with 229 goals, the most in NCAA history.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 Premier Lacrosse League Draft, Kirst’s pro debut was delayed when it was revealed he completed the NCAA championship run with a broken hand. He has since made an major impact with the Philadelphia Waterdogs.

Also the No. 1 overall pick in the National Lacrosse League, Kirst has shown his game translates seamlessly to box lacrosse. He led Toronto to its first NLL championship in 15 years when the Rock captured the title in 2016. Kirst was named the NLL’s Rookie of the Year after a 71-point regular season (34g, 37a), becoming just the sixth American so honored in league history.

U.S. Team

Won a silver medal with the U.S. men's box team in 2024, the team's highest finish ever
Finished the tournament with 11 points (8g, 3a)
MVP of the 2022 World Lacrosse Men's U21 championship
Finished second on the team with 21 points and 15 goals
Scored five goals in 12-10 victory over Canada for world championship

College

Won Tewaaraton Award in 2025 after leading Cornell to NCAA championship, the school's first since 1978
Finished his career with 229 goals, setting the NCAA's all-time record
Led the nation in scoring with 4.22 goals per game in 2025
USILA Player of the Year (2025) and Attackman of the Year (2023)
Earned All-America recognition all four seasons

Pro

1st overall pick in the 2025 PLL Draft by the Philadelphia Waterdogs
1st overall pick in the 2025 NLL Draft by the Toronto Rock
Led Toronto to 2026 NLL championship, franchise's first title in 15 years
NLL Rookie of the Year in 2026
PLL All-Star, 2026