The Philadelphia Wings selected UMass men’s lacrosse close defenseman Jackson Suboch with the last pick in the first round (16th overall) of the 2020 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft, Thursday night.

Suboch, a three-year starter for UMass, appeared in 49 games and made 39 starts through four seasons of competition. He is eligible for a fifth year due to the cancellation of the 2020 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to UMass, Suboch intends to return for the 2021 season.

Suboch accumulated 58 groundballs, 38 caused turnovers and one assist over the last three seasons as a starter. His 38 caused turnovers are the most among active players and are tied for the 10th-most in program history.

UMass sophomore attack Scott Del Zotto with taken 77th overall in the fifth round by the Toronto Rock. Del Zotto appeared in seven games off the bench in the shortened 2020 season. He scored five goals in 2019.

Del Zotto had left the program to enter the draft, according to UMass officials.

Players under 21 years old who notify the NLL in writing of their intention to forfeit their remaining NCAA eligibility at least seven days prior to the Entry Draft are eligible to be selected.

FITZPATRICK TO ISRAEL — Israel Lacrosse announced UMass men’s lacrosse freshman long-stick midfielder Ryan Fitzpatrick will participate in the Israel Lacrosse Masa Gap Year Program beginning in October.

Fitzpatrick will live in Israel, train and compete, and directly contribute to the development of lacrosse in the country.

Fitzpatrick also receives prioritized evaluation for potential competition with Team Israel at the Men’s European Lacrosse Championships held in Wroclaw, Poland, from July 21-30, 2021.

Fitzpatrick appeared in all seven games in 2020 for UMass. The College Crosse All-Freshmen Team and CAA Commissioner’s Honor Roll award winner posted 14 groundballs and five caused turnovers on the year.

If named to the Israel National Team, Fitzpatrick would become the second UMass player to participate on Team Israel in recent years, joining alumnus Isaac Paparo. Paparo earned a spot on Team Israel for the 2018 FIL World Championship and was named Team MVP for his part in Israel finishing seventh among the 46 participating teams.

VERDI ADDS TO STAFF — UMass women’s basketball head coach Tory Verdi announced on Wednesday that alumna Jessica George has been named the program’s director of scouting and video operations.

George will be responsible for coordinating all video aspects of scouting and preparation for opponents, film exchange, as well as various other support duties within the team. She will also help coordinate summer camp programs and events.

“I’m very excited to welcome Jessica back to our program and the University of Massachusetts,” Verdi said in a statement. “Jessica will be a wonderful addition to our staff and having her in this role will be crucial in continuing the momentum we are building as a team.”

George played in 105 games with UMass from 2015-19. George went from seeing action in 13 games as a freshman to co-captaining the Minutewomen as a senior in 2018-19. That season, she started all 32 contests and averaged 8.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. UMass made its first trip to the Atlantic 10 Quarterfinals since 2005 and ended with 16 victories, at that time the most since 2006-07.

“I want to thank Coach Verdi, the coaching staff and administration for considering me for this position,” George said. “I am so grateful for the opportunity and extremely excited to be back at UMass representing and working with the team. It feels great to be back around my UMass family and I can’t wait to be a part of something special this year!”

George replaces Brandon Jackson, who served in the role from 2016-20.