IMG Academy Soccer Program Has 3 Alumni Selected In The 2024 MLS Super Draft

IMG Academy Soccer Program Has 3 Alumni Selected In The 2024 MLS Super Draft

BRADENTON, Fla. (Dec. 20, 2023) - IMG Academy's soccer program made history with three former student-athletes selected in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft on December 19th, including the 17th overall pick, midfielder Hosei Kijima (IMG Academy Class of 2020) from Wake Forest University to St. Louis City SC. He was joined by IMG Academy alumni and Clemson Tigers midfielder Nathan Richmond (IMG Academy Class of 2022), with the 70th overall pick by Charlotte FC, and Duke University's midfield and defender Ruben Mesalles (IMG Academy Class of 2021) as the 84th pick by Real Salt Lake.

Since 2005, the IMG Academy soccer program has had multiple alumni drafted in the MLS SuperDraft, with nine alums drafted to different professional soccer organizations. You can read more about the other IMG Academy soccer program selections below.

Indiana Vassilev, Midfielder – Aston Villa (2020-2023), St. Louis City SC (2023)
Vassilev attended IMG Academy from 2015 to 2018 and began his professional career at Aston Villa, making his debut in England's FA Cup in 2020 at 18-years-old.

Michael Parkhurst, Defender – New England Revolution (2005-2008), F.C Nordsjaelland (2008-2013), Augsburg (2012-2014), Columbus (2014-2016), Atlanta United (2018)
Parkhurst attended IMG Academy for his high school career and played professionally for 15 years, 10 of which were in Major League Soccer and Europe. Career accomplishments include MLS Rookie of the Year in 2005 and MLS Defender of the Year in 2007.

Marlon Hairston, Midfielder – University of Louisville (2012-2013), Colorado Rapids (2014-2018), Houston Dynamo FC (2019), Minnesota United FC (2020), Columbus (2021-2022)
Hairston attended IMG Academy for four years and was ranked among the nation's top 150 players by College Soccer News. In 2016, he was the Colorado Rapids’ Young Player of the Year.

Zak Boggs, Midfielder – West Virginia University (2005), University of Central Florida (2006), University of South Florida (2007-2009), New England Revolution (2010-2012)
Boggs joined IMG Academy in 2004, and the soccer program was ranked eighth in the nation in 2005. In 2011, he received the MLS Humanitarian of the Year award for his skill on the field and service within the community.

Anthony Ampaipitakwong, Midfielder – University of Akron (2007-2010), San Jose Earthquakes (2011-2012)
Ampaipitakwon finished high school at IMG Academy, where he was part of the IMG Academy U-19 2007 Dallas Cup Championship. In 2010, he was part of the University of Akron's NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship.

Wilmer Cabrera, Right Back – Butler University (2019-2022), Greifswalder FC (2023)
Cabrera attended IMG Academy from 2016-2018, spending three seasons earning MVP honors. Other accomplishments throughout his career include being a three-time All-Big East First Team member (2022, 2021, 2020) and Big East Freshman of the Year (2019).

About IMG Academy

IMG Academy is the world’s leading sports education brand, providing a holistic education model that empowers student-athletes to win their future, preparing them for college and for life. IMG Academy provides growth opportunities for all student-athletes through an innovative suite of on-campus and online experiences:

• Boarding school and camps, via a state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Fla.
• Online coaching via the IMG Academy+ brand, with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance
• Online college recruiting, via the NCSA brand, providing content, tools, coaching and access to a network of 40,000 college coaches

To learn more about IMG Academy and its on-campus and online experiences, visit www.imgacademy.com.

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