Moise Bombito 'so grateful' to be picked third in MLS SuperDraft, making UNH soccer history
DURHAM — Looking ahead to Major League Soccer's 2023 SuperDraft on Wednesday, multiple mock draft forecasters projected University of New Hampshire junior defender Moise Bombito to be selected ninth or tenth in the first round.
Bombito, sitting in a room of about 30 people on the third floor of Wildcat Stadium, the four televisions around the room was soon to be overshadowed by screams — a lot sooner than expected.
Picking third overall in the MLS Draft, it was announced the Colorado Rapids selected Bombito with the first of its two first-round picks on Wednesday. This made Bombito the first UNH player selected in the first round of the draft.
As Bombito leaped up and embraced teammates and others around him, he said he was full of various emotions.
"Knowing I just got picked No. 3 is just a huge relief, first of all, because of all the work that I have put in" said Bombito, who is from Montreal. "It showed on the field, too. And also, just so grateful, really grateful."
Charlotte FC selected Hamady Diop, defender from University of Clemson, followed by Orlando City SC's selection of Duke forward Shakur Mohammed. Then came Bombito's moment, the first of three UNH players selected in the 2023 draft Wednesday.
"So many emotions, first I'm going to cry," Bombito said after hearing his name. "I was just so happy, excited and grateful. I just want to thank my teammates to be honest, without them I wouldn't be here, so big shoutout to them."
How Moise Bombito became a high-level MLS Draft prospect
This past season, Bombito, who is 6-foot-3, started 16 games and was tied for third on the team with four goals. Additionally, Bombito was named to Second Team All-America, All-America East First Team, All-ECAC First Team and a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy awarded to the top men's and women's college players in the nation. He was named to the 2023 Major League Soccer Generation adidas class, indicating he was considered a top prospect.
Bombito was also named America East Defender of the Year, and ECAC Defensive Player of the Year.
"I'm very proud (of Bombito)," UNH head coach Marc Hubbard said. "It just shows how far we've come as a program that a player of his caliber can come here in four months time and be in this position to be a top three pick. It's unheard of.
"It just caps off a really great year, especially after a disappointing end," Hubbard said, referencing America East champion UNH's loss at Florida International University in a dramatic second-round NCAA tournament game in penalty kicks. "To be able to end the year like this is really, really special."
Bombito had discussions with multiple teams, and saw some of the experts' mock drafts predicted he would be selected around pick number 10.
Bombito spoke with representatives of the Rapids, who also had the 12th pick, which the Rapids later traded to Charlotte FC, and he thought the Rapids would be picking him at No. 12.
"I've had a lot of interest from Colorado and I also saw that they had the 12th pick, so I thought if it's not number three, it might be 12," Bombito said. "It was a really big surprise to me to be picked No. 3."
Bombito added, "at the combine, we had a nice chat and it went really well for me," he said on meeting with Rapids reps after working out at the showcase for prospects.
Bombito said when speaking with the Rapids' representatives, he was impressed.
"They were really outgoing," he said. "They weren't shy to ask, I wouldn't say bold questions, but questions that would make me think. It wasn't just like 'Oh, what's your background.' it was more constructive. That's what I liked about them."
Previous story:UNH men's soccer coach Marc Hubbard a 'New Hampshire guy' pursuing NCAA title dream
Bombito said he also received interest from the New England Revolution. The Revolution had the 10th pick, but after Bombito was selected, the Revs traded up to pick fourth and selected University of Maryland's Joshua Bolma.
"It's what I've dreamed of all my life," Bombito added of getting drafted. "It's something that I have to be really proud of first, because I came a long way, a really long way. Now this is something I can cherish and go from there; it's just another step."
Hubbard said the Rapids are getting an untapped player.
"Someone who hasn't reached his ceiling yet," Hubbard said. "He has the highest end athleticism that we've ever had of a player here. Really technical player as well, but someone who can still learn the position and learn tactically how to become a better player and that will come with experience. I think his ceiling is just so high."
Two more UNH players picked in the MLS draft
UNH senior goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat, of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was selected by 2022 MLS Cup champion Los Angeles FC in the second round with the 58th overall pick.
UNH senior midfielder Rory O’Driscoll, of Minneapolis, was drafted by Nashville SC in the third round with the 78th pick.
The Wildcats have now had six players selected in the MLS SuperDraft. Tola Showunmi was drafted by Atlanta United FC in the third round as the 88th overall pick in 2022. Josh Bauer was selected by Atlanta in the second round as the 31st overall pick in 2021 and Chris Wingate was picked by New York City Football Club in the third round as the 54th overall pick in 2017.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: UNH's Moise Bombito is No. 3 MLS SuperDraft pick by Colorado Rapids
