(Photo Courtesy of Pace Academy)

Pace Academy (Ga.) attackman Niko Karetsos announced his commitment to North Carolina on Monday night, giving Joe Breschi and the Tar Heels their second commitment in the class of 2023 and first at the attack position.

The 6-foot, 185-pound lefty is ranked as the No. 37 player in the class and rated as a four-star by Inside Lacrosse. He was one of 15 players named to the Lacrosse Bucket 2023 Southern Big Board in late August.

North Carolina head coach Joe Breschi initially reached out to the Peach State product around midnight on September 1st.

“The balance between academics and athletics is most appealing to me,” Karetsos told Lacrosse Bucket. He added, “I want to play for a national championship and Coach Breschi is awesome.”

A lefty, Karetsos is coming off a sophomore campaign in which he helped lead Pace to a 17-3 record and a 5A semifinals appearance, where they fell to eventual undefeated state champion Blessed Trinity. He was named a first team All-State selection.

In club ball he makes up one of the best and most exciting attack lines in the nation, playing alongside Roswell (Ga.) attackmen Hill Plunkett (Army West Point) and Alex Lobel for Thunder.

From Lacrosse Bucket 2023 Southern Big Board (8/29):

The lefty has earned a reputation as one of the best shooters in the Peach State and the South, in general. Karetsos will get the ball in the back of the net anyway he can. Whether he is dodging from behind or on the wings or playing off-ball, he knows how to exploit the defense and get the ball in the cage, and he isn’t afraid to get creative either. He has also shown some tremendous quarterbacking skills as a feeder. He is another one that might not be on the board long at all with the performance he has put together thus far.

“I am a lefty attackman that primarily plays behind the cage.” Karetsos said when asked about his playing style. “I feel confident in my shooting and vision.”

The second commitment in the class for the Tar Heels, Karetsos joins Salisbury (Conn.) faceoff man Brady Wambach, who became the first 2023 to pledge to North Carolina last week.