CLTFC traded up for the #14 overall pick, selecting Loyola Marymount’s Tyger Smalls
CHARLOTTE, NC (Tuesday, December 19, 2023) – Charlotte FC today drafted four players in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas.
Charlotte FC started the draft without a first-round pick, having traded it last season for forward Patrick Agyemang at #12 overall. However, the Club made a move midway through the first round, trading $75K GAM in 2024 and $50K GAM in 2025 to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for the 14th overall pick. CLTFC used the pick to draft Tyger Smalls, a forward from Loyola Marymount University (LMU).
In the second round, Charlotte FC drafted Jahlane Forbes and Jacob Babalai with the 38th and 41st overall pick respectively and finished the draft by selecting Nathan Richmond in the third round.
Name: Tyger Smalls
College: Loyola Marymount
Selection: Round 1 Pick 14 (#14 overall)
Bio: Smalls, 21, primarily played as a winger at LMU, contributing seven goals and one assist in 20 matches. Prior to joining the Lions, the London native began his collegiate career at Tyler Junior College, where he contributed seven goals and seven assists in 19 matches. Smalls’ youth career started at Tottenham Hotspur and featured spells at Arsenal and Norwich City before moving to the United States.
Position: Forward
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 175 lbs
Age: 21
Hometown: London, UK
Name: Jahlane Forbes
College: Wake Forest
Selection: Round 2 Pick 9 (#38 Overall)
Bio: Forbes, 21, was a left back for four seasons at Wake Forest, earning All-ACC Second Team in 2023 and All-ACC Third Team honors in 2022. The defender notched 66 matches, eight goals and 17 assists in his four seasons. Originally from Florida, Forbes was the #32 overall prospect by TopDrawer Soccer and has been capped for the United States U-17 Youth National Team.
Position: Defender
Height: 6’0”
Age: 21
Hometown: Clermont, Florida
Name: Jacob Babalai
College: Portland
Selection: Round 2 Pick 12 (#41 Overall)
Bio: Babalai, 22, played as a striker for the Pilots for three seasons, netting 26 goals and eight assists in his collegiate career. In 2022, Babalai finished second in both goals and points in the West Coast Conference and joined Charlotte FC Homegrown Brandon Cambridge as the first to earn 20 points in a season since Benji Michel in 2018.
Position: Forward
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 178
Age: 22
Hometown: West Linn, Oregon
Name: Nathan Richmond
College: Clemson
Selection: Round 3 Pick 12 (#70 Overall)
Bio: Richmond, 19, was a sophomore standout for the Tigers, recording 30 appearances, six goals and seven assists in two seasons. On October 21, 2023, the Atlanta native made the SportsCenter Top 10 with a backheel goal against Boston College. Prior to his time at Clemson, Richmond was named Player of the Year at IMG Academy and ranked the top midfielder in Georgia.
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 145 lbs
Age: 19
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
