Rally Spotting
Sean Choi Breaks down 2025 NSL players who have played on the steel court.
Shahjahan Khan
One of the most delightfully clean strokes on tour, Shahjahan Khan has been a stable and consistent member of the PSA circuit. With the carnage that the NSL presents,having a calming figure—one who isn’t even fazed by 100-degree outdoor conditions—is key. He was, after all, the Maspeth Instel Men’s Pro Outdoor Champion of 2023.
Timmy Brownell
Founder, entrepreneur, US National Champion, and Maspeth’s own Timmy Brownell is gaining experience on all types of surfaces as he becomes a regular at Platinum events.
Glass floors, outdoor courts, hostile environments, and even the winter battles on the Maspeth outdoor courts have all prepped him for the quick fire the NSL format demands.
It doesn’t hurt that he helped create the rules, does it?
Nathan Lake
One of the purest squash players on tour, Nathan happens to also be the Intsel Pro Invitational inaugural
2012 Champion. Any young player looking to improve should study the structure Nathan brings to the game. Now living in Brooklyn and a soon-to-be father (congrats, Nathan!), he brings calm energy and experience wherever he plays.. Hopefully his slick Maspeth shades make a cameo in the NSL too.
Spencer Lovejoy
Lightning quick and capable of soaking up pressure, even in the heat of the Maspeth courts. One of the emerging personalities in the US squash scene, Spence doesn’t shyaway from rowdy crowds. In fact, he might just thrive under them. Perhaps the tank top look he debuted at Maspeth last summer should inspire this year’s Newport Dragons jerseys.
Tom Walsh
He might require sunscreen, but Tom Walsh doesn’t run from the heat. Whether it’s training in Florida with Wael El Hindi at Kinetic or grinding it out on the courts of Maspeth, he shows up. Featured in the recent epic 250-plus shot, 8-minute rally, Tom’s error-free defense and stamina will surely be key when the NSL’s power play pressure kicks in.
Matias Knudsen
Don’t be fooled by the trick shots on his socials. Matias is a serious player, through and through. His hunger to improve is unmatched. Whether it’s the NSL, Maspeth Outdoors, college squash, or growing the sport through social media, Matias is capitalizing on every opportunity. And by the way, he just qualified for the World Championships.
Mohamed El Shorbagy
Still wrapping our heads around the fact that one of the sport’s all-time greats has joined the NSL and is now repping the Newport Dragons. Never one to back down from a fight, Mohamed brings decades of grit and experience to the league. Beyond his accolades, he’s faced every surface, adversity, and curveball the game can throw. Maybe hisconnection to the U.S.—the US Open, TOC, Maspeth, and his close friendship with BillBuckingham at Squash Radio—played a part in his decision to join. Who knows?
Alina Bushma
Who hasn’t bought Alina Bushma stock yet? If you haven’t, now’s the time. The Maspeth team clearly knows how to pick their players. Alina has been on a rampage this year, jumping from No. 80 to 63 in the world within just the first four months. She’s my pick for the most underrated player in the NSL right now.
Marina Stefanoni
The NSL brings a different kind of pressure, unfamiliar to the traditional game. But pressure is something Marina has handled her whole career. From dominating the US junior circuit while playing in higher age groups to carrying the weight of Harvard’s squash legacy, she continues to impress. The Sono Sharks picked up a great one, and I can’t wait to see her thrive.
Lucy Beecroft
The quick snap Lucy has on her backhand never fails to impress. It’s such a compact swing, yet it creates endless options. Even the steel walls at Maspeth couldn’t contain the power and variety she brings. Chaos is what the NSL wants, and Lucy is ready to deliver.
Margot Prow
Audrey Berling
