5 Super Athletes With Ties To Lacey

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Lacey area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Keith Elias (Football)

Keith Elias, a former NFL and XFL running back, made his mark on the football field with exceptional talent and dedication. A standout at Lacey Township High School, Elias earned All-American honors before continuing his success at Princeton University. After college, he played with the New York Giants as well as the Indianapolis Colts. Beyond his athletic career, Elias serves as a source of inspiration through his work as a motivational speaker and aspiring writer.

2. Samantha Carrieri (Baseball)

Samantha Carrieri, a talented young athlete from Lacey, was selected as one of only 96 girls nationwide to participate in the inaugural 2024 Maria Pepe Little League Legacy Series. Held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, this prestigious event celebrated young female baseball players as part of Little League International’s Girls with Game 50 Celebration. Carrieri’s selection not only highlights her exceptional skills and dedication but also underscores the importance of promoting inclusivity in baseball.

3. Chris Fleming (Basketball)

Chris Fleming, a standout from Lacey Township High School, has built an impressive basketball career that spans playing and coaching at elite levels. After scoring 2,235 points in high school and playing professionally in Germany, Fleming transitioned to coaching, including working with the Brooklyn Nets, where he helped lead the team to its first playoff appearance since 2015. In 2019, he became the Chicago Bulls' top assistant coach, moving up to interim/acting head coach in 2021 until his departure after the 2023-2024 season.

4. Tom DeBlass (Martial Arts)

Tom DeBlass, a Lacey Township resident and renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor, has earned accolades as one of the most accomplished practitioners in the sport. A 2nd Degree Black Belt under Ricardo Almeida, DeBlass is the only New Jersey athlete to win both an adult Black Belt Pan American Title and the North American ADCC trials twice. Beyond competition, he has built one of the largest Jiu-Jitsu academies in the state, fostering a supportive and family-oriented environment. In 2017, DeBlass expanded his impact by serving as a Lacey Township Board of Education member.

5. Zoey Smith (Lacrosse)

Zoey Smith, a rising lacrosse star from Lacey, was selected to represent the U.S. on the U16 team at the Brogden Cup during the 2023 USA Lacrosse Fall Classic. A standout midfielder and student at the Marine Academy of Technological and Environmental Sciences, Smith had scored 168 career goals by 2023, with 100 achieved during her sophomore season.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.