SARNIA – An elite addition to the group.

Wing Owen Newell has officially committed to Head Coach James Grant and the Lambton Men’s Basketball Program for the 2024-25 season, and beyond.

Newell is the second member of the 2024 recruiting class for Coach Grant and his coaching staff. Newell will join Loghan LeBlanc (New Waterford, NS) as a newcomer with the Lions come September.

“We are all really looking forward to Owen joining us this Fall,” said Grant. “Owen is the type of player that has the ability to help us in a number of ways.”

“He’s a tall guard who has the ability to handle the ball extremely well while also being able to shoot it at a high percentage. We’ve seen a number of guards his size really excel in the league over the last few years as they create match-up problems.”

Newell, a six-foot-five guard/wing from Brussels, comes to Lambton College by way of F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham. In addition to playing high school basketball for the Mustangs, Newell also plays for the Oxford Attack U19 Program out of Woodstock.

The Attack will be playing in the NPH Showcase League this Spring/Summer.

Along with some of his Oxford teammates, Newell came to Lambton College over the Christmas Break to take part in the Men’s Basketball Winter Showcase Event. Newell and his teammates, under the guidance of current Lions JK Thomas and Cam Diniz, came away as tournament champions.

On the heels of the Winter Showcase Event, Newell is now the newest member of the Lions, and he’s looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.

“I’m super excited for this opportunity,” said Newell. “I’m ready to learn and develop myself as a basketball player and work on my academics at Lambton.”

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the guys more. They seem like a really good group of guys and I’m excited to play with them on the court and get to know them all better.”

The Newell family are no strangers to post-secondary athletics. His sister, Jaime Newell, is currently a third-year forward for the Waterloo Warriors Women’s Basketball Program. His brother, Ben Newell, played for the Men’s Volleyball Program at the University of Waterloo and graduated following the 2022-23 season.

Now, it’s Owen’s turn to embark on his post-secondary journey with the Lions. Come September, he hopes to showcase his versatility on both ends of the floor and contribute in any way he can for the group.

“I’m a pretty lanky guy,” added Newell with a smile. “I’m a pretty solid all-around defender with good shot blocking around the rim, and I can shoot it pretty well from three.”

Academically, Newell will be enrolled in the Sports & Recreation Management Program.

With Newell added to the mix going forward, the Lions are building towards a bright future while still staying focused on the task at-hand this season. The Lions are in the home stretch of the 2023-24 regular season, with their sights set on making a post-season run in two week’s time.

Welcome to The Den, Owen!

For more information, or for any media inquiries within Lambton College Athletics, please contact:

Tyler Bennett
Lambton College Sports Information & Marketing Coordinator
tyler.bennett@lambtoncollege.ca