SARNIA – Made it officially official.
Guard Malina Lopez has officially committed to Head Coach Janine Day and the Lambton Women’s Basketball Program for the 2025-26 season, and beyond.
Lopez is the fourth member of the 2025 recruiting class for Day and the rest of the Lions coaching staff. She joins a talented recruiting class that features the likes of Alexis Hinds (Stratford, Ont.), Ava Grant (Marysville, Michigan), and Lillian Bernard (Sarnia, Ont.).
Lopez first announced her commitment back in February on social media, and she made things official with the signing of her OCAA Letter of Intent on Sunday afternoon surrounded by family and friends at the Milton Sports Centre.
“I’m super excited,” said Lopez. “I was definitely a bit nervous, but I’m very grateful for everyone who came out to show their support on (my) signing day.”
“I’m looking forward to a new start, new coaches, and a new community around me. I can’t wait to be part of the Lambton community.”
Lopez, a five-foot-eight guard from Milton, comes to Lambton College and the Lambton Women’s Basketball Program from Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School, where she played for the Royals Senior Girls Basketball Program. Back in November, Lopez and her teammates earned a Silver Medal in the Halton Catholic Athletic Association playoffs.
Outside of high school, Lopez plays for the Halton Region JUEL Program. Back in August, Lopez and her Halton Region teammates were crowned the U17 Girls Champions at the 46th Annual Jane & Finch Classic.
For Day, she is excited about the potential that Lopez has on both ends of the floor, and the experiences that she’s gained playing in Halton should help with her transition to the collegiate level, both for the immediate future and years down the road.
“Malina joins the Lions with a wealth of basketball experience coming from Halton region,” said Day. “Along with adding depth to our guard rotation, she brings a leadership component that will be vital in future years.”
“Offensively, she brings an extremely high IQ and poses a perimeter shooting threat for opponents. On the defensive end, Malina has a high compete level and experience with the full court style that we play. We can’t wait to see her in a Lions uniform in the Fall.”
Academically, Lopez will be enrolled in the Early Childhood Education Program at Lambton College.
When she was asked what Lambton fans can expect to see from her on the court come September, Lopez was quick to point out her diversity on the floor, saying fans can expect to see her everywhere on the court on both sides of the ball.
Welcome to The Den, Malina!
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