Conner Landell returned from the U.S. this fall to play basketball for the University of New Brunswick Reds with a goal in mind.
His hope for this spring was to get drafted into the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
He realized the longtime dream last week when he was selected in the second round, 19th overall, by the Brampton Honey Badgers.
“It was kind of a shock to me, the first initial reaction,” Landell said. “Because … that’s what the goal of a basketball player is, to get to the next level, and for that to actually happen, it meant a lot to me.”
The 21-year-old from Ontario started playing basketball over 15 years ago with his sister as his first coach.
What began as “just for fun” for Landell became more serious in high school when he started receiving offers from post-secondary schools.
Now, Landell likes his chances of making the Honey Badgers.
“I’ve been in the weight room and just my game is kind of different,” he said. “So I’m trying to show my strengths.”
He spent three years playing in the U.S., two in junior college and another in NCAA Division II, before joining the Reds last season.
He said he enjoyed his first season in Fredericton playing under head coach Joe Salerno.
“He has great size and athleticism, first and foremost,” said Salerno. “He also has an element of toughness that’s been sometimes tough to find these days.”
He said the six-foot-nine Landell is a shot blocker who plays best near the basket.
“I’ve seen Conner improve immensely over the course of the season,” Salerno said. “I think he’s in a position with our team where … he plays a major role for us.”
Landell is the second player drafted from UNB since the Canadian Elite Basketball League began in 2019.
Student-athletes from across the country are chosen. There were 30 players drafted this year, 27 from U Sports and three from the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association.
The league runs through the summer and features 10 teams across the country. More than 20 players in the league’s history have signed NBA contracts.
The majority of the league is Canadian, and players come from other professional leagues, the Canadian national team program and North American post-secondary schools.
Landell is hoping to “soak it all in” this summer and learn from veteran players on his team.
He also recognizes that the league is a good opportunity for Canadian players and noted that some players are returning from the U.S. to play.
For his teammates, Salerno said that his opportunity can pave the way for them.
“It just shows that any of the guys have a chance of going pro, to the next level, like, they’ve seen it happen,” he said.
Salerno is excited for Landell’s return to the Reds. He said that the Canadian Elite Basketball League is gaining more international respect each year.
“I think that playing against bigger, more physical guys that play at the pro level is going to make things a bit easier for him when he comes back to UNB,” said Salerno.
The CEBL opens May 11.
