(FREDERICTON, NB) Forward Conner Landell of the UNB REDS men’s basketball team has been selected in the second round of the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s 2025 Draft by the Brampton Honey Badgers.
Landell was chosen 19th overall.
“It means a lot,” said Landell. “It’s recognition of my hard work and a step towards my professional career.”
“They probably like how I play, with a high motor on both ends of the floor,” he added. “I’m also a physical presence in the paint.”
2024-25 was Landell’s first with the REDS.
He played in 19 regular season games, starting 15 of them. He scored 151 points on 59.5% shooting from the field and averaged 6.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.
“Conner has great size and athleticism, two things that teams at the pro level are always looking for,” said REDS’ head coach Joe Salerno. “He’s a guy that teams can go to in the post if they need a bucket and he’s a very good shot blocker.”
Landell is just the second RED to be drafted by a CEBL team.
In 2022, the Guelph Knighthawks (now the Calgary Surge) chose Iba Doumbouya 15th overall.
Javon Masters signed as a free agent with the then Hamilton Honey Badgers in 2019 but only played a handful of games before returning to the pro ranks in Europe. Masters played 10 games for the Ottawa Black Jacks in 2024.
“I think it’s great for our program,” said Coach Salerno. “It reiterates the fact that we can bring in top tier talent, and that players can get opportunities while playing here at UNB.”
Landell says he’s already had discussions with Brampton about a contract and training camp, but says he’s focused on preparing for his upcoming opportunity.
“This shows that the program here at UNB develops players well and prepares them for the next level,” he said.
Players drafted from U SPORTS programs appear on CEBL rosters as developmental players and can return to their university programs upon completion of the league’s season with no eligibility penalty.
“Spending the summer playing against professionals will only help take his game to another level,” said Coach Salerno.
