D.J. CAMPBELL JOINS NIAGARA MEN'S BASKETBALL PROGRAM

WELLAND, Ont. - The Niagara College Department of Athletics & Recreation formally welcomed D.J. Campbell to the men's basketball program on Tuesday, May 14 with a media event held at the Welland Campus Athletic Centre. Campbell most recently played his high school basketball in Houston, Texas at the Christian Life Centre Academy.

"I'm really excited about joining the Niagara Knights. I really like what I see here and I like the direction of the basketball program," said Campbell.

The 18-year old Toronto native plays the point guard position, and with the expected departure of graduating guard and team MVP Jimmy Bilenga, Knights men's basketball head coach Steve Atkin has high hopes for Campbell.

"D.J. is an exciting player and a pure point guard. He's incredibly skilled and will fit right into our style of play," said Atkin.

Campbell has elected to pursue a diploma in the Sport Management program at Niagara College's Niagara-on-the-Lake campus. He added "graduation is very important to me and sport management seemed really interesting. The sport management program helped in my decision to choose this school."

Coach Atkin feels the soft-spoken Campbell has the ability to be an impact player at the post-secondary level. "D.J. displays some true leadership potential which we like in our players. He will be fun to watch. He's the type of player that makes his teammates around him better."

Campbell agrees with his new head coach and feels that "I want to improve and I feel that Coach Atkin and the rest of the staff can help me achieve that. But more importantly I want to help make my teammates around me better."

Under Coach Atkin the Niagara College men's basketball program has a record of 35-21, and despite his reserved demeanor when asked what his goals on the court were in a Knight uniform, Campbell's completive side emerged. "I want to win both provincial and national medals. I came here because I feel this program has a chance to do that."

The Niagara College men's basketball program will remain active this off-season, as coaches and  student-athletes will help lead three sections of the annual Niagara Kids' College summer camp program: 
July 29-August 2; August 6-9
; August 19-23.

Source: Niagara College

Photo Credit: Bernd Franke