King's men's basketball team wraps up outstanding season

The 2024–25 season marked a new high for the King’s men’s basketball team, solidifying its place as one of the top university club basketball programs in North America. The season tipped off with a prestigious invitation to the Happy Valley Fall Tipoff Tournament hosted by Penn State—an early indication of what was to come.

Competing in the highly competitive 12-team Ontario Collegiate Recreation (OCR) extramural league, King’s posted an impressive 12–6 record. The team earned two silver medals, a bronze, and a fourth-place finish across four Canadian tournaments—demonstrating consistency, talent, and teamwork.

The team also made waves south of the border, competing in the U.S.-based National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) basketball circuit. King’s delivered strong performances at both the Georgia Tech Ramblin’ Wreck Regional Championship and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship hosted by the University of Maryland, finishing in the top five at each event. Their stellar play earned them a second straight invitation to the U.S. National Basketball Championships at the University of Wisconsin.

Despite entering the national tournament with a depleted roster—just five healthy players due to injuries—King’s pushed through adversity and advanced to the quarter finals. Their resilience, heart, and competitive spirit were on full display.

Signature victories throughout the NIRSA season included wins over notable teams such as Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, Georgia Tech, UConn, Ole Miss, Maryland Eastern Shore, Youngstown State, Colorado Denver, and Georgia State. The team extends sincere gratitude to Bennett Fleet Rentals for their continued support, which played a key role in making their success possible.

For many players, their basketball journey ends when they leave high school. However, Jason Atkinson, a fourth-year BMOS student and a forward on the team, says playing for the team has allowed him to continue his love of the game. He adds that “Jason Neyers is an incredible coach who mentors us as basketball players and as young men.”

JC Cruz, a third-year Psychology student and point guard, says joining the King’s basketball team made his King’s experience special. “It has given me a second family and helped me become more resilient and disciplined. Being a student-athlete has made me grow on and off the court and has pushed me to do better every day.”

The King’s men’s basketball team isn’t just about wins and championships—it’s about fostering growth, community, and lifelong memories. Interested in joining or supporting the team? Contact Coach Neyers at jneyers@uwo.ca for more information.