[St. John's, NL] - The Memorial Sea-Hawks Men's Basketball program proudly announces the addition of local standout Ben O'Brien to its roster. Hailing from St. John's, NL, O'Brien joins the Sea-Hawks as a 6'4" forward with an impressive track record of success both locally and nationally.
As a pivotal player for the Gonzaga Vikings, he played an instrumental role in securing back-to-back 4A Championships in 2023 and 2024, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure and lead his team to victory.
"Ben has been an instrumental part of our program these past two seasons leading us to back-to-back provincial championships," said his High School Coach, Pat Slaney. "His ability to make tough finishes through traffic and a strong outside shooting ability creates a tough matchup. Ben's commitment to personal improvement on and off the court and team-first attitude will make him a great fit at Memorial."
Beyond his contributions to the Gonzaga Vikings, O'Brien's talent has also shone on the national stage as a member of the Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Team and the CE23 U18 club team. As a starter for CE23 U18 team, he played in the highly competitive CYBL Premier Prep League, showcasing his skills against some of the top prep programs in Canada.
"We are thrilled that Ben has decided to commit to Memorial and join us next season," said Sea-Hawk's Men's Head Coach, Ian Coultas. "I've gotten the chance to see Ben play many times over the last few years and he has always impressed me. Not only is he highly skilled, but he is highly competitive, and I've seen him make significant improvements in his game each year. He will be a great addition to our program."
Individually, O'Brien has garnered recognition for his outstanding performance on the court, earning accolades such as the NLBA Hall of Fame Cup All-Star in 2023, the 2023 School Sports NL 4A MVP, and the 2023 Gonzaga High School Team MVP.
O'Brien's addition to the Sea-Hawks roster is a testament to the program's commitment to recruiting top local talent and fostering a culture of excellence. As he embarks on this new chapter of his basketball career, O'Brien is poised to make a significant impact and further elevate the Sea-Hawks' standing in the competitive landscape of university basketball.
In addition to his athletic pursuits, Ben will be pursuing a degree in business at Memorial University in the fall.
For more information on Memorial University's Sea-Hawks Basketball Program and Ben O'Brien's commitment, please contact Ian Coultas at imcoultas@mun.ca.