SARNIA – A new presence in the paint is on his way to The Den.
Forward Isaac Mackey has officially committed to Head Coach James Grant and the Lambton Men’s Basketball Program for the 2026-27 season, and beyond.
Mackey is the second member of the 2026 recruiting class for Grant and company. He will join Oshane Campbell (Chatham, Ont.) as a newcomer with the Lions when the 2026-27 season opens in the fall.
“I’m very excited,” said Mackey after making his commitment official inside the Cestar Group Athletics & Fitness Complex with his family and coaches in attendance. “From the first time I came out here, I felt like it was the perfect choice for me.”
“When James first messaged me to come to a practice, I felt like it was a great facility and a great group of people here. I’m excited to continue my education here and help the team have a successful season.”
Mackey, a six-foot-six forward, comes to Lambton College by way of Strathroy District Collegiate Institute in Strathroy. Outside of high school, Mackey plays for the London Ramblers U18 program in London.
Basketball wasn’t an early passion for Mackey growing up. Mackey played hockey until Grade Eight before making the switch to basketball. After developing throughout his high school years on the hardwood, spending the last few years with the Ramblers, Mackey will now begin preparing for the college game and the challenges that come with it.
Before then, Mackey is gearing up to play in a pair of high school all-star games over the next couple of weeks, in addition to preparing for his Ramblers season to begin. Mackey will take part in the TVRA High School All-Star Game in London on Wednesday, March 25th before traveling to Hamilton on Saturday, March 28th to take part in the High School Basketball All-Star Classic at Cathedral High School.
For Coach Grant, he is excited about the potential that Mackey brings to the program for years to come, and adding a six-foot-six body up front helps to address a need for the Lions after last season.
“Isaac is a great addition to our team,” said Grant. “He has the ability to play inside and out, which is a skillset that would help any roster.”
“He also isn’t afraid to be physical on the glass, with is an area we need to vastly improve on.”
Mackey echoed those sentiments when asked what fans can expect to see from him on the hardwood.
“They can expect a big presence down low in the paint,” added Mackey. “I’m a hustle guy who likes to be aggressive, and I can space the floor when they need me to.”
“James mentioned it was a tough year rebounding last year, so I’m looking to do whatever I can to help in that area in my first year.”
Academically, Mackey will be enrolled in the Sports & Recreation Management Program at Lambton College.
The recruiting pipeline from Strathroy to Lambton continues to grow. Mackey is the third student-athlete from SDCI to commit to a varsity program ahead of the 2026-27 OCAA season, joining Men’s Baseball commits Braydon Mann and Nolan Grimes.
Mackey joins a Lambton program that’s expected to return all but one player from the 2025-26 roster that finished the regular season with a 10-8 record, good for fourth in the always-competitive West Division.
The addition of Mackey to the front court rotation should help to strengthen the team’s paint presence and provide a boost in terms of offensive and defensive rebounds.
Welcome to The Den, Isaac!
For more information, or for any media inquiries within Lambton College Athletics, please contact:
Tyler Bennett
Lambton College Sports Information & Marketing Coordinator
tyler.bennett@lambtoncollege.ca