Canadian sharp shooter Jaelin Llewellyn will step up to the professional ranks this season after sealing a deal with new-look Newcastle Eagles.

And the 6ft 2in star knows just where to turn for the lowdown on Tyneside — after spending three seasons with Newcastle’s NBA star Tosan Evbuomwan.

The duo were two of the first names on head coach Mitch Henderson’s team sheet during a decorated spell with Ivy League college Princeton.


Llewellyn comes to Newcastle with the low-down on Tyneside hoops from Eagles Academy graduate Tosan Evbuomwan.

And Llewellyn bagged All-Ivy first team and second team honours with the Tigers before making the move to NCAA powerhouse Michigan in 2022.

An impressive start to his Division One career was curtailed by injury but the battling guard returned from ACL surgery in December 2023 to play 20 times for the Wolverines.

“Jaelin is a player we’re excited to welcome to the Vertu Motors Arena and to Newcastle,” said Eagles playcaller Marc Steutel.


“He’s a high IQ playmaker who comes with a great pedigree and we’re looking forward to seeing him impact upon Super League Basketball this season.

“Diving into his game earlier this year we were able to identify a desire to play winning basketball and he’s keen to take the game to the opposition.

“We’re looking forward to getting him over here for the start of the season.”

Llewellyn started all 76 games of his celebrated Princeton career and hit more than 1,000 points for the Tigers.


The two-time Ivy League Player of the Week averaged 15 points, four rebounds and two assists per game in his final season alongside Detroit Piston Evbuomwan.

Llewellyn scored over 1,000 points for the Princeton Tigers.

And Llewellyn capitalised on the NCAA’s one-time eligibility rule — as a result of the Covid-hit 2020/21 season — to prolong his college career with Michigan.

An encouraging first season was cut short by injury but the fit-again guard bagged a season-high 18 points at Michigan State in January just weeks after regaining full fitness.

Llewellyn made the Academic All-Big Ten earlier this year and heads into his first professional season with 104 college games under his belt.

“I’m so thankful to coach Steutel for allowing me to have the opportunity to play for him, and be a part of the Newcastle Eagles,” said Llewellyn.

“The Eagles is an organisation that is accustomed to winning, and I hope to contribute to more success by bringing the experiences, knowledge and skills that I’ve learned throughout my college career.

“I am super excited to play in Vertu Motors Arena, engage with Eagles fans and be involved in the Newcastle community as a whole.

“I’ve followed the British game over time, with it having a few former Ivy League standouts, so I’m honoured to play in such a competitive and talented league.”

Steutel’s 2024/25 roster is rapidly taking shape ahead of next month’s first-of-its-kind season launch on September 6 and exciting pre-season schedule from September 8.

And after adding Llewellyn to close-season captures Josh Ward-Hibbert, Jordan Spencer and Seneca Knight, fans can expect more big name signings before the end of the month.