Forward Payton Saxton will join his cousin Cody Tollestrup on the Kodiaks' roster for the 2023-24 season. (Photo: Lethbridge College Kodiaks)

By Christian Oldale

Kodiaks add forward Payton Saxton to men’s basketball roster

Sep 1, 2023 | 12:46 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge College Kodiaks have added some more height to their men’s basketball roster.

The Kodiaks announced on September 1, 2023 that 6’9 forward Payton Saxton has been added to the team.

Saxton, a native of High River, previously attended two Kodiaks talent I.D. camps, once in 2020 and another one in 2023.

His family has a long-standing history with the Kodiaks. His grandfather Tim Tollestrup was the Kodiaks men’s basketball coach from 1976 to 1988, and the Kodiaks’ athletic director from 1967 to 2007.

In addition to the connection through his grandfather, Saxton’s cousin Cody Tollestrup is also part of the Kodiaks’ 2023 recruiting class.

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Saxton views his size, aggressiveness, and willingness to learn as his strengths, and described himself as a team-first kind of player.

Kodiaks head coach Ryan Heggie said, “I expect Payton to protect the rim and paint area. Players his size need to use that as an advantage to alter shots and pull rebounds. If he does that with a bit of ‘snarl,’ that will be fine, too!”

Saxton will enrol in the General Arts and Science program beginning in the Fall 2023 semester.

The Kodiaks will kick off their regular season on October 20 with a game against the Ambrose University Lions at the Val Matteotti Gymnasium.

Read more local sports at Lethbridge News Now.

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