Jabs Newby

Jabulani Jabari Newby (born August 15, 1991) is a Jamaican-Canadian professional basketball player for the Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Newby played college basketball for Eastern Kentucky University and Gannon.

High school career Newby initially competed at the high school level with St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School in his hometown of Brampton, Ontario.

College career Newby initially played college basketball at Eastern Kentucky of the NCAA Division I. After his sophomore year with the Colonels, he transferred to Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania and began playing at the Division II level. Before choosing to compete with Gannon, Newby was approached by many schools that had wanted him on their team coming out of high school. He made the decision because it was closer to his hometown and he was expected to immediately get playing time from coach John T. Reilly.

Professional career

As a pro, Newby was drafted second overall to the Saint John Mill Rats in the 2014 NBL Canada draft. On December 29, 2014, Newby was traded to the Mississauga Power for Alex Johnson. He registered averages of 8.4 points, 2.4 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game in a Mill Rats uniform. In his debut with the Power, Newby scored a team-high 27 points, grabbed four rebounds and registered two assists, going 8-of-11 from the field and logging 36 minutes. Mississauga vice president of basketball operations John Wiggins said of his performance: "What's great about it is it's unbridled, he's just going out there and playing. Imagine what happens when A) he learns (head coach Kyle Julius') systems and the philosophies of what we're trying to do and B) just getting more time with the kid … By the time the playoffs come, he'll be ready." In 18 games, Newby averaged 5.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game and was named to the NBL All-Rookie Team.

Over the summer of 2015, Newby traveled to Italy and participated in the ALLINSPORT Summer League. He won the league's slam dunk contest in late June and gained attention from his alma mater Gannon and the NBL Canada. On October 31, Newby was acquired by the Raptors 905 of the NBA Development League following a successful tryout with the team. However, he was waived on November 11 before the start of the season. For the 2015–16 season, Newby signed back with the Saint John Mill Rats, marking his second season in the NBL Canada.

In April 2020, Newby signed with the Fraser Valley Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.

In July 2020, Newby agreed terms with Spanish third-tier team Círculo Gijón.

Personal life Newby is the youngest of three siblings, with sister Sonya McKenzie and brother DeWayne Newby. Jabs' parents are Wilfried and Annie Riley. Jabs majored in sports management while at Gannon University.