London, Monday 20 July 2026 – The London Lions are delighted to announce the signing of London-born forward Loren Christie ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Christie returns to the city where her basketball journey began, completing a full-circle moment after developing through Barking Abbey before spending the past four years competing in NCAA Division I basketball in the United States.
A product of Barking Abbey, Christie helped lead the Lions to a WEABL Championship while earning First Team WEABL honours as a senior after averaging 16.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.2 blocks per game. She also represented Great Britain at the junior national team level before continuing her career overseas.
Christie began her collegiate career at the University at Buffalo, where she spent three seasons developing into a versatile two-way forward. She then transferred to the University of San Francisco before finishing her NCAA career at Xavier University during the 2025-26 campaign.
In her final collegiate season with the Musketeers, Christie appeared in 31 games, making 20 starts, while averaging 22.5 minutes, 7.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game, shooting 46.0% from the field.
Now returning to British basketball, Christie brings valuable NCAA experience, positional versatility and defensive presence to a Lions squad preparing for the new campaign.
"I had the pleasure of playing with Loren when she was just starting her basketball journey," said Head Coach Kyla Nelson. "It has been amazing to watch her growth from afar and we are so excited to have her reintroduce herself to British basketball with the Lions. No stranger to this level, Loren brings length, versatility and a high IQ that will have an immediate impact on how we play this year."
General Manager Ruchae Walton added:
"I'm really excited about Loren joining us this season. She brings great length and versatility, which will add real depth to our roster. Having played for the Lions before heading to the US, it's a true full-circle moment for her, and I know our fans will be keen to welcome her home."
Christie's return continues the Lions' commitment to bringing elite British talent back home while building a roster capable of competing for silverware in the 2026-27 season.
