Kodiaks men’s basketball team adds Byam to 2026-27 roster

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks men’s basketball team has added a hard-working and dynamic guard with the commitment of Nash Byam for the upcoming season.

A graduate of Foothills Composite High School in Okotoks, Alta., Byam joins the Kodiaks following a gap year and will begin his post-secondary studies in the General Arts and Science program this fall. He most recently played with Foundations Youth Basketball and Canada Topflight Academy (CTA) West during his development year.

For Byam, the decision to join the Kodiaks was shaped by both basketball and family ties to southern Alberta. His father, Brady Byam, played two seasons with the program in 2004/05 and 2005/06, earning All-Conference recognition in both years.

“I have lots of family down here, especially in Raymond, so it’s nice being close to home,” says Byam. “I also really like how southern Alberta plays basketball. It’s quick, fast and everyone works hard.”

Byam first connected with the Kodiaks program through ID camps during high school and continued to build a relationship with the coaching staff throughout his development.

Kodiaks head coach Ryan Heggie says Byam’s compete level immediately stood out. Byam also brings an impressive resume, highlighted by a championship at the Legendary Bobcat Bowl, where he was named a tournament all-star. He also earned all-star honours at the Magrath tournament and was named his high school team’s MVP in his senior year. 

“Nash plays really hard all the time, and that was the first thing that stood out to me,” says Heggie. “He’s a combo guard who naturally looks to get his teammates involved and plays with a point guard mentality.”

Heggie first evaluated Byam in person at the Raymond Sugar Bowl and continued to track his progress through tournaments, camps and exhibition play, including matchups against his CTA West team.

“He’s very coachable and he cares, which are two things that will allow him to develop at a consistent pace,” says Heggie. “We expect him to come in, compete every day and push both himself and his teammates.”

Byam says he is looking forward to the opportunity to take the next step both on and off the court.

“I’m excited to move into that next stage of basketball and life,” he says. “Playing in front of great crowds and competing in the [Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference] is something I’m really looking forward to.”

He also credits his parents and coaches for being his support system and helping him reach this opportunity. He highlights the impact of his father’s early-morning training sessions and his mother’s constant encouragement from the stands.