The Teesside Lions are thrilled to welcome back 15-year-old basketball protégé Oscar Mahoney after a brief stint with the Newcastle Eagles. The talented young player, who initially joined the Eagles over the summer has expressed his enthusiasm to return to his roots and continue his development with the Lions.

Mahoney's decision to join Newcastle Eagles earlier this year was seen as a natural progression for the promising guard, who has consistently demonstrated impressive skill, dedication, and a passion for the game. However, after a few months away, Oscar has decided to rejoin the Teesside Lions, a club he describes as his “true basketball home.”

Oscar has already established himself as one of the most exciting young prospects in the region. His combination of agility, court vision, and scoring ability makes him a valuable asset to the Lions' roster. Despite his young age, he has displayed maturity both on and off the court, impressing coaches, teammates, and opponents alike.

In his time with Newcastle Eagles, Mahoney gained valuable experience playing at the Prem level. His return to the Lions brings not only refined skills but also the lessons learned from competing in a new environment. His decision to return highlights the strong sense of community and support that the Teesside Lions provide.

Whilst at Teesside Oscar was part of the unbeaten U14 team season in 2023. He also made the England team, and was selected for the North Super Region at the Aspire Tournament.

Speaking about his return, Mahoney, who attends Trinity Catholic College in Middlesbrough said: "I’ve had a good experience with Newcastle, but Teesside has always felt like home. The coaches, players, and fans here are incredible, and I’m really excited to get back on the court with the Lions. I’ve grown as a player over the past few months, and I can’t wait to bring that experience back to the team.”

Teesside Lions’ Director of Coaching James Thomson, who coached Oscar from the age of nine, was delighted to welcome Oscar back, emphasising the importance of the young player: 

"Oscar is a talented young player, and we’re thrilled to have him back with us. It came as a bit of a surprise, but a lovely gift ahead of Christmas. His time at Newcastle will no doubt have helped him grow, and we’re looking forward to seeing him take the next step in his development here at Teesside.”

Oscar’s return comes at a pivotal time for the Lions as they continue to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level in junior and senior competitions. His energy, skill set, and passion for the game align perfectly with the club’s ethos of nurturing homegrown talent and fostering a strong sense of community. The club are proud to focus a lot of energy on junior development and seeing players progress into the National league men’s team is a core ambition. Oscar is another player capable of joining the likes of Jaydon Wise-Malcolm and Ben Grimes this season.