Baines relishing time with Pronghorns

By Lethbridge Herald on November 4, 2025.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Brady Baines defends against a teammate at practice on Tuesday.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Raymond’s Brady Baines is really coming into his own as a third-year guard for the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s basketball team.

While being a shooter is his strength, Baines has developed the defensive side of his game on top of learning what it takes to be successful in Canada West since coming to the Horns.

“Playing good defence, playing good team defence and setting up my teammates, that’s definitely something I’ve been focusing on,” said Baines.

“It’s a pro style of basketball. You’re coming here and you gotta stick to your role because everyone in this league is good. So you gotta do what you do well and be able to do everything else at the same time.”

The six-foot-three guard talked about how his big  frame has helped him succeed in Canada West.

“It’s been huge,” said Baines.

“These guys we play against are even bigger than me and so they make me look small. So, having that weight program and also just building those consistent habits in my life of getting in the gym and lifting has definitely aided me and prepared me to be able to guard these bigger guys.”

Baines said it’s definitely a blessing, when it comes to taking on a leadership role in his third year with the team.

“I do my very best to work my butt off and make sure that my teammates know that I’ll do anything for them,” Baines.

Baines thinks head coach Kenny Otieno has helped him immensely.

“He’s helped me find my love for basketball again,” said Baines.

“My high school career … ended due to COVID, and so that was hard for me and I took a couple years off to serve a mission for my church. So coming back and playing for Kenny and just having that love and that desire to get better every single day is something that’s amazing.”

Baines thinks it is because of Otieno that the culture has changed with the program.

“It’s a family,” said Baines.

“It’s a great feeling to be on a post-secondary team where you love each other like brothers and I truly believe that’s what we have here.”

Otieno has seen Baines as a leader.

“His leadership has continued to grow and we’ve leaned on him for that since day one,” said Otieno.

“ He has evolved into (an) extremely good leader for us in terms of communication, (and) talking to guys through tough times because you’re gonna have highs and lows in the game and I think Brady is a mediator in those situations.”