 However, six days later, he was released by Halifax prior to the start of the 2015–16 season.On January 29, 2016, Cowels signed with the Nelson Giants for the 2016 New Zealand NBL season.He scored 30 points or more six times during the season, including a season-high 35 points to go with 11 rebounds in a 107–97 win over the Canterbury Rams on April 30.