Defending Champion River Lions Re-Sign All-Canadian Blair

February 20, 2025

Blair enters the 2025 campaign 3rd all-time in CEBL history with 133 three-pointers made in the regular season.

The Niagara River Lions today announced the re-signing of 6-foot-4 Canadian guard, Jahvon Blair for the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

Blair, a 26-year-old Brampton native returns to the River Lions for his third season after an impactful 2024 campaign that helped the team win the CEBL Championship. Currently playing for Poitiers Basket 86 in France’s LNB Pro B, Blair is putting up an impressive 18.8 points, 2.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds in 29.8 minutes per game. Recently, he was also named to the Canada Basketball Senior Men’s training camp roster for the final window of the FIBA AmeriCup Qualifier taking place from February 21-24, 2025.

"Juggy's (Jahvon's) growth over the past two seasons has been remarkable, and his recognition as a 2nd Team CEBL All Star in 2024 is a testament to his work ethic and character,” said Head Coach and General Manager, Victor Raso. “He has proven to be one of the best players, and teammates, in the CEBL and we are very thrilled to have him back with us again this summer!"

Blair’s journey to the CEBL began after a standout collegiate career at the University of Georgetown, where he averaged 15.4 points, 3.6 assists and 3.6 rebounds in his senior season. He was named to the Big East All-Rookie Team in 2018 and the Big East All-Tournament Team in 2021.

Having played for the River Lions the past two seasons, Blair, earned CEBL All-Canadian and All-CEBL Second Team honours, after averaging 18.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 2024. He played for the Newfoundland Growlers in 2022 and represented the CEBL with the Brampton Honey Badgers in the Basketball Champions League of Americas (BCLA) in 2023. Blair’s professional career has taken him around the world, including stints in Finland, Mexico and most recently France where he has been a standout performer.

While Blair’s contributions were crucial in the River Lions success last season, he was unable to compete in 2024 Championship Weekend in Montreal due to his commitment with Poitiers Basket 86, so his return will only fuel the hunt for a second consecutive title.

"Niagara is family! It was a no brainer to come back to play for the best team and fans in the CEBL,” said Blair. “I am looking forward to continuing our winning culture and cannot wait to get back to the Meridian Centre. Thank you to Coach Vic for allowing me to be part of this great organization.”

The Niagara River Lions are one of the original six teams of the CEBL and the league's reigning champions. Playing out of Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, the River Lions represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region while living up to the River Lions moniker of pride and strength of community. Visit www.riverlions.ca/tickets for more information.

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About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 12 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN, TSN+, RDS, Game+, Next Level Sports & Entertainment and Courtside1891. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

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Vancouver Bandits Make Impactful Community Visits in the Okanagan

February 12, 2026

The Vancouver Bandits, BC’s professional basketball team in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), are committed to making a positive impact through basketball and growing the game across British Columbia, and this dedication was highlighted this past week in Kelowna and the Okanagan area. Coming off the recent announcement of Kelowna HOOPFEST, a brand-new basketball festival featuring a CEBL neutral-site home game in partnership with the City of Kelowna, Bandits head coach Kyle Julius spent time at five Okanagan-area secondary schools and both of Kelowna’s post-secondary men’s basketball teams, as part of the Vancouver Bandits third-annual Bandits School Tour. Julius and Bandits staff visited Mount Boucherie Secondary School, Immaculata Regional High School, Okanagan Mission Secondary, Rutland Secondary School and Kelowna Secondary, as well as the men’s basketball teams at UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College, providing dedicated and tailored practices along with motivational talks and training materials. Launched in 2023, the Bandits School Tour is supported by the Bandits Community Foundation, Preston Chevrolet and Envision Financial and offers a unique opportunity for student-athletes and volunteer coaches to learn directly from BC’s only professional basketball coach. “What stood out most during our visit was the impact basketball can have when it is rooted in mentorship and connection; it is clear how vibrant the basketball and business ecosystem is in the Okanagan,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “We are thankful to the Okanagan and Kelowna communities for welcoming us so openly, and this is only the beginning. We are committed to being present and intentional in the lead-up to Kelowna HOOPFEST from June 5th to 7th.” In addition to the Bandits School Tour, Julius and members of Bandits staff had the opportunity to connect with various Okanagan business, media and community leaders, including attending the 51st annual Western Canada Tournament at Kelowna Secondary and a Kelowna Rockets hockey game. ###