River Lions Welcome Back Top Four Leading Scorers from 2023

February 29, 2024

St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions announced today the re-signing of Khalil Ahmad, Jahvon Blair, Eddie Ekiyor and Antonio ‘AJ’ Davis for the 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Season. These four returning players led the 2023 River Lions in points per game with 18.9, 15.3, 12.0, and 10.6, respectively. 


“Our goal going into this offseason was to retain as many pieces as possible from last year’s team, and this announcement gets us off to a great start towards that goal,” said Head Coach and General Manager, Victor Raso. “Khalil, AJ, Eddie and Juggy (Jahvon) are great basketball players, and great people, and being able to build upon the success we had last season and the lessons we learned was a necessary step in free agency. But we aren’t done there – more members of last year’s team will be announced soon, as well as some exciting new additions!”


Ahmad, a 6’4 guard from Corona, California returns to the River Lions for a third season after being named the 2023 CEBL Defensive Player of the Year, 2022 CEBL MVP and earning Clutch Player of the Year honours in both seasons. Ahmad spent all four years of his collegiate career at Cal State Fullerton becoming one of the most prolific scorers in school history. Ahmad’s professional career has taken him to Finland, Denmark, Israel and most recently Belgium, where he is currently averaging 14.6 points, 2.8 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game for Filou Oostende of the BNXT League.


“Niagara feels like home to me,” said Ahmad. “I am excited to return and get to work to win the championship that our fans and organization deserve. Third times a charm”


Ahmad was a late but welcome addition to the 2023 roster where he made an immediate impact leading the team in points (18.9), assists (6.0), steals (2.4) and minutes (28.9) per game, while also scoring 8 of the team’s target score winning shots in the River Lions 13-7 regular season record. 


Blair, a 6’4 guard from Brampton, Ontario returns to the River Lions for a second year boasting plenty of CEBL experience having suited up for the Newfoundland Growlers in 2022, and in 2023 representing the CEBL with the Brampton Honey Badgers in the Basketball Champions League of Americas (BCLA), and being named to ‘Team East’ in the CEBL Clash showcase. Prior to his professional career, Blair spent four seasons with basketball powerhouse, Georgetown University where in his senior year he helped the Hoyas to the Big East tournament title and an NCAA tournament berth. Blair recently signed with Ostioneros de Guaymas in Mexico whose season will tip off this weekend. 


“I can’t wait to get back to the Meridian Centre in front of the best fans in the league,” said Blair. “I am looking forward to another great summer with my teammates and coaching staff. Once again, I truly appreciate Coach Vic for giving me the opportunity to be part of this program. I’m glad to be back.”


In 2023 Blair proved to be a well-rounded combo player averaging 15.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 26.6 minutes per game while shooting an impressive 44.4% from the 3-point line. 


Ekiyor, a 6’9 forward from Ottawa, Ontario returns to the River Lions for a second season where he will be coming off a dominating campaign with Sporting CP of the Liga Betclic in Portugal where he is a top contender for league MVP currently averaging 19.6 points per game, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. With Sporting CP, Ekiyor has earned career highs in points (33), rebounds (13) and blocks (5) in three different games. A product of the Carleton University Ravens program, Ekiyor is a two-time U SPORTS champion and two-time All Canadian who ended his collegiate career as the MVP during the 2019 final 8 tournament. 



“I am extremely excited to be part of the Niagara family again!” said Ekiyor. “I had so much fun in Niagara last season and loved the support that we received from our fans. I look forward to winning a championship in 2024!”


A 2023 CEBL Defensive Player of the Year and 6th Man of the Year finalist, Ekiyor led the River Lions in rebounds per game (5.6) while contributing 12.2 points and 0.9 blocks per game. He shot 41.7 in three-point percentage and 81.5 from the foul line. Ekiyor was named the 2023 recipient of the Ben Zwolak Community Ambassador Award for his contributions to the community and his positive attitude on and off the court. 


Davis Jr., a 6’9 forward from Burford, Georgia returns to the River Lions for a third season after helping to lead the team to first place after the regular season in 2023 as captain. Born into a basketball family, AJ graduated from the University of Central Florida (UCF) where he finished 8th in UCF history with 633 rebounds and 7th with 319 made free throws. Davis Jr. has gained international experience playing in Kosovo, Australia, Sweden, Greece, Germany and most recently Belgium where he is currently averaging 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 2.5 assists for the Leuven Bears of the BNXT League. 


“I am excited to come back to Niagara and see all of our season ticket holders and fans inside the Meridian Centre,” said Davis. “I’m looking forward to another great summer as we take care of unfinished business and bring home the CEBL Championship.”


A natural leader on and off the court, Davis has proven to be a consistent and efficient part of the team averaging 10.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 27.6 minutes per game during the 2023 CEBL campaign.


Today’s announcement of Khalil Ahmad, Jahvon Blair, Eddie Ekiyor and AJ Davis returning to the team for 2024 marks the first players signed to the River Lions since CEBL free agency opened on February 1st. 


The Niagara River Lions are one of the original six teams of the CEBL. 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. Season tickets, voucher packs and group tickets are on sale now. Single game tickets are expected to go on sale in early spring. Visit www.riverlions.ca for more information.

Veteran Guard Osborne, Sea Bears Agree to Terms

January 28, 2026
The Winnipeg Sea Bears are pleased to announce that they have agreed to terms with guard Isiah Osborne for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Osborne, a 6’5” guard from Windsor, Ontario, brings a wealth of professional experience to Winnipeg. Across 49 career CEBL games, Osborne has averaged 25.1 minutes, 10.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, between the Edmonton Stingers, Montréal Alliance, and Ottawa BlackJacks. “Isiah’s background as a dynamic offensive player and his athletic capabilities made him an ideal fit for our system,” said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. “He brings positional size and versatility at both ends of the floor and has the ability to impact winning in a variety of ways.” “I’ve hit big shots in this league, but nothing comes without hard work and teammates who make winning possible,” said Osborne. “That’s why I’m excited to come to Winnipeg. I’m grateful for the opportunity and I’m coming in ready to grind.” Osborne is currently competing with Energa Kotwica Kołobrzeg in Poland. Prior to turning professional, Osborne appeared in 23 NCAA games with the University of Texas at El Paso. He then spent two seasons at Carleton University (2018–2020), where he played 43 U SPORTS games and helped lead the Ravens to back-to-back U SPORTS national championships. Osborne earned All-Star honours in both seasons and was named U SPORTS Championship MVP in 2020. Osborne has played professionally in Canada with the Stingers, Surge, and Alliance, as well as internationally in Finland (Kouvot), Greece (Maroussi), Latvia (Rīgas Zeļļi), Lithuania (Prienų and Gargždų), and Romania with CSM Corona Brașov of the Rome DivA league. Season tickets for the 2026 Winnipeg Sea Bears season are on sale now and can be purchased online at https://www.seabears.ca/season-tickets-2026 ### About the Winnipeg Sea Bears The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 24-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman. More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.

Davidson Joins CEBL as Chief Operating Officer

January 27, 2026
Welcome to the Canadian Elite Basketball League, Shannon Davidson. Davidson brings decades of leadership and strategic integration across the sport and corporate worlds. Her wide-ranging experience strengthens our ability to execute, scale, and lead with purpose.

Saskatchewan Announces Coaching Staff Update

January 26, 2026
The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club has notified Head Coach Eric Magdanz that his contract will not be renewed following the conclusion of the 2025 season. Associate Head Coach Steve Burrows will also not be returning due to family reasons. Burrows spent two years with the franchise and Magdanz four – three as Lead Assistant Coach and in 2025 he was promoted to Head Coach. The team finished with a 7-17 record and did not qualify for the playoffs for the third straight season. The organization is grateful for the contributions of both Eric and Steve and their families. Their passion for player development and growing the game of basketball throughout Saskatchewan has our deepest admiration. The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club has already begun recruitment for a new Head Coach. A new era of basketball in Saskatoon will be unveiled on February 4th, 2026.  ### About the Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club (previously Saskatchewan Rattlers) tipped off their inaugural season at SaskTel Centre in May 2019 and went on to win the inaugural Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) championship. The team are active members of the community, participating in countless events that connect the team with diverse communities through sport, entertainment, and arts and culture. The team has restored over 100 basketball nets across the city to make basketball more accessible to youth. For more information, visit www.therattlers.ca .

Les BlackJacks d’Ottawa nomment Justin Mazzulla entraîneur en chef

January 22, 2026
Les BlackJacks d'Ottawa de la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB), ont annoncé aujourd’hui que le club a engagé Justin Mazzulla comme cinquième entraîneur en chef de l’histoire de la franchise. Il remplace David DeAveiro, dont le contrat n’a pas été renouvelé à la suite de la saison 2025. Mazzulla, originaire de Johnston, R.I., est actuellement le poste de coordinateur vidéo adjoint pour le Jazz de l'Utah dans la ligue NBA, après avoir débuté sa carrière professionnelle d’entraîneur en tant qu’entraîneur adjoint et coordinateur vidéo des Stars de Salt Lake City, l’affiliée de l'Utah en G League. « Justin Mazzulla représente exactement le standard d’excellence que nous voulons pour les BlackJacks d’Ottawa », a déclaré le directeur général des BlackJacks, James Derouin. « Il a été un élément clé de certaines des salles d’entraîneurs les plus innovantes de la NBA, et il apporte à notre organisation un plan directeur digne d’une équipe de championnat. Nous ne cherchons pas seulement à être compétitifs; nous voulons mener la ligue en matière d’innovation et d’intensité. Justin est l’architecte qui nous permettra d’y parvenir. » Âgé de 27 ans et 26 jours au moment de sa nomination, il devient le plus jeune entraîneur en chef de l’histoire de la CEBL, surpassant l’entraineur en chef des Niagara River Lions, Victor Raso, qui avait 28 ans lorsqu’il a été nommé à ce poste en 2019. « J’ai choisi Ottawa parce que les propriétaires, la direction sportive et les dirigeants ont cru en moi et étaient prêts à me donner une chance », a déclaré Mazzulla. « Intrépide, rapide et plaisant étaient les piliers qu’ils ont mis de l’avant, et cela me semblait une excellente occasion de me joindre à eux et de bâtir autour de la culture et de la communauté d’Ottawa. » Joueur de Division I à George Washington (2017-2019) et à l’Université du Vermont (2020-2022), frère de l’actuel entraîneur en chef des Celtics de Boston, Joe Mazzulla, il a rejoint l’Université du Rhode Island en juin 2022 en tant qu’assistant diplômé à l’issue de sa carrière de joueur. Il a auparavant travaillé comme entraîneur en chef pour Rise to the Top, où il a organisé des ligues de basketball Junior NBA pour les jeunes, ainsi que comme préparateur de la performance pour Ernie Duncan Hoops, deux structures basées dans le Vermont. Élu Joueur de l’Année Gatorade du Rhode Island en 2016, Mazzulla a contribué à mener le Bishop Hendricken High School à des championnats d’État consécutifs avant de commencer sa carrière universitaire avec les George Washington Colonials, où il a été nommé dans l’équipe All-Academic de l’Atlantic 10 lors de sa saison sophomore. Ottawa amorcera sa saison à l’Aréna de la TD Place le mardi 12 mai à 19 h 30 contre les champions en titre de la Conférence de l’Ouest, le Calgary Surge. Des forfaits de billets flexibles et des expériences de groupe sont actuellement en vente en visitant theblackjacks.ca/fr-ca/tickets , ou rendez-vous sur theblackjacks.ca/fr-ca/season-seat-memberships pour vous joindre à nous lors de tous les matchs à domicile de la saison 2026. ###

Mazzulla Becomes CEBL’s Youngest Head Coach

January 22, 2026
Ottawa BlackJacks hire NBA-developed coach to lead franchise forward

Une nouvelle ère des séries éliminatoires débute avec le calendrier de la saison 2026 de la LECB

January 15, 2026
La huitième saison de la ligue, qui commencera le 9 mai, introduira des changements historiques : des séries éliminatoires entièrement disputées sur les marchés locaux et une finale de la LECB au meilleur de trois

New Playoff Era to Begin as CEBL Announces 2026 Season Schedule

January 15, 2026
Historic format changes introduce full in-market postseason and best-of-three CEBL Finals as league’s eighth season set to tip off May 9

Saskatchewan Announces Basketball Operations Update

January 13, 2026
The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club has notified General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Barry Rawlyk that his contract will not be renewed following the conclusion of the 2025 season. During his seven seasons with the franchise, Barry brought a deep familiarity with Canadian basketball and long-standing relationships across the province that supported the club’s operations and player development. He also served as the Lead Assistant Coach during the franchise's 2019 Championship season. The organization wishes Barry and his family well as he moves on from the team and appreciates his willingness to support a smooth transition. The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club has already begun recruitment for a new General Manager. A new era of basketball in Saskatoon will be unveiled soon. ### About the Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club (previously Saskatchewan Rattlers) tipped off their inaugural season at SaskTel Centre in May 2019 and went on to win the inaugural Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) championship. The team are active members of the community, participating in countless events that connect the team with diverse communities through sport, entertainment, and arts and culture. The team has restored over 100 basketball nets across the city to make basketball more accessible to youth. For more information, visit www.therattlers.ca .

Cowan Joins CEBL as Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships

January 13, 2026
Please join us in welcoming Rob Cowan to the Canadian Elite Basketball League as Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships. Rob brings more than 20 years of experience across the Canadian sports industry. Most recently at Rugby Canada, he led national partnership sales, account management, and commercial strategy across the organization’s flagship programs and events. With a background spanning partnerships, data & analytics, live events, and digital marketing, Rob brings a well-rounded, modern perspective on how brands create value in sport today - and where the partnership landscape is heading next. Welcome to the CEBL, Rob!

Bilamu Agrees to Terms with Sea Bears

January 8, 2026
The Winnipeg Sea Bears are pleased to announce that they have agreed to terms with forward Nathan Bilamu for the upcoming season. Bilamu (6-5; born August 7, 2000 in Hamilton, ON) returns to Winnipeg after a productive 2025 season with the Sea Bears in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). In his rookie professional season with Winnipeg, he appeared in 20 games and averaged 5.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, showing consistent effort and earning increased playing time as the season progressed. “We are excited to have Nate back as he builds on what he started here," said Head Coach and General Manager, Mike Raimbault. "Last summer he brought a tremendous commitment to the team, specifically a passion for winning that showed in his effort and willingness to do whatever it took to help this group.” Before joining Winnipeg, Bilamu enjoyed a standout university career at Lakehead University, where he emerged as a versatile two-way player. In his senior season (2024-25), Bilamu averaged 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. He was named an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) First-Team All-Star and a U-SPORTS Second-Team All-Canadian. Following his time in the CEBL, Bilamu continued his professional career overseas with Esgueira Basket in Portugal’s Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol. Through early 2025-26 international competition, he has been a key rotation player, averaging around 12.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while logging significant minutes. The season ticket member renewal deadline is January 15, 2026. Fans can renew or purchase new season tickets at https://www.seabears.ca/season-tickets-2026 . ### About the Winnipeg Sea Bears The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 24-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman. More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .