St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions are proud to introduce Courtney, presented by Pet Valu Pendale , a female mascot whose arrival reflects the organization's commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming experience for all fans. First revealed exclusively to Season Ticket Members this past weekend, Courtney represents more than just game-day energy; she embodies confidence, leadership, inclusion, and the growing movement of women's sports.  Courtney was created with a purpose: to inspire and connect with the next generation of young girls throughout Niagara and beyond. As women's sports continue to break barriers and create new opportunities, Courtney will serve as a symbol of empowerment, encouraging young fans to dream big, stay active, and believe in their potential both on and off the court. Fans can expect to see Courtney bringing excitement and enthusiasm to every River Lions home game, as well as making appearances throughout the community at schools, youth programs, festivals, and special events. In the coming months, the River Lions will announce a new mentorship initiative connected to Courtney's mission of supporting and empowering young girls through sport, leadership, and community engagement. "As a female leader in professional sports, I understand how important representation can be. Introducing Courtney is about creating even more opportunities for young girls to see themselves reflected in our organization and to feel like they belong in sports, whether that's on the court, in the front office, or cheering from the stands," said Niagara River Lions President Michelle Biskup. Be sure to say hello to Courtney at upcoming River Lions games and community appearances! Interested in having Courtney attend your event? Book an appearance today: https://www.riverlions.ca/appearance-requests The Niagara River Lions are one of the founding franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and the league’s reigning back-to-back champions (2024 & 2025). Competing out of the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, from May to August each season, the River Lions proudly represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region, uniting fans through passion, pride, and purpose. Entering their second decade, the River Lions have earned a reputation for championship-caliber performance and community impact, embodying the strength and spirit of Niagara both on and off the court. For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on Instagram , Facebook , TikTok , & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X . ### Media Contact: Cole Meyering Communications Coordinator communications@riverlions.ca

St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of 6’5 American guard Donald Carey for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Carey will join the team for this Friday’s game versus the Winnipeg Sea Bears . Carey joins the River Lions after a 2025-26 campaign which saw him feature for the Leicester Riders of the SLB and Rayos de Hermosillo of the Mexican CIBACOPA . He led both teams in assists and steals, combining for averages of 16.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game on the season. The Upper Marlboro, Maryland native started his collegiate career with the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers . Carey found his stride midway into the season winning NEC Rookie of the Week with averages of 12.5 points, 5.5 assists, and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 60% from the field and 63% from three. Carey spent his sophomore season at Siena University before transferring to Georgetown University . In Carey’s second season with the Hoyas he averaged college career highs of 13.5 points, 1.5 steals, and 33.8 minutes per game in addition to being awarded the Big East Sportsmanship Award. Carey spent his final season of college in his home state with the University of Maryland , where, in his lone year with the Terrapins , he started 33 games, averaging 7.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. After college Carey started his professional career with the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League , where he played for 2 seasons. In Carey’s second season he earned a bigger role in the rotation as a key contributor off the bench, averaging 5.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. After Carey’s stint in the G League he headed overseas to the Otago Nuggets of the NZ NBL where he blossomed into a starring role, leading the nuggets with 22.4 points, 5.6 Assists, 1.5 Steals, and 35.6 minutes per game. The Niagara River Lions are one of the founding franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and the league’s reigning back-to-back champions (2024 & 2025). Competing out of the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, from May to August each season, the River Lions proudly represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region, uniting fans through passion, pride, and purpose. Entering their second decade, the River Lions have earned a reputation for championship-caliber performance and community impact, embodying the strength and spirit of Niagara both on and off the court. For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on Instagram , Facebook , TikTok , & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X . ### Media Contact: Cole Meyering Communications Coordinator communications@riverlions.ca

St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of 6’5 American guard Keonte Kennedy for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Kennedy will join the team for their season opening game tonight versus the Ottawa Blackjacks.  Kennedy joins the team after just days ago finishing his season with Imortal Albufeira of the Liga Betclic in Portugal where he led the team with 17.4 points per game and averaged 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 24 games. The Austin, Texas native graduated from the University of California, Berkeley , where, in his lone year with the Bears , he started all 25 games he played, averaging 9.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists. He finished the season strong, shooting over 42% from three-point range across the final eight games and recording 13 double-figure scoring performances. Prior to Cal, Kennedy averaged 9.2 points per game at the University of Memphis and enjoyed a breakout season at University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) 2021-22, where he posted 14.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Kennedy began his professional career with Umea BSKT of the Swedish Basketball League (SBL) for the 2024-2025 season and finished that year with Sporting FC in Portugal. The Niagara River Lions are one of the founding franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and the league’s reigning back-to-back champions (2024 & 2025). Competing out of the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, from May to August each season, the River Lions proudly represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region, uniting fans through passion, pride, and purpose. Entering their second decade, the River Lions have earned a reputation for championship-caliber performance and community impact, embodying the strength and spirit of Niagara both on and off the court. For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on IG , FB , TikTok , & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X . ### Media Contact: Cole Meyering Communications Coordinator communications@riverlions.ca

St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions are excited to announce the unveiling of their 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Championship Banner at the team’s Home Opener presented by Thorold Automotive Solutions , on Friday May 29th at 7:00pm at the Meridian Centre . Fans are encouraged to arrive early as the River Lions celebrate another historic milestone by raising their second consecutive CEBL Championship Banner to the rafters. Prior to tip-off, the team will also receive its 2025 CEBL Championship rings as part of the pre-game festivities. The first 500 fans will receive a co-branded River Lions and Thorold Automotive Solutions flag. The Home Opener will also serve as a “Night of Champions,” celebrating the continued success and growth of basketball across the Niagara region. The River Lions will recognize local championship teams, including the National Preparatory Association (NPA) Champions, Ridley College and the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA) Champions, Fort Erie International Academy , highlighting a remarkable year for basketball in Niagara. The River Lions will begin their quest to become the first team in CEBL history to win three consecutive championships when they take on the Vancouver Bandits on opening night. Single game tickets for the 2026 season are available for purchase at riverlions.ca/tickets . Fans are encouraged to secure their seats early to experience a memorable night of championship celebrations, community spirit, and the return of River Lions basketball to the Niagara Region. The Niagara River Lions are one of the founding franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and the league’s reigning back-to-back champions (2024 & 2025). Competing out of the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, from May to August each season, the River Lions proudly represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region, uniting fans through passion, pride, and purpose. Entering their second decade, the River Lions have earned a reputation for championship-caliber performance and community impact, embodying the strength and spirit of Niagara both on and off the court. For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on Instagram , Facebook , TikTok , & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X . ### Media Contact: Cole Meyering Communications Coordinator communications@riverlions.ca

St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions are proud to announce a three-year partnership with Niagara Parks , marking a significant collaboration between two organizations deeply rooted in the Niagara Region. The highlight of the agreement will see the Niagara Parks logo proudly featured on the upper left chest of all home, away and alternate jerseys across both player uniforms and fan replicas beginning this 2026 season and continuing through the 2028 campaign. The partnership represents a shared commitment to celebrating Niagara’s identity, supporting regional growth, and creating elevated experiences for residents and visitors alike. Niagara Parks, a globally recognized leader in environmental stewardship, tourism, and heritage preservation, welcome millions of visitors each year to iconic attractions throughout the region. Through this partnership, Niagara Parks expands its community presence into the sports and entertainment space while aligning with one of Niagara’s premier professional sports franchises.The training camp roster features a competitive mix of returning core players, 2024 and 2025 championship contributors, and new additions competing for roster spots. “Niagara Parks is incredibly proud to enter into this three-year partnership with the Niagara River Lions, an organization that reflects the same passion, excellence, and community spirit that defines our region,” said Niagara Parks Chair Graham Coveney. “This partnership is an exciting opportunity to celebrate local pride, support professional sport in Niagara, and connect with residents and visitors in new and meaningful ways. We look forward to working together to showcase the very best of Niagara on and off the court.” The River Lions, entering their 11th season, continue to strengthen strategic partnerships that enhance the fan experience and amplify regional pride. The addition of Niagara Parks to the jersey platform reinforces the team’s commitment to aligning with organizations that reflect the values and vision of Niagara. “Niagara Parks is such an important part of this region, and partnering with an organization that shares our commitment to community and excellence makes this collaboration incredibly meaningful.” said Jeff Joseph, Corporate Partnerships Manager, Niagara River Lions. Over the course of the three-year term, the partnership will extend beyond jersey visibility to include collaborative marketing and community initiatives designed to showcase the best of Niagara. Together with Niagara Parks, the River Lions look forward to building on the region’s strong sense of community and creating new moments that bring fans closer to the team and the destination they proudly represent. The Niagara River Lions are one of the founding franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and the league’s reigning back-to-back champions (2024 & 2025). Competing out of the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, from May to August each season, the River Lions proudly represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region, uniting fans through passion, pride, and purpose. Entering their second decade, the River Lions have earned a reputation for championship-caliber performance and community impact, embodying the strength and spirit of Niagara both on and off the court. For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on Instagram , Facebook , TikTok , & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X . ### Niagara Parks Media Contact: Chris Giles, Director, Sales, Marketing and Communications cgiles@niagaraparks.com  ### Media Contact: Cole Meyering Communications Coordinator communications@riverlions.ca