RECENT NEWS
March 7, 2025
St. Catharines, ON - The Niagara River Lions today announced the re-signing of 6’1 Canadian guard Kimbal Mackenzie for the upcoming 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. The 28-year-old Oakville, Ontario native is returning to the River Lions after captaining the team to a 2024 CEBL championship, where he averaged 6.2 points and 1.9 assists in 13.8 minutes per game. Mackenzie joins Jahvon Blair and Nathan Cayo as the third key returnee for the River Lions heading into the 2025 campaign. “Bringing Kimbal back for the 2025 season was incredibly important for our team. He has been the leader of the locker room, and has been excellent on the court,” said Head Coach and General Manager, Victor Raso. “He has a rare ability to make those around him better on a constant basis. He is a proven leader and winner, and we're thrilled to have him back again!" Mackenzie spent his collegiate career at Bucknell University , where he made his mark as a leader, starting 89 out of 122 games and finishing as the 18th all-time scorer in program history with 1,330 career points. As a senior, he averaged 17.6 points and 3 assists per game. Mackenzie first played in the CEBL with the Guelph Nighthawks (now Calgary Surge ), then spent a season in Spain where he played on a one year contract for the LEB Gold League’s Huesca team from 2020- 2021 before eventually becoming part of the River Lions in 2023. Mackenzie spent three international seasons as a standout player for the Leicester Riders of the British Basketball League (BBL). He also captained the Riders in 2023 and earned a spot on the 24-man Great Britain National Team for the Eurobasket Qualifiers . In his last season with the Riders, he averaged 13.2 points and 5.2 assists in 27.3 minutes per game. After winning the 2024 CEBL Championship, Mackenzie took on the role of interim Head Coach at Niagara College for the Knights women’s basketball program where he led the team to a 14-2 record. Mackenzie shared his excitement about returning to the River Lions, “Niagara is where I want to be. I'm eager to get our title defence started, and to continue our winning ways.” said Mackenzie. “I can't wait to be back in the Meridian Centre playing in front of the best fans in the league!" 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. ### Media Contact: Mya Hastings Social Media & Marketing Coordinator mhastings@riverlions.ca
March 6, 2025
2025 CEBL on TSN and RDS broadcast schedules revealed Thursday
February 28, 2025
St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions are excited to announce a major transformation to the seating layout inside the Meridian Centre for the team’s 10th anniversary season in 2025. Since the inaugural 2015-16 season, the River Lions' court has been positioned in a "horseshoe shape," pushed toward one end of the venue. However, as part of the celebration of a decade of basketball excellence in Niagara and a 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Championship, the team will be centering the court to create an enhanced game-day experience for fans. “This is a monumental change that we believe will elevate the energy inside the Meridian Centre and provide fans with a better overall experience,” said team President, Michelle Biskup. “By centering the court, we can open up additional seating sections, ensuring that more of our incredible supporters can enjoy the action from prime vantage points.” The new seating arrangement will offer improved sightlines, greater accessibility, and a more immersive atmosphere, reinforcing the River Lions' commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment both on and off the court. The change aligns with the team’s vision to continue growing basketball culture in the Niagara region while celebrating this milestone season in style.  Season tickets, voucher packs and group tickets for the 10th anniversary campaign are now available, with single game tickets coming March 5th. More details on special anniversary celebrations will be announced in the coming weeks. 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. 2025 Niagara River Lions Seat Map:
February 27, 2025
St. Catharines, ON - Today the Niagara River Lions announced the re-signing of 6’7 Canadian forward Nathan Cayo for the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. The 27-year-old from Montreal, Quebec will return to the team for his second year after an outstanding 2024 championship run with the River Lions. Cayo is currently playing for the Manchester Giants of the Super League Basketball (SLB) averaging an impressive 16.1 points, 5.9 rebounds , and 2.2 assists in 32.5 minutes. “We are thrilled to have Nathan back. Nathan broke out last season as one of the best forwards in the CEBL, and he was a massive part of our championship season", noted Head Coach and General Manager, Victor Raso. "We have sky high expectations for him this summer, and we are incredibly proud that he chose to come back to Niagara for the 2025 season!” Cayo is now the second of two returning players from last season, following the announcement of Jahvon Blair's re-signing to the River Lions last week. Cayo played basketball at the collegiate level attending the University of Richmond , where he averaged 8.9 points, 1.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 155 games over his 5-year tenure with the Richmond Spiders. Cayo ranked 4th all-time in field goal percentage for the Spiders, shooting an impressive 55.2%. Cayo helped the Spiders qualify for the 2021-2022 March Madness Tournament where he scored 15 points in a win over the University of Iowa to help reach the second round. In his first season with the River Lions, Cayo averaged 13.6 points and 4.1 rebounds, starting 20 of 23 games. He elevated his play during the playoffs, where he averaged 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks to help secure the CEBL title in front of family and friends in his hometown of Montreal. Cayo began his CEBL journey with the Montreal Alliance in 2022 where he played for two seasons. Aside from his experience in the CEBL, Cayo spent time with Astoria Bydgiszcz in Poland’s first division Polish Basketball League and the Ontario Clippers of the G-League. Cayo quickly became a fan favorite in Niagara, delivering standout performances including his season-high 25 points and 8 rebounds in the CEBL championship game against the Vancouver Bandits . "My family and I are so blessed and excited to come back to Niagara,” said Cayo. “Last summer was one for the books and I can't wait to run it back with my brothers, in front of the best fans in the league. I'm grateful for the opportunity and excited to get back to work soon to compete for a back-to-back championship. Go River Lions!" 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. Media Contact: Mya Hastings Social Media & Marketing Coordinator mhastings@riverlions.ca
February 24, 2025
St. Catharines, ON – The River Lions are proud to announce that Head Coach and General Manager, Victor Raso has signed a three-year contract extension, solidifying his future with the team through the 2027 season. Raso first joined the River Lions organization in 2017 when he began as Lead Assistant Coach before taking over as Head Coach and General Manager for the Canadian Elite Basketball League 's (CEBL) inaugural 2019 season. Raso has been instrumental in shaping the team’s identity, driving its competitive success, and ensuring that Niagara is the preeminent basketball destination for professional players looking to develop and further their careers over the spring and summer months. As the longest tenured Head Coach in CEBL history, Raso has a track record of success with a regular season record of 66-32 and playoff record of 5-5, amounting to the most wins (regular season and overall) and second-best win percentage of all time amongst CEBL coaches. The 2019 CEBL Coach of the Year has led Niagara to be the only CEBL team to appear at every Championship Weekend and helped the team to an impressive 11-0 perfect home record before winning the CEBL Championship in 2024. “Victor embodies everything we stand for as an organization – professionalism, passion, dedication and a relentless drive to succeed,” said President, Michelle Biskup. “We couldn’t be prouder of his achievements, and we’re excited to continue building a championship calibre team under his leadership for years to come.” In Raso’s six years as bench boss, several players have earned CEBL Awards including three Defensive Player of the Year awards, two Clutch Player of the Year awards and one recipient each for Player of the Year, Canadian Player of the Year, U SPORTS Player of the Year and 6th Man of the Year. “I'm incredibly grateful to continue leading the Niagara River Lions as Head Coach and General Manager for the next three years,” said Raso. “This organization, our players, and our incredible fans mean everything to me, and I am thrilled to keep leading our team into the future.” Coupled with the contract extension news, St. Catharines City Council will award Raso the 2024 St. Catharines Sportsperson of the Year this evening, recognizing his outstanding contribution to the local sports community and his leadership within the River Lions organization. This prestigious honor celebrates Raso’s impact both on and off the court, guiding the River Lions to the 2024 championship while fostering a culture of excellence, community engagement, and player development. His commitment to growing the game and strengthening the connection between the team and the St. Catharines community has made him a true leader in the Niagara Region. During the CEBL off-season Raso is the Head Coach for the Ridley College boys prep basketball team, who currently sits first in the Ontario Basketball Scholastic Association (OBSA) west division with a record of 9-3. Prior to joining the River Lions organization, Raso gained experience both playing and coaching for Canada’s top university basketball program. He won back-to-back CIS national titles in 2013 and 2014 as captain with Carleton University before taking on the role of Assistant Coach for the Ravens, where he earned his third championship title alongside Canadian U SPORTS legend, Dave Smart. 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. ### Media Contact: Mya Hastings Social Media & Marketing Coordinator mhastings@riverlions.ca
February 20, 2025
St. Catharines, ON - The Niagara River Lions today announced the re-signing of 6’4 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. Media Contact: Michelle Biskup mbiskup@riverlions.ca
January 27, 2025
St. Catharines, ON - The Niagara River Lions announced today “Breakfast with Dunkin & Friends,” which will take place over the upcoming Family Day weekend. The breakfast, set to take place on Saturday February 15th from 9:00am - 11:00am at Merritton Legion (2 Chestnut St E, St. Catharines) will include appearances from local mascots as well as family friendly activities throughout the morning. Along with breakfast, attendees will enjoy face painting, colouring, a photo booth provided by Pic Booth , and the opportunity to meet multiple mascots including the host of the day, Dunkin the River Lion. The full mascot lineup will be announced at a later date. Additionally, children aged 13 years or under will receive a complimentary swag bag upon entry. The event will aim to bring together fans and celebrate a sense of community in the spirit of Family Day weekend. Tickets for the general public are $10 per person and $5 per person for River Lions Season Ticket holders. All ticket sales will be donated to the ‘Stubs for Cubs’ initiative which provides hundreds of underprivileged children and families the ability to attend a River Lions game who would not otherwise have the opportunity to do so. Those interested in attending can register here. In keeping with the spirit of community, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 138 Merritton is generously opening its doors and providing their venue to host this family-oriented event. The Legion’s community-focused environment is the perfect setting for an event aimed at bringing together families, River Lions fans, and local residents in celebration of Family Day weekend. The Niagara River Lions, 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Champions 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 and voucher packs are on sale now. Visit www.riverlions.ca/tickets for more information.
December 4, 2024
St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday it’s 24-game 2025 season schedule presented by Crime Stoppers Niagara. The River Lions will defend their 2024 Championship starting with the home and season opener on Friday May 16th versus the Calgary Surge, before going on a three-game road trip including a visit to the Vancouver Bandits for a championship rematch on Thursday, May 22nd.  The expectations are high for the River Lions, coming off their most successful season, where the organization set a new CEBL record with a perfect 11-0 home record at the Meridian Centre, and captured their first CEBL Championship by defeating the Vancouver Bandits 97-95, in what some have claimed to be the greatest CEBL playoff game in history. “The release of the 2025 schedule is an exciting moment for our team and the entire Niagara community. Last season’s championship was a testament to the energy and passion of our fans, and we can’t wait to bring that same excitement back to the Meridian Centre.,” said Michelle Biskup, President of the team. “As we enter our 10th anniversary season, every game will be a celebration of what we’ve achieved and a reminder of the hard work ahead.” The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced earlier this year that the league would expand its regular season to a 24-game format in 2025, increasing from 100 to 120 total regular season games. As a result, the season will start approximately one week earlier in May and end two weeks later August. The 2025 Playoffs are scheduled to begin Thursday August 14th with the Conference Play-In games, followed by the Conference Semifinals on Saturday August 16th. The winners will advance to CW25 from August 22-24th to join the Winnipeg Sea Bears (host team) and the top ranked team from the Eastern Conference who are automatically seeded into the Conference Finals. Championship Weekend will take place in Winnipeg from August 22-24 where host Winnipeg, along with the top-ranked team from the Eastern Conference, will automatically be seeded into the semifinals hosted at Championship Weekend. The 2025 broadcast schedule with all nationally televised games on TSN will be announced at a later date. All games, including playoffs, will be streamed live on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ Powered by BetVictor, on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices), and on TSN+. Highlights of the Niagara River Lions schedule include: Home Opener on May 16th at 7:00PM at the Meridian Centre A total of 24 regular-season games during the 14-week Campaign Twelve home games at Meridian Centre; twelve away games Seven Friday, two Thursday and one Wednesday home games Two Sunday afternoon home games One home, school day game on Friday June 20th at 11:00am A four home-game stand starting May 28th against all previous CEBL Champions - Saskatchewan Rattlers (2019), Scarborough Shooting Stars (2023), Brampton Honey Badgers (2022), and Edmonton Stingers (2020, 2021). Final home game at Meridian Centre is Thursday, July 31st versus Ottawa Blackjacks. Four-game road trip to Scarborough, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Calgary to finish the regular season Niagara River Lions season tickets and voucher packs are on sale now. Group tickets and single game tickets will be available in the coming months. Ticket information can be found at www.riverlions.ca/tickets or 289-273-5905. 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. Twenty-two 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 & YouTube. For full schedule details visit www.riverlions.ca/schedule
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