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

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.

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

 St. Catharines, Ontario – The Niagara River Lions are proud to announce the return of their annual School Day Game as part of their 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) schedule. The game will take place on Friday June 20, 2025, at 11:00am at the Meridian Centre in downtown, St. Catharines. The opponent will be revealed at a later date. This event aims to connect the classroom with the basketball court, promoting healthy and active living, as well as the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and community. 2025 will mark the third consecutive season that the River Lions will host a School Day Game, bringing nearly 4,000 students from across the Niagara Region to experience River Lions basketball—many for the first time. In line with past years, the event will feature a variety of activities and performances, providing numerous opportunities for students to get involved and engage with the game day experience. "Hosting a school day game has been an incredible success for our organization. The energy in the arena is unmatched, and seeing thousands of students engaged, inspired, and cheering together make it a truly unforgettable experience”. said River Lions President, Michelle Biskup “It’s not just about basketball—it’s about creating a positive impact in the community and giving these young fans a day to remember. This event proves the power of sports to bring people together and inspire the next generation." The River Lions are calling on local businesses to support the game through the ‘Adopt a School’ program, which provides students who may otherwise be unable to attend due to financial constraints with the opportunity to experience a professional basketball game with their peers. For ticketing information, please contact Mitchell Lyons at 289-273-5905 or mlyons@riverlions.ca. ## Media Contact: Matthew Johnston Vice President, Operations mjohnston@riverlions.ca

Award-winning Canadian entrepreneur becomes co-owner of the league, with the goal of growing the business of basketball in Canada The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that Drew Green , an award-winning CEO, entrepreneur, and expert in launching and managing innovative high-growth companies, has been appointed as the first-ever Chair of the CEBL Board of Governors. Green has also become a co-owner of the league. A visionary leader and accomplished entrepreneur, Green’s role as Chair will include instituting new formal governance at a Board level, working alongside the team to attract strategic investors, partners and international relationships for the league, and advise the commissioner and team owners on league business matters. “Being able to attract an experienced and highly accomplished leader like Drew Green is an incredible win for the CEBL and for Canadian basketball,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner & Co-Founder of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. “Drew’s business success speaks for itself and his passion for the game mimics all involved in making the CEBL a homegrown and global success. His investment into the league demonstrates his strong belief of our bright future and recognizes the foundation that has been built during our formative years. Personally, I look forward to getting right to work with Drew on the next stage of the CEBL and the growth of our game.” Green currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of INDOCHINO, one of Canada’s fastest-growing apparel brands, globally. Between 2014-24, INDOCHINO has secured over $100M in strategic capital commitments from major firms like Madrona Venture Partners, Highland Consumer, Dayang Group, Mitsui & Co. and Postmedia Network, expanding the company to 145 retail locations across Canada and the United States and has served customers in over 50 countries. In addition, he has procured partnerships with hundreds of celebrities and professional athletes for INDOCHINO, along with MLB, NHL, NBA and NFL teams. Drew’s family office DREWGREEN INC. has empowered dozens of entrepreneurs and 100’s of companies across Canada and the US, in industries ranging from Fintech, Edtech, eCommerce, through to Real Estate. A full business profile and list of Green’s accolades can be found HERE and HERE . “Anyone that has been paying attention knows the CEBL is a rapidly growing and vibrant brand with boundless potential that has made great strides in a very short period of time,” said Green. “It is truly a league built by Canadians, for Canadians, and this resonates with my family – the epitome of a basketball family in Canada. We are basketball players, the sport is near and dear to our hearts, and we are fans of the CEBL. The league has been a catapult for the growth of the sport in our country, and I can’t wait to help lift basketball in Canada to new heights.” Drew and his wife Andrea Dayco are basketball parents through and through. Their sons Liam (18) and Aidan (16) Dayco-Green are two of the top U19 prospects in Canada, and both represented by Tandem Sports and Entertainment Agency and NBA agent Elias Sbiet. Liam plays NCAA D1 at Florida Atlantic University for NCAA National Championship winner John Jakus, and Aidan is at Montverde Academy playing for legendary coach Kevin Boyle. Canada Basketball invited Aidan to its U17 camp at 15 in 2024, with Liam being invited to its U23 camp in 2025. For many years, the family has awarded annual scholarships to student athletes (basketball) at York University and University of British Columbia. The CEBL, Canada’s largest professional sports league with 10 teams in six provinces, will embark on its seventh season next summer after again posting record growth numbers across the business in 2024. More than 4.2 million fans now follow the CEBL in Canada and internationally, culminating in over 9.6 million social media views this year. Since 2022, the CEBL has seen an unprecedented 89% increase in league-wide attendance and a 97% increase in overall broadcast viewership. All games are available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and TSN+ , and in 2024, more than 50 CEBL games were broadcast live nationally on TSN , Canada’s Sports Leader, and Game+ , with an additional eight games in French on RDS . The league has also developed numerous significant partnerships in just six short years, including meaningful relationships with Canada Basketball, U SPORTS and iconic brands like Spalding and New Era. - CEBL - 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. 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 . Media Contact : Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations Canadian Elite Basketball League (905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Champions of the CEBL jungle at long last, the Niagara River Lions should sleep soundly tonight. The River Lions beat the Vancouver Bandits in dramatic fashion, 97-95, to hoist the championship trophy on Sunday at Montreal’s Verdun Auditorium. And yes, the team’s champagne-soaked celebration included a player rendition of The Tokens’ famous song The Lion Sleeps Tonight. “I can’t even put it into words,” said Khalil Ahmad, who scored the CEBL Championship Final-winning basket. “This is my third summer here trying to get a chip and we finally got it done.” But while the game ended with a celebratory howl for Niagara, the Bandits just as nearly stole the victory. Niagara led 87-77 at the start of Target Score Time, but Vancouver slowly chipped away by winning rebound battles and watching a tired River Lions squad consistently settle for three-pointers. Eventually, Niagara’s lead was whittled to two points at 94-92. With the River Lions in possession, Raso put the ball in the hands of two-time Clutch Player of the Year Khalil Ahmad, who drove to the net and got fouled, putting his team two free throws away from glory. Ahmad made the first but missed the second. “I can’t believe he missed the free throw,” head coach Victor Raso said. “I’ve never seen him miss a free throw like that, I don’t think ever. And then he just followed that up the next possession.” In a seeming flash, Vancouver secured the rebound, came back down the court and tied the game at 95 courtesy of a Koby McEwen three-pointer — leaving both teams within a basket of the championship. But that was as close as the Bandits would get. Ahmad won the championship when he beat two defenders down the lane and rattled home a floater. “That’s the biggest bucket of my life for sure. To get a chip like that on the third [season with Niagara], that’s the biggest bucket of my life. I can’t even put it into words,” Ahmad said. Mitch Creek, who led the Bandits with 26 points, said his team put itself behind the eight-ball with a slow third quarter. “When you put yourselves in a position to have to fight back, it’s really hard to repeatedly do that. We almost got lucky twice,” said Creek, whose Bandits survived a roller-coaster semifinal against Calgary. “Some of us might have to go to the casino and roll a few dice tonight and try to win back some of the emotions. Creek said the Vancouver locker room was silent for 10 minutes after the game before head coach Kyle Julius said something he would not share. “We go back to the hotel now and regroup, have a few beers, pat each other on the ass one more time and fly back to Vancouver and everyone goes on their own way,” Creek said. One of the league’s Original Six teams, the River Lions were the model of consistency, making the playoffs in every season. The flip side of that is they soon become known as the team which couldn’t get it done when it counted most. No longer. “This organization has been elite in the CEBL, but we never had the validation of a championship,” head coach Victor Raso said. “We just needed this as an organization.” While Ahmad, who scored 23 points, played hero, the River Lions’ victory was the result of a full team effort. Omari Moore stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Aaryn Rai contributed 15 points and seven rebounds while leading the team with a plus-11 mark. Team captain Kimbal Mackenzie, the emotional leader of the team, added four points to reach 500 for his CEBL career. In the midst of the on-court celebration, Moore almost seemed surprised at his emotions. “It means something,” he bellowed. Rai was sure to locate his parents amid the chaos, giving them each a big hug. But it was perhaps Montreal native Nathan Cayo, playing in front of friends and family, who made the biggest impact, leading the team with 25 points while also adding eight rebounds and four assists. “It feels amazing. To have all my family here is a blessing. I’m just grateful,” Cayo said. For Vancouver, which won the West with a 14-6 record, it was not the end to their season they’d envisioned when arriving in Montreal earlier this week. League MVP Tazé Moore was held to just six points on 2-for-11 shooting. More damningly, the man who led the league with 7.3 assists per game in the regular season was held without a single helper in the one that mattered most. Creek also chipped in 13 rebounds, while McEwen scored 20 points and big man Nick Ward added 13 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Creek said the loss was “sad, hard and tough.” “You do so much and if you don’t feel emotion after a loss in the championship game it means you haven’t really done the work and put in the time and effort,” he said. “You sit with it for a little bit. You sit and watch on court. You watch them cheer and chant and carry on like a pack of idiots just like we would as Bandits. You almost enjoy watching someone else win because you know at some point you’re going to get that opportunity.” An exciting first half saw the teams trade leads throughout. The Bandits built a five-point edge in the first quarter, only for the River Lions to roar back and go up 23-20 when the buzzer sounded on the frame. Niagara kept it rolling early in the second and led by as many as eight, but Vancouver punched back with a 14-2 run. A late Duane Notice three-pointer sent the Bandits into halftime with a 46-44 advantage. Notably, Tazé Moore struggled through the first 20 minutes, managing just two points and taking his frustrations out in an unsportsmanlike foul against Niagara’s Moore. After halftime, the River Lions slowly started to take control. An 11-0 run powered them to what was then a game-high 12-point lead, and the East champions carried a 71-62 advantage into the fourth quarter. Tension built when the clock turned off and the game began featuring plenty of stoppages for timeouts and reviews. For a few moments, it seemed as though the Bandits would pull off the biggest Target Score Time comeback in CEBL playoff history. Instead, the River Lions roared to their long-awaited championship. - CEBL - 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 10 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. Fourteen 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 .

A first-time CEBL champion will be crowned on Sunday. In a battle of the regular season’s top teams, the Niagara River Lions (14-6) and Vancouver Bandits (14-6) will square off in the 2024 CEBL Championship Final at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT at Verdun Auditorium in Montreal. Broadcast coverage of the game is available on TSN, RDS and Next Level Sports & Entertainment, while you can live stream the contest on CEBL+, TSN+, Courtside 1891, RDS.ca and the RDS app. The River Lions and Bandits, who were then known as Fraser Valley, are two of the league’s original six teams from the inaugural 2019 campaign. But neither has climbed the championship mountain. Niagara’s come agonizingly close, reaching the playoffs every year and making a Finals appearance in 2021. Similarly, Vancouver has only missed the post-season once, in its first season, and also made one Finals run in 2020. The parallels don’t end there. Both teams lost their lone Finals games to Xavier Moon-led Edmonton Stingers squads. And both survived intense semifinals battles just to get to their second. The River Lions, despite drawing an easy matchup in the 6-14 Montreal Alliance on paper, were forced to deal with a raucous crowd and a feisty defence, which led to 27 missed three-pointers and 11 bricked free throws. But like he has so many times in the past, two-time Clutch Player of the Year Khalil Ahmad scored Niagara’s final six points to snatch a 78-75 victory from the jaws of defeat. The West final was more offensively minded as the Bandits and Calgary Surge traded blows for 36 minutes. But scoring dried up during Target Score Time, and both teams had multiple chances to win it before a Zach Copeland triple finally ended the proceedings with an 89-87 Bandits victory. River Lions head coach Victor Raso said he likes how it all shook out for his side. “Vancouver survived a game because a guy missed an open layup. We had to survive the worst shooting performance of the year, and we just survived an incredible Ottawa team [in the East semifinal]. I like where we’re at,” Raso said. Despite the River Lions’ shooting woes, the Finals present a fascinating offensive battle between the league’s top-two regular-season scoring teams. The Bandits just barely outscored the River Lions 94.7 to 94.1 points per game, and the West side also held a slight shooting edge at 46.3 per cent to 46.1 per cent. Niagara, though, will be without starting guard Jahvon Blair, its second-leading scorer who returned to his professional team in France. On the other side, the Bandits seemed re-energized by the late-season arrival of Australian big man Mitch Creek, who scored 25.8 points per game in six regular-season contests and added a franchise playoff record 27 points against the Surge. The teams’ lone matchup of the season came on Canada Day, when a Tazé Moore triple-double powered a 10-83 blowout victory for the Bandits. Moore went on to win MVP, while head coach Kyle Julius took top coaching honours and Koby McEwen was named Canadian Player of the Year. The River Lions earned just one individual accolade, a Sixth Man of the Year nod for forward Aaryn Rai. But none of that matters now, as one team will spend Sunday night celebrating with the championship trophy. Milestone watch Niagara’s Kimbal Mackenzie is four points away from 500 for his career, including playoffs Niagara’s Ahmad is 18 points away from 300 this season Niagara’s Nathan Cayo is 13 points away from 300 this season Vancouver’s Duane Notice is one steal away from 50 for his career, including playoffs Vancouver’s Nick Ward is six points away from 350 this season - CEBL - 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 10 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. Fourteen 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 .