River Lions Sign Senior Mens National Team Member and Five Time U SPORTS Champion Phil Scrubb
St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of Senior Mens National Team Member and five-time U SPORTS champion, Phil Scrubb for the 2021 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. The 28-year-old, Richmond, British Columbia native is currently playing for the Limoges of the France-Jeep Elite Pro A, the top tier league in France where he is averaging 12.3 points, 4.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds in 22 games played.
“Phil is a difference maker for us and being able to bring him into the River Lions is a big organizational achievement,” said Head Coach and General Manager, Victor Raso. “Phil has built an impressive career in Europe, playing and winning in a handful of the top leagues and earning a reputation as one of the top Canadians playing abroad. As a veteran Canadian guard at the peak of his game, Phil is going to make our team better with this decision making, shot making, and competitiveness. We're excited to welcome Phil to the River Lions!”
The 6’3 guard played for five years at Carleton University under Dave Smart who was recently announced as Executive Coach and Regional Scout for the Niagara River Lions. As one of the most accomplished players in U SPORTS history, Scrubb averaged 19.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 30.6 minutes in 105 university games. He was a four-time First Team All-Canadian and CIS (U SPORTS) Rookie of the Year. During the 2013-14 season, he was named the Athlete of the Year and earned his third consecutive Mike Moser Memorial Trophy as CIS MVP.
After graduating in 2015, Scrubb won the NBA Summer League in Orlando with the Memphis Grizzlies. Later that summer he suited up for the Senior Men’s National team which was just the start of the many appearances representing Canada including the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship, the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila, the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifier and World Cup in China, and most recently the FIBA AmeriCup 2022 Qualifiers.
Scrubb brings a brings a wealth of international and professional experience having played in top leagues in Spain, Russia, Germany, and Greece. This past summer, Scrubb suited up for two games with the Ottawa Blackjacks for the 2020 CEBL Summer Series.
“I’m excited to join the River Lions this summer,” said Scrubb. “I know the team already has a lot of great players and a great culture, so I am looking forward to getting on the court with everyone.”
The CEBL is preparing for its third season in 2021 following the success of the 2020 CEBL Summer Series hosted in St. Catharines, which saw a record 1.2 million viewers across Canada tune in to four days of live programming on CBC.
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Michelle Biskup, Vice President, Operations