River Lions add Canadian guard
The Niagara River Lions added depth to their backcourt, signing 6-foot-1 Canadian guard Elijah Mitrou-Long.
The 25-year-old Mississauga native will join the team for the 2022 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season after playing for the Apollon Patras in Greece’s HEBA A1 League.
“Eli is a fearless competitor with great work ethic,” River Lions head of basketball operations and co-general manager Antwi Atuahene said. “He has the ability to make plays and score in bunches. We are looking forward to getting Eli in a River Lions uniform this summer.”
Mitrou-Long began his collegiate career in the NCAA with the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers, where during his sophomore season he averaged 15.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists resulting in multiple honours including All-Northeast Conference (NEC) First Team. He scored 22 points in the NEC championships earning him the tournament most valuable player award.
After two years with the Mountaineers, Mitrou-Long transferred to the University of Texas, and then went on to the University of Nevada Las Vegas for his senior year averaging 12.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
Mitrou-Long signed his first professional contract with PAOK of the Greek Basket League and went on to play with Levski Sofia in Bulgaria where he averaged 14 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. He made his return to Greece for the 2022 season with Apollon Patras.
Mitrou-Long becomes the seventh Canadian on the roster alongside Daniel Waldin-Mullings, Jake Babic, Jaylen Babb-Harrison, Olu Ashaolu, Phil Scrubb and Alonzo Walker.
“It’s been a long journey and I am excited to see what God has in store for me with this opportunity with the Niagara River Lions,” Mitrou-Long said. “Another chapter in my book and I am looking forward to getting to work with this organization.”
Niagara training camp concludes Monday and the team will fly to Saskatchewan Tuesday and open the season Wednesday.
The River Lions home opener against the expansion Montreal Alliance will be played June 3 at 7 p.m. at the Meridian Centre. Season tickets, voucher packs, marquee matchup packs, group tickets, and single game tickets are on sale now. Visit www.riverlions.ca/tickets for more information.
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