Blair a perfect fit for River Lions
One of the first moves Niagara River Lions coach/general manager Victor Raso made during the off season was to bring in guard Jahvon Blair.
“I’ve watched him for a couple of years and there was mutual interest to have him here this year,” Raso said. “He’s just everything you want. He’s a terrific kid, he’s athletic for his position, strong, takes care of his body, is passionate about the game, is a great teammate who has an infectious personality, and he’s a really good basketball player.
“Adding young Canadians of Jahvon’s caliber to our program is something that we constantly strive to do, and we are thrilled that we can help in his development.”
High praise, but so far Blair has more than lived up to his billing.
The 25-year-old Brampton native poured in 14 points while adding 10 rebounds and four assists as the River Lions topped the Scarborough Shooting Stars 99-71 in Canadian Elite Basketball League action Thursday night in St. Catharines.
In five games this season, Blair is leading the River Lions in scoring, averaging 14.6 points per game to go along with 6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per contest.
“He’s been awesome. He’s been incredibly good for us,” Raso added.
Blair was thrilled to join the River Lions.
“I like his (Raso) plan and I like the way they do things here,” Blair said. “He opened up with open arms letting me play free and play my game and I’m close to home too.”
Blair appreciates Raso’s confidence in him.
“Some coaches have their coaching ways but I don’t want to harp on that or ruin it,” Blair said. “Coach Vic is letting me be me. That’s all I can ask is to get an opportunity.
“I’m just grateful.”
Blair feels he is at his best when he feels comfortable to freelance.
“Transitioning, making everybody freeze, making plays and coming off ball screens and just picking it apart,” Blair said when asked for his strengths. “Honestly, if I have the freedom to do that, I’m going to be pretty much unstoppable.”
Blair has benefitted from the return of 2022 CEBL most valuable player Khalil Ahmed, who was away for the first three games of the season.
“He’s much more comfortable when he’s not having to be the full-time 1 (point guard),” Raso said. “I’d like to use him as my off-guard to start and if we have to use him as the point guard we can do it. Juggy (Blair) has the ball in his hands at half court anyway but he’s better to sprint up the floor ready to shoot or be a receiver of the ball instead of always having it.”
With so many offensive weapons on the roster, Blair feels it is vital to get the ball into the hands of whoever is on their game.
“When someone is hot, just keep feeding them,” he said. “Who cares who scores? If we get that win, we should be happy that we won. That’s all we care about.”
Prior to his professional career, Blair spent four seasons with Georgetown University, where he was named to the Big East all-freshman team after the 2017-18 season. In his senior year, Blair had his most successful statistical season leading the team in scoring with 15.4 points per game and averaging 3.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Blair helped the Hoyas to the Big East tournament title and Georgetown’s first NCAA tournament berth since 2015.
Blair signed his first professional contract with Lavrio of the Greek Basket League and then later that season signed with KTP Basket of the Finnish Korisliiga, where he averaged 11.3 points, 5.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds.
During the 2022 CEBL season, Blair played 16 games for the Newfoundland Growlers where he averaged 11.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.
Blair is thrilled to ply his trade in the CEBL while still keeping his NBA dream alive.
“Every year I feel this league is getting better with an extra team, TSN, Canada Basketball sponsorship. This is bigger than just Canada,” he said. “I think this can help a lot of players move up to wherever they want to go.
“The NBA is always the goal, but if overseas calls or D League calls, I’m open to do anything. I just want to have fun and play basketball. I’ve been playing since four and NBA is always top goal, but the good thing about basketball is there are different leagues and different ways to have fun.”
Ahmed and Edward Ekiyor paced Niagara Thursday with 17 each while EJ Onu added 14 and Patrick Whelan 13.
The River Lions, 2-3, are home to the Vancouver Bandits, 1-3, Saturday at 7 p.m.
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