Juggy has eye on the prize
Jahvon (Juggy) Blair couldn’t wait to return to the Niagara River Lions for his second season with the Canadian Elite Basketball League club.
“I came back to win,” the 26-year-old Oakville native said. “We came up short last year (lost in semifinals) and I wanted to run it back. I talked to coach Vic (Raso) and I love the coaching staff, I love my teammates and I love playing for this organization. I wanted to get back to the Final Four and make things happen.”
Some players suit up in the CEBL with the main goal of staying in shape for their overseas seasons but that is not the case for Blair and the River Lions.
“We take every game seriously and we go game by game, quarter by quarter and possession by possession just trying to make sure that we play the right way and playing our brand of basketball,” said Blair, who played his collegiate ball at Georgetown. “I think we did that tonight (Thursday in a win over Calgary).”
The 6-foot-4 guard, who as a teenager was named the most valuable player of the Jordan Brand Class and the BioSteel All-Canadian game, is a big part of the River Lions’ offence. He averaged 15.3 points per game with the team last season and this year is leading the team in scoring with 17.1 points per game. He is also averaging 3.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 2024.
“He is an explosive basketball player and when he tries really hard on defensive rebounds, he’s a very good basketball player,” Raso said. “He has been outstanding this year but he had a very bad road trip and I made fun of him for it in there (dressing room). He couldn’t make a shot out west and here at home he couldn’t miss. We have a great relationship and he trusts me a lot. I trust in what he can do and I let him do his thing”
Blair agrees he had a rough road trip but he went off Thursday night in a win against Calgary, netting 25 points.
“The past three games on the road, I wasn’t happy with how I was shooting. I always tell myself to stay consistent and the past three games I wasn’t. I wanted to make sure I bounced back and tonight (Thursday) I played a good game. I just have to keep it going.”
Blair has no idea on what night he is going to shoot lights out.
“I just go with the flow and with whatever comes. I don’t think about it too much in the game. If I hit my first two or three shots, I think it might be one of those games and if not, I just do what I have to do to help the team win.”
Blair started his pro career in 2021 in Greece and this past season suited up for Ostioneros de Guaymas in the Pacific Coast Basketball Circuit in Mexico. He was named a league all-star after averaging 17.3 points per game.
He feels he is a good place in his pro career but knows there is always room to get better.
“There is no end goal and I can keep getting better every time I practise or go out and play. I am trying to be the best version of myself and continue to be great.”
Blair knows he has to keep improving to be successful.
“If you don’t believe that, there’s no point in lacing those shoes up.”
Blair and the River Lions are back in action Saturday when they host Ottawa at 7 p.m.
Visit www.riverlions.ca/tickets for more information.
