Cayo returns to River Lions
Another piece of the championship puzzle is returning to Niagara.
Niagara River Lions head coach and general manager Victor Raso is thrilled to have 27-year-old Montreal native Nathan Cayo signed for another Canadian Elite Basketball League season.
“Getting Nathan back is massive. I think Nathan is one of the best forwards in the CEBL and he proved it last year. I always thought that the way that he played fit the role of a four man that I have always coveted,” he said. “Last year, his strengths and how I wanted him to play on the floor matched really well and he was excellent.”
Raso knew he was getting a skilled and tough player but didn’t realize how confident Cayo was as a player.
“Not many guys want the ball at the end of the game. He wants to be the guy to make the big play and he kind of craves that. I leaned that about him relatively early in the year and he kept showing that over and over and over.”
Cayo was one of a number of players that wanted the ball in their hands at the end of the game.
“That’s what made us very good last year was that we had so many guys who could make the play at the end of the game and who earned each other’s trust to be able to make the play. I think Nathan had two or three game-winners last year.”
With the River Lions, the former University of Richmond scholarship player averaged 13.6 points and 4.1 rebounds while starting 20 regular season games. In the playoffs, he averaged 19 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks.
Cayo spent two seasons in the CEBL with the Montreal Alliance and was a hot commodity last year as a free agent.
“He had 25 points, eight rebounds and four assists in the championship game and as a Canadian that is incredibly, incredibly valuable. I am happy to get Nathan back and happy he enjoyed his time so much,” Raso said. “His young family became an integral part of our community.”
Cayo’s wife, Eva, was at every hone game with the couple’s one-year-old son, Lucas. She could be heard shouting encouragement to her husband and his teammates from her seat behind the basket Niagara shot on in the first half.
“They were awesome and they loved being in Thorold. They were great member of our extended family,” Raso said. “It was a great partnership last year and I am glad that we get to keep doing it.”
Cayo is now playing for the Manchester Giants of the Super League Basketball, the top league in Britain, and is averaging an impressive 16.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 32.5 minutes of playing time as of last week.
“My family and I are so blessed and excited to come back to Niagara,” Cayo told the River Lions website. “Last summer was one for the books and I can’t wait to run it back with my brothers in front of the best fans in the league. I’m grateful for the opportunity and excited to get back to work soon to compete for a back-to-back championship. Go River Lions!”
Training camp will open May 8 with the home opener scheduled for May 16 versus the Calgary Surge. Ticket information can be found at www.riverlions.ca/tickets or by calling 289-273-5905.
