Ekiyor returns to Niagara
It was an easy choice for Eddie Ekiyor to return to the Niagara River Lions for his second season of Canadian Elite Basketball League action.
“The Niagara River Lions have felt like family from Day 1. The coaching staff, the management and the fans have all welcomed me with open arms and made me truly feel like we are family,” the 26-year-old Ottawa native said. “That is something that can’t be taken for granted so when it came to re-signing, there was no doubt in my mind.”
He loves the mindset of the team.
“The culture in Niagara is to compete day in and day out. This is one of the things I love about Niagara. Everyone is going to compete to win at all times and when you have a coach who cares about winning and has as high of a compete level as coach Vic (Raso), it radiates through the whole team and it makes each day that much more fun.”
He loves suiting up for the River Lions.
“My favourite thing about playing for Niagara is that we are like a family and that the coaches the management and the players will always have your back. It makes it easy to have a competitive culture when you trust the people around you.”
With Niagara last season, the 6-foot-forward averaged 12.2 points, a team-high 5.6 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game while shooting 41.7 per cent from beyond the arc and 81.5 per cent from the charity stripe. His play saw him named the league’s defensive player of the year and he was a finalist for the sixth man of the year award.
The two-time U SPORTS champion with the Carleton Ravens didn’t change his style of play when he arrived in Niagara.
“In the past, I’ve tried to take on the role of always bringing energy and raising the compete level both in games and in practice.”
He would love to help Niagara capture its first title.
“Winning a CEBL championship would be an amazing accomplishment. The league is so talented and each game is always competitive so to be able to battle to the end and win a championship would be a great feeling. This year, we plan on bringing home that championship.”
Niagara head coach/GM Victor Raso loves having Ekiyor on his team.
“Eddie is one of the best teammates I’ve ever coached. He cares about his teammates, just wants to win and will do whatever that takes. Last year, he came off the bench for half of the season and never complained about it once, while being one of the best players in the league. He is excellent in the locker room, and he was the recipient of the Ben Zwolak Award (an individual who displays outstanding citizenship and sportsmanship both on and off the court along with a commitment to volunteerism in the community). On top of all those things, he is an excellent basketball player and I’m thrilled he will be with us again.”
Ekiyor is currently playing in Portugal with Sporting CP where he is averaging 19.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
His first season with Niagara helped prepare him for the overseas season in a lot of different ways.
“Some of the main ways are it helps us to stay in shape while getting to compete against lots of talented players and well-coached teams.”
Niagara opens the season May 24 on the road against the Brampton Honey Badgers. Its home opener versus the Honey Badgers will be played Thursday, May 30 at 7 p.m. at the Meridian Centre.
Season tickets, voucher packs and group tickets are on sale now. Visit www.riverlions.ca/tickets for more information.
