The Niagara River Lions have announced the signing of 6’1 point guard Kimbal Mackenzie.
The 26-year-old from Oakville was set to join the team ahead of their game versus the Brampton Honey Badgers.
Mackenzie most recently played for the Leicester Riders of the British BBL where he averaged 12.7 points and 3.6 assists in 22.9 minutes per game.
“Kimbal is a leader, great teammate and a very good basketball player,” said head coach and general manager Victor Raso. “I’m excited for him to join this group for the second half of the season.”
A familiar name to the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), Mackenzie played three seasons for the Guelph Nighthawks where he averaged 13.2 points and 3.2 assists from 2019-2021.
After his final summer with the Nighthawks, Mackenzie found a home with the Leicester Riders and has proven to be a fan favourite as he earned the Supporters Club Player of the Year this past season.
Mackenzie was also named on the Molten BBL British Team of the Year alongside Riders teammate and now River Lions teammate, Patrick Whelan.
Mackenzie recorded several team-leading performances during the 2022-23 season including a 31-point game where he went 11-15 from the field and 7-7 from the free-throw line.
Mackenzie will return to England after the 2023 CEBL campaign for his third year with the Riders.
Prior to his professional career, Mackenzie spent four seasons at Bucknell University where he proved to be an outstanding playmaker and leader. Over the course of his collegiate career, Mackenzie started in 89 of 122 games and averaged 10.9 points, 2.4 assists and 2 rebounds through four seasons.
With 1,330 career points, Mackenzie ranked 18th in Bisons' history as well as 4th in all-time made three pointers (211) and 2nd in career free throw percentage (85.4%).
“I’m very excited to be joining the River Lions organization,” said Mackenzie. “Vic has created an awesome culture of winning here and I’m looking forward to playing with a great group of guys in front of an great fan base.”
Mackenzie’s signing comes as Aiden Warnholtz temporarily leaves the River Lions to play with the U23 Men’s National Team in preparation for Global Jam, an international basketball showcase taking place in Toronto from July 12-16.
The Niagara River Lions are one of the original six teams of the CEBL. Playing out of Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, the River Lions represent the 12 municipalities of the Niagara Region while living up to the River Lions moniker of pride and strength of community.
The River Lions are currently 6-6 on the season with just four more regular season home games through the month of July.
The team noted Mackenzie's signing is presented by YOUR Legal Services.
Visit www.riverlions.ca/tickets for ticket information.
