NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA RIVER LIONS
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The Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of 5’11 point guard, Vinnie Shahid presented by YOUR Legal Services. The 24 year-old from Minneapolis, Minnesota will join the team for the 2023 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) campaign, after completing his season with Thor Thorlakshofn of the Iceland Subway League. Shahid is having a career best season, leading both the team and league in points per game (26.3) and assists per game (8.7).
“Vinnie is an exciting addition to this year's roster,” said head coach and general manager, Victor Raso. “Vinnie is an unheralded offensive point guard who can really, really shoot and pass the basketball. He is tough, he is a winner, and he's going to be a great point guard for this team!”
Shahid began his collegiate career at Western Nebraska Community College where he played two seasons for the Cougars, averaging 16.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, and being named NJCAA Region IX Player of the Year during his sophomore season. In 2018, Shahid transferred to North Dakota State University (NDSU) where he was named the Summit League Newcomer of the Year and Summit League Tournament MVP after leading the team in scoring (13.1 points per game) and assists (2.6 per game). Shahid led NDSU versus the number one ranked Duke in the NCAA Tournament, scoring 20 points.
During his senior season, Shahid earned many accolades including being named First Team All-Summit League and First Team All-District Team while earning Tournament MVP for the second straight season. Shahid became the sixth Bison to top 600 points in a season with 608, and only the second player in school history to reach 1000 career points in only two seasons as a Bison. Shahid finished third in the league in scoring and fifth in assists, while leading the team in scoring, assists, steals, three pointers and total minutes.
Shahid signed his first professional contract for the 2020-2021 season with AB Contern in Luxembourg where he was the league’s fourth best scorer with 22.6 points per game while averaging 4.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists. Shahid went on to sign with Cergy-Pontoise of the France NM1 League where his high scoring continued with 21 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.
“I’m excited to be part of the River Lions family,” said Shahid. “I can’t wait to get to Niagara and get to work as we compete for the 2023 CEBL Championship!”
Shahid becomes the third American signed and ninth player added to the River Lions roster ahead of the 2023 season set tip-off for the team on May 26 when they visit the Montreal Alliance.
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 twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region while living up to the River Lions moniker of pride and strength of community. Season tickets, voucher packs, group tickets and single game tickets are on sale now. Click here for more information.
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