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River Lions re-sign 2022 CEBL MVP ahead of home opener

Winless team plays host to Saskatchewan Rattlers Saturday at Meridian Centre
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Khalil Ahmad has re-signed with the Niagara River Lions.

The Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of 2022 Canadian Elite Basketball League most valuable player, Khalil Ahmad.

The 6-foot-4 guard from Corona, Calif. will re-join the River Lions for a second season after just returning from Israel playing for Hapoel Beer Sheva where he averaged 12.9 points, 3.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game.

“Khalil is a phenomenal lead guard who can create for himself and others constantly,” said head coach and general manager Victor Raso in a news releas. “Khalil is also a fantastic young man and a great teammate. We are excited to have him back with us.”

In 2022, Ahmad averaged a CEBL high 20.7 points, River Lions high 4.5 assists and 1.9 steals (fourth best in the league), while shooting 45 per cent from the field during the regular season. He was also fourth for Niagara in rebounds per game (4.0) and helped lead the team to a second-place regular season finish before earning MVP honours. 

Ahmad spent four years at Cal State Fullerton, where he became one of the most prolific scorers in school history, tallying 1768 points in 117 games, the third-highest total in program history. He was named the 2015 Big West Freshman of the Year and was one of just five athletes in school history to earn All-Conference honours three or more times. Ahmad had five 30-point games and 27 20-point games as a Titan, while also holding the school record for most points as a freshman with 429. Early in his senior season, Ahmad scored a career high-40 points, tied for the third-highest single game total in program history.

After a remarkable collegiate career, Ahmad competed in the 2019 Drew Summer League in Los Angeles, an invite-only league that recruits elite NBA and overseas talent during the off-season. Ahmad had no problem fitting in, as he put up a 20-point game playing alongside the likes of Nick Young, DeMar DeRozan and Stanley Johnson.

“I’m very excited to be returning to the River Lions organization and to the Niagara Region,” said Ahmad. “I’m looking forward to being back inside the Meridian Centre on Saturday in front of the best fans in the CEBL. I know we have some unfinished business from last summer and I can’t wait to contribute to the success of the team both on and off the court.”

Ahmad and the River Lions return to the Meridian Centre on Saturday for the 2023 home opener after starting the season 0-3 over three road games. Ahmad will be honoured during a special pre-game MVP ceremony on Saturday. A limited number of tickets remain for the match against the Saskatchewan Rattlers.