NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA RIVER LIONS
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The Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of 2022 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Defensive Player of the Year, EJ Onu presented by Your Legal Services. The 6’11 American forward from Richmond Heights, Ohio will re-join the River Lions after recently completing a second season in the NBA G League, playing 11 games for the Memphis Hustle and finishing the 2022-23 season suiting up in 13 games for the Santa Cruz Warriors.
“I'm very excited to continue to work with EJ and have him back in our organization this summer,” said head coach and general manager, Victor Raso. “He is an incredibly talented basketball player with a very unique skill set, as well as an eagerness to improve. EJ will play a massive role in our championship hunt in 2023 and I can’t wait to have him back in Niagara.”
In 16 games with the River Lions, Onu set a CEBL record, leading the team and league in a historic high of 3.2 blocks per game, while also averaging 9.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
Onu played five games with the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2022 NBA Summer League averaging 2 points, 2 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game before returning to Niagara and earning the Defensive Player of the Year award at Championship Weekend in Ottawa.
Prior to his professional career, Onu spent four years at Shawnee State University, where he averaged 12.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.2 blocks per game. He finished his 2020-21 campaign as a First Team NAIA All-American, the Mid-South Conference Player of the Year and a First Team All-Mid-South Conference selection. He also garnered his third consecutive Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Year Award while finishing his career as Shawnee State’s all-time leader in blocks (529). In his senior year he helped the Bears capture the NAIA championship.
After going undrafted in 2021, Onu played four games for the Dallas Mavericks during the NBA Summer League averaging 1.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Onu completed his first professional season with the Memphis Hustle in 2022 averaging 6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.
“I’m very excited to be returning to the River Lions,” said Onu. “The Niagara community, the fans, and the entire organization are top notch, and I look forward to building on the success of last season to work towards our ultimate goal of a championship.”
Onu becomes the third returning player signed ahead of the 2023 season which will 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 and group tickets are on sale now. Visit the website for more information.
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