NIAGARA RIVER LIONS
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The Niagara River Lions announced today the 13-man roster for their 2020 training camp presented by Deep Relief. Most notably, the roster includes seven returning players from the 2019 season, with several new additions that bring a unique offensive skill set aimed to compliment the returning players.
“I’m excited and anxious to bring this group together for the 2020 season,” said head coach and general manager Victor Raso. “This roster is built on continuing the momentum that our players built in 2019, while addressing weaknesses that we identified and improving in those areas.”
Returning players include Ryan Anderson, Trae Bell Haynes, Guillaume Boucard (2019 CEBL Canadian Player of the Year), Alex Johnson, Sam Muldrow (2019 CEBL Defensive Player of the Year), Dorian Pinson and Kassius Robertson, all key members of the 2019 team that saw the most success in franchise history, finishing the regular season with 15 wins and five losses.
Coach Raso is confident in the additions of Daniel Mullings, Ryan Ejim and Tyrone Watson.
“These players will make us more athletic and make us better defensively. Most importantly, they are all great people and have previous relationships with their teammates that will ease in the team building process.”
Daniel Mullings, a starting guard at New Mexico State for four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, brings a wealth of experience having won championships at both the NCAA and professional levels.
“Daniel has built a stellar career overseas with his phenomenal defensive abilities and his playmaking on the offensive end. He is one of the marquee newcomers to the CEBL,” said Raso.
Tyrone Watson, a former teammate of Mullings at New Mexico State, was drafted by the River Lions in the inaugural CEBL draft, but missed the season recovering from knee surgery.
“Tyrone is a veteran, that can play and defend all 5 positions on the floor. He is an exception passer, defender and rebounder with high basketball IQ,” commented Raso.
The third standout newcomer is Ryan Ejim, a player who was a key piece of the Saskatchewan Rattler’s CEBL Championship run in 2019. Ejim played in seven games for the River Lions in 2018 and is a USports National Champion.
After coming up short in the 2019 CEBL semi-finals, Coach Raso has been hard at work, building another roster that will be a true contender in the upcoming season.
“Adding players that fit the River Lions culture while addressing our weaknesses was no easy task, but we’re confident that we have improved our strengths and bolstered our weaknesses.”
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