Utah Jazz Sign Niagara River Lions Forward To A Two-Year Deal
The Utah Jazz announced Wednesday that they have signed forward Xavier Sneed to a two-way two-year contract. Sneed now becomes the second player to have played with a Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) team to be later signed to a two-way NBA contract after Canadian, Lindell Wigginton of the Hamilton Honey Badgers signed with the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this year. Sneed had previously secured a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies in December 2021.
The Kansas State alumni has appeared in 18 games with the Charlotte Hornets NBA G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm, averaging 11.3 points and 4.4 rebounds this season. During his time with the River Lions, Sneed lead the team in points (17.8) and was third in rebounds (4.7), before leaving to play for the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA Summer League.
“Xavier is a prototype two-way player at the highest level,” said River Lions Head of Basketball Operations and Co-General Manager, Antwi Atuahene. “We have seen him expand his game with us throughout the summer and transfer those skills to the NBA. We are extremely proud and honoured to have been a part of his journey.”
The CEBL has now graduated five players into an NBA roster in the past two months including Xavier Moon, Edmonton Stingers (six games played for the Los Angeles Clippers), Javin DeLaurier, Niagara River Lions (one game played for the Milwaukee), Cat Barber (three games played for Atlanta), Xavier Sneed (two games played for Memphis) and Lindell Wigginton, Hamilton Honey Badgers (nine games played for Milwaukee).
Three players with prior NBA experience have played in the CEBL. They include Brianté Weber, Hamilton Honey Badgers (42 games total with Memphis, Miami, Golden State, Charlotte, Houston), Kris Joseph, Niagara River Lions and Ottawa BlackJacks (10 games total with Boston, Brooklyn), and Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Hamilton Honey Badgers, (5 games with Memphis).
The CEBL begins its fourth season in May 2022. A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 75 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .