River Lions Sign Canadian Forward T.J. Lall

St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of 6’6 forward, T.J. Lall presented by YOUR Legal Services.  The 26-year-old from Cambridge, Ontario will join the team for the 2023 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) campaign after most recently playing for Kyoto Hannaryz of the B. League in Japan where he averaged 6.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 16.6 minutes per game. 

“TJ is a player we have been recruiting for a while and glad he is finally on our side,” said Head Coach and General Manager, Victor Raso. “He impacts the game in many ways which is a skill that we covet, and his competitiveness makes his teammates better. I'm excited to see TJ as a River Lion this summer.”

A familiar name to the CEBL, Lall was selected by the Ottawa BlackJacks as the first overall pick during the 2020 CEBL U SPORTS Draft where he his had his first taste of professional basketball after four years at Carleton University. Lall went on to play for the Guelph Nighthawks during the 2021 and 2022 CEBL seasons, showing improvement each year. Starting in 12 of the 13 games played, Lall averaged 10.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game during the 2022 Nighthawks season. 

Prior to his professional career, Lall spent four seasons with the Carleton Ravens, earning four national titles with the team. During his fifth and final year of eligibility, Lall transferred to Brock University for the 2021-22 campaign where he had a breakthrough season helping the Badgers to an appearance at the U SPORTS Final 8 Tournament. Lall averaged 22 points and 7.9 rebounds per game and was named First Team All-Canadian, OUA West First Team All-Star and Brock Men’s Basketball Team MVP. 

Lall becomes the second new name signed to the River Lions, and sixth player added to the roster ahead of the 2023 season set tip-off for the team on May 26th 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 www.riverlions.ca/tickets for more information.