Leicester Riders are delighted to announce the signing of Canadian and South Sudanese
forward Emmanuel Akot for the 2025-26 season.
Akot, a 6’8 forward, joins the Riders following a strong summer in the Canadian Elite
Basketball League (CEBL) playing for his home town Winnipeg Sea Bears. In his second
summer with the Sea Bears, Akot posted averages of 11.2 points & 5.3 rebounds per game, helping Winnipeg reach the CEBL Western Conference Finals.
Credit: Winnipeg Sea Bears
Akot is no stranger to professional hoops, having played his rookie season in the
Netherlands with Heroes Den Bosch in the BNXT League and in the FIBA Europe Cup. As a rookie,
Akot put up an efficient 8.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game across 16 appearances in
Holland.
In August, Akot was called up to represent the South Sudan senior men’s national team at
the 2025 Afrobasket competition. Akot had previously represented South Sudan at the U17
age group, but earned his first call up to the senior team this summer, appearing in 4 games
at the Afrobasket Tournament.
In college, Akot played his first two seasons with the powerhouse Arizona Wildcats, before
transferring to Boise State in Idaho. In two seasons at Boise, Akot averaged 10 points and
3.8 rebounds per game, before transferring to Western Kentucky for his final year of
collegiate eligibility.
Credit: Leicester Riders | Nathan Green
Upon joining the Riders, Akot commented:
“I’m super excited to be here in Leicester.”
“I’ve had some friends play here and they had nothing but good things to say about their
time in Leicester. I can’t wait to play in front of the Riders fans and have a great season with
the team!”
Coach Rob Paternostro added:
“Emmanuel brings a unique combination of length, skill, and athleticism. He’s a versatile
player who can shoot the three, handle the ball, pass, and create for his teammates, while
also giving us the ability to defend multiple positions. His all-around game will be a valuable
asset to our team.”
In other club news, the Riders can confirm that Johnny O’Neil will no longer be joining the
team as he looks to explore opportunities within the NBA & NBA G-League.
Leicester Riders SLB Season Opener
Fans don’t have to wait long to see the Akot in action. The Riders return to the Mattioli Arena on Friday, 19 September, when they host London Lions in what promises to be a thrilling Super League Basketball season opener. Tip-off is at 7:30pm. Tickets on Sale now!
