The Leicester Riders have completed the signing of rookie Canadian guard TJ Hurley ahead of the 2026/27 Super League Basketball season.
Hurley arrives after graduating from the University of Vermont, where he enjoyed a stellar senior campaign. He was named the America East Player of the Year after averaging 15.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 38.7% from three-point range on six attempts per game.
Unlike many college players, Hurley spent all four years of his collegiate career with the Vermont Catamounts. During that time, he built an outstanding résumé, earning two All-America East First Team selections, an All-Defensive Team honour, and an All-Rookie Team selection, among numerous other accolades.
The Ontario native has also represented Canada at junior international level. Most notably, he competed at the 2023 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, where he averaged 6.1 points per game across seven appearances, helping Canada reach the quarter-finals before ultimately finishing seventh.
Upon signing his first pro contract with the Riders, Hurley commented:
“I am incredibly excited to begin my professional career with the Riders.”
“The winning culture and community around the club makes Leicester the perfect place to grow and compete for a championship.”
Head Coach Rob Paternostro added:
“We are thrilled to welcome TJ to the Riders.”
“He had an outstanding collegiate career and is a player with tremendous potential. His versatility, size at his position and two-way ability allow him to impact the game in a variety of ways, and he’s proven throughout his career that he knows how to play winning basketball.”
Hurley becomes the first player recruited to Coach Paternostro’s 2026/27 roster. Stay tuned into the Leicester Riders social media pages for the latest updates and roster announcements.
