Niagara River Lions – Riders Basketball

Riders Media - 31st July 2023

Riders abroad: Mackenzie and Lall make CEBL Conference Finals

Leicester Riders duo TJ Lall and Kimbal Mackenzie are headed to the CEBL Championship weekend!

The Canadian pair have spent the summer with the Niagara River Lions, who booked their place in the Eastern Conference final with a game to spare.

Kimbal Mackenzie closed out the regular season in a big way and earns tonight's Impact Promotions Player of the Game! #TheHunt | #OurGame pic.twitter.com/bPw0czk1Yn
— Niagara River Lions (@RiverLions) July 30, 2023

Four CEBL teams will compete for the coveted CEBL Championship Trophy at the Langley Events Centre, the River Lions’ Conference Final taking place on August 11.

Mackenzie and Lall showed out in the River Lions’ final game of the regular season.

Lall had an impactful outing with a game-high 18 points to go along with six rebounds, four assists and a block. Mackenzie scored 17 points and dished seven assists to direct the Niagara offence as the starting point guard.

TJ Lall was a very important piece of the puzzle tonight 🧩

Tonight’s Player of the Game presented by: @Covers #LetsBall pic.twitter.com/uz1UzGpp1m
— CEBL (@CEBLeague) July 30, 2023

“I feel like we’re all together all the time,” Lall said after the game. “Our defence picked up throughout the season, and we’re gaining trust with each other.”

Want to see Lall and Mackenzie in action?

Get tickets to our home preseason opener against USA Select!

Quote credit: Niagara River Lions

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Charlie Walker - 18th July 2023

Riders sign Lall

The Leicester Riders are excited to sign 6’7” forward TJ Lall to their 2023/24 roster.

The Canadian, who holds a British passport, has played four seasons in the Canadian CEBL, most recently alongside Riders’ guard Kimbal Mackenzie for the Niagara River Lions.

WOWWWWW 😤😤😤 TJ Lall ENDS IT WITH THE SLAMMMM

This afternoon’s Target Score Winning Bucket is presented by @guruenergy #LetsBall pic.twitter.com/n1GUMFFlzb
— CEBL (@CEBLeague) July 9, 2023

Lall played last season in the Japanese first division for Kyoto Hannaryz, putting up 6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

He was selected by the Ottawa BlackJacks as the first overall pick during the 2020 CEBL Draft, where he had his first taste of professional basketball.

In college, the Ontario native won four national titles with the Carleton Ravens before transferring to Brock University for his fifth college season.

He 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.

“I’m very excited and grateful for the opportunity to play for the Riders,” said Lall.

“I can’t wait to experience basketball in the UK and get on court to battle with the team!”

2022 Nighthawks Team Award Winner🏆

The Canadian Player of the Year is given to the best performing 🇨🇦 player of the 2022 CEBL Regular Season.

Congratulations to TJ Lall!💪🏼#NightVision #LetsBall pic.twitter.com/gfFTkXDUAj
— Calgary Surge (@CalgarySurge) August 1, 2022

“We are thrilled to have TJ for next season,” commented Head Coach Rob Paternostro.

“TJ is a versatile player who can make an impact on both ends of the floor and a guy who plays with the type of energy that can really impact a game.

“He can do a variety of things: defend multiple positions, score in different ways and as shown the ability to play make for others.

“He has been teammates with guys we know very well, and they’ve all said great things about him as a player and a teammate.”

Want to see TJ in action?

Buy tickets to our preseason home opener against USA Select!

Photo credit: Niagara River Lions

Interested in sponsoring one of our players? Please contact [email protected]

Trophy semi-final second leg preview: Riders vs Eagles

Report: Thompson dominant in Riders win in Surrey

Preview: Surrey 89ers vs Leicester Riders

Report: Riders take dominant win against Newcastle Eagles