The Niagara River Lions
Who are the Niagara River Lions?
The Niagara River Lions are a Canadian professional basketball team based in St. Catharines, Ontario, that competes in the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
The team, along with Head Coach Victor Raso, recently stopped by the Niagara Parks Power Station for a guided tour!
What is a River Lion?
A river lion is a mythical creature that is featured on the Niagara Region’s Coat of Arms. It represents pride and strength of community, which are two pillars that the Niagara River Lions strive to embody both on and off the court.
Victor Raso, Head Coach and General Manager
Hamilton native Victor Raso joined the Niagara River Lions in 2017 as Lead Assistant Coach. He took over as Head Coach and General Manager during the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s (CEBL) inaugural season in 2019, in which he was named the Coach of the Year. This past season, Raso lead the team to a 10-4 record securing the Niagara River Lions a spot in the championships for the first time in the team’s history.
Jaylen Babb-Harrison
Jaylen-Babb Harrison is a 6’4 guard from Ajax, Ontario. Before joining the Niagara River Lions for the 2021 season, Jaylen played NCAA Division 1 basketball for Eastern Kentucky University. Jaylen was a welcome addition to the Niagara River Lions putting up a game high of 30 that helped the team make it to their first CEBL Championship.
Jake Babic
Jake Babic is a 6’5 guard from Oakville, Ontario. Prior to joining the Niagara River Lions, Jake played NCAA Division 1 basketball for Appalachian State University and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders. Jake’s work ethic and team-oriented mentality cemented him as an important member of the River Lions in his rookie season.
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