The Niagara River Lions continue to prepare for their 2024 season and May tipoff. Pictured: Forward T.J. Lall. Photo Credit: CEBL.
The Region’s only pro basketball team announced the return of 6’6 forward, T.J. Lall and 6’1 guard, Kimbal Makenzie, both returning to the team for a second consecutive year.
Lall, a 27 year-old from Cambridge, Ontario averaged 8.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 23 minutes per game during the 2023 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.
Mackenzie, a 27 year-old from Oakville, Ontario averaged 8.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in nine games with the River Lions.
“It was a priority this off-season to be able to retain both T.J. and Kimbal for 2024 and I’m grateful that we were able to come to terms with both of them,” said River Lions Head Coach and General Manager Victor Raso.
Lall and Mackenzie will join other key returning members from the 2023 team including Khalil Ahmad, AJ Davis, Eddie Ekiyor and Jahvon Blair who were announced as returnees earlier this off-season.
“I am looking forward to playing with the River Lions once again this season,” Lall said. “I am excited to have a great summer in Niagara and compete for the CEBL Championship.”
Lall won four national championships with Carleton University before transferring to Brock University in a season that saw him average 22 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.
In his senior year with the Badgers, he earned First Team All-Canada and OUA West First Team All Star honors and Brock’s Team MVP.
Lall was selected first overall in the 2020 CEBL U SPORTS Draft by the Ottawa Blackjacks, and then went on to play two seasons with the Guelph Nighthawks (now Calgary Surge) of the CEBL.
After three seasons in Canada, Lall took his talents to Japan where he averaged 6.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 16.6 minutes per game with Kyoto Hannaryz.
Now suited up for the Leicester Riders of the British Basketball League (BBL), he is currently averaging 10.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and shooting 46.6 percent from the three point line in 24.8 minutes per game.
“T.J. is a versatile, talented wing who has shown glimpses of all the ways he can impact a game in his time with the River Lions, and in the CEBL,” explained Raso.. “T.J. has high expectations of himself and tremendous confidence in his abilities, and I feel the same way about him. I believe T.J. will have his best professional season to date in an expanded role with us in 2024.”
Mackenzie spent his four-year collegiate career at Bucknell University where he became a vital part of the Bison’s Lineup, starting in 89 out of 122 games in four seasons. With 1330 career points, Mackenzie ranked fourth all-time in made three pointers (211) and second in career free throw percentage (85.4%). In his final season at Bucknell, Mackenzie averaged 17.6 points and 3.0 assists in 34.3 minutes per game.
Like Lall, Mackenzie went on to play two seasons with the Guelph Nighthawks (now Calgary Surge), before eventually finding a home with the Leicester Riders of the BBL.
Currently in his third season with the Riders, Mackenzie was named captain of the team for the 2023 season and recently earned a spot on the 24-man Great Britain National Team for the Eurobasket Qualifiers. With the Riders he is averaging 12.7 points and 4.5 assists in 25.7 minutes per game.
“Kimbal is a phenomenal leader and point guard and we are lucky to have him back,” explained Raso. “He brings a winning, experienced attitude to the team and he brings the best out of his teammates every day. He was a great mid-season addition to our team last season, and it will be even more beneficial to have him for the entirety of this season.”
Mackenzie shared the same enthusiasm in his return to the River Lions: “I’m thrilled to be back in Niagara this summer. We have a core group of guys returning who I love playing with. Looking forward to continuing the winning culture that has been built for years, and to bringing a championship to Niagara.”
Now having played on three teams together in Guelph, Niagara and Leicester, Lall and Mackenzie’s chemistry on the court will only add to the four players already signed for the 2024 season.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
