The Niagara River Lions continue to shape their roster for the upcoming campaign, announcing the signing of Canadian forward Cole Long for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League season.
The 6-foot-8 forward joins Niagara while in the midst of his second consecutive season overseas with the Newcastle Eagles of the British Super League Basketball (SLB). Long is currently averaging 11.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 29.2 minutes per game.
“We are very excited to welcome Cole to Niagara. Cole is a high level basketball player who will bring us great size, versatility, and shooting,” said Head Coach and General Manager Kimbal Mackenzie. “He is a 4 man who can stretch the floor, put the ball on the ground, and has a great basketball IQ. I believe he will be a great fit, basketball and culture wise!”
Long’s most recent season overseas has highlighted his perimeter shooting ability. During the 2024–25 campaign, he led Newcastle in three-point shooting, averaging 37.5 per cent from beyond the arc while establishing himself as a reliable floor spacer within the team’s system.
His professional journey began in 2021 when he was selected by the Guelph Nighthawks in the CEBL U SPORTS Draft. An injury prevented him from playing that season, but he returned in 2022 and was selected third overall by the Newfoundland Growlers, earning the opportunity to play in his hometown of St. John’s.
Long later expanded his experience internationally, spending the 2022–23 season with Tromsø Storm in Norway’s BLNO before moving to Sweden to play for KFUM Nässjö in the Basketligan during the 2023–24 season.
Before turning pro, Long competed at the University of Detroit Mercy from 2016 to 2019, appearing in 79 games for the Titans. Over his collegiate career, he made 24 starts and averaged 2.7 points and 2.2 rebounds, while recording 33 blocks and 21 steals. He was also a three-time Detroit Mercy Athletic Director’s Honor Roll selection.
He later returned to Newfoundland to continue both his academic and athletic career at Memorial University, where he pursued a Master’s degree in Kinesiology while playing with the Seahawks.
“I’m very happy to be joining Niagara and be a part of the winning culture. Excited to join you all in May for another great season” said Long.
The River Lions, who play out of the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, enter the 2026 season as back-to-back CEBL champions after capturing titles in 2024 and 2025. The franchise, one of the league’s founding teams, continues to build toward another title run while representing communities across the Niagara Region.
