Just hours before they opened their 2026 CEL regular season in the nation’s capital, the Niagara River Lions announced the signing of 6’5 American guard Keonte Kennedy.
Kennedy joins the team after just days ago finishing his season with Imortal Albufeira of the Liga Betclic in Portugal where he led the team with 17.4 points per game and averaged 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 24 games.
The Austin, Texas native graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, where, in his lone year with the Bears, he started all 25 games he played, averaging 9.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists. He finished the season strong, shooting over 42% from three-point range across the final eight games and recording 13 double-figure scoring performances.
Prior to Cal, Kennedy averaged 9.2 points per game at the University of Memphis and enjoyed a breakout season at University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) 2021-22, where he posted 14.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game.
Kennedy began his professional career with Umea BSKT of the Swedish Basketball League (SBL) for the 2024-2025 season and finished that year with Sporting FC in Portugal.
Kennedy and fellow newcomer Cole Long both drained a game-high 12 points for Niagara in Monday’s 91-85 loss to the Ottawa BlackJacks.
Matthew Cleveland had a game-high 22 points and 14 rebounds for Ottawa who outscored the River Lions 28-19 in the fourth quarter.
Niagara next sees action Friday night in Winnipeg against the Sea Bears.
In fact, the River Lions will play four straight games on the road before hosting the Vancouver Bandits in their home opener on Friday May 29, 7 pm from Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines.
Tickets are still available.
The Niagara River Lions are one of the founding franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and the league’s reigning back-to-back champions (2024 & 2025).Competing out of the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, from May to August each season, the River Lions proudly represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region, uniting fans through passion, pride, and purpose. Entering their second decade, the River Lions have earned a reputation for championship-caliber performance and community impact, embodying the strength and spirit of Niagara both on and off the court.
For more information, visit riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on IG, FB, TikTok, & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X.
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.
