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Niagara River Lions

River Lions Welcome Back Jaylon Tate as Push for Playoffs Continues

July 26, 2021 - Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)
Niagara River Lions News Release


St. Catharines, ON - The Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of Jaylon Tate, a 6,3" guard from Chicago, Illinois for the remainder of the 2021 Canadian Elite Basketball League season. Jaylon began his professional career with the River Lions in 2017 where he earned NBL Canada Rookie of the Year honours leading the league in assists per game. He went on to play in Finland, Latvia and most recently in the Austrian Basketball Bundesliga where he won the championship with Swans Gmunden.

"We're excited to welcome Jaylon back to the River Lions!" Said Head Coach and General Manager, Victor Raso. "Jaylon is a pass-first point guard who will seamlessly transition into this group. Having coached him in 2017-18, I know that he is the type of teammate who endears himself to his teammates with his passing and competitiveness. We're looking forward to him helping our team as we make a final push for the playoffs."

Tate spent four years at the University of Illinois where improvement developed each season. He signed his first professional contract with the River Lions during the 2017-18 campaign which proved to be a seamless transition to the next level as he averaged 13.4 points and 7.4 assists per game. In 2019 Tate played for Pyrinto Tampere in Finland's top league where he continued to put up solid numbers averaging 14.3 points and 4.7 assists per game while shooting over 50% from the floor. During the 2020 pandemic year he had a short stint with the London Lightning of the NBL Canada and BK Ventspils of the Latvian Basketball League.

Tate now joins the River Lions fresh after winning a championship with Swans Gmunden in Austria where he averaged 9.3 points and 4.4 assists per game.

"I'm very happy to be back in Niagara where it all started for me as a pro," said Tate. "I'm ready to come in and help contribute to a really good team that's been playing well. The only goal is to win a championship and that is why it was no hesitation for me to come back and play for Coach Vic in front of the best fans."

Tate will suit up for the River Lions starting this Friday July 30th versus the Guelph Nighthawks. Tickets are available via ticketmaster.ca or by visiting the Niagara River Lions Front Office at 2 Front Street North in Thorold, by phone (289-273-5905), or email (tickets@riverlions.ca)

The Niagara River Lions are one of the original six teams of the CEBL. Playing out of Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, the River Lions represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region while living up to the River Lions moniker of pride and strength of community. Visit www.riverlions.ca for additional details.

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