River Lions Re-Sign Jake Babic
St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions announced today the re-signing of Jake Babic for the 2022 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Babic, a 6’5 shooting guard from Oakville, Ontario is currently playing for KK Dubrava Zagreb of the Croatia Premier Liga where he is averaging 6.86 points and 3.71 rebounds in 18 minutes per game.
2022 will mark Babic’s third year with the team, and Head Coach and Co-General Manager, Victor Raso is thrilled to have him back. “In my time with the River Lions, I have not had a player who has been as consistently loved by his teammates as Jake has,” said Raso. “Jake is an underrated player who can do a little bit of everything, but his greatest skill is that he always makes his teammates better. Coming into his 3rd season as a River Lion, we have high expectations of Jake, and I look forward to coaching him again this season."
Babic was one of seven River Lions players to sign an option letter which meant that he would be protected by the team from the start of free agency until today, March 2nd. He becomes the third returning River Lion to sign for the upcoming season after Daniel Waldin-Mullings and Jaylen Babb-Harrison.
Prior to Babic’s professional career, he played college basketball at NCAA Division 1, Appalachian State University for three seasons before transferring to Texas A&M- Corpus Christi for his senior year.
"I’m really excited to continue off our success we built last year here in Niagara,” said Babic. “Playing for Coach Vic and being with a group of familiar guys is going to give us a great opportunity to do something special this summer."
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. Season tickets and voucher packs for the 2022 season are on sale now. Visit www.riverlions.ca/tickets for more information.
Media Contact:
Michelle Biskup
Vice President, Operations