Niagara makes guard currently playing in the Netherlands first pick in CEBL draft
River Lions Keane on their first pick in CEBL draft
Get used to reading and hearing the name Kaza (pronounced Kay-za) Kajami-Keane over the next few months.
The Ajax-born Kajami-Keane is the newest Niagara River Lion after being taken in the first round, sixth overall, in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) inaugural draft.
The 25-year old, who is playing with professional team Zwolle out of Holland, is thrilled to be coming to Niagara after his season ends overseas.
The 6-foot-2 Carleton University graduate played for then-Ravens assistant coach, and now River Lions head coach and general manager, Victor Raso.
Get used to reading and hearing the name Kaza (pronounced Kay-za) Kajami-Keane over the next few months.
The Ajax-born Kajami-Keane is the newest Niagara River Lion after being taken in the first round, sixth overall, in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) inaugural draft.
The 25-year old, who is playing with professional team Zwolle out of Holland, is thrilled to be coming to Niagara after his season ends overseas.
The 6-foot-2 Carleton University graduate played for then-Ravens assistant coach, and now River Lions head coach and general manager, Victor Raso.
As for what the point guard can bring on the court:
"I'm a tough player, that can score the ball, and I'm pretty well versed in the sense of understanding the game," said Kajami-Keane. "You're always going to get someone that plays their hardest, and wants to win. Winning is all I really enjoy and care about.
"Hopefully, we can develop as a team and win a lot of games."
Rounding out the River Lions 13 draft picks, which include two former Lions players and a current member of the Brock Badgers are:
2) Kassius Robertson , 6-foot-3, guard, currently playing in Germany;
3) Former River Lion Guillaume Boucard , 6-foot-6, guard, playing with Island Storm of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC);
4) Tyrone Watson , 6-foot-5, forward, playing in Iceland;
5) Julian Boyd , 6-foot-8, forward, playing in Iceland;
6) Rayvon Higdon , 6-foot-1, guard, playing with Saint John Riptide, National Basketball League of Canada;
7) Alex Johnson , 5-foot-10, guard, playing with London Lightning, NBLC;
8) Joel Kindred , 6-foot-5, guard, playing with Halifax Hurricanes, NBLC;
9) Nem Mitrovic , 6-foot-6, guard/forward, playing in Mexico;
10) Former River Lion Jaylon Tate , 6-foot-3, guard, playing in Finland;
11) Ryan Wright , 6-foot-9, forward, playing in Hungary;
12) Fil Vujadinovic , 6-foot-7, forward, Ryerson Rams;
13) Current Brock Badger Tyler Brown , 6-foot-1, guard.
"It's starting to be exciting now, it's been a ton of work," Raso said. "I want the River Lions to be the best place for professional basketball players to be and train and play over the summer.
"I went after guys who want to be in the gym all the time, who want to be getting better at basketball, then I weaned out all of the guys who are just in it to make a paycheque.
"I brought in guys who are coachable, and who are good people, because usually if you care a lot about basketball or care about your craft, it usually goes hand in hand with the type of person you are."
The River Lions season tips off in Saskatoon Thursday, May 9, against the Saskatchewan Rattlers. One week later, Thursday, May 16, is their home opener when they welcome the Edmonton Stingers to Meridian Centre in St. Catharines.
Visit riverlions.ca for more information.