RIVER LIONS WELCOME BACK CANADIAN GUARD MUNIS TUTU
St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of 6’0 Canadian guard Munis Tutu for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Tutu returns to Niagara ahead of Friday’s game after previously suiting up for the River Lions during the 2022 season. He provides additional depth and veteran playmaking as the River Lions continue their push for a playoff berth.
Tutu joins the River Lions after a 2025-26 campaign which saw him feature for
CSM Corona Brasov of the
Romanian
Divizia A. He led the team in assists and steals, averaging 13.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game on the season. Tutu also made six
FIBA Europe Cup appearances during the 2025-26 season for Corona Brasov, averaging 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 2.2 steals against some of Europe’s top clubs.
Head Coach and General Manager Kimbal Mackenzie is excited to welcome Tutu back to Niagara.
“Munis is a tough, gritty floor general. He has the ability to change games with the pace he plays with, and his defensive prowess. He has played with the River Lions in the past, and we are excited to bring him back.”
The Windsor, Ontario native spent his first two seasons of college basketball with the Loyola Marymount Lions. Tutu played 31 games as a freshman, making most of his appearances off the bench and averaging 3.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 18.2 minutes per game. After seeing reduced minutes during his sophomore season, Tutu returned to Canada to join the Carleton Ravens, the most successful basketball program in U SPORTS history. Tutu would go on to average 10.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.5 steals in 23.8 minutes per game. During his time in Ottawa, Tutu helped the Ravens capture two U SPORTS championships and was named a U SPORTS Final 8 All-Star in 2019.
Tutu started his professional career with the Ottawa BlackJacks, making eight appearances during the 2021 CEBL season before signing with Erdgas Ehingen of Germany’s Pro A League. He averaged 16.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.4 steals per game before returning to the CEBL with the River Lions. Since his previous stint with Niagara, Tutu has continued his professional career with Chernomorets Burgas in Bulgaria, the Edmonton Stingers of the CEBL, the Redwell Gunners in Austria, and most recently CSM Corona Brasov in Romania.
Tutu is excited to return to Niagara as the River Lions continue their playoff push.
“I’m excited to get to work and compete with the guys! Here to bring whatever I can to help us win games and end the season on a positive note. See you guys soon!
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 www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X.
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Media Contact:
Cole Meyering
Communications Coordinator