A key piece is returning to the Niagara River Lions for the 2023 Canadian Elite Basketball League season.

On Wednesday, the team announced it had signed 6-foot-9 American forward Antonio (AJ) Davis.

The 28-year-old native of Burford, Ga., recently competed his season with AS Apollon Patras of the Greek HEBA A1 League, where he averaged 9.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Last season with the Niagara River Lions, Davis ranked second on the team in points (12.5) and rebounds per game (6.2), while averaging 2.5 assists. He shot 46.3 per cent from the floor.

“We’re thrilled that we are able to bring back AJ for his second season with the River Lions,” said Victor Raso, Niagara’s head coach and general manager. “AJ is a tremendous basketball player, leader, and most importantly a great person. Being able to continue to build towards a championship with him is something I’m very grateful for.”

Raso used Davis in a lot of different roles last season.

“As a four man, he’s got great size but he’s a lot more mobile that your typical four,” he said. “I used him for a bunch of different things. We had him attacking, especially in transition, we had him using ball screens and posting up.”

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