Riley Bleich is on an upwards trajectory for the Niagara College Knights men’s basketball team.

The 20-year-old Fonthill native is averaging 6.2 points and 2.6 rebounds on the season but has taken his game to the next level in the team’s past four games, all Niagara wins. Bleich is averaging 10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game over that stretch.

“We are really, really pleased with his progress at this point in the season. He had some learning to do at the beginning but right now he is playing at such a high level and he helps us on both ends of the floor,” Niagara head coach Phil Mosley said. “Defensively, he is a rim protector and offensively he is such a good shooter and he is finding his confidence. That is allowing him to excel at the OCAA (Ontario Colleges Athletic Asssociation) level.”

The 6-foot-8 forward is pleased with how his season is moving along.

“I think it is going quite well. I have been shooting the ball quite well, I am protecting the rim and I am working on my defence more which is something that I didn’t necessarily do when I was back in high school,” he said. “Putting such an emphasis on defence has impacted me a lot and the way I play my game. They take it seriously here. Defence is No. 1. It’s being able to perform athletically, jump with people and do what I need to do.”

He is working hard to continue moving forward with his game.

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