River Lions ink Tutu
The Niagara River Lions added to their Carleton connection with the signing of six foot Canadian guard Munis Tutu on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old Windsor native, who played eight games for the Ottawa Blackjacks in the 2020 Canadian Elite Basketball League Summer Series, started his collegiate career at Loyola Marymount College before transferring to Carleton in 2017. As a member of the Ravens, he helped his team win two USPORTS championships and three Ontario University Athletics crowns.
The native of Egypt, who moved to Canada when he was nine months old, played this past season with Ehingen Urspring in Germany. There, he averaged 16.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.
“I’m excited and ready to get to work with the Niagara River Lions,” Tutu said. “Victor (Raso) and I are familiar with each other so I’m looking forward to getting coached by him and the other coaching staff. I think we have a good group coming in and once we are finally able to get on the court together, I believe that we will have the right chemistry to win a lot of games and win a championship.”
Raso, Niagara’s head coach and co-general manager, described Tutu as a great young man and expressed excitement in welcoming him to the River Lions.
“He is a talented and disruptive point guard who can lead a team and make life difficult for opposing players,” Raso said. “He’s a perfect fit for our team and organization and we’re looking forward to having him this summer.”
Tutu, who has represented Canada at the Commonwealth Games and World University Games, joins Niagara’s Canadian contingent that includes Daniel Waldin-Mullings, Jake Babic, Jaylen Babb-Harrison, Olu Ashaolu, Phil Scrubb and Alonzo Walker.
Other signings are: Americans A.J. Davis, Khalil Ahmad and E.J. Onu; U SPORTS players Lloyd Pandi and Isaiah Bujdoso; and, import Tidjan Keita.
Training camp for the River Lions will open May 15. The River Lions, who went 10-4 in the 2021 regular season and advanced to the championship game, open the 2022 season May 25 on the road in Saskatchewan. Their home opener will be June 3 at the Meridian Centre against the expansion Montreal Alliance.
Season tickets, voucher and marquee match-up packs, group tickets and single game tickets are on sale now. Visit www.riverlions.ca/tickets for more information.
