Eddie Ekiyor, SQBB’s new center, aims to relaunch his career in Betclic ELITE

Eddie Ekiyor joins SQBB for the 2025-2026 Betclic ELITE season. Coming from the prestigious Canadian university program at Carleton, the 27-year-old Canadian center hopes to regain momentum in a promising career that was interrupted by an ACL tear in spring 2024.

𝘈𝘋𝘋𝘐𝘈 𝘈𝘒𝘐𝘠𝘖𝘙 𝘈𝘚𝘛 𝘜𝘕 𝘗𝘓𝘈́𝘕𝘐𝘟 🇳🇬🇨🇦

2.06m Nigerian center and former U17 international with Canada, Edward Ekiyor (known as Eddie Ekiyor) joins SQBB for one season 💙! pic.twitter.com/kxg96AIed8

— Saint-Quentin Basket Ball (@SQBB_Officiel) June 30, 2025

A disrupted but experience-rich journey

Born in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, Eddie Ekiyor (2.03m) represented his country at the 2014 U17 World Cup, where he faced the French team including Stéphane Gombauld (whom he’ll meet again in Nancy) and Jonathan Jeanne (now at Le Mans). In 2016, he joined the Carleton Ravens program, a true benchmark in Canadian university basketball. There, he played alongside Kaza Kajami-Keane (ex-Le Mans) and Yasiin Joseph (formerly of Quimper and Évreux).

After a brilliant sports career (two-time U SPORTS champion, two-time All-Canadian), he concluded his university career with a title and Final Tournament MVP trophy in 2019. However, a month later, a sexual assault complaint was filed against him. Though acquitted two years later, he never played for Carleton again and his high-level career had to be put on hold.

From the Middle East to Portugal, via CEBL

His professional career truly began in 2021-2022 in Georgia. The following year, Ekiyor distinguished himself in Israel’s second division with Maccabi Ma’ale Adumim, averaging 20.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. This attracted Sporting Portugal’s attention, where he confirmed his potential in 2023-2024: 18.3 points at 64.1% shooting and 5.8 rebounds in the Portuguese league, 19.1 points and 6.9 rebounds in FIBA Europe Cup.

His momentum was abruptly halted in April 2024 when he suffered an ACL tear after an unfortunate fall over a courtside photographer during the derby against Benfica Lisbon. He couldn’t finish the European season nor capitalize on interest from BCL clubs.

A return via CEBL before Betclic ELITE

After lengthy rehabilitation, Eddie Ekiyor resumed competition with the Niagara River Lions in the Canadian summer league (CEBL), where he had been a key player in 2023. « Eddie can be defined by his energy, whether on the court, in training, or in the community, » declared Victor Raso, the Lions’ coach, during the announcement of his return.

CRAZY 🦹

Khalil Ahmed with the dime and Eddie Ekiyor with the slam 🏀

Ahmad has 22 points with his squad leading 53-43 in the 3rd

📺 Watch live on TSN+, Game+, and CEBL+ powered by @tonybet_ca : https://t.co/NVk3EPx257#PullUp | #CEBLSeasonVII | #SSKvsNRL pic.twitter.com/AHMyScbAP6

— CEBL (@CEBLeague) May 31, 2025

In 2023, he was named CEBL Defender of the Year and won the Community Ambassador award. He averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, with great efficiency (41.7% from 3-point range and 81.5% from the free-throw line). This center who can shoot 3-pointers (8/17 from arc in 2023-2024) holds Cotonou status thanks to a Nigerian passport.

A complementary profile for SQBB

At Saint-Quentin, Eddie Ekiyor joins a frontcourt already featuring Jean-Philippe Dally, Clifton Moore and Jordan Caroline. Mobile, powerful and skilled, the Canadian center will bring his qualities on both ends of the floor. SQBB hopes he can quickly return to his best level and contribute to a solid maintenance, or even more, in Betclic ELITE.