Leicester Riders are delighted to announce the signing of Canadian and South Sudanese forward Emmanuel Akot for the 2025/26 Super League Basketball season.
Akot, a 6’8 forward, joins the Riders following a strong summer in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) playing for his home town Winnipeg Sea bears. In his second summer with the Sea bears, Akot posted averages of 11.2 points & 5.3 rebounds per game helping Winnipeg reach the CEBL Western Conference finals.
Akot is no stranger to professional hoops, having played his rookie season in the Netherlands with Heroes Den Bosch in the BNXT League and FIBA Europe cup. As a rookie, Akot put up an efficient 8.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game across 16 appearances in Holland.
In August, Akot was called up to represent the South Sudan senior men’s national team at the 2025 Afrobasket competition. Akot had previously represented South Sudan at the U17 age group, but earned his first call up to the senior team this summer, appearing in 4 games at the Afrobasket Tournament.
In college, Akot played his first two seasons with the powerhouse Arizona Wildcats, before transferring to Boise State in Idaho. In two seasons at Boise, Akot averaged 10 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, before transferring to Western Kentucky for his final year of collegiate eligibility.
Upon joining the Riders, Akot commented:
“I’m super excited to be here in Leicester. I’ve had some friends play here and they had nothing but good things to say about their time in Leicester. I can’t wait to play in front of the Riders fans and have a great season with the team!”
Coach Rob Paternostro added:
“Emmanuel brings a unique combination of length, skill, and athleticism. He’s a versatile player who can shoot the three, handle the ball, pass, and create for his teammates, while also giving us the ability to defend multiple positions. His all-around game will be a valuable asset to our team.”
In other club news, the Riders can confirm that Johnny O’Neil will no longer be joining the team as he looks to explore opportunities within the NBA & NBA G-League.
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