Aris Nears Deal with Former NBA Player E.J. Liddell

Greek basketball club Aris is reportedly close to signing American power forward E.J. Liddell to a two-year contract, adding an NBA-seasoned player to their roster for the upcoming season.

Liddell, 28, stands at 1.98 meters and last played for the Brooklyn Nets. While final details are being ironed out, the agreement is expected to be finalized soon, with official announcements anticipated from the club.

Born in Belleville, Illinois, Liddell began his basketball journey at Belleville West High School before playing three seasons at Ohio State University. During his college career, he averaged 14.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game. His standout 2021-22 season saw averages of 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.6 blocks.

Selected 41st overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans, Liddell's NBA career was hampered by a torn ACL in July 2022, causing him to miss the entire 2022-23 season. He made his professional debut in the 2023-24 season, playing for the Pelicans, then the Chicago Bulls, and finally the Brooklyn Nets. In his NBA career, he recorded 46 appearances, averaging 3.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists. With the Nets in 2025-26, he averaged 5.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists over 26 games.