E.J. Liddell
Eric “E. J.” Liddell Jr. is an American professional basketball player who currently plays as a Power Forward. Born in Belleville, Illinois, on December 18, 2000, he is 2.01 meters tall and weighs approximately 108 kilograms. His career was marked by his dominance in college basketball before being selected in the NBA Draft. High School Career Liddell grew up in Belleville, Illinois, and attended Belleville High School-West. His performance in high school basketball was notable, being one of the few athletes to win the prestigious Illinois Mr. Basketball award for two consecutive years, in 2018 and 2019. In his junior year, he averaged 20.8 points and 8.2 rebounds. In his senior year, he maintained a high level with averages of 20.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game. He also won the Illinois Class 4A state championship. Collegiate Career at Ohio State After high school, Liddell committed to Ohio State University, where he played for the Buckeyes from 2019 to 2022. Freshman year (2019-20): He came off the bench, participating in all 31 team games and finishing second in blocks, with 29 in total. He averaged 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds. Standout Seasons (2020-2022): Liddell emerged as one of the most consistent players in the Big Ten conference. He was named to the First Team All-Big Ten in two consecutive seasons (2021 and 2022). In his third and final season (2021-22), Liddell had the best averages of his collegiate career, with 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game. For this performance, he was named to the Third Team All-American and was part of the Big Ten All-Defensive Team, proving to be a versatile defender. He ended his collegiate career as the 32nd leading scorer and 7th in blocks in Ohio State program history. On March 25, 2022, Liddell declared for the NBA Draft, foregoing his remaining collegiate eligibility. Professional Career in the NBA Draft and Early Career (Pelicans) E. J. Liddell was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2nd round, as the 41st overall pick, in the 2022 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, his transition to professional basketball was marked by a severe injury: during an NBA Summer League game on July 11, 2022, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. Despite the injury, he signed a two-way contract with the Pelicans in October of that year and continued his recovery process, also playing for their G-League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron. His official NBA debut occurred on October 28, 2023. Recent Movements In the following years, Liddell went through some team movements: In July 2024, he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks and subsequently to the Phoenix Suns, who waived him in August. In September 2024, he signed with the Chicago Bulls, with the contract being converted to a two-way contract, and played for their G-League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls. Current Situation (Brooklyn Nets) In September 2025, E. J. Liddell signed a new two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets. He splits his time between the Nets in the NBA and the Long Island Nets in the G-League, seeking to solidify his place in the league and showcase the potential that made him an elite college player.
