E.J. Liddell

Eric “E. J.” Liddell Jr. was born on December 18, 2000, in Belleville, Illinois. He attended Belleville High School-West, where he developed into a standout basketball player. During his junior year, he averaged 20.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, earning the 2018 Illinois Mr. Basketball award. He also shared the 2018 St. Louis Post Dispatch Player of the Year honor and led his team to an Illinois 4A class state championship. Liddell continued his dominance in his senior year, averaging 20.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game, securing his second consecutive Illinois Mr. Basketball award, another St. Louis Post Dispatch Player of the Year title, and a second Illinois 4A class state championship.

Liddell committed to playing college basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes. As a freshman, he played in all 31 games, averaging 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds, and was second on the team with 29 blocks. He continued to improve, and in his sophomore season, despite a bout with mononucleosis, he averaged 16.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. His collegiate career culminated in a junior season where he averaged 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors.

E.J. Liddell was drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft as the 41st overall pick. His professional journey saw him signing a two-way contract with the Pelicans in October 2022. He later signed a multi-year deal with the Pelicans in July 2023. Following trades, Liddell joined the Chicago Bulls in September 2024, where his deal was converted to a two-way contract. Currently, he is with the Brooklyn Nets, having signed a two-way contract in September 2025, playing for both the Nets and their G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.