E.J. Liddell Bio
Eric “E. J.” Liddell Jr., born December 18, 2000, in Belleville, Illinois, is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA) on a two-way contract with the Long Island Nets of the NBA G League. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and listed at 240 pounds, Liddell plays the power forward position and is known for his combination of scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking ability. He played college basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he became one of the most decorated players in program history before entering the 2022 NBA draft.
Over the course of his basketball journey, E.J. Liddell has competed at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels, earning recognition as one of the top players to come out of the state of Illinois. His career has spanned multiple NBA organizations, G League affiliates, and international basketball, reflecting both his resilience and his continued development as a forward in the modern game.
Early Life and Background
Eric “E. J.” Liddell Jr. was raised in Belleville, Illinois, where he attended Belleville High School-West and quickly established himself as one of the most promising basketball talents in the region. During his junior year, Liddell averaged 20.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, showcasing the scoring and rebounding ability that would later define his collegiate career. That season, he captured the 2018 Illinois Mr. Basketball award and shared the 2018 St. Louis Post-Dispatch Player of the Year honor with Courtney Ramey, while also helping his team win the Illinois 4A class state championship.
As a senior at Belleville West, Liddell continued to elevate his game, averaging 20.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game, demonstrating his growing shot-blocking instincts on the defensive end. For the second consecutive year, he earned Illinois Mr. Basketball honors, repeated as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Player of the Year, and led his team to another Illinois 4A class state title. By the time he finished his high school career, Liddell was recognized as a consensus four-star recruit and ranked as the best player in the state of Illinois.
On October 1, 2018, Liddell committed to playing college basketball at Ohio State, choosing the Buckeyes over scholarship offers from several other programs, including Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin. His decision set the stage for what would become one of the most productive careers in recent Ohio State history.
Path to Basketball
Liddell’s path to professional basketball began in Belleville, Illinois, where his high school success quickly attracted national attention. His back-to-back Illinois Mr. Basketball awards in 2018 and 2019 marked him as a generational talent in the state, and his recruitment by multiple high-major programs confirmed his status as one of the top prospects in his class. The exposure he received through state championships and regional player of the year honors helped him transition smoothly into the collegiate ranks at Ohio State.
At Ohio State, Liddell developed steadily across his three seasons with the Buckeyes, evolving from a reserve contributor into one of the Big Ten Conference’s most dominant forwards. His combination of size, athleticism, and versatility allowed him to impact the game on both ends of the floor, drawing praise from coaches and analysts alike. By the end of his junior year, Liddell had firmly positioned himself as a legitimate NBA prospect, ultimately declaring for the 2022 NBA draft and forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
E.J. Liddell Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Liddell came off the bench during his freshman season at Ohio State, averaging 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while playing in all 31 contests. He finished second on the team with 29 blocks, signaling his defensive potential, and recorded a double-double in a win against Illinois. His role expanded significantly during his sophomore year, when he averaged 16.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, highlighted by a season-high 26-point performance against Illinois.
Following his sophomore season, Liddell initially declared for the 2021 NBA draft before withdrawing and returning to Ohio State for his junior campaign. On January 9, 2022, he scored a career-high 34 points in a 95–87 win against Northwestern, cementing his status as a premier scorer in the Big Ten. He averaged 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game as a junior, earning multiple All-American and All-Big Ten honors before declaring for the 2022 NBA draft.
NBA Breakthrough (2022–2024)
Liddell was selected in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft, picked 41st overall by the New Orleans Pelicans. His debut was cut short when he suffered a torn ACL during an NBA Summer League game against the Atlanta Hawks on July 11, 2022. On October 16, 2022, he signed a two-way contract with the Pelicans, beginning his professional career in the NBA system while also developing with the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League.
On July 6, 2023, Liddell signed a multi-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, a sign of the organization’s confidence in his long-term potential. His time with New Orleans came to an end on July 6, 2024, when he was part of a multi-player trade package sent to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Dejounte Murray. Liddell was subsequently traded to the Phoenix Suns on July 29, 2024, in exchange for David Roddy, and was waived by Phoenix on August 27, 2024.
Chicago and Brooklyn Era (2024–2026)
On September 7, 2024, Liddell signed with the Chicago Bulls, with the team later converting his deal to a two-way contract on October 19, 2024. He spent time developing with the Windy City Bulls, the organization’s G League affiliate, continuing to refine his game while working toward a more permanent NBA role.
On September 3, 2025, the Brooklyn Nets signed Liddell to a two-way contract, pairing him with the Long Island Nets in the G League. On April 7, 2026, Liddell recorded a career-high 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting during a 96–90 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, showcasing his scoring ability at the NBA level. Later, on June 17, 2026, Liddell signed with Aris Thessaloniki of the Greek Basketball League and the EuroCup, beginning a new chapter in his professional career overseas.
Driving Style and Strengths
Liddell is recognized for his versatility as a power forward, combining reliable mid-range scoring with strong rebounding and shot-blocking instincts developed during his time at Ohio State. His ability to defend multiple positions and contribute as a rim protector has made him a valuable two-way contributor, while his offensive game continues to expand with experience at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of Liddell’s career was his career-high 34-point performance against Northwestern on January 9, 2022, and his career-high 21-point NBA outing against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 7, 2026. He also earned back-to-back Illinois Mr. Basketball honors in 2018 and 2019, a rare achievement that underscored his dominance at the high school level in his home state.
E.J. Liddell Career Wins
Throughout his basketball career, E.J. Liddell has accumulated a range of individual accolades and team accomplishments spanning high school, college, and professional basketball. His recognition includes two Illinois Mr. Basketball titles, two First-team All-Big Ten selections, and Third-team All-American honors, reflecting his consistent excellence at every level of the sport.
Collegiate Highlights
During his three seasons at Ohio State, Liddell earned First-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches in both 2021 and 2022, along with a First-team All-Big Ten selection from the media in 2022. He was also named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team in 2022 and received Second-team All-Big Ten recognition from the media in 2021, capping his junior year with Third-team All-American honors from the AP, USBWA, NABC, and SN.
Other Wins and Performances
At the high school level, Liddell won two Illinois 4A class state championships, two Illinois Mr. Basketball awards, and two St. Louis Post-Dispatch Player of the Year honors, establishing himself as one of the most decorated players in Belleville West history. His professional career has continued to build on that foundation as he transitions between NBA and G League opportunities, and now to international basketball with Aris Thessaloniki.
E.J. Liddell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed information regarding E.J. Liddell’s family background and any potential athletic lineage is not widely available in verified sources at this time.
Personal Life
Public details about Liddell’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, or children, are not currently available in verified sources. He continues to be represented professionally through his social media presence, including verified accounts on X and Instagram.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 portion of his professional career, E.J. Liddell was signed by the Brooklyn Nets to a two-way contract on September 3, 2025, linking him to both the NBA club and the Long Island Nets of the G League. This opportunity provided him with a fresh platform to showcase the development he had undergone since his injury-shortened start with the New Orleans Pelicans, and he worked to make an impact in limited NBA minutes while playing significant stretches in the G League.
On April 7, 2026, Liddell delivered one of the most impressive performances of his NBA career, scoring 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting in a 96–90 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. The performance stood as a career high in NBA scoring and demonstrated the offensive growth he had cultivated through years of professional experience. His efficiency and scoring burst offered a glimpse of the player many evaluators believed he could become when he was first drafted in 2022.
Following the conclusion of the 2025–26 NBA season, Liddell transitioned to international basketball, signing with Aris Thessaloniki of the Greek Basketball League and the EuroCup on June 17, 2026. The move represented a new chapter in his career and an opportunity to expand his game on a global stage while continuing his professional development abroad.
