EJ Liddell

EJ Liddell's Biography

Eric “E. J.” Liddell Jr., born December 18, 2000, is a prominent figure in the sport of professional basketball. As an American born player, Liddell has showcased his talents and skills on the court, plying his trade most recently for Chicago Bulls. The Chicago Bulls, a team in the National Basketball Association (NBA), holds Liddell on a two-way contract with the NBA G League affiliate Windy City Bulls.

Liddell’s basketball journey began at Ohio State, where he played college basketball representing the Ohio State Buckeyes. However, his early roots in the game go back to his high school days at Belleville High School-West in his hometown of Belleville, Illinois. Standout performances during high school include an impressive average of 20.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in Junior year which won him the 2018 Illinois Mr. Basketball Award. He also shared honors with Courtney Ramey as the 2018 St. Louis Post Dispatch Player of the Year and took home the Illinois 4A class state championship.

Maintaining his high performance into senior year, Liddell averaged 20.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game. This incredible achievement not only ensured a second consecutive Illinois Mr. Basketball title and St. Louis Post Dispatch Player of the Year honor but also another Illinois 4A class state championship victory.

With a proven pedigree as a high school player, Liddell then moved into his collegiate career, hailed as a consensus four-star recruit and Illinois’ top-ranked player. October 1, 2018, marked a critical juncture in Liddell’s basketball career, when he committed to Ohio State, choosing it over schools like Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

In his freshman year, Liddell became an indispensable asset coming off the bench, native an average of 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game and featuring in all 31 games. Despite a setback due to mononucleosis in his sophomore season, which kept him out of several games, Liddell made a strong comeback and continued to shine. His performances saw him averaging 16.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game during that year.

However, despite his contributions on the court, off-court troubles marred his sophomore season. Following Ohio State’s Round of 64 loss to Oral Roberts, Liddell received disturbing threats through social media. The incident prompted Ohio State to contact law enforcement, who began investigating.

Liddell declared for the 2021 NBA draft on March 31, 2021, but kept his college eligibility intact. He later opted out of the draft and returned to Ohio State for his junior year. He delivered an impressive performance in his junior year, averaging 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game. On March 25, 2022, Liddell declared for the 2022 NBA draft, officially closing his college basketball career.

In the 2022 NBA draft, Liddell was picked by the New Orleans Pelicans in the second round. However, his rookie summer league campaign suffered a setback when he tore his ACL in a game against the Atlanta Hawks on July 11, 2022. Despite this setback, the Pelicans signed him to a two-way contract on October 16.

After his recovery, Liddell worked through numerous trades and transactions over the next two seasons, including a multi-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, and trades that moved him through several franchises such as the Atlanta Hawks and the Phoenix Suns. Despite the volatility, Liddell demonstrated his resilience and, in September 2024, signed with the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls recognized his talent and potential and converted his deal into a two-way contract in October of the same year.

In a career marked by both triumph and turbulence, Liddell’s story is one of determination and hard work. It is a testament to his desire and drive to be a valuable and accomplished player in the world of professional basketball. As a player for the Chicago Bulls and a significant contributor to the sport, Liddell continues to make his mark on and off the court.