E.J. Liddell Bio
Eric “E. J.” Liddell Jr. (born December 18, 2000) is an American professional basketball player 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. A 6’6″ forward from Belleville, Illinois, Liddell played college basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes before entering the NBA. He has been a two-time Illinois Mr. Basketball and a two-time First-team All-Big Ten selection during his college career.
Early Life and Background
Eric “E. J.” Liddell Jr. was born on December 18, 2000, in Belleville, Illinois, where he was raised. He attended Belleville High School-West, where he quickly developed into one of the top high school basketball prospects in the state. As a junior, Liddell averaged 20.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game and won the 2018 Illinois Mr. Basketball award. He also shared the 2018 St. Louis Post-Dispatch Player of the Year award and helped his team capture the Illinois Class 4A state championship that same season.
As a senior, Liddell averaged 20.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game, earning Illinois Mr. Basketball for the second consecutive year. He repeated as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Player of the Year and led Belleville West to another Illinois Class 4A state title. Liddell was a consensus four-star recruit and was ranked the best player in the state of Illinois in his class.
Path to Basketball
On October 1, 2018, Eric “E. J.” Liddell Jr. committed to playing college basketball at Ohio State, choosing the Buckeyes over scholarship offers from Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin. He joined a program with a strong tradition of developing NBA talent and immediately began working toward a role on the roster.
Liddell came off the bench during his freshman year at Ohio State, averaging 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while playing in all 31 games. He was second on the team with 29 blocks and recorded a double-double in a win against Illinois. By the end of his freshman campaign, Liddell had established himself as a versatile forward with shot-blocking ability and a growing offensive game.
E.J. Liddell Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
During his sophomore season, Liddell contracted mononucleosis early in the year, which forced him to miss several games. He recovered to post a season-high 26 points in a win against Illinois and finished the year averaging 16.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. After Ohio State’s Round of 64 loss to Oral Roberts in the NCAA Tournament, Liddell received social media threats, which he reported publicly, prompting law enforcement involvement.
On March 31, 2021, Eric “E. J.” Liddell Jr. declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility but later withdrew to return to Ohio State for his junior season. He scored a career-high 34 points in a 95–87 win against Northwestern on January 9, 2022, and was named First-team All-Big Ten. As a junior, Liddell averaged 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game before declaring for the 2022 NBA draft on March 25, 2022.
NBA Draft and New Orleans Pelicans (2022–2024)
Eric “E. J.” Liddell Jr. was selected in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans. He suffered a torn ACL during an NBA Summer League game against the Atlanta Hawks on July 11, 2022, and signed a two-way contract with the Pelicans on October 16, 2022. The injury kept him off the floor during his rookie year while he rehabbed and worked toward a return to play.
On July 6, 2023, Liddell signed a multi-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, signaling his return to health. He was later part of a major trade on July 6, 2024, when he was sent to the Atlanta Hawks as part of the Dejounte Murray deal. Liddell was subsequently traded to the Phoenix Suns on July 29, 2024, and was waived by Phoenix on August 27, 2024.
Chicago / Windy City Bulls (2024–2025)
On September 7, 2024, Eric “E. J.” Liddell Jr. signed with the Chicago Bulls, and the team later converted his deal to a two-way contract on October 19, 2024. He was assigned to the Windy City Bulls, the Bulls’ NBA G League affiliate, where he continued to develop his game and work his way back into NBA shape.
Brooklyn / Long Island Nets (2025–Present)
On September 3, 2025, the Brooklyn Nets signed Eric “E. J.” Liddell Jr. to a two-way contract, linking him to the Long Island Nets of the NBA G League. The move marked a fresh start in a new organization as he looked to carve out a consistent role in the NBA.
Driving Style and Strengths
Liddell is a 6’6″ forward who combines interior scoring with shot-blocking instincts, having averaged 2.6 blocks per game as a junior at Ohio State. He is comfortable facing up or operating with his back to the basket, and he brings energy on the defensive glass. His development under the Ohio State coaching staff helped him grow into a versatile two-way contributor.
Notable Events and Milestones
Liddell’s career-high 34-point performance against Northwestern on January 9, 2022, stands as one of his most memorable college moments. He also became a two-time Illinois Mr. Basketball, a two-time First-team All-Big Ten selection, and a consensus four-star recruit ranked as the top player in the state of Illinois. His comeback from a torn ACL has defined his early professional journey.
E.J. Liddell Career Wins
Eric “E. J.” Liddell Jr. has accumulated a strong collection of team championships and individual awards across his high school and college career. He won back-to-back Illinois Class 4A state championships with Belleville West in 2018 and 2019, and earned two Illinois Mr. Basketball honors. At Ohio State, he was a two-time First-team All-Big Ten pick and a Big Ten All-Defensive Team member in 2022.
College Highlights
Liddell helped lead Ohio State to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including a deep run in 2021 as a key piece of the Buckeyes’ rotation. He earned First-team All-Big Ten honors in both 2021 and 2022 and was a Third-team All-American in 2022. He finished his junior year averaging 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the court, Liddell was recognized as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Player of the Year in both 2018 and 2019 while at Belleville West. He was also a consensus four-star recruit and the consensus top-ranked player in the state of Illinois.
E.J. Liddell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Eric “E. J.” Liddell Jr. was raised in Belleville, Illinois, and developed his basketball game in a community with a strong high school tradition. Details about his parents and family members are not publicly documented in verified sources.
Personal Life
Public information about Liddell’s personal life, including his marital status, spouse, or children, is not available from verified sources. He is known to be active on social media, where he has engaged with fans throughout his basketball career.
2025 Season Performance
Eric “E. J.” Liddell Jr. enters the 2025 season with the Brooklyn Nets on a two-way contract, paired with the Long Island Nets of the NBA G League. After a season split between the Chicago Bulls and the Windy City Bulls in 2024–2025, Liddell has a fresh opportunity to showcase his development with a new organization. His combination of shot-blocking, rebounding, and interior scoring gives the Nets a versatile forward option on both ends of the floor.
Liddell’s primary focus in 2025 will be staying healthy and continuing the comeback from his 2022 torn ACL. The two-way contract gives him a path to NBA minutes while also allowing for G League reps with Long Island to refine his game. A strong training camp and preseason could position him for a larger role as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, Liddell’s outlook for 2025 depends on his ability to translate his college production into consistent professional contributions. With the Brooklyn organization investing in his upside, he has the platform to earn a standard NBA deal if his development continues on its current trajectory.