Hazleton basketball lands Brian Rivera for 2023-24 season

Brian Rivera (center) with his mother Kiara Tapia (left) and Director of Athletics Patrice Lombard (right) at New Student Orientation.
Brian Rivera (center) with his mother Kiara Tapia (left) and Director of Athletics Patrice Lombard (right) at New Student Orientation.
August 14, 2023

Hazleton, Pa. - Brian Rivera of Shenandoah, Pa. is suiting up for the 2023-24 Hazleton Nittany Lion Basketball team. Rivera, a graduate from Shenandoah Valley High School, was a two-year varsity player with Blue Devils where he helped the squad to a District XI championship in 2021-22 to earn a trip to the PIAA State tournament and was named 2nd Team All-Area in his senior year as a small forward. Rivera also competed in AAU Basketball in the offseason and participated with the Track and Field team at Shenandoah Valley High School in the spring season.

"We're thrilled to have Brian Rivera join the program," said Head Coach Jeff Rush. "Brian is a very fine athlete who we expect to have a great career with us and we believe he has the opportunity to make a big impact in year one with the team."

Rivera chose the Hazleton Nittany Lions because he felt the campus and the team was a good fit for his goals and had immediate report with the coaching staff. Rivera will enter his first year at Hazleton undecided in terms of his major but plans to excel inside and out of the classroom while working towards a future career.