The dream so many of his contemporaries have chased beyond Canada’s borders still hasn’t taken Joel Friesen away from home.

After a decorated five-season CIS career, Friesen has signed a one-year deal with the expansion Niagara River Lions of the National Basketball League.

The one-time member of the Fraser Valley Cascades and recent Alberta Golden Bears alum will join the St. Catherines, Ont.,-based expansion franchise for the 2015-16 season, which tips off in December.

“The thought of being able to help build a brand new franchise is something that was really appealing to me, as well as being able to stay in Canada and say that I made it professionally by staying in Canada all the way throughout my whole career,” said Friesen. “I think it’s something that is pretty cool and a lot of people who play basketball now can aspire to, to stay in Canada.”

Friesen follows in the pro footsteps of former Alberta teammate Jordan Baker, a 2014 grad who played last season in Germany and has signed to play in Portugal beginning this fall. While he drew interest from teams in countries such as Germany and Norway, Friesen decided on the NBL, which heads into its fifth season with eight teams based in and Atlantic Canada and Ontario.

“Playing pro is something that I’ve been preparing for for as long as I’ve been dreaming about playing basketball … people just tell me to play for the right reasons, and it’s not about the money, especially in a first-year contract,” said Friesen.

“You want to be happy, you want to be comfortable and at the same time you want to make a name for yourself and that’s something that I plan to do. It’s a league that’s young and there’s a lot of good talent in the league, I know that for a fact. There’s a lot of American players and it’s going to be physical game and it’s the next level so you just got to be ready in any way.”

Friesen played the last two seasons in Edmonton, leading the Bears in scoring in 2014-15 when he was named a Canada West first-team All-Star. The Abbottsford, B.C., native had previously spent three years at Fraser Valley, earning Canada West All-Star selections in 2011 and 2012 before transferring to Alberta to continue playing for coach Barnaby Craddock, who left the Cascades to join the Bears prior to the 2012-13 season.

“I’ve learned so much about myself on and off the court being here in Edmonton and just having such great people around me to support me and teach me so many new things about the game,” said Friesen.

“It’s been a really good experience and I just can’t thank the university and basketball community enough for making me feel super welcome and taking me in. I’ve made so many new friends, connections and relationships, and I definitely think of Edmonton as a second home to me now for sure.

“Actually, as of late, more of a first home.”