The Winnipeg Sea Bears today announced the club has signed point guard Trey McGowens for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League season. McGowens (6-3, 190, University of Pittsburgh; born: May 15, 2000, in Pendleton, South Carolina) arrives in Winnipeg following a 2025–26 season with the NBA G League’s Austin Spurs, where he averaged 6.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. McGowens also competed in the EuroCup with the Trefl Sopot in Poland. In 2023–24, McGowens split time between three NBA G League teams; the Long Island Nets, College Park Skyhawks and Raptors 905, and made his first CEBL appearance with the Edmonton Stingers, where he led the team in scoring at 15.7 points per game while adding 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.2 steals. With the College Park Skyhawks in that same season, he averaged 12.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.9 steals across seven games. McGowens has also represented the United States on the international stage and was named MVP of the 2023 FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup in Lublin, Poland, leading Team USA to a gold medal in the country’s first-ever U23 World Cup title. McGowens finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 54 points and starred in the gold-medal final with 10 points in a 21–3 victory over Israel. The point guard played four collegiate seasons across the University of Pittsburgh (2018-19) and the University of Nebraska. As a freshman at Pittsburgh, he set the freshman single-game records for points (33), steals (7) and free throws (18), and was named ACC Rookie of the Week in both December 2018 and January 2019. After transferring to Nebraska, he averaged 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game in 2020–21, ranking among the Big Ten leaders in scoring, assists and steals. The Sea Bears home opener is this Saturday, May 16 against the Saskatoon Mamba. Don't miss out, the first 5,000 fans through the doors get a free pair of Sea Bears Summer sunglasses. Get your tickets today.

Javan Johnson, a 6’7 forward from Decatur, brings scoring versatility, athleticism, and professional experience to Scarborough’s frontcourt. Known for his ability to stretch the floor, attack off the dribble, and defend multiple positions, Johnson adds another dynamic two-way piece to the Shooting Stars roster. Professional Journey Johnson joins the Shooting Stars following professional experience in the NBA G League and international basketball, where he continued to develop his offensive consistency and defensive versatility against high-level competition. His professional background and ability to contribute in multiple roles make him a valuable addition heading into the 2026 CEBL season. NCAA Career Johnson completed his collegiate career with the DePaul Blue Demons after beginning his NCAA journey with the Troy Trojans. During his time at DePaul, Johnson established himself as one of the team’s top scoring options and a versatile offensive threat in the Big East Conference. In the 2021–22 season, he averaged 15.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while showcasing his ability to score from the perimeter and finish in transition. Throughout his collegiate career, Johnson earned recognition for his athleticism, rebounding ability, and offensive versatility, consistently impacting games on both ends of the floor. International & Development Experience Following college, Johnson continued his professional development through the NBA G League and overseas opportunities, gaining valuable experience against elite competition and expanding his all-around game. Pro Impact Johnson’s size, versatility, and scoring ability give the Shooting Stars another athletic and skilled option in the frontcourt. His ability to defend multiple positions, create offence, and stretch the floor makes him a strong fit within Scarborough’s fast-paced style of play. With Johnson joining the lineup, the Shooting Stars continue to build a deep and competitive roster ready to contend for a championship in the 2026 CEBL season.

The Montreal Alliance announced today the signing of guard Javon Freeman-Liberty, a former Toronto Raptors player and one of the NBA G League’s most dynamic two-way guards. Freeman-Liberty brings NBA experience to Montreal after appearing in 22 games with the Toronto Raptors during the 2023–24 season, including six starts. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 7.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while showcasing his athleticism, versatility, and ability to impact both ends of the floor at the highest level. The Chicago native also established himself as a standout performer in the NBA G League. During his stint with the Raptors 905 in 2023–24, Freeman-Liberty averaged 24.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, delivering multiple dominant scoring performances, including a 40-point outing against the Texas Legends (January 9, 2024). Most recently, Freeman-Liberty competed with the Long Island Nets in the NBA G League, continuing to demonstrate his playmaking ability while averaging over 13 points per game. Before turning professional, Freeman-Liberty starred at DePaul University, where he emerged as one of the top guards in the BIG EAST Conference. In his final collegiate season, he averaged 21.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, including a 39-point performance against St. John’s (February 27, 2022). “Any time you can add a player with high-level experience and a proven track record across multiple leagues, it raises the level of your team,” said Alliance General Manager and Co-Owner Joel Anthony. “Javon has a natural ability to score, a strong feel for the game, and the capacity to step up in big moments. Those are qualities we value and believe will fit well within our coaches’ system heading into the upcoming season.” Throughout his professional career, Freeman-Liberty has averaged 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. Now, after establishing himself as a proven scorer at every level, Freeman-Liberty brings his experience and scoring ability to Montreal for the 2026 CEBL season. -REPMTL- About the Montreal Alliance The Montreal Alliance is a professional basketball team competing in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), Canada’s premier summer basketball league. The organization is committed to delivering high-level basketball and an engaging experience for fans in Montreal and across Quebec.

Yuot, a 6’8 forward from Calgary, brings size, athleticism, and international professional experience to Scarborough’s frontcourt. Known for his rebounding ability, physical play, and versatility on both ends of the floor, Yuot adds another high-energy presence to the Shooting Stars lineup. Yuot joins the Shooting Stars following a standout professional season with SC Vasco da Gama in Portugal, where he emerged as one of the top forwards in the league. During the 2025–26 season, Yuot averaged over 18 points and 7 rebounds per game while competing in Portugal’s top division. His strong performances earned him recognition across the league, including being named MVP of Round 12 in Portugal’s Liga Betclic Masculina after a dominant outing against FC Porto. Throughout his professional career, Yuot has built a reputation as a physical two-way forward capable of scoring efficiently, rebounding at a high level, and defending multiple positions. Before beginning his professional career overseas, Yuot developed through the Canadian basketball system, including time with the SAIT Trojans, where he continued to refine his game and establish himself as a versatile frontcourt player. His progression through collegiate and international basketball reflects his growth into a pro-ready forward capable of impacting winning in multiple ways. As a Canadian athlete with South Sudanese roots, Yuot represents the continued rise of diverse Canadian basketball talent competing professionally around the world. His international experience and physical style of play bring additional toughness and versatility to Scarborough’s roster. Yuot’s combination of size, rebounding, and defensive versatility gives the Shooting Stars another strong frontcourt option heading into the 2026 season. His ability to play with energy, finish inside, and compete physically on both ends of the floor makes him a valuable addition to the team. With Yuot joining the lineup, Scarborough continues to build a deep, athletic, and competitive roster ready to contend for a championship in the 2026 CEBL season.

The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that former Los Angeles Clippers G League guard and recent NBA G League All-Star Jaelen House has signed with the club for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League season (CEBL). Boasting strong ties to Vancouver and the NBA, House is the nephew of former Vancouver Grizzlies star Mike Bibby and the son of former NBA champion Eddie House. “I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the Bandits and be part of something special in Vancouver,” said House on joining the Bandits and the CEBL. “The culture, toughness, and competitive mindset really stood out to me, and I know this is the right place for me to grow as a player and person. I’m ready to get to work, compete every day, and do whatever it takes to help this team win a championship! A 6-foot-1 guard from Phoenix, Ariz., House topped the NBA G League in assists percentage (40.5 per cent) with the San Diego Clippers last season. In addition to his team-leading 7.3 assists per game, he also recorded 21.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.9 steals in 28.6 minutes through 22 regular season games. House broke multiple records for his all-star play during the 2025-26 season, setting a franchise record for assists in a game (17) and dropping a career-high 45 points on February 21, 2026. His stellar play earned him a roster spot in the 2026 NBA G League Next Up Game, part of NBA All-Star Weekend festivities. “Jaelen is an elite point guard with serious NBA talent. He will come in and enhance our offense and culture right away; he fits who we are and what we are about perfectly,” said head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. “This year's team is talented and full of grit and toughness, and that is exactly what Jaelen is all about.” House most recently played with the Beijing Royal Fighters of the Chinese Basketball Association, with whom he signed in March and posted a 44 point performance on April 19. Prior to turning professional, House attended the University of New Mexico (UNM) where he earned Defensive Player of the Year and Tournament MVP honours in the Mountain West Conference in his senior year in 2023-24. House started 31 games, leading the Lobos in scoring (15.9) and steals (2.3) per game, as well as 3.5 assists per game. He was voted as a Second Team All-Star in his conference, while captaining his team and 11th seed appearance at that year’s NCAA March Madness tournament. House also holds UNM’s single-season program record for steals (86) during the 2022-23 season, which ranked him second across all NCAA DI players that year. The Bandits open the 2026 CEBL season on Thursday, May 14 on the road in Saskatoon before coming home for its Home Opener against the Edmonton Stingers on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. PT at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, the CEBL Mobile app, the CBC Gem app and the CBC Sports YouTube channel. Marquee games will air nationally on CBC TV.  ### About the Vancouver Bandits: The Vancouver Bandits are British Columbia’s professional basketball team. As the westernmost club in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Bandits offer an entertainment experience that combines a fast-paced game day atmosphere with a presentation of some of Canada’s top professional athletes within a world-class venue at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre (LEC), while also being committed to growing the game of basketball by fostering meaningful community connections through youth programming, events, and partnerships.

And we’re off. The CEBL season officially tipped off Saturday when the Winnipeg Sea Bears squeaked out a target-score thriller in a 77-75 win over the Edmonton Stingers. Now, we’re set for a full slate of action as each of the eight other teams get their years started this week. Before we fully dive in, one last reminder that things are a little different this time around — mainly, there is no automatic playoff berth, with the top four teams by record in each conference reaching the CEBL Playoffs. The CEBL Finals will be a best-of-three for the first time in league history, contended on both teams’ home courts. Still, the CEBL action you know and love largely remains the same. Here are eight players — one from each team that will debut this week — worth watching with the 2026 season officially underway: Rugzy Miller-Moore, guard, Calgary Surge We’ll start with a familiar face as Miller-Moore, the Brampton native, returns to Calgary for a fourth straight season. Miller-Moore, 27, is the all-time leading scorer among Canadians in the CEBL after passing Alex Campbell last season, and he came oh-so-close to winning his first-ever title before falling to the Niagara River Lions last August. Now, he’ll be looking to finally get that long-awaited ring. Matthew Cleveland, guard, Ottawa BlackJacks Cleveland, 23, comes to the CEBL after spending the season in the G League, where he worked close to incoming BlackJacks head coach Justin Mazzulla, a video coordinator with the Utah Jazz, while with their Salt Lake City affiliate. The Atlanta native averaged 16.1 points per game as a G League rookie to go with 7.8 rebounds while knocking down 35.7 per cent of his three-point attempts. Mychal Mulder, guard, Vancouver Bandits A veteran of 84 NBA games, Mulder is set for his CEBL debut on a Bandits team still searching for its first title. The Windsor, Ont., native has been known as a shooter throughout his basketball career, including a 37 per cent mark in the NBA, where he last played in 2022. Now, he’ll hope to fill in the gaps left by the exit of reigning MVP Mitch Creek in Vancouver. Tavian Dunn-Martin, guard, Saskatoon Mamba An old face in a new place, Dunn-Martin is set for his sophomore season in the CEBL after shining as a rookie with the Montreal Alliance. The diminutive point guard played 21 games for the Quebec club, averaging 18.8 points and 6.2 assists. He now joins a rebranded Mamba squad in search of its first championship since the inaugural 2019 season. Charles Bediako, forward, Scarborough Shooting Stars The Canadian forward, who has G League experience, made headlines this year when briefly returned to the University of Alabama men’s basketball team before a court ruled he was ineligible. Now, Bediako, of Brampton, Ont., returns to the pro ranks with the Shooting Stars, where he promises to be a frontcourt force. Guillaume Boucard, forward, Montreal Alliance Boucard heads back home to Montreal after tasting the title with the Niagara River Lions last season, where he played a critical role, mostly off the bench, averaging 20 minutes, 6.9 points and five rebounds per contest. With the Alliance never having reached the Championship Final in their four seasons, perhaps Boucard’s experience could be the missing piece. Sean East II, guard, Brampton Honey Badgers The MVP runner-up is sporting new colours this season as he heads east from Edmonton, where he put together a masterful rookie season in 2025. Now, East II — alongside fellow big-name signings in Jameer Nelson Jr. and ex-Stingers teammate Keon Ambrose-Hylton — will look to restore glory to the Honey Badgers franchise. East II scored 23.3 points per game last season while shooting 40.6 per cent from beyond the arc. Khalil Ahmad, guard, Niagara River Lions The two-time reigning Finals MVP is back for another go at it as he looks to lead the River Lions to a third straight ‘chip. The always-calm Ahmad is far-and-away the CEBL’s all-time leader in Target Score Winners, and even amid change around him — most notably at head coach — he remains the straw that stirs the Niagara drink. Weekly schedule (Eight games) Game #2 – Tuesday, May 12 – CGY at OTT – 7:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. MT – The Arena at TD Place (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #3 – Thursday, May 14 – VAN at SSK – 10:30 a.m. CST / 9:30 a.m. PT / 12:30 p.m. ET – SaskTel Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #4 – Friday, May 15 – SSS at MTL – 7:30 p.m. ET – Verdun Auditorium (CBC Gem, YouTube, RDS, CEBL+) Game #5 – Friday, May 15 – OTT at BHB – 7:30 p.m. ET – CAA Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #6 – Saturday, May 16 – SSK at WPG – 7 p.m. CDT / 6 p.m. CST / 8 p.m. ET – Canada Life Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #7 – Saturday, May 16 – VAN at EDM – 7 p.m. MT / 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET – Edmonton EXPO Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #8 – Sunday, May 17 – CGY at BHB – 4 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. MT – CAA Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #9 – Monday, May 18 – NRL at OTT – 7 p.m. ET – The Arena at TD Place (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) For the full 2026 CEBL schedule, please visit cebl.ca/games .

Accomplished coast-to-coast broadcast team set to deliver every moment of the action all summer across CBC platforms and CEBL+