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5 Key Re-Signings from the 2023 Season

Nathan Walker • February 5, 2024

In 2023, the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) arguably had its most impressive season both on and off the court. With the league’s sixth season and 2024 Free Agency around the corner, here’s a look back at five players who had big impacts on their teams by re-signing during the historic Year 5.

Khalil Ahmad (Guard, Niagara River Lions)


The 2022 CEBL Player of the Year and Clutch Player of Year did not disappoint in 2023, showing us that his MVP campaign the year prior was no fluke. In 2023 the guard took complete control of the River Lions offense once again, leading the team in points (18.9) and assists (6.0), while shooting 48.4% from the field and 36.7% from three. Ahmad also showed his ability to be an elite clutch-time performer and on-ball defender as he recorded league highs with eight total game winners and averaged 2.41 steals per game to earn his second CEBL Clutch Player of the Year Award alongside Defensive Player of the Year honours and a nod to his second All-CEBL First Team.

Kadre Gray (Guard, Ottawa BlackJacks)


Gray’s name appearing on this list should be no surprise to CEBL fans, especially following his iconic game-winning logo three to kickoff the season in the 2023 opener. But that highlight reel shot isn’t the only reason for his consideration. Heading into his third season with the BlackJacks, Gray’s comfortability with the team showed to be a positive as he posted career highs in almost every offensive category. At the end of the season, he led all passers in average assists with 6.2 to complement his 16.2 points per game on 48.4% shooting from the field and 42.0% from three. As a result, Gray was named the 2023 Canadian of the Year and was named to both the All-CEBL Second Team and All-Canadian Team. 

Christian Vital (Guard, Brampton Honey Badgers)


After winning the Finals MVP award in 2022, eyes around the league were fixed on the Brampton guard heading into 2023. Waiting to see how he would respond to his new leadership role with the Honey Badgers following the departure of their captain and 2022 Canadian Player of the Year, Caleb Agada, and 2022 Coach of the Year, Ryan Schimmdit, Vital responded by leading the Honey Badgers to a 2023 playoff berth while ranking among the league leaders with 19.7 points (4th), 2.40 steals (2nd) and 56 total three-pointers made (4th). He was also named to the All-CEBL Second Team in the process. 

Isiaha Mike (Forward, Scarborough Shooting Stars)


One of Scarborough's very own, Mike was a late addition to the Shooting Stars in the 2023 season, re-signing in mid-July and playing in less than half of the team’s regular season games. He made an immediate impact averaging 16.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.9 steals. In the postseason Mike’s play got better as the moment grew averaging 18.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.5 steals. This also included a Finals MVP performance that saw Mike record 22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and five steals on 50.0% shooting from the field and 33.3% from three, helping his team secure its first championship in franchise history.

Sean Miller-Moore (Forward, Calgary Surge)


The Calgary Surge moved from Guelph to Calgary in the 2022 offseason, bringing some familiar faces with them. One of them being forward Sean ‘Rugzy’ Miller-Moore. Like his play, Rugzy exploded onto the scene with the Surge on the way to a breakout year. He started in all 23 games, leading Calgary with 16.2 points while also averaging 4.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.0 block per game. Miller-Moore was a main pillar in the Surge’s 2023 run to the championship finals. Rugzy capped the season being named to the 2023 All-Canadian team and leaving us with some of the most exciting dunks in recent CEBL memory. 

2024 CEBL Free Agency officially opened on February 1. Follow all the league action at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

Ejim Joins Rattlers for Second CEBL Season

April 3, 2025
St. Francis Xavier University product appeared in 17 games during his first pro season with Calgary in 2023

L'Alliance Signe le Pivot Canadien Ben Stevens

April 3, 2025
Le joueur de 6’10” originaire des Maritimes apporte son expérience internationale et son impressionnante domination au rebond à la LECB

Alliance Sign Canadian Big Man Stevens

April 3, 2025
Maritime-born 6-foot-10 centre brings international experience and impressive rebounding prowess to CEBL

Stingers Sign Veteran CEBL Guard Bandoo

April 2, 2025
Brampton, Ontario native has averaged 15.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 40 games with Saskatchewan and Montreal since 2021

Tsegakele Returns for Fourth Season with Rattlers

April 2, 2025
Brandon University product is Saskatchewan's all-time franchise leader in games played

Surge Sign Former NBA Forward Brown III

April 2, 2025
The Pelicans' second-round draft pick in 2021 averaged 3.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in 70 career NBA games with the Trail Blazers and Mavericks

Les BlackJacks D'Ottawa Signe Shakur Daniel

April 1, 2025
Les BlackJacks d'Ottawa de la Ligue Élite Canadienne de Basketball (LECB), la plus grande ligue sportive professionnelle du Canada, ont annoncé aujourd'hui que l'équipe a signé un contrat avec le arrière Shakur Daniel pour la saison 2025. Daniel, 25 ans, se joint aux BlackJacks après avoir récemment terminé sa première année dans la G-League de la NBA, où il obtient une moyenne de 2,4 points par match et de 2,4 rebonds par match pour les Clippers de San Diego. Il est l'un des 11 Canadiens à avoir joué dans la ligue au cours de la saison 2024-25. Ses 27 matchs joués au cours de la campagne l'ont placé à égalité au deuxième rang parmi les Clippers de première année, tandis que ses 2,0 passes décisives par match l'ont placé à égalité au premier rang parmi tous les joueurs canadiens recrutés dans la G-League. « Shakur est un compétiteur de haut niveau qui a la capacité d'influencer le jeu de différentes façons », a déclaré le directeur général des BlackJacks, James Derouin. « Tout au long de son expérience dans la NCAA, au niveau international et dans la G-League, il a montré qu'il était prêt à faire tout ce qu'il fallait pour gagner. Nous avons hâte de le voir démontrer cette compétitivité dans la capitale nationale cet été. » Le natif d'Ajax, en Ontario, qui mesure 6'6 », a déjà une expérience internationale du basketball puisqu'il a passé la campagne 2023-24 avec le KK Feniks 2010 de la première ligue macédonienne, où il a joué en moyenne 29,2 minutes par match en 25 rencontres de MA Superleague. Ses 4,8 rebonds par match l'ont placé au troisième rang de l'équipe et son pourcentage de .451 à trois points sur 3,6 tentatives par match l'a placé au deuxième rang de tous les joueurs du KK Feniks. L'un des cinq meilleurs joueurs canadiens de niveau secondaire classés par USA Today à sa sortie de la Southwest Christian Academy de Little Rock, en Arkansas, Daniel a entamé sa carrière collégiale à Southern Mississippi (Conference USA) en 2018, où il s'est classé deuxième pour les passes décisives par match (0,7) parmi les joueurs de première année, tout en se taillant une place au tableau d'honneur de la CUSA. Lors de sa deuxième campagne, il a joué pour le Ranger Junior College sous la direction de Billy Gillispie, ancien entraîneur de la division I de la NCAA, où il a été nommé joueur défensif de l'année de la NTJCAC et a mené son équipe à un record de 28-3 en saison régulière. En 2020-21, Daniel rejoint son ancien entraîneur principal à Tarleton State (WAC) alors que le programme passe de la Division II à la Division I. Au cours de ses trois saisons avec les Texans, il réalise une moyenne de 2,6 passes décisives par match tout en jouant en moyenne 33,4 minutes par match, y compris en menant toute la conférence avec 35,6 minutes par match lors de sa saison diplômée. Il est actuellement possible d'acheter des forfaits de billets flexibles en visitant le site theblackjacks.ca/fr-ca/tickets . Les abonnements de saison des BlackJacks 2025 sont disponibles dès maintenant. Pour plus de détails, les amateurs sont invités à envoyer un courriel à [email protected] ou à composer le 613-690-0519. À propos des BlackJacks d'Ottawa Première franchise d'expansion de la Ligue de basket-ball de l'élite canadienne (LECB), les BlackJacks d'Ottawa présentent le meilleur du basket-ball et du divertissement dans la capitale nationale. Le bureau de direction d'Ottawa apporte à la franchise son expérience de la NBA, de la NBA G League, de l'équipe nationale, de la NCAA et des grandes ligues professionnelles internationales. Dirigée par le directeur général James Derouin et l'entraîneur-chef Dave DeAveiro, l'équipe d'Ottawa joue ses matchs à domicile dans l'aréna de classe mondiale de la Place TD, dans le parc Lansdowne. Pour plus d'informations, visitez le site theblackjacks.ca .

BlackJacks Sign Guard Daniel

April 1, 2025
Canadian guard most recently played for the San Diego Clippers in the NBA G League

Sea Bears Bolster Frontcourt with Addition of Power Forward Williams

April 1, 2025
Former Auburn Tiger and SEC Tournament Champion ranks third all-time in school history in games played (141) and made three NCAA Tournament appearances

Bandits Re-Sign Homegrown Power Forward Karnik

March 31, 2025
The Vancouver Bandits announced Monday that the club is bringing back 6-foot-9 forward and homegrown talent James Karnik for his third season with British Columbia’s professional basketball team. Hailing from Surrey, B.C., Karnik has established himself as one of the league’s premier power forwards, thanks in part for his thunderous dunks and tenacious defensive presence. Appearing in 24 games for the Bandits across two CEBL campaigns in 2022 and 2024, he owns averages of 11.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.9 blocks in 22.2 minutes of action. “Being able to play two seasons of professional basketball in my home province has been an amazing experience; we are really building something special in BC,” said Karnik. “I’m looking forward to coming home and running it back with the team and our fans for another summer!” Karnik is currently playing overseas for Dutch club Donar Groningen in the BNXT League, where he is averaging a double-double with 16.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in 26.1 minutes per game, while shooting 53% from the field. Karnik will report to the Bandits at the conclusion of Donar Groningen’s season. His overseas basketball career has also featured stints in Switzerland with Geneva Lions (2022-23) and the Czech Republic with Basket Brno (2022-23). “James has been an incredibly impactful player in the CEBL, he is an absolute beast on the court and a great presence in our locker room. It is truly a privilege to be able to coach and work with someone like James.” Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said. Holding a Czech passport, Karnik represents the Czech Republic in international FIBA play. Most recently, he was called up to the national team at both the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers and 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers appearing in four games across both competitions. Prior to turning professional, Karnik played in 130 games across a five year NCAA DI career. Split between Lehigh University (2017-20) and Boston College (2020-22), he owns collegiate career averages of 9.1 points on 56.2 per cent shooting and 6.1 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game. Karnik played high school basketball at Earl Marriott Secondary in Surrey and BC Christian Academy in Port Coquitlam before wrapping up his high school career at Orangeville Prep in Mono, Ont., the alma mater of several current NBAers including Jamal Murray, Oshae Brissett, Luguentz Dort and other recent NBA draft selections. Season Tickets and Jam Packs are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link . Single game tickets are expected to go on sale later this spring. The Bandits tip-off the 2025 CEBL campaign on Thursday, May 15 when the club hits the road to take on the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Fans will have their first chance to watch the club at home on Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m. PT when Vancouver hosts the Niagara River Lions in a rematch of the 2024 CEBL Final. Vancouver will play a total of 12 regular season home games in 2025 between Thursday, May 22 and Sunday, August 3. The Bandits wrap up regular season action on the road in Ottawa on Sunday, August 10 at 12 p.m. PT. All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on TSN+, as well as the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ , and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices). Individuals interested in learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2025 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email [email protected] . A complete regular season schedule can be found by clicking here . More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter . ### 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 Langley Events Centre (LEC). About the CEBL A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 12 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ , TSN, TSN+, RDS , Game+ and Next Level Sports & Entertainment . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .
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