Adong Makuoi Returns for Second Season with Saskatchewan Rattlers

Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that the club has re-signed Edmonton, Alberta-native Adong Makuoi for the 2024 season. The NCAA D1 alumni returns for his second year after making his professional debut with the Rattlers in 2023.

“Adong is another key piece in our strategy of signing, developing, and retaining young players,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk. “He had an excellent season as a rookie in the league last year. After a season under his belt as a professional overseas this winter, we have high expectations for him in 2024.”

During his professional career, Makuoi has played two seasons with two teams in Cypress and the CEBL. Makuoi has a career average of 8.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, and 23.8 minutes in 44 games while shooting 64.0% from the field.

While with the Rattlers during the 2023 season, Makuoi played all 20 games, averaging 5.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 18.7 minutes while shooting 55.8% from the field. He made 12 appearances in the starting lineup and led the team with 1.0 blocks per game. During the CEBL off-season, Adong signed with Proteas EKA AEL of Cypriot Division A in Cypress. He is currently leading the team in total rebounds (118), total blocks (15), total games played (18), and is second in total points (214). Proteas has a record of 12 wins and six losses with Adong averaging 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 0.7 blocks, and 28.1 minutes in 18 games.

“I am happy and blessed to be back in Sask for another summer,” said Makuoi. “Last season, we finished underachieving. I am ready to come back and help us win more this summer in the CEBL”

Prior to entering college, Makuoi played for Archbishop O’Leary High School in Edmonton, Alberta. The Archbishop O’Leary Spartans made appearances in Saskatoon’s longest reigning invitational tournament, BRIT in 2015 and 2016, where Makuoi was named Dunk Champion in 2015. Makuoi spent his last year of high school at The RISE Centre Academy in Brantford, Ontario and was selected that season to play in the 2018 BioSteel All-Canadian High School Basketball Game. Makuoi made his collegiate debut for Palm Beach State Junior College for the 2018-19 season. He started 29 of the 30 games as a freshman averaging 8.1 points, 5.6 rebounds while shooting 58.1 percent from the field. Makuoi transferred to Daytona State Junior College for the 2019-2020 season. Makuoi started all 30 games as a sophomore, averaging 6.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting 69.8 percent from the field and 75.0 percent for the free throw line. Makuoi was named to the All-Mid-Florida Conference Second Team.

Makuoi entered NCAA D1 as a junior with the Northern Illinois University Huskies for the 2020-21 season. As a junior, he started 14 of 17 games averaging 4.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 17.9 minutes per game. In his final season with the Huskies, Makuoi made it into the starting line-up 25 of the 30 games played. He finished the season averaging 5.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 16.9 minutes per game while shooting 53 percent from the field. Makuoi transferred to Tennessee State University for the 2022-23 season. In his final NCAA season, he started all 32 games averaging 9.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 22.4 minutes per game while shooting 62 percent from the field. Makuoi led his team in total rebounds (175), rebounds per game (5.5), total blocks (35), and blocks per game (1.1). In his final year, he set new career-bests with 18 points (Dec 20), and four blocks (Jan 12). 

Canadian Elite Basketball League free agency will continue leading up to the announcement of the full training camp roster.

The 2024 schedule has been released with their season-opener happening at SaskTel Centre on May 22nd against the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The schedule features a full 20-game slate with one potential home playoff game and Championship Weekend (CW24) happening in Montréal, QC from August 9-11, 2024.

General public and returning season ticket members can claim their seats for the entire Rattlers 2024 season by using Account Manager. Season tickets range from $175 in the value section to $850 for courtside row 2 (All row 1 options are sold out). Single Game Tickets are available by utilizing the Flex Ticket Bundles. All tickets can also be purchased through the Rattlers Front Office (306) 244-2181, Saskatchewan Rattlers website, or via Ticketmaster. Single game tickets will be available later this spring. For more seating options, suites, and group rates; fans can contact an account executive.

About the Saskatchewan Rattlers
The Saskatchewan Rattlers are Saskatchewan’s professional basketball team, one of the six

original teams in the CEBL – the Rattlers won the 2019 inaugural season championship. Playing out of SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – the Rattlers offer an entertainment-focused environment surrounded by some of the world’s top professional athletes. The Rattlers are a community-first organization and take pride in their ability to bring communities together while making sport more accessible to the province.

About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (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 73% of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Fourteen 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. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

For more information on the Saskatchewan Rattlers professional basketball team - visit therattlers.ca