Burrows Named Associate Head Coach of Saskatchewan Rattlers

The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that they have promoted Steve Burrows to Associate Head Coach for the 2025 season after he served as an assistant coach with the team in 2024..

“We are really pleased that Steve has agreed to step up into the role of Associate Head Coach with the Rattlers this season,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk. “He brings a wealth of experience and technical expertise to the position and will make a significant impact on the way we play. Elevating Steve to this position will give everybody a greater opportunity to learn from him. Steve has a long track record of success as a coach and we expect that he will help create a culture of success here.”

A local of Regina, Saskatchewan, Burrows grew up playing high school basketball which led him to play at the U SPORTS level at University of Regina. He has served as Head Coach of the University of Regina Cougars since the 2013-14 season. Under Coach Burrows, the Cougars have competed in a Canada West Final Four (2022) and they advanced to the conference quarterfinals in 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2022. The team has seen a great deal of regular season success in recent years, finishing sixth and fourth in the 17-team Canada West standings in 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively, while also placing first in the East Division with a 12-4 record during the COVID-shortened 2021-22 campaign. 

“Having Steve move into the role of Associate Head Coach with the Rattlers is very exciting for us,” said President Lee Genier. “He brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and leadership to the team. This decision reinforces our commitment in continuing to build basketball across the province of Saskatchewan.”

Prior to being hired as the head coach of the Cougars, Burrows had been an assistant coach with the team since the 1994-95 season. He also served double duty for six seasons when he also held the title as assistant coach for the women's team. Burrows helped guide the men's team to three appearances in the Canada West Final Four over a four-year span from 2003 to 2006. That time was punctuated by a historic 16-4 season in 2005-06 as the Cougars went undefeated on their home court during the conference schedule and set a program record for most wins in a single year. With the women's team, Burrows helped the program reach unprecedented heights including appearances in five CIS Championship tournaments.

Outside of coaching with the Regina Cougars, Burrows has coached seven provincial basketball teams, and served as Director of Coaching Development for Basketball Saskatchewan from 2010 to 2013. 

“I am very thankful for the opportunity to return to the Rattlers this summer,” said Coach Burrows. “I’m looking forward to working with the entire staff to try and bring a championship back to Saskatchewan.”

Coach Burrows will reunite with the Rattlers and join forces with Head Coach Magdanz. The current roster consists of returning players Cody John and Jaden Bediako, and NBA-experience guard Nate Pierre-Louis. Canadian Elite Basketball League free agency will continue leading up to the announcement of the full training camp roster prior to the Saskatchewan Rattlers home opener on May 15, 2025 at SaskTel Centre. 

The full 2025 Rattlers schedule has been released, which features a new 24-game slate. The 2025 CEBL Playoffs are scheduled to begin Thursday, August 14 with the Conference Play-In games, followed by the Conference Semifinals on Saturday, August 16. The winners will advance to CW25 to join the Winnipeg Sea Bears (host team) and the top-ranked team from the Eastern Conference who are automatically seeded into the Conference Finals. The full playoff schedule with tipoff times will be announced at a later date.

General public and returning season ticket members can claim their seats for the entire Rattlers 2025 season by using Account Manager. Season tickets starting at $235 in the bronze. All tickets can also be purchased through the Rattlers Front Office (306) 244-2181, Saskatchewan Rattlers website, or via Ticketmaster. Flex Ticket Bundles can be purchased online or at the Rattlers Front Office, which features a minimum of four-tickets in any section with a bonus gift card to Moxies. Single game tickets are available now via Ticketmaster. For more seating options, suites, and group rates; fans can contact an account executive.

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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.