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Fifth CEBL Season Opens as Brampton Begin Championship Title Defence: 2023 Season Preview

Dillon White • May 23, 2023

Target scores, high-flying action and top Canadian and international talent return to the hardwood Wednesday (May 24) for the fifth Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season as the 2022 CEBL champion Brampton Honey Badgers head to the nation’s capital to face off against the Ottawa BlackJacks at TD Place Arena at 7:30 p.m. local.


TSN+
and CEBL+ powered by BetVictor will showcase all 107 CEBL games this season including the CEBL postseason and 2023 Championship Weekend. Meanwhile, TSN, Canada’s Sports Leader, will also provide national broadcast coverage of the CEBL Game of the week tipping off with the season opener tomorrow.


For the first time, the CEBL will be sorted into an Eastern and Western Conference comprising of five teams each. The Brampton Honey Badgers, Niagara River Lions, Scarborough Shooting Stars, Ottawa BlackJacks and Montréal Alliance make up the Eastern Conference while the Vancouver Bandits, Saskatchewan Rattlers, Edmonton Stingers, Calgary Surge and Winnipeg Sea Bears make up the Western Conference. 


The CEBL postseason will feature play-in games between the third and fourth-ranked teams in each conference. Winners will advance to the Conference semifinals and play the second-best team of their respective conferences. The fifth-ranked team in each conference will be eliminated unless Vancouver places fifth in the west in which case the fourth-ranked west team will get eliminated. The Eastern and Western conference semifinal winners will play their respective conference teams already seeded in the conference finals. The 2023 Championship final will take place at the Langley Events Centre on August 13. 


Brampton will feature familiar faces in their effort to defend their title with six players returning from the championship run last year. 2022 CEBL Final MVP Christian Vital and CEBL Sixth Man of the Year Koby McEwen will be joined by fellow returners Zane Waterman, Jeremiah Tilmon Jr., Prince Oduro and Kyle Johnson in the journey to go back-to-back. 


The Honey Badgers’ opponent in last year’s championship game, the Scarborough Shooting Stars, look to take the next step in the franchise’s second season to secure a championship. The Shooting Stars bring back eight players that suited up for the squad last season along with the addition of other free agent signings including reigning CEBL U SPORTS Player of the year and U SPORTS MVP, Thomas Kennedy. Scarborough’s backcourt of Jalen Harris and Cat Barber—both All-CEBL players last season—will bring NBA-pedigree to the lineup. 


Meanwhile, the Niagara River Lions enter the season with best odds to win the 2023 championship as per BetVictor, the official betting partner of the CEBL. After finishing second in the regular season standings in 2022, Niagara will look to expect stellar defence this season, with 2022 Defensive Player of the Year EJ Onu and former Guelph Nighthawks forward TJ Lall anchoring the unit. Shaquille Keith and Jahvon Blair also join the squad after spending the 2022 season with the Newfoundland Growlers. Meanwhile, AJ Davis, Alonzo Walker and Jake Babic will return as they hope to not only secure a trip to Championship Weekend but play in the first-ever CEBL Championship final.


As hosts of 2023 CEBL Championship Weekend scheduled between August 11-13, the Vancouver Bandits already have a spot in the Western Conference Final. The Bandits bring together a collection of returning talent and new faces as they aim to win a title on home turf. Shane Gibson, Alex Campbell and Malcolm Duvivier are back for 2023 while Giorgi Bezhanishvili joins Vancouver after a successful stint with the Guelph Nighthawks late last season. Former CEBL all-star Nick Ward and NBA G League alumnus DJ Steward also bolster the Bandits’ roster in 2023. 


A pair of new markets in western Canada will have their inaugural CEBL seasons in 2023 as the Winnipeg Sea Bears and Calgary Surge take the court. The Sea Bears bring a wealth of local talent into the season, highlighted by Chad Posthumus and Simon Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt was selected first overall by Winnipeg in the 2023 U SPORTS Draft, while Posthumus brings CEBL experience with Ottawa, Saskatchewan and Edmonton. After seven games with Scarborough last season, Teddy Allen will play for the Sea Bears in the upcoming campaign. In the TBL in 2023, Allen averaged 27.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists in nine games with the Wichita Sky Kings.


Meanwhile, the Surge make the move from Guelph to Calgary but bring some Nighthawks talent out west with them. Clayton Henry, Maurice Calloo, Sean Miller-Moore and Stef Smith all make the move to Calgary after playing for the Nighthawks last season. The Surge also signed 6’10 Simi Shittu, a dual British-Canadian centre with experience in the NBA preseason and four seasons in the G League. Shittu’s G League career is highlighted by his 2020-21 season with the Westchester Knicks in which he averaged 14.5 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per game. 


Elsewhere in the Western Conference, the two-time CEBL champion Edmonton Stingers will look to get back to their winning ways in 2023. Former CEBL Canadian Player of the Year Jordan Baker switches from the court to the sideline as he takes over for Jermaine Small as the Stingers’ head coach. Edmonton brings back impact players from previous seasons such as Adika Peter-McNeilly, Aher Uguak and Brody Clarke, while new signings Lucas Williamson and Jordan Burns will bring G League experience to the roster. 


Rounding out the west, the Saskatchewan Rattlers see the return of Anthony Tsegakele, Malik Benlevi, Mike Nuga, D’Andre Bernard and head coach Dean Demopoulos. Saskatchewan also adds former Wyoming shooting guard Drake Jeffries to their roster after a stint in the G League with the Osceola Magic. 


Back east, the Montreal Alliance and Ottawa BlackJacks look to bounce back from bottom-three regular season finishes in 2022. After hosting Championship Weekend last August, five BlackJacks rejoin the roster in 2023. Guillaume Pépin, Jackson Rowe, Kadre Gray, Maxime Boursiquot and Zena Edosomwan are accompanied by new American G League imports Elijah Pemberton and Matt Coleman III. 


Big man Nathan Cayo and guard Alain Louis are back with Montréal this season and are joined by the experienced scorer Ahmed Hill. Last season with Guelph, Hill averaged 17.9 points per game and scored a career-high 28 points against the Alliance in June. 


All CEBL games can also be streamed live on the league’s OTT platform, CEBL+ Powered by BetVictorand on the CEBL’s official app, CEBL Mobile, available on iOS and Android devices.


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 71 percent of its 2022 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. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. 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.

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The holiday season is about spending time and celebrating with friends and loved ones while also supporting important causes and initiatives in the community. The Honey Badgers front office staff visited the Regeneration Marketplace and the Regeneration Marketplace on Tuesday afternoon to sort food donations, portion meals, stock shelves and assist guests with food selection. “As leaders in our Brampton community, it is extremely important for us to collaborate with local organizations that continue to make a positive impact in the lives of others on a daily basis,” said Josie Pingitore, vice president of the Brampton Honey Badgers. “Our organization is committed to continue to make strides in our community growth, not only during the holiday season but throughout the calendar year.” Regeneration Marketplace is a local food bank in the heart of downtown Brampton, operating to provide quality, helpful food and household items for those in need in the community. Open 365 days a year, they proudly serve 39,000+ meals annually with more than 1,100 households receiving the necessary food and goods on a weekly basis. “Right now we are just inundated with donations, and the work the Honey Badgers did to help us sort saved us so much time,” said Katie Cleland, director of development at Regeneration Outreach Community. “This will help us get the food on the shelves much quicker so that we can serve more people this week.” The Honey Badgers staff were also joined by Amisha Moorjani, owner of The Food Quotient, and Rod Power, City of Brampton Councillor of Wards 7 and 8. This is one of many initiatives that the Honey Badgers and Councillor Power have collaborated on this holiday season, including turkey drives and Christmas dinners for underprivileged youth. To learn more about how you can contribute to the Regeneration Office & Meal Program or Regeneration Marketplace, please contact [email protected] or visit www.regenbrampton.com .
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LANGLEY, BC - The Vancouver Bandits professional basketball team is proud to announce the launch of the Bandits Community Foundation - the team’s dedicated charitable and philanthropic arm. This foundation is committed to empowering youth and driving positive change across British Columbia through innovative basketball and education programs. The Bandits Community Foundation will prioritize creating pathways for youth and adults to excel both on and off the court. Its initiatives include supporting local nonprofits, increasing access to basketball in underserved communities, and creating meaningful opportunities for individuals to engage in the sport—all while fostering community connections and personal growth. “We believe in the power of community and the ability of sports to inspire, unite, and create lasting change,” said Dylan Kular, Executive Director of the Bandits Community Foundation. “The launch of the Bandits Community Foundation is a commitment to giving back and empowering the next generation. Together, we are building a brighter future, one bucket at a time.” To guide this effort, the Bandits Community Foundation will be guided by an esteemed Board of Directors: Shawn Dheensaw, Basketball BC Executive Director Teresa Gabriele, Canada Basketball national team alumni Charles Hethey, O’Neil Law LLP Lawyer and Partner Dylan Kular, Vancouver Bandits Basketball Team President Peter Natrall, ISPARC Regional Coordinator Kim Smith-Gaucher, 3x3 Canada Basketball Women’s Head Coach Lucky Toor, TGL Group CPA’s LLP Co-Founder and Partner Full biographies of the Foundation’s board members can be found here . In addition to basketball-centred programs, the Foundation will support local charities, schools, and community organizations through scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and event collaborations. Its overarching vision is to ensure sport and education are accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic circumstances. The Vancouver Bandits have long championed community engagement through initiatives such as: Court Projects: Building and refurbishing outdoor basketball courts across BC Bandits School Tour: Delivering cost-free basketball workshops and practice instruction to high school teams Community Champion Initiative: Providing youth and families in need with the special experience of a Vancouver Bandits game Indigenous Basketball Collective: A partnership with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council to foster opportunities for Indigenous players and coaches The Bandits Community Foundation invites individuals and businesses to join its mission, amplifying its impact through donations and partnerships. Every contribution helps provide vital tools, experiences, and support for youth to thrive. For more information about the Bandits Community Foundation, its programs, or ways to get involved, visit www.banditsfoundation.ca . Follow the Foundation’s journey on social media: Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter @BanditsFoundation.
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The Canadian Elite Basketball League mourns the loss of one of our most beloved players, Chad Posthumus. Chad was a founding player in our league, helping lead Saskatchewan to the inaugural CEBL championship in 2019. He was a fan favourite in ensuing years playing with Ottawa and Winnipeg and representing Edmonton and Brampton in international tournaments. Chad had a love for people and for the game of basketball that lit up even the largest arenas. His spirit and passion touched the hearts of fans and inspired teammates and all of us blessed to have shared Chad’s all-too-brief life with him. Chad represented the best in aspiring Canadian basketball players during his professional career in Japan, Argentina, and here at home. Off the court he was an Academic All-American in college and was a dedicated advocate for those living with Diabetes. The impact Chad made on our world is as undeniable as the force that he was on the court. Our deepest sympathies go out to Chad’s family, his legion of friends, fans, and teammates, and to the Winnipeg Sea Bears organization. - CEBL -
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Drew Green’s basketball roots run deep. Green, the CEO of Indochino, played high-school hoops against the likes of Rowan Barrett, starred on the York University squad and went on to ply his trade professionally in Australia and Singapore. Now, his two sons are forging their own careers in the sport — and Green is right there with them. On Thursday, the CEBL announced that the accomplished executive was coming aboard as its first-ever Chair of the Board of Governors and co-owner. “We are a basketball family, right? We've been in the gym, my sons and I, thousands and thousands of hours. We have an NBA half court literally in our front yard that we built during COVID. And so this is going to be a lot of fun,” he said. It’s a partnership that fits as snugly as a well-tailored suit. The Scarborough, Ont., native said that watching his sons find their love for basketball in recent years reignited his own affinity for the sport. “The two areas of passion in my life are basketball and business. And they interplay really well with this role,” Green said. Throughout the many business ventures, Green said his first job was as a father to Liam and Aidan and as a husband to his wife, Andrea Dayco. While his sons are triple-citizens of Canada, the U.S. and the Philippines, Green has made it a point to raise them with Canadian values — and to push them toward the national basketball culture. “I've seen the evolution of basketball in this country firsthand. When I played in high school, I think we had one, maybe two people that ever played in the NBA. The ability to play in the U.S. and go to and play (NCAA) Division One basketball didn't really exist. “Rowan was one of that first cohorts that played, and that was amazing, but it was so rare.” Now, there are nearly 200 Canadians playing in college basketball’s top division. Among those players is Liam, who recently accepted a five-year scholarship at Florida Atlantic University. Aidan plays for the renowned prep school Montverde Academy, which produced the likes of current Raptors RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes. Liam heads to FAU with some CEBL background, having practised with Vancouver Bandits head coach Kyle Julius. Green said the CEBL has quickly become a foundational piece of the Canadian basketball landscape through its partnership with U Sports, its reach to all corners of the country and its affordability. “I think there's just an amazing group of people involved in the league that are really passionate about growing the sport, growing the business (and) providing a really, really incredible experience to customers. “You've got some of the best athletes in Canada and the world playing in the games. … The product continues to get better and better every year,” he said. Besides his impressive basketball resumé, Green has enjoyed a long, successful career in business. He took over as CEO of Indochino, the men’s formal-wear company, 10 years ago and proceeded to launch its retail business, raise over $100 million in strategic capital commitments and guide the brand through the pandemic. Prior to Indochino, Green founded Canada’s first multi-merchant marketplace (now owned by Emerge Commerce) and was an executive at DoubleClick (acquired by Google) and Shop.com. At the CEBL, Green will help introduce the league to potential partners and investors while assisting the league and team owners on business matters. CEBL commissioner Mike Morreale called the partnership with Green “an incredible win.” “Drew’s business success speaks for itself and his passion for the game mimics all involved in making the CEBL a homegrown and global success. His personal financial investment into the league demonstrates his strong belief of our bright future and recognizes the foundation that has been built during our formative years,” Morreale said. “Personally, I look forward to getting right to work with Drew on the next stage of the CEBL and the growth of our game.” Green said the CEBL is on a “great trajectory,” but projected plenty of growth potential too. “Whether that's sponsors or investors or other types of strategic partners that really align with growing the game of basketball and growing the business of basketball in Canada, I think there's lots and lots of opportunities,” he said. “When you try to do something on your own in life, it often takes you a lot longer than it should at the core of it. And so that's why partnerships have always been a core ethos of mine to build businesses.” Green also remained connected to sports through business as Indochino established partnerships throughout the four major North American sports leagues. There was one NBA draft, Green said, in which half of the first round wore Indochino — though the company cannot take credit for Gradey Dick’s infamously bedazzled red suit. “We had a deal to provide him with suits and actually suited him up,” Green recalled, “and then I saw the suit and I was like, what the, how did that happen? That was not an Indochino. So he went off the reservation and did his own thing, but good on him. It got a lot of hits.” Like Dick, CEBL players have quickly become known for their personal branding and tunnel fits. Now, with a former hooper in Green on board, the CEBL brand itself is ready to truly take off. “I just think the CEBL will play a really critical, critical role in the evolution of the game over these next couple decades,” Green said, “and inspire a whole new generation of young athletes to go after their dreams.”
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