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NBA-Experienced Guard Joins Roster Ahead of the Home Opener on Wednesday

May 29, 2023

Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that they have signed American guard Justin Wright-Foreman to their roster. Wright-Foreman was drafted in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz with the 53rd overall pick. Wright-Foreman brings four years of NCAA experience and five years of professional experience from the NBA, NBA G League, NBA Summer League, USA Basketball, and international teams. The six-foot two guard from New York will reunite with 2019-20 teammate Malik Benlevi ahead of his CEBL debut on Wednesday May 31st at SaskTel Centre. 


“Justin is going to bring some impressive experience to a key position in our lineup” said Rattlers General Manager Barry Rawlyk “We expect that his talent and high basketball IQ will be critical to the success of our team.”


During his professional career, Wright-Foreman has played with eleven professional teams in the NBA, NBA Summer League, NBA G League, USA Basketball, Germany, China, Turkey, and France. Wright-Foreman has a career average of 15.1 points, 2.5 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 25.1 minutes in 142 professional games.


Wright-Foreman made his professional debut after signing a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz in 2019. He played as a starter for the Jazz in the 2019 NBA Summer League averaging 11.8 points, 3.3 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 26.0 minutes. Setting his NBA career game-highs during the 2019 Summer League with 20 points (July 2nd), 6 rebounds (July 6th), 3 steals twice, and 4 assists twice. He went on to play three games with the Jazz during the NBA Preseason, and returned to the Jazz rotation on February while making appearances during the NBA Bubble. As a two-way player, he played alongside Malik Benlevi with Salt Lake City Stars. He ranked third on the team in points per game (17.3), and second on the team in total 3-pointers made (79) while shooting 40% from deep. Wright-Foreman finished his rookie year with 17.3 points, 2.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 28.1 minutes in 36 games with the Stars. 


Wright-Foreman entered the 2020-21 season with the New Orleans NBA G League-affiliate the Erie Bayhawks averaging 12.8 points, 2.2 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 23.8 minutes while playing 15 games. During this season, he played alongside former-Rattler Tony Carr. After an exit in the NBA G League semi-finals, Wright-Foreman joined Chorale Roanne Basket in France in the first division of LNB Pro A. He averaged 16.9 points, 3.7 assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 30.9 minutes playing 12 games. He returned to the New Orleans-affiliate now called the Birmingham Squadron for the 2021-22 season. He averaged 12.3 points, 1.4 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 24.7 minutes while playing 14 games. During this season he joined the USA Basketball Team for the FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifiers. Wright-Foreman averaged 11.5 points, 1.5 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 17.5 minutes over two games. Team USA finished with bronze. 


Prior to the 2022-23 season, Wright-Foreman joined the Chicago Bulls for the NBA Summer League. After Summer League, he joined Brose Bamberg of Basketball Bundesliga in Germany. Wright-Foreman helped Brose Bamberg during the German Cup, Basketball Champions League Qualifiers, Europe Cup and league play averaging 18.5 points, 2.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 28.1 minutes over 11 games. He spent a short time with the Shenzhen Aviators in China, before returning to the NBA G League by signing with the Westchester Knicks for the remainder of the 2022-23 season. Wright-Foreman averaged 14.6 points, 3.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 25.4 minutes while playing 18 games.


Prior to his professional career, Wright-Foreman attended High School for Construction Trades in New York City. The Queens, New York product led Construction to win the PSAL Queens borough championship twice. He was named Second Team All-New York State as a senior before beginning his collegiate career in 2015 with Hofstra Pride in the NCAA D1. During his four-year collegiate career, Wright-Forman averaged 18.6 points, 2.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 28.1 minutes in 125 games for the Hofstra University Pride. The University located in Hempstead, New York made two appearances in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) with Wright-Foreman leading the Pride. He finished his career second all-time at Hofstra for total points (2,327) and total three-pointers made (277). Closed his career by scoring double figures in 88 consecutive games, the seventh longest in the history of NCAA Division 1.  He was named to the NABC All-District First Team three times, All-CAA First Team twice, All-CAA Second Team, CAA All-Tournament Team, and named back-to-back CAA Player of the Year (2018 and 2019). 


“What’s going on Rattlers fans, it’s JWF! I’m excited to get started” said Wright-Foreman “I am looking forward to getting to work with my teammates and staff.”


The Rattlers last day of training camp is free to the public to attend on Tuesday May 30th with the Rattlers season opener happening this Wednesday May 31st 2023 at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, SK.


Individual game tickets range from $20 in the Rattlers Fan Zone section to $90 for seating in the courtside row 2 (All courtside row 1 offers are sold out), three-games bundles start at $28/seat per game in the bronze section, half season five-packs start at $35/seat per game in the silver section, and season tickets include 10 regular season games and one playoff game starting at $33/seat per game. All ticket can also be purchased through the
Rattlers Front Office (306) 244-2181, Saskatchewan Rattlers website, or via Ticketmaster. For more seating options, luxury suites, and group rates; fans can contact an account executive


All games including playoffs will be live streamed
 on CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ Powered by BetVictor, and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices). TSN will showcase live coverage of select CEBL games on TSN and TSN+.



About the Saskatchewan Rattlers


The Saskatchewan Rattlers are Saskatchewan’s professional basketball team, one of the six original team’s 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 71 percent of its 2022 roster being Canadian Players bringing experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National 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 have attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL 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.

December 18, 2024
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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November 28, 2024
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.
November 21, 2024
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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By Myles Dichter November 14, 2024
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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