NBA G League Sharpshooter Signs with the Saskatchewan Rattlers

Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers announced Friday that they have signed American guard Drake Jeffries to their roster for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Jeffries made his professional debut after signing with the Orlando Magic, he spent his rookie year in the NBA G League with the Osceola Magic. The six-foot five shooting guard spent two seasons with the University of Wyoming Cowboys, where he ranks top-3 all-time for three-pointers made (94) and shooting percentage (41%) in a single-season. The Illinois-native will look to help the Rattlers continue to be the best CEBL team from behind the arc.

“Drake has a drive and work ethic to improve and maximize opportunities. Throughout his young career, he has shown his requisite skill and production to match that work ethic.” said Rattler Associate Head Coach Tanner Massey “He is a high-quality shooter who moves well off the ball, and influences plays defensively with his length and activity. Drake will bring it every day for us – we’re lucky to have him.”

Jeffries made his professional debut in the 2022-23 NBA G League season with the Osceola Magic (Orlando Magic NBA affiliate), after going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft then signing an exhibit-10 deal in July 2022 with the Orlando Magic. In his rookie season, he played 25 games of the 32-game season averaging 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.8 assist, and 15.5 minutes per game. He ranked third on the team in total blocks (11), and fifth on the team in total three-point shots made (39) while shooting 33.3% from deep. The shooting guard set his professional career-high with 24 points on November 11th. The three-point specialist recorded his professional career-high for three-pointers in a game by hitting six shots from behind the arc in two separate games. 

Prior to his professional career, Jeffries attended Mattoon High School in his hometown of Mattoon, Illinois. The multi-sport athlete is a two-time all-conference and all-area performer for his time playing basketball at Mattoon. Jeffries began his collegiate career at Minot State University of NCAA D2 in 2017. He redshirted for the 2017-18 season, then saw the court as a freshman starting in 15 games.  In his first year, playing in 32 games he averaged 28.1 minutes, 6.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assist. He transferred to Indian Hills Community College of NJCAA D1 in the 2019-20 season playing in 33 games while averaging 21.2 minutes, 9.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. He shot 45 percent from behind the arc while making 86 shots; he is recognized as one of the best three-shooters in junior college history for this single-season performance. Jeffries was named to First Team All-Region, and helped lead the team to a second seed in the National Tournament. 

Jeffries made his NCAA D1 debut in the 2020-21 when he transferred to the University of Wyoming. As a junior, he played 25 games averaging 22.5 minutes, 7.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. He ranked eighth in the conference with 2.1 three-point shots made per game, and 52 three-point shots made for the season which ranked second on the team. In his senior year, he played 34 games averaging 36.6 minutes, 10.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 0.7 assists. He set his professional and collegiate career-high for three-point shots made (11) and career-high points (33) in his performance on November 26th. Jeffries had a season of personal bests with 13 rebounds on February 8th, four assists on February 15th, and three steals on February 26th. The Wyoming Cowboys had a 25-8 record on the season and made an appearance in NCAA March Madness. Jeffries name will forever be in Wyoming Cowboys history books for his single-season three-point shooting performance during his senior season, he’s ranked second all-time for three-point shooting percentage (41%) and ranked third all-time for three-pointers made (94). 

“I couldn’t be more excited to join the Rattlers for the upcoming season.” said Jeffries “We are going to have a great squad who is going to compete every day. I’m ready to get to Saskatoon and get to work!”

Canadian Elite Basketball League free agency has opened with more player announcements to follow. The 2023 CEBL schedule has been released with the Rattlers season opener scheduled for May 31st 2023 at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, SK.

Individual game tickets range from $30 in the bronze 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+, 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.