Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers announced Tuesday that they have re-signed Canadian forward D’Andre Bernard to their roster for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Bernard was reliable for the Rattlers during the 2022 season leading the team in games played (all 20 games + both playoff games). Closing out the 2022 regular-season, Bernard put down a game-winning alley-oop dunk from Bruce Massey on July 29th against the Montreal Alliance to secure home court advantage during the 2022 CEBL play-in games. Bernard returns for his third season with the Rattlers in 2023, celebrated as the longest held roster spot in franchise history.

“Having D’Andre return to Saskatchewan for a third summer proves how valuable he is for us both on and off the court” said Tanner Massey “D’Andre plays with a high motor and can contribute to winning in multiple ways. We also see there is opportunity for growth in Dre’s game, we are excited to get back to work with him.”

“Super excited to be back in Sask for a third year!” said Bernard “Loyalty is something that I am big on, and the fans have embraced me as one of their own. It makes it enjoyable each day knowing that I’m representing a great community and organization. I’m looking forward to adding to the success we had last season and chasing a championship.”

Bernard has played professionally since 2021 with teams in Romania, CEBL , and Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLA) in Nicaragua. Bernard has a career average of 4.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 18.2 minutes in 44 professional games. During the CEBL offseason, Bernard entered the Wisconsin Herd (NBA G League Milwaukee Bucks affiliate) training camp roster, and he is currently playing in Romania with CSM Miercurea Ciuc (Romania Liga) in the same league as 2022 Rattlers’ teammate Massey. 

Bernard made his professional debut with the Saskatchewan Rattlers during the 2021 season playing 13 games and averaging 6.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.5 assist, and 19.4 minutes per game. He played two games with the 2021 Edmonton Stingers while representing the Canadian Elite Basketball League during BCLA in Nicaragua. He returned for his second season with the Rattlers in 2022 where he averaged 3.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.9 assist, and 16.5 minutes playing in all 22 games, grabbing a career-best three steals on May 29 against the Stingers.

Prior to his professional career, Bernard attended Bill Crothers Secondary in Unionville, Ontario. As a senior prep standout, he averaged 14.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game. He was ranked the no. 1 prep player in the country and considered a top 10 prospect in Canada in 2015. Bernard began his collegiate career at the University of North Florida in 2015-16, transferring to Georgia Highlands College for the 2016-17 NJCAA season. During his two seasons with Georgia Highlands, he averaged 7.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 0.6 assist, and 9.2 minutes in 59 games. He made a trip to the Region 17 NJCAA national championship in Hutchinson with the Georgia Highlands Chargers that went 32-2 during the 2016-17 season.  As a junior, Bernard joined East Tennessee State where he helped lead the Buccaneers to a 20-10 record, including a postseason tournament trip. As a senior, he transferred to the University of Louisiana Monroe, where he averaged 3.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 13.6 minutes in 24 games. 

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.

General public and returning season ticket members can claim their seats for the entire Rattlers 2023 season by using Account Manager . Season tickets include 10 home games and one playoff game, starting at $363 (All courtside row 1 offers are sold out). Half season tickets include five home games, starting at $175. 3-game bundles are available now, starting at $84. 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 .

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)

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 .