EDMONTON, AB - The Edmonton Singers have re-signed 3-time CEBL All-Star and 2020 CEBL Canadian Player of the Year Jordan Baker. The Edmonton native returns to the Stingers for a fourth year and will look to lead the club to its third straight CEBL Championship this summer.

“Baker is a proven winner, a great leader, and the backbone of our franchise,” said head coach and general manager Jermaine Small. “In my mind, he’s been the most impactful Canadian since the league started. I feel with his return we have a great chance to capture a third championship”

Both Small and Baker joined the Stingers for the inaugural 2019 season, with Small originating as an assistant coach. Partway through that year, Small took over as head coach, helping the Stingers reach the semifinals. Baker would average 13.9 points and a league best 9.2 rebounds per game, being named a CEBL Player of the Year Finalist and a CEBL All-Second Team member.

The pair would reunite in the 2020 CEBL Summer Series capturing the franchise’s first CEBL Championship after besting the Fraser Valley Bandits 90-73. Baker, who averaged 12.2 points and 3.8 assists per game was recognized as the CEBL Canadian Player of the Year, named All-CEBL First Team and nominated as a CEBL Player of the Year Finalist for the second straight year. Baker’s 61.1% 2-point shooting led the league, as did his 9.4 rebounds per game.

Last season, Baker donned the blue and yellow for a third straight year, putting up 14.9 point and 9.4 rebound averages. His stellar play earned him an All CEBL First Team placement and a CEBL Canadian Player of the Year nomination. Baker and company were able to win the CEBL title at Championship Weekend in Edmonton last season, earning the Stingers back-to-back title recognition.

Rather than turning to international leagues for the 2021-2022 season, Baker served as head coach of the NAIT Ooks Men's Basketball Team, offering him a unique basketball experience to bring back to the Stingers.

“Taking over as head coach at NAIT has been an exciting challenge,” said Baker, who led the Ooks to a 6-10 record in the shortened ACAC season. “The program is trending in the right direction and our student-athletes have shown they are committed to building a championship culture.” Baker’s experience as a coach will be reflected as leadership and professionalism as he transitions back into a player for the summer.

“We're extremely excited to welcome back the CEBL Canadian Player of the Year,” said Stingers president Reed Clarke. “ Jordan is an integral part of his team, organization and overall community. With Jordan on board, we now have another piece in place to run it back and chase another title in 2022.” Clarke joined the Stingers in November 2021, seeing the Stingers through their inaugural BCLA’s run over the winter.

When it came to this upcoming season, Baker kept his thoughts concise: "I'm looking forward to winning basketball games with my friends.”

The Stingers season begins on May 27th, with a home game against the Niagara River Lions in a rematch of the 2021 CEBL Championship. The Stingers won that game 101-65 en route to their second straight CEBL title. Fans can still secure single game, flex, and season tickets through the team’s head office at (905)-577-3440 and [email protected] , and on the team’s website: www.thestingers.ca/tickets

EDMONTON, AB

About The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 75 percent of its 2021 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow the league (@cebleague) on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok, LinkedIn , Facebook and YouTube .