The award recipients will be determined via votes cast by the league’s seven head coaches and their assistant coaches. Coaching staffs cannot vote for a player from their own team. 

The CEBL became the first professional basketball league to spotlight the Elam Ending for all of the 26 contests of the CEBL Summer Series. As a result, the 2020 CEBL awards will feature a new award category given to the player who made the most impact during Elam Ending time, called, The Clutch Player of The Year. The winner of this award will be determined by a fan vote that can be cast on Social Media between August 14 – 16. 

The award categories and their reveal dates are as follows:

• August 17: Fox40 Referee of The Year & Clutch Player of The Year

• August 19: Defensive Player of The Year

• August 21: U SPORTS Player of the Year

• August 25: Coach of the Year

• August 27: Canadian of the Year

• August 28: All-star First team and Second team

• September 2: Player of the Year

“The CEBL Summer Series showcased high quality basketball by exceptional athletes, and I am excited to honour the best among them through these awards” said Mike Morreale, CEBL Commissioner and CEO. “The level of talent and competition seen over the past few weeks is a testament to the incredible efforts our players made to be on a court this year. I strongly believe that this league is showcasing the best Canadian and international talent outside of the NBA”. 

The CEBL also announced a national partnership with Jostens Canada Inc. The agreement sees Jostens become the Official Supplier of Awards and Rings to the CEBL and the 2020 CEBL Summer Series. 

“We are very excited to have Jostens Canada as our Rings and Awards Partner”, said Morreale. “As a leader in awards for top professional and amateur performers around the world, we look forward to connecting communities locally across all our franchises with Jostens Canada while further growing the game of basketball nationally”.

“Jostens Canada is very excited to partner with The Canadian Elite Basketball League”, said Greg Diamond of Jostens Canada. “We believe that the league has a very bright future and will play a significant role in further growing the game of basketball in Canada. With representatives across Canada we are proud to support sports in Canada at all levels.”

The partnerships will see Jostens Canada design and supply the Official Championship Rings for the winners of the 2020 CEBL Summer Series, the 2019 inaugural season champions, Saskatchewan Rattlers, as well as rings for the winners of the individual player awards. Winners will be announced between August 17 and September 2.

The CEBL Summer Series tipped off July 25 and became the first professional sports league in Canada to return to play since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in mid-March shut down sports across the country. The Edmonton Stingers became 2020 CEBL Champions on August 9 as they beat the Fraser Valley Bandits in the Championship final. The game was televised live nationally on CBC, the CBC Gem App and CBCSports.ca. It was available to over 130 million viewers internationally thanks to distribution agreements secured in Australia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan by MEDIAPRO Canada, the international media rights and production partner of the CEBL. All Summer Series games were also livestreamed on Twitch. 

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 80% of its current rosters being Canadians. Players come from the NBA G-League, top international leagues, the Canadian National Team program, and top NCAA programs as well as from U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season typically runs from May through August. More information is available at www.cebl.ca 

About Jostens Group

Jostens is a trusted partner in the academic and achievement channel, providing products, programs and services that help its customers celebrate moments that matter. The company's products include yearbooks, publications, jewelry and consumer goods that serve the K-12 educational, college and professional sports segments. Founded in 1897 and based in Minneapolis, Minn., Jostens is a subsidiary of Newell Brands and can be found online at www.jostens.com.

Media Contacts:

CEBL

John Lashway

Executive Vice President, Strategy & Communications

Jostens Canada Ltd.

Greg Diamond

Championship Ring Specialist