#7 Ottawa BlackJacks

The newest franchise of the CEBL, the Ottawa BlackJacks, are a wildcard of the 2020 season. With Dave Smart, the most successful coach in U SPORTS history, as their General Manager and Osvaldo Jeanty, as head coach, it is fair to say that the team was always going to rely on the elite local talent on offer. They will benefit from the majority of their players already playing together at Carleton University, but recalibrating their U SPORTS game into something that can succeed at the next level may be their biggest challenge. This ranking is not truly indicative of the BlackJacks potential. Expect the team to sign some big names in the near future to help provide them with the veteran leadership that will make them a serious competitor.

#6 Fraser Valley Bandits

Of all six returning teams, the Fraser Valley Bandits have undergone the biggest roster change, with only Marek Klassen returning to the team. The Bandits, averaging 35% from beyond the arch in 2019, have let go of Joel Friesen (the first pick in the 2019 CEBL Entry Draft), in favour of building around Marek Klassen. A well-rounded player, Klassen has the ability to see the floor in ways that allow him to dictate what opposing players are going to do before they do it. His seven assists and single steal per game average will complement the playing style of newly added John Bailey Fields, an elite scorer and rebounder, and Cameron Forte, who averaged nearly 30 points per game with the London Lightning. The Bandits also have tremendous ball-handling ability thanks to both Junior Cadougan and Canadian streetball legend, “King Handles” Joey Haywood. This will allow them to play and maintain a fast-paced game with quick outlet passes that break down defences, and leave their challenger scrambling. Though ISO play could be the go-to for the Fraser Valley Bandits with a guard-heavy lineup, the passing ability they’ve kept in Klassen and acquired in Cadougan, coupled with Fields’ talent off the glass, presents them with unlimited playmaking options and every opportunity to improve on their prior 4 and 16 record. 

#5 Saskatchewan Rattlers

The Saskatchewan Rattlers, to the surprise of the entire league, upset both Hamilton and Edmonton to win the first ever CEBL championship in 2019. Since then, they have seen the departure of Ryan Ejim, their top rebounder, Maurice Jones, who averaged nearly 5 assists per game, and all of their top scorers with the exception of Alex Campbell. The shoes of Michael Linklater will also be difficult to fill both on and off the court, and it will be in the hands of Negus Webster-Chan, former Raptors 905 shooting guard, and Saskatchewan’s very own Shane Osayande to fill them. The Saskatchewan Rattlers have also signed NBA G-League guard, Armoni Brooks, of the College Park Skyhawks, who further adds depth to the Rattlers team. One of the key strengths of the championship run made by the Rattlers was their defensive presence on the court. Time will tell if the lack of Marlon Johnson in the second season will have any impact on that presence.

#4 Guelph Nighthawks

The Guelph Nighthawks did everything right heading into their second season. They kept their head coach and general manager, Charles Kissi, who had already earned the respect of, and formed relationships with, his players the season prior, and allowed him to bring in his own coaching staff. They brought back their leading rebounder, Michale Kyser, scorer, Kimbal Mackenzie, seasoned veteran, Olu Famutimi, and Myles Charvis, an already skilled passer and scorer, allowing him to develop into a sought-after number one option. Guelph had the second highest three point percentage in the CEBL during the 2019 season, largely due to the abilities of Tyrell Corbin, who the Nighthawks saw value in and re-signed. Guelph have the second most returning players of any CEBL team with six, and have picked up some of the best the CEBL has to offer in Akeem Ellis, Yohanny Dalembert, Tyrrel Tate, and Joel Friesen. Signing G League forward Tre’Darius McCallum of the Windy City Bulls, and bringing back Michale Kyser of the Lakeland Magic further raises the level of talent tremendously. Guelph finished 5th in the league last season, but what they’ve changed, and more importantly, what they haven’t, is more than enough to put them in serious championship contention.

#3 Edmonton Stingers

With 7 players returning to the Edmonton Stingers, including the 2019 CEBL Player of the Year, Xavier Moon, the Stingers look to move into the number one spot this year, improving upon their previous 14 and 6 record. Defensively, the Stingers are a force, having re-signed the CEBL leaders in both steals (Moon) and rebounds (Jordan Baker). A hole at centre position would prove a challenge for other teams, but Edmonton have signed last year’s champion, former Saskatchewan Rattlers forward, Marlon Johnson, and can easily slide him into the five. Johnson averaged seven rebounds per game with the Rattlers while scoring nearly 10 points a game. Pairing Johnson with Travis Daniels, another returning Stingers forward and elite defender, is a luxury not afforded to most teams. The decision to bring Moon back was a no-brainer. His 5.5 assists per game contributed to the Edmonton Stingers averaging more assists per game than any other CEBL team. The quickness and mobility of the Stingers is what sets them apart. Their ability to maneuver without fouling caused opponents to commit careless fouls, limiting them to only 91 points per game last year.  

The Niagara River Lions finished the season in first place last year, and could very well repeat that in 2020. Getting past Niagara’s defense will be a feat in itself, as they have re-signed Defensive Player of the Year and all-time block leader, Sam Muldrow. If his defensive prowess wasn’t enough to prove that he is the real deal, Muldrow is automatic from the three-point line, shooting nearly 40% from beyond the arch. His ability to utilize his 6’10 frame without fouling opponents is a skill not possessed by many big men, but one that the River Lions have benefited from. Reuniting Muldrow and 2019 CEBL Canadian Player of the year, Guillaume Payen-Boucard, Niagara’s leader in points, and rebounds, coupled with Ryan Anderson’s speed and athleticism will ensure low-scoring games for any team playing against the Niagara River Lions. The only factor separating the River Lions and the number one team is their ability to show up in big game situations which admittedly cost them a spot in the Championship finals last year. 

#1 Hamilton Honey Badgers

Hamilton Honey Badgers, by all accounts, is the team to beat this year. They lost the MVP runner-up, Ricky Tarrant Jr., but gained Justin Jackson, the 43rd pick in the 2018 NBA draft, and current Lakeland Magic forward. A primarily score-first team in their inaugural season, the Honey Badgers have brought back an elite three-point shooter in MiKyle McIntosh, and let go of high volume shooters like Xavier Rathan-Mayes. Alongside McIntosh, also returning is combo-guard and two-year G League veteran, Duane Notice has played with McIntosh from the playground to the G League. Add Derek Cooke Jr. along with that, the third former member of the Raptors 905, it’ll be exciting to see how their team chemistry will play out with the Honey Badgers. Duane’s court vision and familiarity with his teammates allows him to pass through complicated traps into spaces that opponents may not expect. Quiet in nature, both McIntosh and Notice are not the type of players to argue fouls, but returning forward/centre Mike Fraser, is. The vocal leadership of Fraser, combined with the experience of Jackson, Cooke, McIntosh, and Notice, will provide an unprecedented introduction into the world of professional basketball for U SPORTS draft picks Kadre Gray, Locke Lam, and Owen Rwawhire. With the most experienced roster to date, the Hamilton Honey Badgers have the perfect recipe on paper to be putting on a masterclass in team basketball.

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