Niagara ON: As the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) prepares to tip off its third professional season, June 24, announced Wednesday that it will again utilize the Elam Ending for all 49 regular-season and playoff contests.
Elam Ending, first adopted for the 2020 CEBL Summer Series, brought an exciting tempo to the closing moments of every game while generating extensive praise from players, coaches, media and basketball fans. The CEBL became the first professional league in the world to deploy Elam Ending for a full season. It had been utilized in the 2020 and 2021 NBA All-Star Games, and at The Basketball Tournament (TBT).
About the Elam Ending
Nick Elam, a university professor at Ball State University and member of Mensa, created the Elam Ending to maintain the normal flow of a game late in a contest when deliberate fouling and rushed possessions by the trailing team, stalling on offense by the leading team, and little hope for late comebacks tarnished the experience for fans and teams. His system improves the chances of a late comeback, eliminates late-game clock controversies, and provides more memorable game-ending moments.
Here is how the Elam Ending rule will work in the CEBL in 2021:
- The first time the game clock is stopped with 4:00 minutes or less in the 4 th quarter of each game, timed play will end and a target score will be set, equal to the leading team’s score plus nine (9). Example: at the stoppage, if the game’s score is 77-71, then the target score after adding 9 points is 86.
- If the first stoppage at/under 4:00 is a foul shot resulting in free throws, the free throw(s) will be administered before setting the target score
- The Shot Clock will remain intact and used for the entire duration of the 4th quarter of the game as it normally would be.
- Only two (2) time-outs may be used by each team during the untimed portion of the 4th quarter.
- The first team to reach the target score wins the game.
Success in 2020
The 2020 CEBL Summer Series brought the goals of the Elam Ending to fruition as analytics showed that the implementation of the rule changed the way that 4th quarters were played:
- 0% of games in the 2020 CEBL Summer Series (0/26) included deliberate 4th quarter fouling by the trailing defence.
- 73.1% of 4th quarters in the 2020 CEBL Summer Series (19/26) were stalling-free by the leading offences.
- 19.2% of games in the 2020 CEBL Summer Series (5/26) were won by a team that trailed at some point during the Elam Ending.
- There were 0 late-game clock malfunctions, errors, or reviews during the 2020 CEBL Summer Series
- The Elam Ending provided many memorable moments during the 2020 CEBL Summer Series as:
- 34.6% of games (9/26) ended with a three-pointer.
- 50.0% of games (13/26) ended with a two-point field goal.
- 15.4% of games (4/26) ended with a free throw.
The 2021 CEBL season tips-off June 24 when the Niagara River Lions travel to TD Place to take on the Ottawa BlackJacks at 7 p.m. Eastern time, followed by the defending CEBL Champion Edmonton Stingers beginning their title defence when they host the Fraser Valley Bandits in a rematch of the 2020 Championship game at 9:30 p.m. Eastern time. Both games will be live streamed globally on cbcsports.ca and on the CBC Gem App.
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 percent 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 U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season typically runs from May through August. Head to more information on CEBL.ca or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.
Quotes:
“Bringing back the Elam Ending for our 2021 season was an easy decision especially after watching its success last year at our Summer Series," said Mike Morreale, Commissioner & CEO of the CEBL. "We have always looked to add new excitement to our games and the Elam Ending is all about that. It’s a throwback to how the game is played on playgrounds, gyms, and backyards across the world. Bringing that same ‘last bucket wins’ mentality to the CEBL means no lead is ever safe and the fans always win.”
Mike Morreale, CEO & Commissioner, CEBL
The Elam Ending’s return to CEBL in 2021 is an exciting development in the basketball world, as the format will now be implemented for an entire season at a high level. In 2020, CEBL featured some of the greatest moments in the young history of the Elam Ending, including Trae Bell-Haynes’ incredible coast-to-coast lay-up to lift Niagara over Ottawa in sudden death. We can all look forward to many more great moments and final stretches in CEBL in 2021.
Dr. Nick Elam, Creator of Elam Ending rule
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Media Contact:
Ansh Sanyal
Director, Brand & Marketing
Canadian Elite Basketball League