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Stingers Add Scoring And Experience To Round Out Returning Cast Ahead Of CEBL Summer Series Campaign
July 22, 2020
CEBL Team
Stingers face off against Fraser Valley Bandits on Sunday, July 26 at 4 p.m. ET
ST. CATHARINES, ON – The Edmonton Stingers will enter the Canadian Elite Basketball Summer Series with strong team chemistry, cohesion and familiarity already in place. Edmonton has seven players returning to the fold for the tournament, including reigning CEBL Most Valuable Player Xavier Moon.
Stingers head coach and general manager Jermaine Small made it his mission in the off-season to bring back the core of the team that had so much success last year.
“The team chemistry and cohesion was so important to our success last year. This team was so close on and off the court, we really felt we have the right pieces to win a championship,” Small said.
“Our whole off-season was focused on, ‘How do we get better from last year?’”
Small also brought back CEBL first-team all-star power forward Travis Daniels and second-team all-star and Canadian of the Year finalist Jordan Baker, as well as guards Adika Peter-McNeilly, Mathieu Kamba and power forwards Zac Overwater and Brody Clarke.
“Our group is hungry,” Small said. “The team has redemption on our minds and I know our guys are going to do everything they can to take care of business and win the championship.”
With teams only allowed to carry 12 players on their roster for the 15-day tournament that begins for Edmonton on July 26 when the Stingers face the Fraser Valley Bandits (2 p.m. MT on CBC Gem), there aren’t many new faces on the team, but those new faces are expected to play a big role in the success of the team during the tournament.
One of Small’s biggest off-season acquisitions was signing was former University of Calgary Dinos star Mambi Diawara, who brings a highly decorated resume to the team.
Diawara helped Calgary win its first national championship in 2018 and has represented Canada at two FISU Games as well as the 2018 Commonwealth Games, where Canada won a silver medal.
“Knowing he won a championship is big. If you want to win, you need to have winners on your roster and know what it takes. Him playing in two FISU Games and the Commonwealth Games and representing his country — he’s earned it,” Small said.
“His versatility and ability to play both ends of the floor and defend multiple positions and he’s proven to be a scorer at every level he’s played.”
Other notable additions include Dalhousie Tigers’ Sascha Kappos and Xavier Ochu will be looked upon to contribute in their own way on the roster. Kareem South, who finished his NCAA Division I career with the University of California, will contribute to the Stingers’ backcourt. Kappos, also has experience representing Canada at the 2019 FISU Games with both Clarke and Diawara.
“They’re all strong character guys, who come from a great program in Dalhousie and California and they have a history of winning,” Small said. “They’re going to get their opportunity. I know they will adapt quickly and contribute.”
One late addition to the Summer Series roster is eight-year veteran Kirk Williams Jr. who will bring much needed pro experience and leadership to the team’s young talented core.
“He’s an eight-year NBLC pro. I’ve coached him before and he’s a junkyard dog type of player,” Small said. “We pride ourselves on defending and rebounding and his experience will be big for us.”
The Stingers will play two sets of back-to-backs in the round-robin portion of the tournament that concludes Aug. 5 before the playoff round begins. Six of the seven teams will qualify for the playoff-round with the top two seeds earning a first-round bye. The tournament wraps up on Aug. 9.
All 26 Summer Series games will be broadcast on the CBC Gem app, while seven of the 26 will be featured on CBC TV, including the two semifinals and the championship final.
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