WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears continue to create a winning culture with their newest signing. The club has penned defending CEBL champion, Michael Okafor for the 2023 season. 

The Toronto native is the third member announced for the Sea Bears’ inaugural year. 

 Okafor joins the team for his second professional season after debuting with the title-winning Hamilton Honey Badgers in 2022. The young talent appeared in 15 games, averaging 17.5 minutes and 5.5 points for the championship squad. 

The 6’4’’ guard wrapped up his college career in February with Lakehead University, where he earned a spot on the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) all-star roster. Okafor averaged 16.3 points, finished 14th overall in OUA scoring and led his team to a 16-6 conference record.

Quotes: 

“We look forward to welcoming Michael to Winnipeg. He brings with him experience of success at the CEBL level as a defending champion, and is the perfect complement to our roster.”

Jason Smith, President, Winnipeg Sea Bears Basketball Club

“I’m extremely grateful to play for a brand new organization. Sending a special thanks to the CEBL for another year of greatness. To my teammates, coaching staff, organization and the fans, I’m excited to meet you all. See you all, May 27th. Be there!”

Michael Okafor, Winnipeg Sea Bears

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears
The Winnipeg Sea Bears is a professional basketball team competing in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). The team will play all their home games at the Canada Life Centre in downtown Winnipeg, MB. The Sea Bears open their inaugural 2023 season on May 27 against the Vancouver Bandits. Ticket information is available at  www.seabears.ca . The team’s social handle @wpgseabears may be followed on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube

About Canadian Elite Basketball League
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 percent of its 2022 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow @CEBLeague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.