Playoff Races Heat Up in Quadruple-Header Friday, Plus Numbers You Should Know

July 22, 2025
Myles Dichter

(Preview: Week 12)

The finish line is in sight — but there is still plenty of race left to be run for teams across the league.


Whether it’s to win the conference, earn a home playoff game or simply just get into the dance, much is still to be determined with three weeks remaining on the season.


Up first this week, the Ottawa BlackJacks can punch their ticket to the playoffs with a win over rival Montréal Alliance on Wednesday. They would become the second team to clinch in the East, joining the first-place Niagara River Lions.


The picture could become even clearer on Friday, when eight of the league’s 10 teams suit up for a quadruple-header.


Riding a five-game winning streak, the River Lions can continue inching closer to an automatic berth into Championship Weekend with a win over the Alliance to tip things off.


The defending champions appear to have hit their groove, while their Quebec counterparts have lost four straight, sinking to 6-10 overall and 2-10 since a fiery 4-0 start.


Montréal’s travails have left last-place Brampton some semblance of hope — and the Honey Badgers will meet their provincial rival Scarborough Shooting Stars in Game 2.


With a win, Scarborough can clinch a playoff spot as well, and while a recent loss left it four back of Niagara, it could still catch the River Lions atop the conference. It’s imperative for the Shooting Stars to take care of business against a last-place team – but you can bet Sheldon Cassimy’s Honey Badgers will come out desperately.


Moving west, the Edmonton Stingers recently saw their rollicking seven-game winning streak get halted by the first-place Vancouver Bandits.


The Stingers’ response on the road in Winnipeg in Game 3 — where they hope to return in about one month’s time — should be fascinating.


Edmonton also must contend with a strong Calgary team for home-court advantage in the play-in game, where a Battle of Alberta seems like a near-lock. Given the nature of that rivalry, the location will be huge.


Winnipeg will counter with a new addition in Canadian centre Jordy Tshimanga, and a mandate to show the rest of the league that it is a force to be reckoned with come Championship Weekend.


Meanwhile, in the nightcap, Calgary faces Vancouver as it looks to strengthen its grip on second place. The Bandits have lost just four times all season — and two of those came against the Surge.


Calgary clearly has the upper hand and can assert its dominance — leaving a speck of doubt in Vancouver’s mind should they meet in the playoffs — if it picks up another win.


Yet the Bandits are rolling, having won four straight despite key Summer League losses. Vancouver, like Niagara in the East, is closing in on that No. 1 seed.


Safe to say there is plenty on the line as coast-to-coast CEBL action is in full flight Friday.


Record breakers


Some numbers you should know…


6 – the River Lions’ next win would be its sixth straight, matching a franchise record.


17 — the Bandits have made 17 three-pointers in each of their last two games; their franchise record is 18.


131 — Saskatchewan’s Nate Pierre-Louis already has the single-season assists mark.


544 — Teddy Allen’s single-season points record is in jeopardy of being shattered by Edmonton’s Sean East II, who averages 23.5 per game on the season but needs just 20 per game over the last six to take over the mark.


1,509 — Cat Barber became the second player in league history on Sunday to eclipse the 1,500-point barrier for his career, including playoffs, joining Niagara’s Ahmed Hill in the exclusive club. River Lions guard Khalil Ahmad, who sits at 1,347, could be the next player to join the list.


Weekly schedule (Nine games)


Game #89 -- Wednesday, July 23 – OTT at MTL – 7:30 p.m. ET – Verdun Auditorium (RDS, CEBL+, TSN+)


Game #90 – Friday, July 25 – MTL at NRL – 7 p.m. ET – Meridian Centre (TSN, RDS, CEBL+, TSN+, NLSE)


Game #91 – Friday, July 25 – SSS at BHB – 7:30 p.m. ET – CAA Centre (CEBL+, TSN+)


Game #92 – Friday, July 25 – EDM at WPG – 7:30 p.m. CDT / 6:30 p.m. MT / 8:30 p.m. ET – Canada Life Centre (CEBL+, TSN+)


Game #93 – Friday, July 25 – VAN at CGY – 8 p.m. MT / 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET – WinSport Event Centre (CEBL+, TSN+, NLSE)


Game #94 – Saturday, July 26 – SSK at OTT – 2 p.m. ET / noon CST – The Arena at TD Place (CEBL+, TSN+)


Game #95 – Sunday, July 27 – NRL at BHB – 2 p.m. ET – CAA Centre (CEBL+, TSN+)


Game #96 – Sunday, July 27 – SSS at MTL – 3 p.m. ET – Verdun Auditorium (CEBL+, TSN+, RDS.ca, NLSE)


Game #97 – Sunday, July 27 – WPG at CGY – 2 p.m. MT / 3 p.m. CDT / 4 p.m. ET – WinSport Event Centre (CEBL+, TSN+)


For the full 2025 CEBL schedule, please visit cebl.ca/games.

Les BlackJacks d’Ottawa nomment Justin Mazzulla entraîneur en chef

January 22, 2026
Les BlackJacks d'Ottawa de la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB), ont annoncé aujourd’hui que le club a engagé Justin Mazzulla comme cinquième entraîneur en chef de l’histoire de la franchise. Il remplace David DeAveiro, dont le contrat n’a pas été renouvelé à la suite de la saison 2025. Mazzulla, originaire de Johnston, R.I., est actuellement le poste de coordinateur vidéo adjoint pour le Jazz de l'Utah dans la ligue NBA, après avoir débuté sa carrière professionnelle d’entraîneur en tant qu’entraîneur adjoint et coordinateur vidéo des Stars de Salt Lake City, l’affiliée de l'Utah en G League. « Justin Mazzulla représente exactement le standard d’excellence que nous voulons pour les BlackJacks d’Ottawa », a déclaré le directeur général des BlackJacks, James Derouin. « Il a été un élément clé de certaines des salles d’entraîneurs les plus innovantes de la NBA, et il apporte à notre organisation un plan directeur digne d’une équipe de championnat. Nous ne cherchons pas seulement à être compétitifs; nous voulons mener la ligue en matière d’innovation et d’intensité. Justin est l’architecte qui nous permettra d’y parvenir. » Âgé de 27 ans et 26 jours au moment de sa nomination, il devient le plus jeune entraîneur en chef de l’histoire de la CEBL, surpassant l’entraineur en chef des Niagara River Lions, Victor Raso, qui avait 28 ans lorsqu’il a été nommé à ce poste en 2019. « J’ai choisi Ottawa parce que les propriétaires, la direction sportive et les dirigeants ont cru en moi et étaient prêts à me donner une chance », a déclaré Mazzulla. « Intrépide, rapide et plaisant étaient les piliers qu’ils ont mis de l’avant, et cela me semblait une excellente occasion de me joindre à eux et de bâtir autour de la culture et de la communauté d’Ottawa. » Joueur de Division I à George Washington (2017-2019) et à l’Université du Vermont (2020-2022), frère de l’actuel entraîneur en chef des Celtics de Boston, Joe Mazzulla, il a rejoint l’Université du Rhode Island en juin 2022 en tant qu’assistant diplômé à l’issue de sa carrière de joueur. Il a auparavant travaillé comme entraîneur en chef pour Rise to the Top, où il a organisé des ligues de basketball Junior NBA pour les jeunes, ainsi que comme préparateur de la performance pour Ernie Duncan Hoops, deux structures basées dans le Vermont. Élu Joueur de l’Année Gatorade du Rhode Island en 2016, Mazzulla a contribué à mener le Bishop Hendricken High School à des championnats d’État consécutifs avant de commencer sa carrière universitaire avec les George Washington Colonials, où il a été nommé dans l’équipe All-Academic de l’Atlantic 10 lors de sa saison sophomore. Ottawa amorcera sa saison à l’Aréna de la TD Place le mardi 12 mai à 19 h 30 contre les champions en titre de la Conférence de l’Ouest, le Calgary Surge. Des forfaits de billets flexibles et des expériences de groupe sont actuellement en vente en visitant theblackjacks.ca/fr-ca/tickets , ou rendez-vous sur theblackjacks.ca/fr-ca/season-seat-memberships pour vous joindre à nous lors de tous les matchs à domicile de la saison 2026. ###

Mazzulla Becomes CEBL’s Youngest Head Coach

January 22, 2026
Ottawa BlackJacks hire NBA-developed coach to lead franchise forward

Une nouvelle ère des séries éliminatoires débute avec le calendrier de la saison 2026 de la LECB

January 15, 2026
La huitième saison de la ligue, qui commencera le 9 mai, introduira des changements historiques : des séries éliminatoires entièrement disputées sur les marchés locaux et une finale de la LECB au meilleur de trois

New Playoff Era to Begin as CEBL Announces 2026 Season Schedule

January 15, 2026
Historic format changes introduce full in-market postseason and best-of-three CEBL Finals as league’s eighth season set to tip off May 9

Saskatchewan Announces Basketball Operations Update

January 13, 2026
The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club has notified General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Barry Rawlyk that his contract will not be renewed following the conclusion of the 2025 season. During his seven seasons with the franchise, Barry brought a deep familiarity with Canadian basketball and long-standing relationships across the province that supported the club’s operations and player development. He also served as the Lead Assistant Coach during the franchise's 2019 Championship season. The organization wishes Barry and his family well as he moves on from the team and appreciates his willingness to support a smooth transition. The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club has already begun recruitment for a new General Manager. A new era of basketball in Saskatoon will be unveiled soon. ### About the Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club (previously Saskatchewan Rattlers) tipped off their inaugural season at SaskTel Centre in May 2019 and went on to win the inaugural Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) championship. The team are active members of the community, participating in countless events that connect the team with diverse communities through sport, entertainment, and arts and culture. The team has restored over 100 basketball nets across the city to make basketball more accessible to youth. For more information, visit www.therattlers.ca .

Cowan Joins CEBL as Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships

January 13, 2026
Please join us in welcoming Rob Cowan to the Canadian Elite Basketball League as Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships. Rob brings more than 20 years of experience across the Canadian sports industry. Most recently at Rugby Canada, he led national partnership sales, account management, and commercial strategy across the organization’s flagship programs and events. With a background spanning partnerships, data & analytics, live events, and digital marketing, Rob brings a well-rounded, modern perspective on how brands create value in sport today - and where the partnership landscape is heading next. Welcome to the CEBL, Rob!

Bilamu Agrees to Terms with Sea Bears

January 8, 2026
The Winnipeg Sea Bears are pleased to announce that they have agreed to terms with forward Nathan Bilamu for the upcoming season. Bilamu (6-5; born August 7, 2000 in Hamilton, ON) returns to Winnipeg after a productive 2025 season with the Sea Bears in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). In his rookie professional season with Winnipeg, he appeared in 20 games and averaged 5.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, showing consistent effort and earning increased playing time as the season progressed. “We are excited to have Nate back as he builds on what he started here," said Head Coach and General Manager, Mike Raimbault. "Last summer he brought a tremendous commitment to the team, specifically a passion for winning that showed in his effort and willingness to do whatever it took to help this group.” Before joining Winnipeg, Bilamu enjoyed a standout university career at Lakehead University, where he emerged as a versatile two-way player. In his senior season (2024-25), Bilamu averaged 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. He was named an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) First-Team All-Star and a U-SPORTS Second-Team All-Canadian. Following his time in the CEBL, Bilamu continued his professional career overseas with Esgueira Basket in Portugal’s Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol. Through early 2025-26 international competition, he has been a key rotation player, averaging around 12.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while logging significant minutes. The season ticket member renewal deadline is January 15, 2026. Fans can renew or purchase new season tickets at https://www.seabears.ca/season-tickets-2026 . ### About the Winnipeg Sea Bears The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 24-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman. More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

Calgary Surge Promote Dylan Howe to Team President

December 16, 2025
One of the league’s most experienced operators steps into expanded role after guiding competitive success and community impact.

Vancouver Bandits and Envision Financial Launch Landmark Partnership

December 11, 2025
Partnership designed to elevate culture, community, and g  ame day experience

Three-Time MVP Xavier Moon Agrees to Terms with Sea Bears

December 11, 2025
The Winnipeg Sea Bears are pleased to announce that they have agreed to terms with point guard Xavier Moon for the 2026 season. Moon (6-2; Morehead State; born January 2, 1995, in Goodwater, AL) is a three-time Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Player of the Year and brings elite scoring, playmaking ability, and professional experience from international leagues, the CEBL, and the NBA. The Goodwater, Alabama native played two seasons at Northwest Florida State College, helping the program win the National Junior College Championship. He later transferred to Morehead State, where he played two seasons and averaged 16.0 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in his senior year, earning First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference honours. "I believe adding Xavier to our organization brings tremendous value both on and off the court. He’s a proven winner and someone who has shown he can excel in this league and at the NBA level,” said Winnipeg Sea Bears Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. “He’s a true professional who understands the importance of our community and our fans, and we’re confident the impact he makes off the court will be just as significant as what he brings on it." Moon has spent time overseas, in North American pro leagues, and across multiple seasons in the CEBL. In 2021, he averaged a league-leading 23.1 points per game on his way to a third straight Player of the Year award and All-CEBL First Team recognition. That season included a 39-point performance, which stood as the CEBL single-game scoring record at the time. 2026 season tickets are now on sale starting at just $27 per game and can be purchased at www.seabears.ca/season-tickets-2026 . ### About the Winnipeg Sea Bears The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 24-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman. More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .