Saskatchewan Rattlers Sign CEBL-Experienced Forward for the 2023 Season

Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers announced Friday that they have signed Canadian forward Jermel Kennedy to their roster for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Kennedy returns to the CEBL for his fourth season.

“Jermel is a welcome addition to our roster as he brings extensive experience in the CEBL and international basketball.” said Rattler General Manager Barry Rawlyk “His maturity and experience will be a steadying influence both on the court and in the locker room. Jermel is a versatile player that will bring a lot of flexibility to our lineup.”

“I’m really looking forward to competing this summer.” said Kennedy “Excited to represent the Rattlers, hopefully we can bring the championship back to Saskatchewan.”

During his professional career, Kennedy has played eight seasons with 12 professional teams in Spain, England, Portugal, France, Argentina, Africa, and the CEBL. Kennedy has a career average of 10.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 27.7 minutes in 260 professional games.

Kennedy first entered the CEBL in the inaugural season by signing with the Guelph Nighthawks in 2019. Kennedy signed with the Nighthawks after the season started, making his CEBL debut on July 4th against the Vancouver Bandits with a stat line of nine points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 30 minutes. With Guelph, Kennedy averaged 5.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 19.4 minutes in nine games. During the 2020 CEBL Summer Series, the Brampton Honey Badgers signed Jermel Kennedy. In his second season in the CEBL, Kennedy averaged 2.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 15.0 minutes in eight games. During the 2021-22 season, Kennedy joined Ferroviario de Beira for the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL) season. The Basketball Africa League was introduced by the NBA and FIBA, highlighting African basketball players with the addition of two non-African players per roster. Kennedy helped lead Ferroviario to the quarter finals averaging 13.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 31.0 minutes in 12 games with the team. In 2022, The Newfoundland Growlers signed Kennedy. He was recognized by the team with the Unsung Hero Award. Kennedy averaged 7.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 27.7 minutes in 19 games. In his eighth year as a pro, he just finished playing with the Newcastle Eagles in the British Basketball League in England where he led the team to a quarter-final playoff finish. Kennedy averaged 6.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 23.9 minutes in 37 games.

Prior to his professional career, Kennedy attended Lincoln M. Alexander Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario. In 2008 the Ontario-native began his college career with Iowa Central Community College in NJCAA playing in 26 games averaging 4.3 points, and 3.8 rebounds. He transferred to Volunteer State Community College (NJCAA) for the 2009-10 season playing in 27 games averaging 11.7 points, and 8.2 rebounds. For the 2010-11 season, Kennedy joined the Lander University Bearcats in NCAA D2 where he played two seasons averaging 10.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 29.8 minutes in 53 games. 

Canadian Elite Basketball League free agency has opened with more player announcements to follow. The 2023 CEBL schedule has been released with the Rattlers season opener scheduled for May 31st 2023 at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, SK.

Individual game tickets range from $30 in the bronze section to $90 for seating in the courtside row 2 (All courtside row 1 offers are sold out), three-games bundles start at $28/seat per game in the bronze section, half season five-packs start at $35/seat per game in the silver section, and season tickets include 10 regular season games and one playoff game starting at $33/seat per game. All ticket can also be purchased through the Rattlers Front Office (306) 244-2181, Saskatchewan Rattlers website, or via Ticketmaster. For more seating options, luxury suites, and group rates; fans can contact an account executive

All games including playoffs will be live streamed on CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices). TSN will showcase live coverage of select CEBL games on TSN and TSN+.

About the Saskatchewan Rattlers

The Saskatchewan Rattlers are Saskatchewan’s professional basketball team, one of the six original teams in the CEBL – the Rattlers won the 2019 inaugural season championship. Playing out of SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – the Rattlers offer an entertainment-focused environment surrounded by some of the world’s top professional athletes. The Rattlers are a community-first organization and take pride in their ability to bring communities together while making sport more accessible to the province. 

About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)

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 roster being Canadian Players bringing experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National 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 have attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, & YouTube.