Sea Bears Re-Sign Canadian Shot-Blocker, Osayande

The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that they have re-signed six-foot-seven Canadian forward Shane Osayande. Osayande became a reliable figure for the Sea Bears last season, starting on seven occasions in the team’s Western conference leading regular season run. 

Osayande finished the season tenth in the league for average blocks at 0.9 per game in 13.4 minutes played, establishing himself not only as a rim protector, but effective rebounder. The international pro has averaged 9.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in his career, which spans Germany, Spain, Lebanon, Venezuela, Canada and Qatar. 

After leaving the Sea Bears, the Toronto, ON product put up five straight double-doubles to start his season with Al Shamal of the Qatar Basketball League (QBL). 

“I am delighted to announce my decision to re-sign with the Winnipeg Seabears. The opportunity to continue my journey with this amazing organization fills me with great satisfaction. I am eager to contribute to our collective pursuit of excellence alongside my dedicated teammates and esteemed coaches. I can’t wait to see all the fans and familiar faces soon,” said Osayande. 

Osayande brings championship experience with him, already having won the CEBL trophy with the Saskatchewan Rattlers in 2019 and earning the Palestinian Basketball League championship in 2022. 

“We are happy to re-sign Shane Osayande for the 2024 CEBL season. Joining us mid-season last summer,  Shane made a positive impact for us doing the dirty work defensively. Shane was an excellent teammate, adds athleticism and CEBL Championship experience to our front court and provides important roster continuity. We are very excited to have Shane Osayande back in a Sea Bears uniform this summer!” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor.

Osayande has also garnered several personal accolades, as an All-Star in the QBL (2023) and a Canada West First Team All Star (2017). The latter accolade came in his third year with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, when he averaged 17.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. 

He is also a member of the Palestine National Team. 

Osayande is now the fifth Canadian signed by the Sea Bears this season, after Chad Posthumus, Alex Campbell, Mason Bourcier, and David Muenkat. Under CEBL rules, all teams must have at least two Canadians on the court at all times and a minimum of six to eight Canadians on their active roster (depending on the size of their full active roster). The team also signed 2023 CEBL MVP, import Teddy Allen on Feb. 7. 

The Sea Bears open training camp Monday, May 13 at Sport Manitoba in Winnipeg before they head to Saskatchewan to take on the Rattlers on May 22. The team’s home opener is slated for May 24 at Canada Life Centre against the defending CEBL champions, the Scarborough Shooting Stars. 

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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 20-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.

About the 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 73% of its 2023 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. Fourteen players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.