What’s at Stake During the Final Week of the Regular Season

August 5, 2025
Myles Dichter

(Preview: Week 14)


The CEBL’s longest-ever season is set to come to an end.


A monumental 120-game campaign has rarely been short on drama — it’s not hard to think back and remember scintillating Target Score Time endings (the River Lions authored quite a few), shattered records (Rattlers guard Nate Pierre-Louis dusted the single-season assists mark) and intense rivalries (the Battle of Alberta is only just heating up).


Yet while we’ve known the eight playoff teams for some time now, there is still plenty left to be decided.


And the final week of the season should provide plenty of entertainment, starting with a triple-header Wednesday before all 10 teams are in action on both Friday and Sunday.


Here are the key battlegrounds:


Eastern Conference, Seeds 2-4

Key games: OTT at MTL (Aug. 6), MTL at OTT (Aug. 8), MTL at SSS (Aug. 10)


Behind East champion Niagara, which has its ticket to Championship Weekend in Winnipeg, the middle of the conference is a muddled mess.


Each of the Scarborough Shooting Stars (11-11), Ottawa BlackJacks (10-10) and Montreal Alliance (8-13) know they’re headed to the playoffs — but seeding remains fully up for grabs.


The Shooting Stars are in the driver’s seat for a spot directly in the conference semifinal. If they win their final two games, the BlackJacks would also need to finish undefeated over their final three to steal the second seed.


Scarborough is rolling right now — it’s won two straight over title contenders in the Calgary Surge and the River Lions despite not having co-leading scorer Donovan Williams in the latter contest.


Instead, a balanced attack led by Terquavion Smith was enough to down the River Lions and keep Scarborough on pace for the all-important right to host a playoff game.


Lurking in third place, however, is Ottawa — another team that seems to be hitting its stride despite a bumpy season.


Javonte Smart has exploded onto the scene since signing with the BlackJacks in June, leading the league at 28.2 points per game (no one else is above 24) and smashing the franchise single-game points record with a 44-point outburst in a win over Niagara.


Quietly, Ottawa owns the third-best point differential in the league while claiming the fourth-best offence and second-stingiest defence.


And then there’s Montreal. The Alliance seemed transformed during their 4-0 start to the season, but they’ve won just four of 16 contests since then amid a player carousel and roller-coaster campaign.


Still, the Alliance are in the dance — and with three games this week, all against the BlackJacks and Shooting Stars, they can control their own fate.


However, Montreal just suffered a 17-point drubbing at the hands of the Surge on Monday.


Western Conference, Seeds 1-3

Key games: VAN at SSS (Aug. 8), NRL at EDM (Aug. 8), NRL at CGY (Aug. 10)


For most of the season, the Vancouver Bandits (17-5) have held a tight grip on top spot in the West.


Yet it’s still not a sure thing after the Surge (15-7) won yet again to move within two games of the Bandits.


Any Bandits win or Surge loss would clinch the No. 1 spot and the right to host the conference semifinal for Vancouver. But the Bandits, who’ve won two straight, including a key victory over the Edmonton Stingers (12-9), will face a pair of tough road tests against desperate teams in Scarborough and Montreal to close out their season.


Vancouver cannot fall lower than second, meaning it is guaranteed to host some sort of playoff game.


That’s because only Calgary can still catch the Bandits, while the best the Stingers can do is second.


Not only are the Surge hot on the Bandits’ heels, but they’ve had their number all year and won all three matchups, meaning they own the tiebreaker if they finish the season with the same record.


The Surge finish out the season with a pair of home games against teams with nothing to play for.


On Friday, it’s Saskatchewan at WinSport Event Centre — the same team that played spoiler to the Stingers last week. Then on Sunday, Calgary hosts Niagara at Scotiabank Saddledome for their third game at the historic venue, closing out the regular season. The River Lions will be looking to take some positive vibes into Winnipeg.


But even with little on the line for the Rattlers and River Lions, Calgary’s hustle-based style — top two in steals, rebounds, and blocks — could still be tough to match.


Meanwhile, the Stingers need to win out to have any shot at hosting a Battle of Alberta play-in game.


The Stingers get a rematch against the Rattlers on Wednesday following a devastating Target Score Time collapse on Sunday, then return home for a pair against the River Lions and Sea Bears, who are both headed to Championship Weekend.


As things stand now, Edmonton is fighting an uphill battle to join them. But plenty can change as we barrel toward the final week.


Numbers you should know


1 – Ottawa’s Smart was one point away from tying the all-time single-game scoring record with his 44-point performance in a win over Niagara on Thursday. Jalen Harris has the mark at 45 from last season with Saskatchewan.


9 – Calgary’s Greg Brown III and Saskatchewan’s Jaden Bediako are each nine blocks away from equalling the record of 46 set by Niagara’s EJ Onu in 2022.


53 – Stingers guard Sean East II needs 53 points over his final three games to match the single-season scoring record of 544 set by Winnipeg’s Teddy Allen in 2023.


71 – East II’s backcourt mate Scottie Lindsey is 10 three-pointers away from breaking the single-season mark, held by Saskatchewan’s Justin Wright-Foreman from the 2023 season.


226 – The Bandits and Stingers combined for the most points in one game during the Target Time Era by the end of Vancouver’s Friday victory.


Weekly schedule (13 games)


Game #15B -- Wednesday, Aug. 6 – OTT at MTL – 7:30 p.m. ET – Verdun Auditorium (CEBL+, TSN+, RDS.ca)


Game #109 – Wednesday, Aug. 6 – NRL at WPG – 7 p.m. CDT / 8 p.m. ET – Canada Life Centre (CEBL+, TSN+, NLSE)


Game #110 – Wednesday, Aug. 6 – EDM at SSK – 7:30 p.m. CST/MT / 9:30 p.m. ET – SaskTel Centre (CEBL+, TSN+)


Game #111 – Friday, Aug. 8 – MTL at OTT – 7:30 p.m. ET – The Arena at TD Place (CEBL+, TSN+)


Game #112 – Friday, Aug. 8 – VAN at SSS – 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT – Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (CEBL+, TSN+)


Game #113 – Friday, Aug. 8 – BHB at WPG – 7:30 p.m. CDT / 8:30 p.m. ET – Canada Life Centre (TSN, CEBL+, TSN+, NLSE)


Game #114 – Friday, Aug. 8 – NRL at EDM – 7 p.m. MT / 9 p.m. ET – Edmonton Expo Centre (CEBL+, TSN+)


Game #115 – Friday, Aug. 8 – SSK at CGY – 8 p.m. MT/CST / 10 p.m. ET – WinSport Event Centre (CEBL+, TSN+)


Game #116 – Sunday, Aug. 10 – MTL at SSS – 2 p.m. ET – Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (CEBL+, TSN+)


Game #117 – Sunday, Aug. 10 – VAN at OTT – 3 p.m. ET / noon PT – The Arena at TD Place (CEBL+, TSN+)


Game #118 – Sunday, Aug. 10 – WPG at EDM – 4 p.m. MT / 5 p.m. CDT / 6 p.m. ET – Edmonton Expo Centre (CEBL+, TSN+)


Game #119 – Sunday, Aug. 10 – BHB at SSK – 5 p.m. CST / 7 p.m. ET – SaskTel Centre (CEBL+, TSN+, NLSE)


Game #120 – Sunday, Aug. 10 – NRL at CGY – 6 p.m. MT / 8 p.m. ET – Scotiabank Saddledome (TSN, CEBL+, TSN+)


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

Sea Bears Welcome Two-Time Developmental Player of the Year Hildebrandt

March 26, 2026
The Winnipeg Sea Bears today signed Winnipeg product Simon Hildebrandt for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League season, bringing the hometown forward back to Winnipeg for another summer in The Den. “We are excited to welcome Simon back for the summer," said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. "He was an integral part of the team and we can’t wait to get him back on the court. His ability to space the court at his position will be a valuable asset to the team this summer.”  Hildebrandt, a 6-foot-9 forward, has played two seasons with the Sea Bears. He was originally selected first overall by Winnipeg in the 2023 CEBL U SPORTS Draft, becoming the first draft pick in franchise history, and was selected again in the first round in 2024. Hildebrandt won the 2023 and 2024 CEBL U SPORTS Player of the Year (now Developmental Player of the Year) award, which recognizes the top U SPORTS/CCAA player in the professional league. “I’m excited to return home to Winnipeg this summer and compete in front of the best fans in the CEBL, and I can’t wait to get started,” said Hildebrandt. Across two seasons in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, Hildebrandt has appeared in more than 40 games for Winnipeg, averaging 19.5 minutes per game. Hildebrandt began his university career at the University of Manitoba Bisons men's basketball, where he quickly became one of the top players in U SPORTS. As a freshman, he averaged 17 points and 5.2 rebounds per game and was named a U SPORTS All-Canadian. He followed that with a sophomore season where he averaged 16.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, including a career-high 41-point performance against Victoria. He later moved to NCAA Division I, playing at the High Point Panthers men's basketball during the 2024-25 season, where he appeared in 25 games and helped the program reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in its Division I history. He then transferred to the Washington State Cougars men's basketball ahead of the 2025-26 season, where he averaged 14.3 minutes per game and recorded a season-high 19 points, including five three-pointers, in a win over Pepperdine. ###

« Journée des signatures de la LECB » : un nouveau format introduit pour 2026

March 26, 2026
Les clubs de la LECB dévoileront le 8 avril 2026 les étudiants-athlètes de U SPORTS ou de l’ACSC qu’ils ont recrutés

"Canadian Elite Basketball League Signing Day" Format Introduced for 2026

March 26, 2026
CEBL clubs will reveal signed U SPORTS or CCAA student-athletes on April 8, 2026

Canadian Forward Muila Joins Niagara

March 26, 2026
The Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of Canadian forward JD Muila. The 6’8” Ottawa, Ontario native is set to make his Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) debut this season after being selected in the 2024 CEBL Draft by the Ottawa BlackJacks, though international commitments did not allow him to play that year. He is currently competing with Nevezis Kedainai in Lithuania’s top division where he is averaging 9.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting over 56 percent from the field. “JD is ready to make a big impact in the CEBL, and we’re very excited to have him join the team,” said Head Coach and General Manager, Kimbal Mackenzie on the first new name announced to the 2026 roster. “He brings elite physicality, rebounding ability and defensive prowess, and as a highly mobile 5, he can contribute in many ways offensively. He continues to grow his game each year and we expect another big leap from him this summer.” Prior to his time in Lithuania, Muila put together an impressive run across Europe, including a breakout 2023–24 season with Froya Basket in Norway where he averaged 19.4 points and 13.8 rebounds per game. He also competed in the BNXT League with Den Helder Suns, posting a double-double average of 11.1 points and 11.9 rebounds. Muila graduated from Southern Illinois University where he played two seasons with the Salukis, averaging 3.1 points and 4.1 rebounds after redshirting due to injury. He originally began his collegiate career at Indian Hills Community College ( NJCAA), where he contributed to a dominant 57–10 record across two seasons, including a 30–3 campaign in 2019–20 where he averaged 6.5 points and a team-best 6.8 rebounds per game. That season, the team earned a No. 2 seed in the NJCAA Tournament before the competition was canceled. Muila was the first graduate from Canada Topflight Academy ( CTA), an elite preparatory program based out of Ottawa’s Notre Dame High School, to reach NCAA Division I, despite not starting basketball until the age of 16. During his time with CTA, he helped lead the program to back-to-back National Preparatory Association (NPA) national championships. With his combination of size, rebounding ability, and international experience, Muila adds depth and toughness to the River Lions frontcourt. “I’m extremely excited and blessed to have the opportunity to make my CEBL debut with the back to back CEBL champions this year.” said Muila “I look forward to seeing all of the dedicated fans very soon!” ### About the Niagara River Lions: The Niagara River Lions are one of the founding franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and the league’s reigning back-to-back champions (2024 & 2025). Competing out of the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, from May to August each season, the River Lions proudly represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region, uniting fans through passion, pride, and purpose. Entering their second decade, the River Lions have earned a reputation for championship-caliber performance and community impact, embodying the strength and spirit of Niagara both on and off the court. For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on IG, FB, TikTok, & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X.

Bourcier Returns for Another Season in Edmonton

March 25, 2026
The Edmonton Stingers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday the signing of Kelowna, BC native Mason Bourcier. The 6’4 Guard joined the Stingers part way through the season following a 3 game stint with the Winnipeg Sea Bears. “I am very excited to return to the Stingers organization!" said Bourcier. “I had an amazing experience last summer and loved the fan base and community support here. I can’t wait to compete for another summer in Edmonton!” Bourcier is returning to the CEBL for his fifth season and first full season with the Stingers. He began his CEBL career as a developmental player with the Fraser Valley Bandits (now Vancouver Bandits) and has since played for the Newfoundland Growlers, Calgary Surge, Winnipeg Sea Bears and, most recently, the Edmonton Stingers. Last year, Bourcier appeared in 19 games, starting 18, and tallied 71 points, 50 rebounds, 28 assists and 15 steals. He recorded a season-high 14 points on Aug. 1 against the Vancouver Bandits. “Mason was a tremendous mid-season addition for us last summer,” said Stingers Head Coach and General Manager Jordan Baker. “He anchored our defense and brought high-level work ethic and professionalism to our locker room. We are excited to see his game grow in his second year with the club, and I am confident Stingers fans will love his hard-nosed approach to the game.” Bourcier will join the Stingers at Edmonton EXPO Centre on May 9th to host the Winnipeg Sea Bears in their home opener. ### About the Edmonton Stingers The Edmonton Stingers play a 24-game season from May to August in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, the top professional league in Canada with 10 teams in major markets from coast to coast. The Stingers joined the league in its inaugural season in 2019 and have twice been crowned CEBL Champions. The Stingers play in the 4,000 seat Edmonton Expo Centre. Our core value as an organization is to offer affordable, family-friendly fun at our games and be a positive force in our community all year long.

Edmonton Signs Veteran Guard Bandoumel

March 20, 2026
The Edmonton Stingers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday the signing of Quebec City, Quebec native Emmanuel Bandoumel. The 6’4” guard is currently competing overseas in Finland, averaging 22.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game. “I enjoyed playing in the CEBL my very first summer,” said Bandoumel. “I feel like this is a very competitive league which allows you to showcase your game. Edmonton has a great organization and coach so it was a great situation for me to go into. Jordan has a player/coach style which is perfect to evolve in this league where he also excelled.” Emmanuel is returning to the CEBL for his second season. He began his CEBL career with the Saskatchewan Rattlers (now the Saskatchewan Mamba), averaging 10.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. “Bringing Emmanuel to Edmonton was a priority for us this off-season.” said Stingers Head Coach and General Manager Jordan Baker. “He is a high character individual who can impact the game on both ends of the court, and his energy and passion is infectious. We look forward to seeing him mesh with our group this summer!” Bandoumel will join the Stingers at Edmonton EXPO Centre on May 9th to host the Winnipeg Sea Bears in their home opener. Tickets are available for as low as $20 per seat and can be purchased online , by contacting the Stingers head office via email ( [email protected] ) or phone (1-87STINGERS). ### About the Edmonton Stingers The Edmonton Stingers play a 24-game season from May to August in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, the top professional league in Canada with 10 teams in major markets from coast to coast. The Stingers joined the league in its inaugural season in 2019 and have twice been crowned CEBL Champions. The Stingers play in the 4,000 seat Edmonton Expo Centre. Our core value as an organization is to offer affordable, family-friendly fun at our games and be a positive force in our community all year long.

Christian Rohlehr Revient dans la Capitale.

March 19, 2026
ont annoncé aujourd’hui avoir re-signé l’ailier fort/pivot Christian Rohlehr en vue de la saison 2026. Rohlehr effectue un retour dans la CEBL avec une solide réputation défensive, se classant parmi les meilleurs bloqueurs de tirs de la ligue depuis ses débuts en 2023. Il occupe présentement le 23e rang à égalité dans l’histoire de la CEBL avec une moyenne de 1,3 contre par match, tout en détenant le record de la franchise de l’Alliance de Montréal pour le pourcentage de tirs réussis (.696) parmi les joueurs ayant disputé plus d’un match. Au cours de la saison 2023-2024, Rohlehr a évolué avec Starwings Basket Regio Basel dans la LNA suisse, où il a dominé la ligue avec une moyenne de 2,7 contres par match, tout en ajoutant 8,3 rebonds de moyenne et 11 doubles-doubles en 29 rencontres. Il a également inscrit au moins 10 points dans 21 matchs, démontrant son impact des deux côtés du terrain. Rohlehr est ensuite retourné avec l’Montreal Alliance, où il a affiché des moyennes de 5,4 points et 2,9 rebonds en sept matchs, incluant une performance de 14 points et six rebonds contre Vancouver. Lors de la saison 2024-2025, il a poursuivi sa carrière à l’international avec Golden Eagle YLLI au Kosovo, disputant cinq matchs et maintenant des moyennes de 5,2 points et 4,8 rebonds par rencontre. Originaire de Montréal, au Québec, Rohlehr a amorcé sa carrière professionnelle en 2023 avec l’Alliance, participant à neuf matchs et se classant au sixième rang de la ligue pour les contres par match (1,3). Il a notamment établi des sommets personnels de neuf rebonds et trois contres dans un même match lors de sa saison recrue. Avant de faire le saut chez les professionnels, Rohlehr a évolué au niveau universitaire avec St. Francis Brooklyn, où il figurait parmi les meneurs de son équipe pour les contres. Il s’était auparavant illustré au Jefferson Community College, dominant sa conférence au chapitre des contres pendant deux saisons consécutives et réalisant plusieurs triples-doubles, dont une performance remarquable de 22 points, 13 rebonds et 10 contres lors de la saison 2017-2018. ###

Forward Rohlehr Re-Signs with Ottawa BlackJacks

March 19, 2026
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that the team has re-signed forward/centre Christian Rohlehr for the 2026 season. Rohlehr returns to the CEBL with established defensive credentials, ranking among the league’s top shot blockers since entering the league in 2023. He currently sits tied for 23rd in CEBL history with 1.3 blocks per game while also holding the Montreal Alliance franchise record for field goal percentage (.696) among players with multiple appearances. During the 2023–24 professional season, Rohlehr played for Starwings Basket Regio Basel of the Swiss LNA, where he led the league in blocks per game (2.7) while averaging 8.3 rebounds and recording 11 double-doubles across 29 games. He also produced 21 double-digit scoring performances, highlighting his impact on both ends of the floor. Rohlehr later returned to the Montreal Alliance, where he averaged 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds across seven contests, including a season-high 14 points and six rebounds in a win over Vancouver. During the 2024–25 campaign, Rohlehr competed internationally with Golden Eagle YLLI in Kosovo, appearing in five games and averaging 5.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while continuing to develop his interior presence. A native of Montreal, Quebec, Rohlehr began his professional career in 2023 with the Alliance, appearing in nine games and ranking sixth in the league in blocks per game (1.3). He recorded a CEBL career-high nine rebounds and three blocks in a single contest during his rookie campaign. Prior to turning professional, Rohlehr played collegiately at St. Francis Brooklyn, where he ranked among the team leaders in blocks during both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Before transferring to St. Francis, Rohlehr starred at Jefferson Community College, where he led his conference in blocks in consecutive seasons and recorded multiple triple-doubles, including a standout 22-point, 13-rebound, 10-block performance during the 2017–18 campaign. ###

Yerba Madre Revealed as Official Yerba Mate Drink of the Canadian Elite Basketball League Through 2028

March 19, 2026
Three-year partnership connects a purpose-driven brand with Canada’s fastest-growing professional basketball league

Yerba Madre Nommée Boisson Officiel de Yerba Maté de la Ligue Élite Canadienne de Basketball Jusqu’en 2028

March 19, 2026
Un partenariat de trois ans unit une marque engagée à la ligue professionnelle de basketball connaissant la plus forte croissance au Canada