Melissaratos Adds International Experience to Honey Badgers
The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday the signing of Greek forward Petros Melissaratos to the roster.
Melissaratos has played the entirety of his 12-year professional career in the top two leagues in Greece (Greek A1 Basket League and Greek A2 Basket League), averaging 9.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 20.2 minutes in 260 games. He brings a veteran presence to the Honey Badgers roster with experience in FIBA 3x3 events and the Greek national team.
“Petros brings leadership and experience to our organization with his international resume,” said Jermaine Anderson, general manager and vice president of basketball operations. “We’re confident that he will positively impact our younger players throughout the season.”
In 32 games this season with Aons Milonas Athens, Melissaratos is averaging 8.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 21.3 minutes. He finished second on the team in rebounds and blocks (0.6) per game, leading the club to a second-place regular season finish in Greek A2 Basket League. Melissaratos registered six double-doubles in the campaign, including a 22-point and 10-rebound performance January 20 against Papagou.
“I’ve played my entire professional journey in Greece. This will be a new experience,” said Melissaratos. “I’m looking forward to arriving in Brampton and I can’t wait to get started.”
Melissaratos has made an impact on the defensive side of the ball throughout his career, claiming All-Greek A2 Co-Centre of the Year honors in 2021 as a member of Olympiacos Piraeus. In his second season with the club, the forward averaged 13.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 23.5 minutes in 19 games.
In 32 games with AS Kastoria during the 2019 season, Mellisration averaged 11.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 23.8 minutes, earning All-Greek A2 Defensive Player of the Year. A team leader in scoring and rebounding, he achieved 10+ points in 22 appearances, including two double-doubles.
In 2018 with his hometown club, AS Papagou Athens, Melissaratos led the team in minutes played, rebounds, blocks, and scoring, averaging 16.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 32.6 points in 31 contests. He recorded 15 double-double performances, featuring a career-high 30 points on 12-for-18 shooting while grabbing nine offensive rebounds in a win against Doukas on February 3.
Melissaratos played in 22 games during his professional debut season with Peristeri BC in 2012.
The Athens native has also represented Greece on several occasions including FIBA U18 and U20 European Championships and over twenty FIBA 3x3 events, most recently the 2023 FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup.
The Brampton Honey Badgers open the 2024 campaign at home against the Niagara River Lions as part of Home Opener Weekend at the CAA Centre. Season tickets, ultimate voucher
packages, and single game tickets are available now to witness the best of Canadian professional basketball this summer. For more information contact a Honey Badgers representative at t[email protected] or visit www.honeybadgers.ca/tickets.
About the Brampton Honey Badgers
One of the original franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the 2022 CEBL Champion Brampton Honey Badgers proudly call the CAA Centre home. The Brampton front office and basketball operations department bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. With a vision of promoting Brampton grassroots basketball and local businesses through community and corporate engagement, the Honey Badgers will leverage the explosion of basketball as a vehicle for innovation and change. For more information visit honeybadgers.ca.
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 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.