2024 CEBL+ Broadcast Teams Announced

May 9, 2024

Sixth season of CEBL action tips off May 21 at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on TSN 

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday the local broadcast teams that will deliver all the excitement of Canada’s professional basketball league to viewers across the country on the league’s OTT streaming platform, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. The lineup covering all livestream games consists of more than 35 media personalities across all 10 of the league’s markets. 

 

The 2024 CEBL season tips off Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. MT / 9 p.m. ET when the Calgary Surge host provincial rival the Edmonton Stingers at Scotiabank Saddledome. In addition to the CEBL on TSN broadcast team announced Wednesday, the following is the full CEBL+ broadcast lineup in 2024:

 

2024 CEBL+ BROADCAST TEAMS 

 

BRAMPTON / NIAGARA: 

Matt Bonomi 

Matt Bonomi returns for his second season as a play-by-play commentator in the CEBL. As a fan of the sport, Bonomi has called over 200 Canadian University basketball games as the voice of the Brock Badgers. In 2020, he earned the inaugural OUA Broadcaster of the Year Award. In addition, Bonomi was on the call for the 2023 CCAA Women’s Canadian College Basketball Championships and two windows of the 2023 FIBA Basketball Champions League of Americas, featuring the 2022 CEBL champion Honey Badgers. Bonomi is a 2019 graduate of Brock University (Sport Management), and a 2022 graduate from the Ontario College of Sports Media. 

 

Joe Raso 

Joe Raso, Sr. Director, Basketball Operations for the CEBL, returns for his sixth year on the league’s broadcast staff. Raso has been involved in all levels of basketball for more than 35 years. He is the all-time winningest head coach in McMaster University history, where he coached his teams to four OUA championships and four silver medals at the CIS (now U SPORTS) National Championships. Raso has also worked on the international level as the Head Scout for the Canadian Men’s National Team and was an assistant coach with the program for four years. Raso has experience as a TV analyst for the CEBL, FIBA, CBC, Sportsnet and TSN. 

 

Sean Woodley 

Sean Woodley is the longtime host of the daily Locked On Raptors podcast, and has worked as a studio 

personality and play-by-play voice for the CEBL since the league's inception. Woodley has also worked as a host at TSN 1150 Radio, was a credentialed member of the Raptors' media corps from 2015-2022, and coaches youth basketball in Hamilton. 

 

Andrew Damelin 

Andrew Damelin enters his fourth season covering the CEBL. The Raptors Republic reporter creates highlights for SportsCentre and updates for TSN 1050 Toronto, and has hosted “The Honey Drop” podcast covering the Brampton Honey Badgers franchise since 2021. He's 6-foot-5, loves his wife, kids, eggs benedict and nifty post moves. His playing days may be over, but his passion for the grassroots game has never been stronger. 

 

Dhanung Bulsara 

Dhanung Bulsara, commonly known as ‘D', enters his fourth season with the CEBL as a sideline reporter. For the past three seasons, Bulsara has patrolled the sidelines covering home games for the Guelph Nighthawks (2021, 2022), Brampton Honey Badgers and Niagara River Lions. Last season saw him draw his first of multiple assignments on TSN, covering nationally televised games for the league. This past summer also saw Bulsara make his debut as the in-game host for the Toronto Blue Jays. He has previous experience as the Raptors 905 in-game host, spending two seasons with the team. 

 

Esfandiar Baraheni 

Esfandiar Baraheni has been a basketball reporter, writer and producer for over five years, working with publications like TheScore, Bleacher Report, TSN, Spotify, and Raptors Republic — specializing in covering the Toronto Raptors and the rest of the NBA. 

 

Kyle Parkinson 

Kyle Parkinson is a communicator with a passion for interviewing, creating exciting content and having an enthusiastic eye for attention to detail and critical analysis. Parkinson is a self-starter who is goal-oriented, active on social media and able to report stories and create content. From being an on-screen talent with Sportsnet, he has covered numerous live major sporting events in pursuit of his passion for sports media and eagerness to grow in this industry. 

 

CALGARY: 

Mitch Peacock 

The voice of Calgary Surge games in their inaugural season, Mitch Peacock enters his second CEBL campaign fresh from regular duty calling the German Basketball Bundesliga’s World Feed. The versatile announcer also recently completed a season doing Swedish Hockey League and Champions Hockey League games for global audiences, and last fall worked international soccer matches for CONCACAF. Peacock has done network play-by-play for five Olympic Games, hosted FIFA World Cup coverage, and worked as a rinkside reporter on Hockey Night in Canada. His other credits include anchor on the FOX Soccer Report and host of Calgary Flames Radio. 

 

Jamaine Cummings 

As a student of the game, Jamaine Cummings is prepared to bring his unique analysis style to the Calgary Surge broadcast for a second season. Some of his past broadcast credits include the 2024 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Men’s Final 4 Championship,2023 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s National Championship, 2023 Western Canadian Baseball League Championship and the 2023 ACAC Men’s Provincial Championship. Cummings also played basketball at St. Marys' in Calgary and for Basketball Alberta. With a passion for both basketball and broadcasting, he is excited and honoured to once again, combine the two, to help showcase the CEBL's elite talent to the entire nation. 

 

Cami Kepke 

Cami Kepke returns to the sidelines for the Calgary Surge’s second season. Kepke brings eight years of award-winning television sports experience to the court, including coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, 2023 and 2018 Heritage Classics, the Grey Cup and the Basketball Champions League Americas’ Calgary event. She has roved the sidelines for the Surge’s inaugural season, the 2023 Canada West Women’s Basketball Championship, the 2022 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship, and University of Calgary Dinos Football games. Kepke looks forward to bringing fans inside the game and sharing the stories of the coaches, athletes and staff who make every electric CEBL season possible. 

 

EDMONTON: 

Doug McLean 

With over 20 years of national and international broadcast experience, lifelong Edmontonian Doug McLean returns for his fifth season calling Edmonton Stingers games. Currently the colour commentator for University of Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas basketball, McLean also recently called the 2024 U SPORTS Women’s Final 8. Internationally, he has broadcast Team USA basketball at the FISU World University Games while also calling FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying events and FIBA 3x3. Additionally, McLean has called hockey at four FISU World University Games, does colour commentary of university football across the Canada West Conference, and did colour on two Edmonton Elks CFL broadcasts in 2023. 

 

Paul Sir 

Paul Sir has spent his life intensely immersed in the game of basketball. As a player, Sir is a member of the Iowa High School Basketball and Winona State University Halls of Fame while also played professionally in Europe. He has coached at all levels and recently retired after being the Executive Director of the Alberta Basketball Association for 16 years. Sir has been the driving force for developing 3x3 in Canada. He led the efforts to make Edmonton the home of the Canada Basketball Women's Olympic Team. Sir is the host of 'The Basketball Show' on Sports 1440 radio in Edmonton and has done the colour commentary for the Edmonton Stingers since the club's inception. 

 

Emma Foose 

Emma Foose joins the Edmonton Stingers in her first year as a sideline reporter in the CEBL. Foose comes from a diverse sports background both behind the scenes and in the action. Growing up playing competitive hockey, she has been involved with sports as long as she can remember. From aiding game-day operations with the Edmonton Elks to coaching a U15 AA hockey team, Foose is excited to branch out into the world of basketball. She is currently enrolled in the Radio and Television program at NAIT and has a passion for storytelling. 

 

Ethan Ready 

Ethan Ready is a graduate from Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario. Born and raised in Woodstock, Ontario, Ready moved to Northern BC in 2019, working as a broadcaster and most recently doing play-by-play for both hockey and football. His work experience includes time spent covering the CFL, CJFL, NHL, WHL, and U SPORTS basketball, soccer and volleyball. Ready is excited to be a part of the Stingers' broadcast team for the 2024 CEBL season. 

 

MONTREAL: 

Moe Khan 

Moe Khan is entering his third year as the play-by-play voice of the Montreal Alliance in the CEBL. Khan has called games in the CCAA, NCAA, and U SPORTS levels across multiple varsity sports. This year, with Montreal hosting Championship Weekend, he believes the city is ready to showcase to Canada why it is a basketball city and looks forward to working with his colleagues Dwight Walton and Gabriela Hebert to produce top quality broadcasts. 

 

Dwight Walton 

Dwight Walton is a former member of the Canadian National Team from 1986-1995. Walton played professionally in Israel and Switzerland from 1994-2004, including four years in Israel and six years in Switzerland. The basketball analyst and colour commentator was also an assistant coach for the men’s program at Concordia University in Montreal and served as General Manager for the Los Angeles Ignite of The Basketball League. 

 

Gabriela Hébert 

After playing U SPORTS basketball with McGill University where she was part of five provincial championships and helped lay the foundations for the eventual Bronze Baby winning Martlets, Gabriela Hébert started getting involved in broadcasts. She participated as an analyst for different provincial and national women’s basketball championships in the last few years. Hébert is also the season analyst for the women’s basketball team at McGill University. You can also catch her new podcast, “The Corner Girl” launching this summer as she will discuss the world of women’s sports, including basketball, through stories and news to inspire the new generation of athletes. In 2024, Hébert will serve her third season as sideline reporter for Montreal Alliance home games. 

 

OTTAWA: 

AJ Jakubec 

AJ Jakubec is a 27-year sports broadcasting veteran who has been at TSN 1200 Ottawa for 18 years after stops throughout British Columbia and his native Edmonton. Jakubec’s first basketball call was as the voice of the Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas from 2001-03. In Ottawa, he has brought the action to viewers and listeners during numerous Carleton Ravens and Ottawa Gee-Gees games, including the annual Capital Hoops Classic and multiple U SPORTS Championships. Jakubec’s local play-by-play experience includes work with the Ottawa REDBLACKS, Ottawa 67’s, Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oil Kings, Atlético Ottawa, and Ottawa Fury FC, in addition to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

 

Elias El-Zein 

As a seasoned broadcaster, Elias El-Zein captivates audiences with a compelling blend of charisma, wit, and insightful commentary. With a knack for engaging storytelling, El-Zein has carved a niche in the broadcasting world, delivering news, analysis, and entertainment with professionalism and flair. His dynamic on-air presence and a deep understanding of the game of basketball ensures an enriching experience for listeners/viewers. Whether behind the mic or in front of the camera, El-Zein brings passion and expertise to every broadcast. 

 

Wumi Agunbiade 

Pro-player turned coach, Wumi Agunbiade, is a Canadian basketball figure known for bridging her experience of the game with her passion for the community. From Pickering, ON, Agunbiade fell in love with basketball before she could walk and has since been on a mission to uplift others through the sport. She is the Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Queen’s University and the Founder of Hoopers Loop, an organization geared towards the development of female-identifying student-athletes. From playing in the NCAA and professionally in Europe, to coaching with the Raptors 905 and the Guelph Nighthawks (Calgary Surge), Agunbiade offers a unique perspective of the game. 

 

Fabienne Blizzard 

Fabienne Blizzard played basketball and graduated from the University of Ottawa. As a point guard, Blizzard was awarded Rookie of the Year, MVP, Best Defensive Player, OUA All-Star, Athlete of the Year and was inducted into the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees Hall of Fame. She has had the pleasure of coaching at every level in basketball (Grassroots, Club, University, College, Regional, Provincial, National and Professional) and has also had the opportunity to assist and coach with the NBA Basketball Without Boarders, Senegal SEED Forum and NBA Academy guest coach. 

 

Jackie Perez 

Jackie Perez is excited to join the Ottawa BlackJacks broadcast team for her first season as a CEBL sideline reporter. Born in Manila, Philippines and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, Perez spent three seasons as the in-game host for the Toronto Argonauts Football Club. She began her television career as a video journalist for CTV News Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. In 2018, she made the move to Regina as CTV Morning Live's on location reporter. This led to a role at CityNews Calgary as an anchor and video journalist. Perez is currently a television broadcaster with CTV News Ottawa contributing content to television, radio and digital platforms. 

 

SASKATCHEWAN: 

Simon Hiatt 

Simon Hiatt has been the play-by-play voice of the Saskatchewan Rattlers since their inaugural season and called the first-ever CEBL championship game in 2019. Hiatt has worked in local television in Saskatoon for 25 years and was also the play-by-play voice for the University of Saskatchewan women’s and men’s basketball teams for over a decade. He has also been a newspaper columnist and public address announcer and is an award-winning filmmaker. Hiatt lives in Saskatoon with his wife Joy, a cantankerous old cat named Wrigley and an unruly puppy named Lucy. 

 

Amy Prokop 

Amy Prokop enters her second season as a colour analyst in the CEBL with the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Born and raised in Saskatoon, Prokop had an accomplished career as a point guard with the University of Saskatchewan women’s basketball program (2004-09) and helped them earn their first Canada West championship banner in 2005. She sits third all-time in Huskie assists and fifth in steals. Leaning into her multi-sport background, Prokop is now in her 10th year as an assistant coach with Huskie Women’s Soccer and is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in sport in her community. 

 

Heather Morrison 

Heather Morrison, a member of the CEBL’s Saskatchewan Rattlers broadcast team, is a broadcaster and public speaking coach from Saskatoon. This is Morrison’s fourth season with the CEBL. She is the founder and president of Deliver Your Best public speaking coaching. Morrison has also handled sideline coverage for Canada West Football and spent three years as an associate producer with CBC Saskatchewan, where she also hosted radio programs and was a television weather reporter. Last season Morrison had the honour of covering the CEBL's Western Conference Finals and Championship Weekend. 

 

Ryan Flaherty 

After more than a decade in TV news primarily as a sports anchor and reporter, Ryan Flaherty became a freelance broadcaster in 2021. This is his third season as a member of the Rattlers broadcast team and when he’s not calling games he serves as the team’s PA announcer. Flaherty’s play-by-play work includes two seasons as the voice of the National Lacrosse League’s Saskatchewan Rush, six years of Saskatchewan Huskies basketball, hockey and soccer, Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League games, and he’s currently in his sixth season as the voice of Saskatchewan SWAT Jr. Lacrosse. He also works as a sideline reporter covering Canada West football. 

 

SCARBOROUGH: 

Rod Black 

As a Canadian sports broadcaster for over 40 years, Rod Black has been a part of some of sports most iconic events, including multiple Olympic Games and PGA tournaments. He was on the mic for the Toronto Raptors inaugural season television broadcasts. Following a lengthy career with TSN and CTV that included calling Toronto Blue Jays games and leading the pregame coverage of their 1992 and 1993 World Series championships, Black currently broadcasts numerous sports on both a national and regional level around the world. He currently handles play-by-play duties for the CEBL’s Scarborough Shooting Stars. 

 

Warren Ward 

Warren Ward, a seasoned broadcaster and former professional athlete, spent six years on the court before transitioning to broadcasting. Currently working with the Toronto Raptors, Raptors 905, and Scarborough Shooting Stars, Ward seamlessly merged his athletic prowess with his passion for communication. Now in his third season with Scarborough, he continues to captivate audiences with his insightful commentary and dedication to the game. Ward’s dynamic career trajectory showcases a commitment to excellence both on and off the court. 

 

Danielle Bain 

Danielle Bain is a sports broadcaster from Mississauga who began her career as a video journalist in Thunder Bay. Transitioning to Ottawa, Bain covered local sports and breaking news on television and radio, honing her skills as a reporter. Finally, she made her return to Toronto, where she currently works as the rinkside reporter for the Toronto Marlies, content host for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Digital Storyteller for Women's Para Hockey of Canada. Now in her second season with the CEBL, Bain can’t wait to bring her skills and enthusiasm to the basketball court this summer before heading overseas to cover the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

 

VANCOUVER: 

Cheryl Jean-Paul 

Joining Trinity Western University as the head coach of their women’s program in 2010, Cheryl Jean-Paul has built the Spartans into a perennial playoff contender. Internationally, she led Canada’s Cadette Women to a top four finish at the U17 Championships in 2022. Jean-Paul, a Winnipeg native who played for the Bisons and has officiated at the university level, is a Chartered Professional Coach, obtained her Advanced Coaching Diploma and has a master’s in leadership. CJP’s 22 years of coaching has included the CanWest Coach of the Year award, and is currently Basketball BC’s High Performance head coach, most recently joining Howard Tsumura as analyst for the BC High School Championships. 

 

James Cybulski 

An award-winning broadcaster who has worked nationally for Sportsnet, TSN, and TheScore, James Cybulski has covered several major sporting events around the world, ranging from the Olympics, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, World Series, and several others. A versatile talent, Cybulski has worked as a reporter and host in television, and also a talk show host on radio in both Toronto and Vancouver. He is currently the play-by-play voice for the iconic NHL video game franchise from EA Sports. When James isn’t behind a microphone, he is busy spending time with his family, helping coach his daughters in soccer, ringette, and softball. 

 

Virgil Hill 

Virgil Hill is a former Vancouver Bandits assistant coach from the inaugural season, and former U SPORTS and NCAA head coach at Laurentian University and Simon Fraser University, respectively. A two-sport university athlete in football and basketball, Hill was a team captain at SFU and was coached by former national team coach and present Sacramento Kings assistant coach Jay Triano. His resume also includes serving as an assistant coach of the national student team that captured a bronze medal in the 2003 World University Games, and Head Coach of the BC U-19 provincial team that won gold in 1998. 

 

Chris Wiggins 

Chris Wiggins transitions to a sideline reporter with the Vancouver Bandits in 2024 after two seasons as the team’s in-game host. Wiggins carries over 10 years of morning radio and television experience, along with a variety of emcee and PA announcing roles with the OHL, AHL and NBLC. He is also a two-time Ontario basketball provincial champion and a graduate of the Broadcasting Program at Niagara College where he played a season with the Knights. 

 

WINNIPEG: 

Christian Aumell 

After a mediocre high school basketball career, Aumell turned his attention to the microphone where he called games for well over a decade. He served as the play-by-play voice of the Western Mustangs  before moving to Winnipeg where he has called games for the University of Winnipeg Wesmen since 2016 and has been the voice of the Sea Bears since their inaugural game. In his day job, Aumell hosts the CJOB Sports Show, covering the Winnipeg sports scene on a nightly basis. 

 

Dave Crook  

Dave Crook returns for his second season working for the CEBL in Winnipeg. Crook has a long connection in Canada having worked for over 40 years in the U SPORTS system including 27 years as a head coach. He also enjoyed a decade-long career coaching with the Canadian National team program. His time with Canada included the highlights of being named Head Coach of the Canadian junior team in 2002. In 2004, Crook led the Men’s Young team to be the first Canadian age group team to ever qualify for a World Championship. The following year, the team knocked off the US in the quarter finals (Canada’s first win over the US at a FIBA event) and then went on to defeat the reigning World Champions Australia to capture the bronze medal. Crook recently retired from his position as Athletic Director at the University of Winnipeg. 

 

Joey Slattery 

Joey Slattery enters his second season as the CEBL sideline reporter in Winnipeg where he also co-hosts the Target Score Weekly podcast focusing on the Sea Bears and CEBL. Slattery is a veteran journalist having served as a reporter and anchor in both news and sports, as well as hosting TV morning shows in Northern Ontario, Regina, Edmonton and Winnipeg for more than a decade. Now narrowing his focus on basketball, he is excited to be back patrolling the CEBL sidelines and bringing you closer to the action in 2024. 

 

Kurt Black 

Kurt Black enters his first season as a CEBL sideline reporter in Winnipeg in 2024. Black is currently a Video Journalist at CityNews Winnipeg after two and a half years as a reporter and anchor at Thunder Bay News (TBN). He recently studied radio and television broadcasting at the College of Sports Media and Niagara College. 

 

Season tickets and flex packs are now available league wide with priority seating access and preferred pricing. Ticket information for all CEBL games, including single-game tickets, can be found by visiting cebl.ca/tickets. More than 50 CEBL games will be broadcast live nationally on TSN and Game+ this season. Fans can also livestream all regular season, playoff and Championship Weekend games on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. 

 

- CEBL - 

 

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. 

CEBL Finals Recap: Xavier Moon Propels Sea Bears to Long-Awaited CEBL Championship Victory

August 15, 2026
At last, Winnipeg has its first CEBL title. The Sea Bears earned their long-awaited maiden championship after taking down the Brampton Honey Badgers 98-84 on Saturday in the CEBL Finals at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. It was in that same arena, on that same floor last year that the Sea Bears were forced to watch the Niagara River Lions celebrate after the home club was knocked out in the semifinals. All that did was lead to a summer of change, including the import of three-time MVP, and now three-time champion, Xavier Moon as well as a new head coach in Mike Raimbault, who joins the elite ranks of title-winning bench bosses in his rookie season. Now, the trophy belongs in the Manitoba capital. “I'm just super happy for everybody that is out there celebrating today and that it came to fruition because the organization did definitely deserve a championship,” Raimbault said. It was Moon who put the Sea Bears on his back en route to earning the title of Finals MVP — aptly already named after him after he won two previous with the Edmonton Stingers in 2020 and 2021 — racking up a game-high 29 points to go with seven rebounds and six assists. “It's crazy to be back in this environment again. I mean, obviously, familiar territory for me for winning, but to do it in a city that's never won a playoff game, I think it means a lot more. This one is a lot more special than the first one. So, like I've been saying, man, I'm happy for my teammates, and I'm happy for the city of Winnipeg,” Moon said. The full Moon struck when the clock stopped for Target Score Time and Winnipeg held an 88-74 advantage. After Brampton scored six of the first eight points, Moon took matters into his own hands with a layup followed by a three-pointer on back-to-back possessions, putting the Sea Bears one bucket away. Then, Winnipeg native Simon Hildebrandt delivered the glory, capping off the title with a three-pointer, sending teal-and-white confetti streaming onto the court. He said he’s still unsure what was going through his head when the ball left his fingertips. “I don't know how to put into words,” Hildebrandt said. “I'm so fortunate to just play in my hometown for an organization like this, and have an opportunity to be on the floor, and Target Score of the Finals like this, and like I said, being from here, and being put in the opportunities to be successful by my teammates and my coaches around me is just unbelievable.” Hildebrandt, a two-time Developmental Player of the Year, finished second on the Sea Bears with 24 points, while Jelani Watson-Gayle put up 17 points — all in the first half — off the bench. For Brampton, the loss marked the end of a roller-coaster season that saw it begin 7-1 before barely squeaking into the playoffs. The Honey Badgers seemed to find their groove in the Eastern Conference playoffs but could not finish the job in the Finals. Sean East II led the way for the Honey Badgers with 27 points, while Canadian big man Matthew Moncrieffe added seven points and 16 rebounds. “We fought hard. We dealt with adversity. Not the outcome we wanted,” East II said. “We turned the Brampton program around so we can be happy about that for sure.” Brampton was ultimately done in by 19 turnovers, including seven for East II, compared to just nine for Winnipeg. Honey Badgers head coach Alex Cerda pointed to the second quarter as the inflection point. “Self-inflicted wounds with the live-ball turnovers, led out to runouts for them, easy transition points and kind of flipped the score from there and they have really good players, they space the floor well and they put us in tough positions that compromised our defence,” Cerda said. The Honey Badgers came hot out of the gates, but the tide turned in the second quarter when Jelani Watson-Gayle hit back-to-back three-pointers, igniting the Canada Life Centre crowd and giving the Sea Bears their first lead of the game. Winnipeg took a 46-42 lead into halftime. “I just didn’t feel like we were ever able to come back from that marginal lead,” Cerda said. Moon rose up in the third quarter, breaking out with seven of Winnipeg’s first nine points in the frame and 14 total as the Sea Bears lead grew to double digits. By the end of 30 minutes, Winnipeg was up 73-60. It never looked back. For the game, the Sea Bears shot 41 per cent from beyond the arc compared to 27 per cent for the Honey Badgers. A CEBL-record 12,519 fans packed the Canada Life Centre stands to witness the eighth championship game in league history. “A chance to play for the championship doesn't come around all the time, and we knew that the place was going to be packed, and the level of excitement was going to be through the roof. And I mean, I think as we're recognizing people that make this possible, obviously the fans are at the forefront of that,” Raimbault said. The Honey Badgers entered having won both regular-season matchups against the Sea Bears. That didn’t matter Saturday. Instead, Winnipeg overcame the adversity of losing three key starters on the eve of the playoffs, bonding together behind Moon — who himself appeared in just five regular-season contests — to dismiss the Saskatoon Mamba, shock the top-seeded Vancouver Bandits and blow by the Honey Badgers en route to their first championship. “Adversity is always going to be a part of your path, and I think it's no different than anything else in life. Nothing really worth accomplishing is easy,” Raimbault said. “It does definitely reveal the character of the people in our locker room that we believed that we could get it done, and now we have.” And with that, the party in Winnipeg is on.

CEBL Statement: CEBL Finals Format Update

August 13, 2026
Following the cancellation of Game 1 of the 2026 CEBL Finals due to condensation on the court in Brampton, the Canadian Elite Basketball League has confirmed that the Finals will be decided in a single championship game. The Winnipeg Sea Bears and Brampton Honey Badgers will meet for the 2026 CEBL Championship on Saturday, August 15 at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, the previously scheduled date and host venue for Game 2. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m. CDT / 3:30 p.m. ET, with the game broadcast on CBC, TSN, TSN+, CBC Gem and CEBL+. The decision was made by the League in consultation with both clubs. With the best-of-three series unable to be completed within the scheduled window, a one-game championship was determined to be the fairest and most practical path to crowning a champion. It also returns the Finals to the format used from 2019 through 2025, when the CEBL Champion was decided in a single Championship Game. Additional ticketing details will be shared by the Winnipeg Sea Bears. Fans who held tickets to Game 1 in Brampton will be refunded as previously announced. The League will provide updates as necessary. Thank you for your understanding. About the Canadian Elite Basketball League The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada's professional basketball league, featuring 10 member clubs across six provinces. Powered by elite talent, a fast-paced game format, and deep community connections, the CEBL delivers high-level basketball and unforgettable summer experiences for fans nationwide. The league boasts the youngest fan base in Canadian professional sport, half under age 34, and one of the fastest-growing audiences in the country, now reaching nearly 4.1 million Canadians. This momentum reflects the CEBL's ability to deliver dynamic, thrilling gameplay while connecting deeply with a new generation of fans and expanding basketball's cultural footprint across Canada. Running from May through August, the CEBL's season is a showcase of top basketball talent and a summer hub for fast-paced, high-energy fan excitement.

CEBL Statement: Game 1 of CEBL Finals Cancelled

August 13, 2026
Today's Canadian Elite Basketball League game between the Winnipeg Sea Bears and hosts Brampton Honey Badgers has been cancelled due to condensation on the court, which left the playing surface unsafe for competition. The decision was made in consultation with both clubs, game officials and venue staff. The safety of our players, officials and fans is the League's first priority. All tickets for today's game will be refunded. Further information will follow. The League will provide updates as necessary. Thank you for your understanding.  About the Canadian Elite Basketball League The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada's professional basketball league, featuring 10 member clubs across six provinces. Powered by elite talent, a fast-paced game format, and deep community connections, the CEBL delivers high-level basketball and unforgettable summer experiences for fans nationwide. The league boasts the youngest fan base in Canadian professional sport, half under age 34, and one of the fastest-growing audiences in the country, now reaching nearly 4.1 million Canadians. This momentum reflects the CEBL's ability to deliver dynamic, thrilling gameplay while connecting deeply with a new generation of fans and expanding basketball's cultural footprint across Canada. Running from May through August, the CEBL's season is a showcase of top basketball talent and a summer hub for fast-paced, high-energy fan excitement.

CEBL Playoff Preview: Sea Bears, Honey Badgers set for Finals Showdown

August 11, 2026
It all comes down to this. The Brampton Honey Badgers and Winnipeg Sea Bears will meet in the CEBL’s first-ever best-of-three Finals series beginning Wednesday to determine the champion of the league’s eighth season. Game 1 takes place in Brampton, while the rest of the series will go down in Winnipeg. Here’s everything you need to know: The schedule Game 1 – Wednesday, Aug. 12 – WPG at BHB – 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CDT – CAA Centre (CBC, TSN, CBC Gem, TSN+, YouTube, CEBL+) Game 2 – Saturday, Aug. 15 – BHB at WPG – 2:30 p.m. CDT / 3:30 p.m. ET – Canada Life Centre (CBC, TSN, CBC Gem, TSN+, YouTube, CEBL+) *Game 3 – Sunday, Aug. 16 – BHB at WPG – 2:30 p.m. CDT / 3:30 p.m. ET – Canada Life Centre (CBC, TSN, CBC Gem, TSN+, YouTube, CEBL+) -- if necessary How they got here Neither the Sea Bears nor Honey Badgers travelled the straightforward path to these Finals. The hype in Winnipeg began in the off-season, when it announced that it was bringing former MVPs Teddy Allen and Xavier Moon back to the CEBL to play under new head coach Mike Raimbault. Allen and Moon promised to form a formidable duo, one capable of bringing Winnipeg its first-ever championship and righting the wrong of last year’s semifinal loss at home. Turns out, the MVPs only played five games together, and the team went just 2-3 in that span. Moon’s arrival was delayed due to a FIBA issue. Allen, meanwhile, shouldered the load, leading the league in both points (27.8 per game) and steals (two per game) before an injury on the eve of the playoffs prevented him from participating in the opening two rounds. It is unclear whether he will be available for the Finals. Even still, the Sea Bears fought the Vancouver Bandits for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference all season, with the two clubs emerging in a tier of their own. The Bandits seemed to gain the upper hand with a pair of blowout wins in the season’s final weeks, but it was the Sea Bears who got the last laugh, punching their Finals ticket with a victory over Vancouver in the conference final. Like Winnipeg, Brampton also enjoyed a superlative off-season, transforming the franchise top-down with new front-office leadership, a new coach in Alex Cerda and a new star player in Sean East II. The moves paid off immediately as the Honey Badgers rolled to a 7-1 start, threatening the Scarborough Shooting Stars atop the East. Then, however, things went sideways. Brampton undid its strong start with an immediate 1-7 stretch to fall back to .500, then limped to the finish line and just barely squeaked into the playoffs despite an 11-13 record. Frustration boiled over in the regular-season finale, when a brawl with the Shooting Stars led to multiple player suspensions on both sides, but it only seemed to bring the Honey Badgers closer “together” — their team motto — before playoff wins over the Ottawa BlackJacks and two-time defending champion Niagara River Lions. The stakes Winnipeg has never so much as reached the CEBL Finals in its existence, maxing out with last year’s semis. The Sea Bears’ massive fanbase is hoping this year’s squad can be the one to break through — and to do it at home, no less. Brampton, meanwhile, has one championship under its belt from 2022, but that was back when the team was located in Hamilton, and it hadn’t so much as won a single playoff game since until this season. Players to watch In Winnipeg, Moon has stepped up in Allen’s absence during the post-season, leading the team with 22 points per game including a perfect 10-for-10 mark from the free-throw line. The three-time league MVP could become just the second player in CEBL history with three titles if he can finish the job in his first season in Winnipeg. Helping him will be Canadian big man Simon Hildebrandt, who has stepped up in the absence of Emmanuel Akot, who left the team for overseas opportunities. Hildebrandt, 23, put up 24 points in the win over the Bandits in a head-to-head matchup with Vancouver superstar Mitch Creek. He’s made six-of-14 three-point attempts in the post-season while tacking on 11 rebounds. The Sea Bears’ x-factor could be Jelani Watson-Gayle, who exploded for 27 points in the conference semifinal and has made more than half of his three-pointers in the playoffs. If he goes on another scoring binge in the Finals, he could easily tilt a game in Winnipeg’s favour. On the other side, the Honey Badgers will continue to be powered by East II, who’s led the team with 25.5 points per game in these playoffs while dishing 17 assists and collecting 12 rebounds. It would not be a surprise to see the do-it-all guard emerge as Finals MVP if the Honey Badgers hoist the trophy in Winnipeg. He’ll have help in the form of scorers Trentyn Flowers, who has 45 total points in the playoffs, and Tyrese Hunter, who went five-for-six from beyond the arc against the River Lions, including the Target Score Winner. East II said after that victory that their presence transformed the Honey Badgers down the stretch, allowing them to break through as East champions. Down low, Canadian big man Matthew Moncrieffe has gobbled up 20 playoff rebounds, including a putback game-winner against the BlackJacks. A force in the post, Moncrieffe has also added 17 points and will be a load to handle for Winnipeg big men Hildebrandt and DJ Burns.

Powell, Allen Top 2026 CEBL Award Nominee List

August 11, 2026
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Sunday the individual award nominees for the 2026 CEBL Awards, ahead of the first-ever best-of-three CEBL Finals, which run August 12–16 between the Brampton Honey Badgers and Winnipeg Sea Bears. Most Valuable Player finalists Myles Powell of the Scarborough Shooting Stars and Teddy Allen of the Winnipeg Sea Bears headline the list of nominees revealed across five player award categories. 2026 CEBL Award Finalists  Most Valuable Player: Myles Powell (Scarborough Shooting Stars), Teddy Allen (Winnipeg Sea Bears) Canadian Player of the Year: Frank Mitchell (Scarborough Shooting Stars), Tyrese Samuel (Vancouver Bandits) Sixth Man of the Year: Frank Mitchell (Scarborough Shooting Stars), Stanley Davis Jr. (Edmonton Stingers) Defensive Player of the Year: Alex Fudge (Ottawa BlackJacks), Kellen Tynes (Scarborough Shooting Stars) Developmental Player of the Year: Easton Thimm (Saskatchewan Mamba), Mohamed Mahadhi (Saskatchewan Mamba) Additional 2026 CEBL Awards, including Coach of the Year, Clutch Player of the Year, the Fox 40 Officiating Recognition Award, and the All-CEBL First, Second, and All-Canadian teams, will also be announced next week following the conclusion of the CEBL Finals. Powell was the driving force behind a league and franchise-record 20-win season in Scarborough, averaging 22.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists across 21 games while draining 3.8 three-pointers per game, tied for the league's best. He led the Shooting Stars in scoring, assists and threes made, finished third in the CEBL in scoring, and drained a team-record nine three-pointers in a single game, tied for second-most in a game league-wide. He also led the CEBL with nine Target Score Winners, four more than any other player. Allen led the CEBL in scoring with 667 total points in 2026, setting a new single-season league record, and also set the CEBL single-game scoring record with 54 points against Montreal on July 19. The Winnipeg guard topped the Sea Bears in points per game (27.8), steals (2.0), rebounds (7.5) and threes made per game (3.0), and twice matched a team record of six steals in a game while setting a team mark with nine three-pointers made in a single contest. Frank Mitchell earned a double nomination, up for both Sixth Man of the Year and Canadian Player of the Year after a record-setting season for Scarborough. Mitchell set a new CEBL single-game record with 22 rebounds on June 27 against Brampton and led the league in rebounding at 10.5 per game while coming off the bench, averaging a double-double of 13.8 points and 10.5 rebounds. He ranked third on the Shooting Stars in both scoring and assists (58), tied for third in blocked shots (15), and finished second on the team in field goal percentage (51.5%) as Scarborough set a league record with 20 wins. Samuel returns as the reigning Canadian Player of the Year, up for the award for a second consecutive season. The Montreal, Quebec native ranked third in the CEBL in rebounding at 8.7 per game and led Vancouver in rebounds (8.7), blocked shots (1.1) and field goal percentage (53.5%), while finishing second on the team in scoring at 17.1 points per game. Nominated for Sixth Man of the Year, Davis Jr. was a steady two-way presence for Edmonton, ranking second on the Stingers in scoring (13.7 points per game) and third in both assists (3.5) and steals (1.5) across 20 games, while shooting 47 per cent from the field. Fudge and Tynes headline the Defensive Player of the Year finalists after standout seasons with their respective franchises. Fudge finished second in the league in blocks per game (1.7) and led the CEBL with 40 total blocks in 24 games for Ottawa, while also pacing the BlackJacks in steals per game (1.1) and tying for the team lead with 25 total steals. Tynes led the league outright in both steals per game (2.0) and total steals (49) across 24 games for Scarborough. Thimm (University of Saskatchewan) and Mahadhi (University of Saskatchewan) were nominated for the CEBL's Developmental Player of the Year award after strong seasons with the Mamba. Thimm averaged 3.3 points on 52.4 per cent shooting to go with 2.9 rebounds across 18 games, arriving in Saskatchewan as the third-leading rebounder in program history (622). Mahadhi, his Mamba teammate, averaged 2.0 points and 1.4 rebounds over 14 games after a standout collegiate career of his own at the University of Saskatchewan. Award nominees and winners are determined by votes cast by the league's head coaches, general managers, assistant coaches, select league broadcasters, and media personnel. Team representatives are prohibited from voting for a player or head coach from their own team. CEBL Finals Set for August 12–16 The CEBL is gearing up for its first-ever best-of-three Finals series, starting August 12, after the Winnipeg Sea Bears and Brampton Honey Badgers punched their tickets with wins in Saturday's Conference Finals. Lower-seeded Brampton hosts Game 1 at CAA Centre on Wednesday starting at 7 p.m.ET, before the series shifts to Winnipeg's Canada Life Centre for Game 2 on Saturday, August 15 and, if necessary, Game 3 on Sunday, August 16. Both games in Winnipeg will tipoff at 2:30 p.m. CDT / 3:30 p.m. ET. All three games will air nationally on CBC and TSN, with streaming available on TSN+, CBCSports.ca, CBC Gem, YouTube and CEBL+. Tickets are available now at CEBL.ca/tickets. About the Canadian Elite Basketball League The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada's professional basketball league, featuring 10 member clubs across six provinces. Powered by elite talent, a fast-paced game format, and deep community connections, the CEBL delivers high-level basketball and unforgettable summer experiences for fans nationwide. The league boasts the youngest fan base in Canadian professional sport, half under age 34, and one of the fastest-growing audiences in the country, now reaching nearly 4.1 million Canadians. This momentum reflects the CEBL's ability to deliver dynamic, thrilling gameplay while connecting deeply with a new generation of fans and expanding basketball's cultural footprint across Canada. Running from May through August, the CEBL's season is a showcase of top basketball talent and a summer hub for fast-paced, high-energy fan excitement.

Winnipeg, Brampton Punch Tickets to CEBL Finals; First-Ever Best-of-Three Series Tips Off August 12

August 8, 2026
Game 1 tips off Wednesday, August 12 in Brampton, with all three games airing nationally on CBC and TSN

CEBL Playoff Preview: Welcome to the Conference Finals

August 8, 2026
A four-game slate to open this season’s CEBL playoffs promised to be a doozy and boy, did it ever deliver. From Brampton to B.C., there were massive buckets, huge momentum swings, one significant upset and, of course, four game-winners. Now, four teams remain to duke it out in one-game knockouts for a spot in the first-ever best-of-three CEBL championship series. Here’s the tale of the tape for the Saturday showdowns: Eastern Conference Final: Niagara River Lions at Brampton Honey Badgers 1 p.m. ET – CAA Centre – CBC, TSN, CBC GEM, TSN+, YouTube, CEBL+ Well, this isn’t quite the game we expected. For the first portion of the season, the Brampton Honey Badgers were neck-and-neck with the Scarborough Shooting Stars for top spot in the East. Then, the Honey Badgers fell off, eventually sliding below .500. Meanwhile, the Shooting Stars rocketed to a CEBL-record 20 wins. Yet like the record-setting 2016 Golden State Warriors, their historic season will not end in a title because the most clutch player in league history did it yet again. Niagara River Lions star Khalil Ahmad sent the Shooting Stars packing for the second straight season, draining a deep game-winning three-pointer to book the two-time defending champions a ticket in the conference final. Ahmad’s troops will now head to Brampton for a duel with the Honey Badgers, who squeaked out a dramatic win of their own over the Ottawa BlackJacks, avoiding a near-collapse in the process. Just three weeks ago, these teams met in a crucial home-and-home with both unsure of their playoff status, and the River Lions won both relatively handily. There was, however, one crucial caveat: Honey Badgers star Sean East II did not play in either game. And in Brampton’s playoff opener, all East II did was put up 29 points and 13 assists, combining with fellow scoring guard Trentyn Flowers (who had 25 points himself) to power the Honey Badgers to victory. East II and Flowers form a fearsome backcourt duo that promises to wear out Ahmad and Keonte Kennedy on the defensive end. Down low, longtime River Lion and three-time CEBL champion Elijah Lufile will go to battle with Canadian big man Matthew Moncrieffe, whose putback was the Target Score Winner against Ottawa. In the bigger picture, a return to the Finals would give Niagara a shot at becoming the first franchise with three championships and have done it in a three-peat, no less. Brampton, meanwhile, could join Niagara and the Edmonton Stingers as the only teams with two if it emerges victorious. Neither squad had quite the regular season it envisioned when the ball tipped off in May. Now, one will be headed to the championship. Western Conference Final: Winnipeg Sea Bears at Vancouver Bandits 12:30 p.m. PT / 2:30 p.m. CDT / 3:30 p.m. ET – Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre – CBC, TSN, CBC GEM, TSN+, YouTube, CEBL+ Unlike the East, this West final is the game CEBL fans have waited all season for. Throughout 24 regular-season contests, the Sea Bears and Bandits duked it out for the No. 1 spot in the West. It all came down to the regular-season finale between the teams on Sunday in Vancouver, when the Bandits rolled to a 24-point win just 10 days after beating the Sea Bears by 15 on the road. Now, Winnipeg is eyeing revenge, but it may have to do it without some key players: leading scorer Teddy Allen missed Round 1 with a “significant” injury and could be unavailable against the Bandits while Jeremiah Tilmon Jr. and Emmanuel Akot have both left the team to pursue overseas opportunities. It’s a good thing, then, that the Sea Bears brought in three-time MVP Xavier Moon for a return to the CEBL after five years. Moon shone in the playoff win over the Saskatoon Mamba with a near double-double of 20 points and nine assists while fellow guard Jelani Watson-Gayle, who averaged just 4.6 points in five regular-season games, exploded for 27, including six three-pointers. The Sea Bears will require similar performances against the Bandits, whose Mitch Creek-Tyrese Samuel frontcourt each had double-doubles in their win over the Edmonton Stingers while guards Shamar Givance and Tevin Brown provided the bulk of the scoring. Vancouver experienced some turmoil earlier this season when head coach Kyle Julius departed, but have enjoyed relative consistency, outside of the welcome late return of reigning MVP Creek, ever since. Perhaps no team is hungrier for a title shot than the Bandits after years of regular-season success without a championship ring. Then again, Winnipeg has never even reached the Finals. It all sets up for what should be a fascinating next chapter of the Western Conference’s fiercest rivalry.

Samsung and CEBL Unite To Bring True North Tunes To Canadian Basketball and Music Fans

August 6, 2026
Samsung's True North Tunes platform will integrate emerging Canadian artists into every 2026 CEBL Playoff game, from pre-game playlists to Halftime Performances

CEBL Playoff Preview: How Teams Stack Up in Conference Semifinals

August 6, 2026
It’s been a wild CEBL season. Key records fell, the standings never stayed static and Target Score Time provided its usual heaping of excitement. Now, it’s all set to get ramped up even further as the playoffs begin with the conference semifinals on Thursday. Here’s what you should know about each of the four matchups: No. 1 Scarborough Shooting Stars vs. No. 4 Niagara River Lions The two-time defending champion River Lions squeaked into the post-season on the strength of a tiebreaker and then caught a huge break with their Round 1 opponent. Niagara will visit Scarborough, which will be without Canadian big man Frank Mitchell as well as guards Terquavion Smith and Javan Johnson, who were each suspended for their roles in a brawl against the Brampton Honey Badgers in their regular-season finale. The Shooting Stars, who finished with a CEBL record 20 wins and ran away with the East, will now be even more reliant on leading scorer Myles Powell, who has paced the team from the guard position all season. Still, the key question will be how coach Tyrell Vernon adjusts to the absences, especially in a revenge game against the River Lions, who beat the Shooting Stars by just two points in last season’s Eastern final. The River Lions counter with experience and continuity, led by two-time Finals MVP Khalil Ahmad and coach Kimbal Mackenzie, a point guard on both championship-winning teams. It hasn’t been Ahmad’s best season, but everyone knows the playoffs are when he shines brightest. With a vulnerable Shooting Stars squad in Round 1, despite a lacklustre regular season, Ahmad has title No. 3 squarely in sight. No. 2 Brampton Honey Badgers vs. No. 3 Ottawa BlackJacks In the off-season, the Honey Badgers completely remade themselves from top-down. Through eight games, when the team was 7-1, it seemed like every move was the right one. But Brampton struggled the rest of the season and finished under .500 at 11-13. Its fortunes seemed tied to sharpshooter Cameron Tyson, who had perhaps the hottest shooting stretch in league history to start the season but struggled in the second half. Tyson shot 2-of-14 from beyond the arc in the season finale as he looked to regain his groove. More consistent has been Sean East II, part of the off-season rebuild as a marquee free-agent import from the Edmonton Stingers. He’s lived up to that billing, leading the team in points and assists, and seeking his first title in his sophomore season. He’ll face another strong point guard, however, in BlackJacks star Javonte Smart, who sat second leaguewide in both points (24.4) and assists (6.7) per game. Smart had a similarly stout season last year but was forced to miss the BlackJacks’ playoff opener. Now, he’ll be in the mix and out to prove that his regular-season success can translate. Ottawa lost four of its last five games before the playoffs. No. 1 Vancouver Bandits vs. No. 4 Edmonton Stingers The Bandits led the West for much of the season and clinched it against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on Sunday. They now have reigning MVP Mitch Creek back in the fold. The big Aussie returned for that win over the Sea Bears without missing a beat, putting up 28 points, six rebounds and six assists while hitting the game-winner. Combined with Canadian Tyrese Samuel in the frontcourt, the Bandits will be a difficult team to stop. Indeed, it will be a tall task for the Stingers, who won just two of their final 10 contests down the stretch and nearly coughed up their playoff spot entirely to a streaking Calgary Surge squad, which fell short by one game. Still, like Niagara, Edmonton comes equipped with experience thanks to the likes of head coach Jordan Baker and forward Nick Hornsby. Perhaps Creek is rusty after just one game. Some ingredients are there for what would be the biggest upset of the first round. No. 2 Winnipeg Sea Bears vs. No. 3 Saskatoon Mamba Xavier Moon’s CEBL return may have been worth the wait for Winnipeg. After the three-time MVP’s season debut was delayed due to a FIBA issue, he returned with five games left and was right back to his old self, averaging 20.8 points, 7.6 assists and 5.4 rebounds per contest. Now, with MVP frontrunner Teddy Allen out due to injury, Moon will step back into the lead role as he looks to collect a third CEBL title in his first season with Winnipeg. But the Mamba are no easy out. Saskatoon quietly finished the season on a three-game winning streak led by shifty point guard Tavian Dunn-Martin, who enjoyed an especially strong closing stretch and led the league with 80 three-pointers. Saskatoon began its season with four straight losses but still finished above .500 at 13-11, including wins in six of its final seven games. The Mamba, looking for their first title since the inaugural CEBL season, may just be getting hot at the exact right time. Schedule (Four games) Game #121 – Thursday, Aug. 6 – OTT at BHB – 7 p.m. ET – CAA Centre (CBC Gem, TSN+, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #122 – Thursday, Aug. 6 – NRL at SSS – 7:30 p.m. ET – Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (TSN, CBC Gem, TSN+, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #123 – Thursday, Aug. 6 – SSK at WPG – 7:30 p.m. CDT / 6:30 p.m. CST / 8:30 p.m. ET – Canada Life Centre (CBC Gem, TSN+, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #124 – Thursday, Aug. 6 – EDM at VAN – 7 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. MT / 10 p.m. ET – Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre (TSN, CBC Gem, TSN+, YouTube, CEBL+) For the full 2026 CEBL schedule, please visit cebl.ca/games .

‘To Learn and to Serve’: Why BlackJacks Coach Mazzulla Chose the CEBL

August 5, 2026
Justin Mazzulla has had no shortage of coaching role models in his life. His dad, Daniel Mazzulla Jr., coached boys and girls high-school teams growing up in Johnston, R.I. His brother, Joe Mazzulla, won the 2024 NBA title as coach of the Boston Celtics. Justin also played for multiple coaches in his career on the court, which spanned NCAA stops at George Washington and Vermont before moving onto the sidelines as a video co-ordinator with the Utah Jazz. Yet despite the bevy of potential idols, it’s a legendary hockey coach from whom Mazzulla takes inspiration. “I like Herb Brooks' coaching style,” Mazzulla said. “It's a great movie, obviously, with the end, but I just like the team and the journey of the team.” Mazzulla is referring to the movie Miracle, which depicts the Brooks-led 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team’s underdog triumph over the Soviet Union in Salt Lake City. He said he watches the film often as motivation. Now in his first head-coaching stint as leader of the Ottawa BlackJacks, it wouldn’t be classified as miraculous if Mazzulla got his hands on the championship trophy next month. But the BlackJacks do sit in the middle of a dogged Eastern Conference playoff race as the season enters its final games, and it would be considered an upset of sorts for any team other than the conference-leading Scarborough Shooting Stars to represent the East in the Finals. Mazzulla said his team isn’t paying close attention to the standings. “Whether we have a solidified spot in first or second or third or fourth, we're still competing for the playoffs and then pushing towards the championship. So managing expectations in that journey is super important,” he said. When Mazzulla was hired by the BlackJacks in January, he became the youngest head coach in CEBL history at 27 years, 26 days at the time of his appointment. It’s a role the December baby said he has envisioned and manifested for his whole life, taking over the bench of a professional basketball team. The end game, if all goes to plan, is to be an NBA head coach. “But I think right now, just my ultimate goal is to help others be the best version of themselves and to learn from everybody. To learn and to serve,” Mazzulla said. Even though he played, Mazzulla always knew his ultimate destiny in basketball would be on the sidelines. After finishing his NCAA career, he took on a role as a graduate assistant at the University of Rhode Island before joining the Jazz as assistant video co-ordinator and their G League squad as assistant coach. “I always just wanted to be a coach. I think as a player, I was a player's coach. I'm a coach's son. So it kind of was helping people be the best version of themselves and I tried it on the court and it always stuck and I always wanted to do it,” he said. For Mazzulla, then, it made sense to spend a summer in Canada’s capital, where he could take the reins for the first time in a league full of players who are just trying to be better. That’s his why, after all. In Ottawa, he specifically mentioned helping U Sports player Justin Ndjock-Tadjore understand and grow into his role while challenging star guard Javonte Smart to become more of a vocal leader. “Everyone has a skill and everyone has something to bring to the table. The best part is helping that person find that skill or that talent and helping the person see it all come together with a team and taking one person, helping them see the best version of themselves and applying it from a holistic standpoint,” Mazzulla said. “So kind of like doing a puzzle, just trying to help someone see the beauty in there and what they have and then putting it in to see a bigger picture.” Still, as a rookie coach, he reached out to brother Joe for some advice before taking over the BlackJacks. While the Celtics boss didn’t offer him all the solutions, he did provide a different kind of guidance. “In terms of timeout usage, game management, substitution patterns, offensive execution patterns — instead of him speaking his philosophy, he more was like, ‘If you find this situation, you could maybe try and go about it this way, but it always doesn't mean it leads to something that you may like,’” Justin said. Besides, Joe has never coached in the CEBL, which is a whole different animal than the NBA when considering the FIBA rules, Canadian lineups and Target Score Time. Justin said the latter has been his biggest adjustment: “the importance of executing and how you can get your team to in crucial moments work together to get the best shot and not fall in love with hunting nine points.” He said his offensive tactics with the clock off have evolved drastically from the beginning of the season. It’s all part of the learning experience. “You build relationships with tons of different people and you just gain different experiences and see different things each and every game,” he said. And perhaps, if things go to plan for the BlackJacks the next few weeks, he’ll have his own ‘Miracle on Hardwood.’