2025 CEBL+ Broadcast Teams Announced

April 24, 2025

Seventh season of CEBL action tips off May 11 with Battle of Alberta at Edmonton EXPO Centre

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday the local broadcast teams that will deliver all the excitement of Canada’s professional basketball league in 2025 to viewers across the country on the league’s OTT streaming platform CEBL+, TSN+ and the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. The lineup covering all livestream games this summer consists of more than 45 media personalities across all 10 of the league’s markets.


The seventh season of the CEBL tips off May 11 when the Calgary Surge travel to Edmonton to take on the Stingers in the Battle of Alberta. In addition to the CEBL on TSN broadcast team announced Tuesday, the following is the full CEBL+ broadcast lineup in 2025:



2025 CEBL+ BROADCAST TEAMS



BRAMPTON / NIAGARA:

Sean Woodley – Play-By-Play

Sean Woodley is the longtime host of the daily Locked On Raptors podcast and is a credentialed member of the Raptors media corps. He's worked as a studio personality and play-by-play voice for the CEBL since the league's inception. Sean has also worked as a host at TSN 1150 Radio and authored the book "We The Champs" about the Raptors' Championship run in 2019. Sean coaches youth basketball in Hamilton and plays pickup hoops any chance he gets. He likes basketball just a little bit.


Matt Bonomi – Play-By-Play

Matt Bonomi returns for his third season as a play-by-play commentator in the CEBL. As a fan of the sport, Bonomi has called over 230 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.


Andrew Damelin – Play-By-Play

Andrew Damelin enters his fifth season covering the CEBL. He's the weekend sports reporter at CHCH in Hamilton, and he creates highlights for SportsCentre at TSN. Andrew is 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.


Joe Raso – Analyst

Joe Raso, Sr. Director, Basketball Operations for the CEBL, returns for his seventh year on the league’s broadcast staff. Raso has been involved in all levels of basketball for more than 40 years. He is the all-time winningest head coach in McMaster University history where he coached his teams to 12 national tournament appearances in 18 years, claiming four OUA championships and four silver medals. Raso has worked in the NBA as an advance scout. At the international level he was a scout & assistant for the Canadian Men’s National Team. Raso has experience as a TV analyst for the CEBL, FIBA, CBC, Sportsnet and TSN.


Esfandiar Baraheni – Analyst / Sideline Reporter

Esfandiar Baraheni has been a basketball reporter, writer and producer for over six 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. Now, he works as a co-host for the NBA Daily for The Athletic and an In-Arena Host for the Raptors 905. Esfandiar is entering his third year as a sideline reporter and analyst for the CEBL.


Dashawn Stephens – Analyst

Dashawn Stephens is a Canadian sports analyst, commentator, producer and sports entrepreneur with five years of on-air experience appearing on CBC and TSN – specializing in college sports. Stephens is also the CEO and Creative Director of PRSVRE Media Group, Canada's largest college sports media and production company. Through his work with PRSVRE, Stephens has been recognized as one of Canada's Top 40 emerging sports business leaders of 2025.


Dhanung Bulsara – Sideline Reporter

Dhanung Bulsara, commonly known as ‘D', enters his fifth season with the CEBL as a sideline reporter. For the past four seasons, Bulsara has patrolled the sidelines covering home games for the Guelph Nighthawks (2021, 2022), Brampton Honey Badgers and Niagara River Lions. The last two seasons saw Dhanung covering nationally televised games for the league on TSN. 'D' can also be found on the league's weekly program, 'CEBL Weekly' alongside Esfandiar Baraheni covering all of the league's latest news on various digital platforms. Bulsara has also spent the last two summers as the in-game host for the Toronto Blue Jays and enters his third season with the club. He has previous experience with the Raptors 905 as their in-game host, spending two seasons with the team.


JJ Evason – Sideline Reporter

JJ Evason returns for his second CEBL season as a sideline reporter covering both the Niagara River Lions and the Brampton Honey Badgers. JJ is the voice of Ontario Basketball and has covered the game at multiple levels including the 15U & 17U Canadian National Championships, the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association, the Men's and Women's National Preparatory Association, the Hoop Queens Summer League, and the Basketball Super League. JJ holds a degree in Kinesiology from Western University and a diploma from The College of Sports Media.


Aaron Sanders – Sideline Reporter

Aaron Sanders has been a basketball broadcaster (play-by-play announcer & host) for 10 years. He has been on the headset for various FIBA tournaments and hosted FIBA’s chat party for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Aaron has also called games for the University of Windsor Lancers (OUA/U-Sports), St. Clair College Saints (OCAA) basketball, as well as NBL Canada & BSL basketball.

CALGARY:

Mitch Peacock – Play-By-Play

The voice of the CEBL in Calgary since the Surge arrived in 2023, Mitch Peacock enters the new season fresh from a fall/winter calling German Basketball Bundesliga, Swedish Hockey League and Champions Hockey League action for world feeds delivering to a range of streaming services and sports channels. Mitch has done network play-by-play for five Olympic Games, worked as a rinkside reporter on Hockey Night In Canada, and hosted FIFA World Cup coverage. Peacock’s other credits include FOX Soccer Report anchor and host of Calgary Flames Radio.


Jamaine Cummings – Analyst

As a student of the game, Jamaine Cummings is prepared to bring his unique analysis style to the Calgary Surge broadcast for a third 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 – Sideline Reporter

Cami Kepke returns to the sidelines for the Calgary Surge’s third season. Kepke brings nine years of award-winning television sports experience to the court, including coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, NHL Heritage Classic, Grey Cup and the Basketball Champions League Americas’ Calgary stop on Global News and CTV. She’s roved the sidelines for the 2025 Canada West Men’s Basketball playoffs, the 2023 Canada West Women’s Basketball Championship and the 2022 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship. 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 – Play-By-Play

Doug McLean, a lifelong Edmontonian, brings over 20 years of national and international broadcast experience to his sixth season of play-by-play for the Edmonton Stingers. Also, the colour commentator for University of Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas basketball, McLean has called two U SPORTS Final 8 tournaments, Team USA at the FISU World University Games, FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying, and FIBA 3x3 events. He’s also broadcast hockey at five FISU World University Games, university and CFL football, and bandy in Russia. Outside broadcasting, McLean is the owner and president of McLean Sport and Strategy, a marketing and strategy consulting firm.


Marc Majeau – Play-By-Play / Analyst / Sideline Reporter

Marc Majeau has been a sports broadcaster in the Edmonton area for over 15 years. He has been the voice of the University of Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas basketball programs since 2017 and was a broadcaster for two U SPORTS National Championships in 2022 and 2024.


Greyson Knutson – Play-By-Play

Greyson Knutson is a new voice to the CEBL but no stranger to basketball. He has had the opportunity to do play-by-play for two U SPORTS Final 8 tournaments, FIBA 3x3 World Tour stops, and the most recent ASAA 4A High School Provincials. A former TV sports anchor and reporter, Greyson has dived headfirst into the play-by-play world, calling numerous local, provincial, national and international events in hockey, soccer, volleyball, football, lacrosse and basketball.


Paul Sir – Analyst

Paul has been the analyst for the Edmonton Stingers since its inception. He has been immersed in basketball throughout his life as a player, coach, executive and broadcaster. He hosts 'The Basketball Show' on Sports1440 & numerous podcasts. He has done both play by play and analysis for FIBA 3x3 and 5 on 5 international events.


Sarah Ryan – Sideline Reporter

Returning for a second season as a sideline reporter for Stingers’ home games, Sarah Ryan is thrilled to be back courtside. She has worked as a news reporter and anchor in her hometown of Edmonton for the last decade. Her true passion is covering local sports having been a competitive athlete her whole life. She juggled playing on three varsity teams (including the basketball team), while she earned her journalism degree at the University of King's College in Halifax, NS. Ryan is also a dog-mom and passionate animal rescue advocate, having fostered 15 dogs so far.


Ryan Reed – Sideline Reporter

Ryan Reed is a former ACAC basketball player and a broadcaster with a background in sports journalism and communications. After playing basketball for the University of Alberta’s Augustana Vikings, he moved into media and communications roles. Reed works with the Edmonton Oilers as part of their communications team. He also writes for NHL.com and co-hosts and produces The Basketball Show with Paul Sir on Sports 1440. Reed holds a journalism degree with a minor in professional communication.


MONTREAL:

Moe Khan – Play-By-Play

Moe Khan is entering his fourth year as the play-by-play voice of the Montreal Alliance in the CEBL. He has called games at the CCAA, NCAA, and U SPORTS levels across multiple varsity sports. In addition, he will be doing sideline reporting for select Montreal Roses games in the NSL, and will continue his behind-the-scenes role with CFL on TSN for Montreal Alouettes home games. With a fresh new look under private ownership and new direction from Coach Small, he looks forward to working with his colleagues Dwight Walton and Gabriela Hébert to produce top-quality Montreal Alliance broadcasts.


Dwight Walton – Analyst

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 is also an assistant coach for the men’s program at Concordia University in Montreal and serves as General Manager for the Los Angeles Ignite of The Basketball League.


Gabriela Hébert – Sideline Reporter

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 fourth season as sideline reporter for Montreal Alliance home games.


OTTAWA:

AJ Jakubec – Play-By-Play

AJ Jakubec is a 28-year sports broadcasting veteran who has been at TSN 1200 Ottawa for 19 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, Ottawa Fury FC, and the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship, in addition to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.


Elias El-Zein – Play-By-Play / Sideline Reporter

Elias El-Zein returns as the sideline reporter for the Ottawa BlackJacks, bringing his passion, energy, and sharp basketball insight back to the CEBL sidelines. A seasoned broadcaster with over a decade of experience, Elias is known for his engaging interviews, on-the-fly analysis, and deep connection to the game. Whether he's breaking down key moments or capturing behind-the-scenes stories, Elias keeps fans closer to the action than ever before.


Garry Gallimore – Analyst

Gallimore is a former standout player for Coach Konchalski of the St. Francis Xavier X-Men from 2003-2007 where he earned U SPORTS Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006. Garry was a member of the Canadian National Basketball Team program (2002-2007) and earned two bronze medals. His professional basketball career spanned five years, during which he played in Belgium, Romania and North America. Over the last three seasons, Garry has served as a colour commentator for the Ottawa University Gee-Gees. His passion for basketball remains strong and being a sports analyst is one way he chooses to stay in the game.


Rose-Anne Joly – Analyst

Joly was named the Head Coach and Program Manager of the Ottawa Gee-Gees women's basketball team in June of 2021. Since her appointment, the team has a 65-15 regular season record and were ranked no. 1 in Canada in two different seasons. They were an OUA Critelli Cup Champion in 2025 and a U SPORTS bronze medalist in 2025. Joly was the women’s basketball analyst for CBC (Radio-Canada) during the Paris Olympics in the summer of 2024. In 2022 she joined the staff of the Montréal Alliance of the CEBL, serving as assistant coach for player development and data analysis. Joly also worked for the NBA Basketball School in Dubai in 2020-2021, serving as Coach and Operations Coordinator.


Jackie Perez – Sideline Reporter

Jackie Perez is excited for another season with the Ottawa BlackJacks broadcast team as a CEBL sideline reporter. Perez is currently a television broadcaster with CTV News Ottawa as the community and weather anchor for 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. newscasts. Born in Manila, Philippines and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, she began her television career as a video journalist for CTV News Saskatchewan before joining CTV Morning Live as Regina's live eye reporter. This led to a role at CityNews Calgary as an anchor and reporter. Perez also spent three seasons as the in-game host for the Toronto Argonauts Football Club.


Tyler McDonald – Sideline Reporter

Tyler McDonald joins the Ottawa BlackJacks broadcast team this year as a sideline reporter. The local Ottawa, Ontario broadcaster has spent the last 13 years covering numerous sports all throughout the Ottawa Region. This experience includes work with the Ottawa 67’s, Atlético Ottawa, Ottawa Fury FC, Ottawa Senators, University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, Carleton Ravens and recently the 2025 U SPORTS Men’s Hockey University Cup on CBC Sports. In basketball, Tyler has brought the action to viewers during UOttawa Gee-Gees and Carleton Ravens games, including multiple Capital Hoops Classics.


SASKATCHEWAN:

Simon Hiatt – Play-By-Play

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. He is the current PA Announcer for the Saskatoon Berries of the Western Canadian Baseball League. 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.


Ryan Flaherty – Play- By-Play / Analyst

After more than a decade in television news, primarily as a sports anchor/reporter, Ryan now works as a freelance broadcaster and sportswriter. This is his fourth season as a member of the Rattlers broadcast team and when he’s not involved in the broadcast he serves as the team’s PA announcer. While he enjoys all three broadcast roles, Ryan’s passion is play-by-play. In addition to his work with the Rattlers, he’s spent three seasons calling USask Huskies hockey and basketball for HuskieFAN, including the women’s hoops team’s 2025 U SPORTS championship. He enjoyed two seasons in the booth with the National Lacrosse League’s Saskatchewan Rush and is in his seventh season as the voice of Saskatchewan SWAT junior lacrosse. He’s also the head writer of The Hardline Curling Show, streamed weekly online.


Amy Prokop – Analyst

Amy Prokop enters her third 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.


James Hillis – Analyst

Hillis coached the University of Regina Cougars for 19 seasons (1994-2013), qualifying for the conference playoffs 18 straight years and being ranked nationally in the Top 10 in 14 others. He also led the Brandon University Bobcats to the national semifinal in 1994. Hillis was named the conference’s coach-of-the-year four times and was inducted into the Regina Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. Additionally, he was an assistant coach for Canada at the 1999 Pan Am Games and a video coordinator for the Olympic qualifying tournament in 1999 in Puerto Rico under Head Coach Jay Triano. Hillis has been involved extensively with Basketball Saskatchewan as board member and coach including a Bronze Medal at the 2005 Jeux Canada Games. He served as President of the National Coaches Association from 2005 to 2013.

Heather Morrison – Sideline Reporter

Heather Morrison is a broadcaster and public speaking coach from Saskatoon. This is Heather's fifth season with the Saskatchewan Rattlers and her third year covering the CEBL western conference on TSN. She has also handled sideline coverage for Canada West Football and the Saskatchewan Rush. Her previous work includes time with CBC Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Media Group and an extensive career in theatre. Now she runs her own business, Deliver Your Best Coaching, where she helps professionals overcome their fear of public speaking.


Caitrin Hodson - Sideline Reporter

Caitrin enters her first season as a member of the broadcast team for the CEBL's Saskatchewan Rattlers. Caitrin is a sports comms specialist, storyteller, public speaker, in-game host, announcer and former reporter, anchor and producer for CTV Morning Live. She is also a musician and singer, performing national anthems for multiple professional and college sports organizations, including the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Last summer, Caitrin had the privilege of in-game and on-court announcing for the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series featuring Team Canada, fresh off their Paris 2024 Olympic run.


SCARBOROUGH:

Rod Black – Play-By-Play

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 – Analyst

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 fourth 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 – Sideline Reporter

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. Finally, she made her return to Toronto, where she currently works as the rinkside reporter for the Toronto Marlies and in-arena host for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Last year, she had the incredible opportunity to work for OBS as a reporter and producer at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Now entering her third season with the CEBL, Bain is excited to bring her skills and enthusiasm to the basketball court this summer.


Esfandiar Baraheni – Sideline Reporter

*See bio above in “BRAMPTON / NIAGARA” section.


VANCOUVER:

James Cybulski – Play-By-Play

Cybulski is currently the play-by-play voice for the popular EA Sports NHL video game franchise. An award-winning broadcaster, James has worked nationally with both TSN and Sportsnet covering several of the biggest events on the planet including three Olympics, the NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, and World Series. As a father of four, James spends much of his free time helping coach youth sports, reading comics, and walking his dog along the beach.


Andrew Savory – Play-By-Play / Analyst / Sideline Reporter

Andrew served as part of the Vancouver Bandits front office from 2018-24, overseeing communications and business operations. He continues to be involved in the local basketball scene, recently broadcasting at the 2025 U SPORTS Final 8 and the 2024 Canada West Championships as a play-by-play commentator and analyst. Andrew's broadcast career began at Carleton University where he was a member of the sports information team before moving to BC where he has since provided on-air analysis for broadcasts at UFV, UBC and TWU.


Cheryl Jean-Paul – Analyst

Back for a second year with the Bandits, Cheryl Jean-Paul brings a background of athlete, coach, and official at the U SPORTS level. Jean-Paul has built the Spartans program into a perennial playoff contender since joining Trinity Western University as the women’s basketball coach in 2010. Internationally, she led Canada’s Cadette Women to a top four finish at the U17 World Championships in 2022. Jean-Paul, a Winnipeg native who played for the Manitoba Bisons, is a Chartered Professional Coach, obtaining her Advanced Coaching Diploma and has a master’s in leadership from Royal Roads University. CJP’s 23 years of involvement in the basketball community has included winning the CanWest Coach of the Year award, is currently Basketball BC’s U15 Girls Provincial team coach, and has joined Howard Tsumura as analyst for various levels of the BC High School Championships for the past few seasons.


Chris Wiggins – Sideline Reporter

Chris Wiggins returns for his second season as the sideline reporter for the Vancouver Bandits. With almost a decade of morning radio experience and an extensive background in in-game hosting and PA announcing across multiple sports leagues, Chris brings energy and insight to every broadcast. A two-time provincial basketball champion, he also played one season of college basketball with the Niagara Knights and is a graduate of the Niagara College Broadcasting: Radio, TV, and Film program.


WINNIPEG:

Joey Slattery – Play-By-Play / Sideline Reporter

Joey Slattery enters his third 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 2025.


Christian Aumell – Play-By-Play

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 – Analyst

Dave Crook returns for his third 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 U.S. 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.


Teagan Rasche – Sideline Reporter

From the hottest state to the coldest province, Rasche's journalism career has taken her to many places. Currently a reporter with Global News Winnipeg, Rasche covers everything happening within the city and beyond. But her favorite days are when she gets to do sports stories. A lifelong athlete, Rasche eventually pursued track and field, earning a scholarship to the University of Arizona. She competed on the track and field team while earning a degree in journalism. Rasche is excited to be courtside joining the Sea Bears broadcast team.


Emily Potter – Sideline Reporter

Emily Potter enters her first year as a sideline reporter in the CEBL in Winnipeg after spending last season working on a postgame show with the Sea Bears. Potter is a current professional basketball player overseas with seven years of experience and has played in numerous countries around the world. A current member of the Canadian National Team, Potter was most recently selected as an alternate for the 2024 Paris Olympics. She is excited to be on the sidelines of her hometown professional team and learn more about the media and production side of sports.


A total of 120 regular season games fill the 2025 campaign, leading to playoffs that begin August 14. Championship Weekend, which features the league’s top four teams during the regular season vying for the league title, will be held at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, August 22-24.


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 and cebl.ca/cw25/tickets.



-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 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 12 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 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 with games broadcast live on CEBL+, TSN, TSN+, RDS, Game+ and Next Level Sports & Entertainment. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

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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 .