Sea Bears Sign Defender, High-Flying Scorer David Muenkat
The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that they have signed Canadian forward and award-winning defender, David Muenkat. The six-foot-seven Brampton product returns to the CEBL after averaging more than 10 points and six rebounds in under 25 minutes per game in the German Pro A league.
The former first overall draft pick (2022 to Scarborough) was a university stand-out, finishing his U SPORTS career in 2023 with several major accolades. Muenkat was named the country’s Defensive Player of the Year and an AUS first-team all star.
The high-flying forward is also known for his acrobatic dunks and gravity-defying drives.
“I’m excited to bring my game to Winnipeg. The love that the fans show their team is one of the main reasons why I wanted to play here. I look forward to winning games and giving them a lot to cheer for,” said Muenkat.
“We have all seen Vince Carter in his Toronto Raptors days marketed as 'Half man, half Amazing'. Now we have our own 'Half Muenkat, Half Amazing' in Winnipeg. David is an exciting player capable of highlight plays with his elite athleticism and we are looking forward to see him reach new heights in the Canada Life Centre,” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor.
Muenkat was a member of the championship-winning Scarborough Shooting Stars last season, where he averaged 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds in 17.3 minutes per game.
“David has played very well in Germany this season, a country I know well. I have enjoyed following David's development in Frankfurt and several of my coaching friends have given us excellent recommendations,” said Taylor.
Muenkat was a runner-up for the CEBL U SPORTS Player of the Year award (the same award won by Simon Hildebrandt last season) in 2022.
Muenkat is now the fourth Canadian signed by the Sea Bears this season, after Chad Posthumus, Alex Campbell, and Mason Bourcier. The team signed 2023 CEBL MVP, import Teddy Allen on Feb. 7.
“Now our fantastic Sea Bears fans can get excited about more eye-catching entertainment this summer with Teddy Buckets’ threes, the Beast from River East’s offensive rebounds, three and D production from high-character Alex Campbell, hard-nosed Mason Bourcier making winning plays on both ends and Half Muenkat Half Amazing hanging on the rim after big dunks. I can't wait for training camp to begin,” said Taylor.
The Sea Bears open training camp Monday, May 13 at Sport Manitoba in Winnipeg before they head to Saskatchewan to take on the Rattlers on May 22. The team’s home opener is slated for May 24 at Canada Life Centre against the defending CEBL champions, the Scarborough Shooting Stars.
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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears
The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 20-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman.
More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.
About the CEBL
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73% of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Fourteen players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.