Yerba Madre Nommée Boisson Officiel de Yerba Maté de la Ligue Élite Canadienne de Basketball Jusqu’en 2028
March 19, 2026
Un partenariat de trois ans unit une marque engagée à la ligue professionnelle de basketball connaissant la plus forte croissance au Canada
La Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB) et Yerba Madre ont annoncé aujourd’hui un nouveau partenariat de trois ans, désignant officiellement Yerba Madre à titre de boisson officielle de yerba maté de la LECB et de ses 10 clubs membres jusqu'à la saison 2028.
Au cœur de ce partenariat se trouve un programme de vente au détail à l'échelle nationale visant à célébrer la saison 2026 de la LECB et à créer des expériences engageantes pour les partisans dans tous les marchés de la ligue. Ensemble, la ligue et Yerba Madre mettront en place une collaboration axée sur des valeurs communes, qui soutiendra les communautés et les partisans d’un océan à l’autre.
« Le basketball est l’un des sports qui connaît la croissance la plus rapide au Canada, et la LECB bâtit une ligue qui reflète l’énergie de ses communautés, a déclaré Ben Mand, chef de la direction de Yerba Madre. Nous sommes fiers de nous associer à titre de boisson officielle de yerba maté de la LECB et de faire découvrir à davantage de partisans et d’athlètes à travers le pays les bienfaits fonctionnels et le rituel rassembleur du yerba maté. »
Ancrée dans un approvisionnement régénératif et un impact à long terme, Yerba Madre s'aligne sur l’engagement de la ligue à faire croître le basketball et à renforcer ses liens avec les communautés partout au pays.
« Yerba Madre partage notre engagement envers la communauté, la durabilité et la croissance, a déclaré Ty Mazereeuw, président et chef de la direction de la LECB. Ce partenariat illustre une fois de plus comment une grande marque contribue à étendre la portée et l'impact de notre ligue partout au pays. En offrant aux consommateurs partout au pays la chance de gagner des billets pour nos matchs, Yerba contribue à notre engagement constant d’aller à la rencontre de nos partisans là où ils se trouvent. »
Cette annonce fait suite à l’annonce de partenariat de diffusion historique de cinq ans conclu par la ligue avec CBC Sports. L’entente prévoit la diffusion nationale de matchs phares à la télévision de CBC, incluant la
première finale de la LECB disputée au meilleur de trois matchs dans l’histoire de la ligue. Tous les matchs seront également diffusés en direct sur
CBC Gem et sur la
chaîne YouTube de CBC Sports.
Pour consulter le calendrier complet de la saison 2026 de la LECB, visitez
cebl.ca/fr-ca/games. Les détails concernant le nouveau format des séries éliminatoires sont disponibles au
cebl.ca/playoffs, et l’information sur la billetterie se trouve au
cebl.ca/fr-ca/tickets
- LECB -
À propos de Yerba Madre
Yerba Madre — anciennement Guayakí Yerba Mate — est le pionnier depuis près de 30 ans du yerba maté régénératif et le chef de file de la catégorie des boissons de maté prêtes à boire en Amérique du Nord. Le nom Yerba Madre rend hommage à la Terre Mère et au savoir ancestral des communautés autochtones qui cultivent le yerba maté depuis des générations — un reflet des valeurs que la marque défend depuis ses débuts.
Ayant son siège social à Oakland et à Los Angeles, Yerba Madre s'approvisionne en yerba maté biologique, cultivé à l'ombre selon des pratiques régénératives, en partenariat direct avec 257 familles autochtones et agricoles en Argentine, au Brésil et au Paraguay. Grâce à son modèle Market Driven Regeneration™, chaque achat contribue à préserver et restaurer la forêt atlantique, à soutenir des primes issues du commerce équitable et à renforcer la résilience économique à long terme des communautés productrices.
Yerba Madre est fière d'être la première marque de yerba maté à obtenir la certification Regenerative Organic Certified® et la première entreprise en Amérique du Sud à atteindre le statut ROC™ Gold — une double étape marquante pour l'agriculture régénérative et l'approvisionnement éthique. Cette reconnaissance confirme le leadership de la marque en matière de pratiques commerciales régénératives. Le sceau ROC™ est apparu pour la première fois sur les emballages Yerba Madre — sur les produits Traditional Air-Dried Loose Leaf et Mate Bags — en mai 2025.
Fondée sur les principes de l'entreprise responsable, Yerba Madre est l'une des premières sociétés certifiées B Corp et membre fondateur du Purpose Pledge. Elle s'engage en faveur de pratiques commerciales éthiques à travers dix piliers clés, notamment l'action climatique, les salaires équitables, l'économie circulaire et l'inclusion. Yerba Madre est disponible dans plus de 45 000 points de vente aux États-Unis et au Canada. Pour en savoir plus, visitez
www.YerbaMadre.com.
ont annoncé aujourd’hui avoir re-signé l’ailier fort/pivot Christian Rohlehr en vue de la saison 2026. Rohlehr effectue un retour dans la CEBL avec une solide réputation défensive, se classant parmi les meilleurs bloqueurs de tirs de la ligue depuis ses débuts en 2023. Il occupe présentement le 23e rang à égalité dans l’histoire de la CEBL avec une moyenne de 1,3 contre par match, tout en détenant le record de la franchise de l’Alliance de Montréal pour le pourcentage de tirs réussis (.696) parmi les joueurs ayant disputé plus d’un match. Au cours de la saison 2023-2024, Rohlehr a évolué avec Starwings Basket Regio Basel dans la LNA suisse, où il a dominé la ligue avec une moyenne de 2,7 contres par match, tout en ajoutant 8,3 rebonds de moyenne et 11 doubles-doubles en 29 rencontres. Il a également inscrit au moins 10 points dans 21 matchs, démontrant son impact des deux côtés du terrain. Rohlehr est ensuite retourné avec l’Montreal Alliance, où il a affiché des moyennes de 5,4 points et 2,9 rebonds en sept matchs, incluant une performance de 14 points et six rebonds contre Vancouver. Lors de la saison 2024-2025, il a poursuivi sa carrière à l’international avec Golden Eagle YLLI au Kosovo, disputant cinq matchs et maintenant des moyennes de 5,2 points et 4,8 rebonds par rencontre. Originaire de Montréal, au Québec, Rohlehr a amorcé sa carrière professionnelle en 2023 avec l’Alliance, participant à neuf matchs et se classant au sixième rang de la ligue pour les contres par match (1,3). Il a notamment établi des sommets personnels de neuf rebonds et trois contres dans un même match lors de sa saison recrue. Avant de faire le saut chez les professionnels, Rohlehr a évolué au niveau universitaire avec St. Francis Brooklyn, où il figurait parmi les meneurs de son équipe pour les contres. Il s’était auparavant illustré au Jefferson Community College, dominant sa conférence au chapitre des contres pendant deux saisons consécutives et réalisant plusieurs triples-doubles, dont une performance remarquable de 22 points, 13 rebonds et 10 contres lors de la saison 2017-2018. ###
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that the team has re-signed forward/centre Christian Rohlehr for the 2026 season. Rohlehr returns to the CEBL with established defensive credentials, ranking among the league’s top shot blockers since entering the league in 2023. He currently sits tied for 23rd in CEBL history with 1.3 blocks per game while also holding the Montreal Alliance franchise record for field goal percentage (.696) among players with multiple appearances. During the 2023–24 professional season, Rohlehr played for Starwings Basket Regio Basel of the Swiss LNA, where he led the league in blocks per game (2.7) while averaging 8.3 rebounds and recording 11 double-doubles across 29 games. He also produced 21 double-digit scoring performances, highlighting his impact on both ends of the floor. Rohlehr later returned to the Montreal Alliance, where he averaged 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds across seven contests, including a season-high 14 points and six rebounds in a win over Vancouver. During the 2024–25 campaign, Rohlehr competed internationally with Golden Eagle YLLI in Kosovo, appearing in five games and averaging 5.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while continuing to develop his interior presence. A native of Montreal, Quebec, Rohlehr began his professional career in 2023 with the Alliance, appearing in nine games and ranking sixth in the league in blocks per game (1.3). He recorded a CEBL career-high nine rebounds and three blocks in a single contest during his rookie campaign. Prior to turning professional, Rohlehr played collegiately at St. Francis Brooklyn, where he ranked among the team leaders in blocks during both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Before transferring to St. Francis, Rohlehr starred at Jefferson Community College, where he led his conference in blocks in consecutive seasons and recorded multiple triple-doubles, including a standout 22-point, 13-rebound, 10-block performance during the 2017–18 campaign. ###
Three-year partnership connects a purpose-driven brand with Canada’s fastest-growing professional basketball league
The Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of 6’6 Canadian forward T.J. Lall. The Cambridge, Ontario native returns to Niagara for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season after a one-year hiatus. The upcoming season will mark his third with the organization after helping the River Lions capture the 2024 championship. After his time with the River Lions, Lall spent the 2024-2025 season with ZZ Leiden of the BNXT League in the Netherlands , where he averaged 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 28 games. He spent the past year rehabbing a knee injury. “We are thrilled to have T.J. back for his third season with the River Lions. T.J. is a versatile wing who impacts winning in a multitude of ways.”said Head Coach and General Manager, Kimbal Mackenzie, “He is a shotmaker, great passer, and elite point of attack defender. He brings a business first attitude and will do whatever is required to win. He has a great I.Q. and feel for the game, he will be a big piece for us!” A proven contributor in the CEBL, Lall played a key role during the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the River Lions. In 2024, he averaged 9.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, continuing to establish himself as a reliable two-way presence. Originally selected first overall in the 2020 CEBL U SPORTS Draft by the Ottawa BlackJacks, Lall began his professional career following a decorated collegiate run. He played four seasons at Carleton University, winning four national championships, before transferring to Brock University for his final year. At Brock, Lall delivered a standout season earning First Team All-Canadian, OUA West First Team All-Star, and team MVP honours. Lall’s professional journey has taken him across the globe, having played in Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Netherlands, where he has consistently demonstrated his ability to adapt and contribute at a high level. “I’m looking forward to getting back to Niagara and getting to work with this group,” said Lall. “We’ve built something special here, and I’m excited to compete for another championship with the River Lions.” ### About the Niagara River Lions The Niagara River Lions are one of the founding franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and the league’s reigning back-to-back champions (2024 & 2025). Competing out of the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, from May to August each season, the River Lions proudly represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region, uniting fans through passion, pride, and purpose. Entering their second decade, the River Lions have earned a reputation for championship-caliber performance and community impact, embodying the strength and spirit of Niagara both on and off the court. For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on IG, FB, TikTok, & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X.
Thousands of Saskatoon Public Schools students are getting the chance to attend a professional basketball game during the school day this spring as part of a new initiative focused on student well-being, belonging, and healthy decision-making.
The 2025 CEBL Most Valuable Player finalist joins Brampton after setting the league’s single-season scoring record
The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that they have signed the 2025 CEBL Defensive Player of the Year and All-CEBL Second Team member Jameer Nelson Jr. ahead of the 2026 season. After a standout CEBL-season debut with the Calgary Surge in 2025, Nelson Jr. will be bringing his talents to the CAA Centre in 2026. Through 23 games last season, he averaged 20.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and a CEBL-leading 2.8 steals in 31.5 minutes. His best game of the season came against the Vancouver Bandits in the CEBL Western Conference Semi-Finals where he scored a career-high 39 points in a two-point victory to send the Surge to Championship Weekend. "When building a roster to compete at the highest level, you envision signing players like Jameer Nelson Jr.," said Honey Badgers CEO Al Whitley. "Jameer is an elite and dynamic two-way player that can dominate both ends of the floor. This is a special moment for me personally, as I have known Jameer's dad, Jameer Nelson, for many years in the NBA, having worked with him in 2017 as a member of the Dallas Mavericks. We are excited and grateful Jameer trusts what we are building in Brampton." Aside from the CEBL, Nelson Jr. has spent two seasons in the NBA G League. He is currently starting for the Stockton Kings (Sacramento Kings affiliate), putting up 18.9 points per game and has while scoring 20 or more points in nine out of 16 games. In 2024-25, he played 44 games with the Austin Spurs (San Antonio Spurs affiliate) and helped them reach the G League Semi-Finals after spending the NBA Summer League with the organization. “The Honey Badgers are building something special here, and I wanted to be a part of that.” said Nelson Jr. “Having the opportunity to play in the CEBL last year and get to the finals gave me a taste into what it means to win at this level, and I feel we have the opportunity to finish the job and bring a championship to Brampton this year. To the fans, let’s pack the CAA Centre this summer and build something special together.” Nelson Jr. had a very successful collegiate career. In his final season, he helped lead the Texas Christian Horned Frogs to their 11th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. In 2023 with the University of Delaware, Nelson Jr. earned a spot on the All-Coastal Athletic Conference (CAA) First Team and CAA All-Defense Team after leading the conference in points per game (20.5), steals per game (2.4), free throws made (159), and much more. He scored in double-figures in every contest through the season, and in his junior year in 2021-22, he had a school-record eight steals versus the University of Charleston. “I had the privilege of coaching Jameer last season, and there’s not another player or person I’d want to begin building a championship team with,” said Honey Badgers Assistant General Manager John Ross. “Jameer is a talented offensive player as well as the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. He is going to bring an elite level of toughness and energy to the city of Brampton!” Nelson Jr. is the son of NBA All-Star Jameer Nelson, who spent 14 seasons with the Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, and Detroit Pistons. Nelson Jr. has taken the family reins and carved out a career for himself that has seen an abundance of winning and achievements. Winning has followed him throughout his career, from a state championship at Haverford Prep in Pennsylvania, to an appearance in March Madness with Texas Christian University, a journey to the G League Semi-Finals with the Austin Spurs, and a CEBL Finals appearance with Calgary in 2025. "We’re thrilled to bring Jameer Nelson Jr. to Brampton,” said Honey Badgers Head Coach Alex Cerda. “He’s a proven leader and playmaker who understands how to run a team, compete defensively, and make winning plays. Jameer comes from a great basketball background and carries himself with a professionalism that elevates the group around him. I’m excited to work with him and see the leadership and toughness he’ll bring to our team this season.” Nelson Jr.’s signing comes as the fourth for the Honey Badgers this off-season. He joins Keon Ambrose-Hylton, Danilo Djuricic, and Prince Oduro as the team’s initial signings ahead of the 2026 season. ### About the Brampton Honey Badgers One of the original franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the 2022 CEBL Champion Brampton Honey Badgers proudly call the CAA Centre home. The Brampton front office and basketball operations department bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. With a vision of promoting Brampton grassroots basketball and local businesses through community and corporate engagement, the Honey Badgers will leverage the explosion of basketball as a vehicle for innovation and change. For more information visit honeybadgers.ca .
The Niagara River Lions announced today the re-signing of 6’7” Canadian forward Nathan Cayo for the upcoming 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. The 28-year-old from Montreal, Quebec returns to Niagara after contributing to the River Lions’ championship successes over the past two seasons (2024, 2025) averaging 9.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Cayo is currently playing with the ADA Blois Basket in France’s LNB Pro B, where he has averaged 9.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists during the 2025–2026 season. “We are very excited to welcome Nathan and his family back to Niagara for year 3!”, said Head Coach and General Manager, Kimbal Mackenzie. “Cayo has played a pivotal role in our back to back championship runs, and is highly skilled, physical and smart. One underrated trait of Nathan’s that I got to see firsthand as his teammate is how competitive he is. He is primed for a big summer!” Cayo began his CEBL career with the Montreal Alliance in 2022, where he played for two seasons before joining Niagara in 2024. Internationally, he has also competed with Astoria Bydgoszcz in Poland, the Memphis Hustle and Ontario Clippers of the NBA G League, and Manchester Basketball in the United Kingdom. He played collegiately at the University of Richmond, appearing in 155 games across five seasons with the Richmond Spiders. Cayo averaged 8.9 points, 1.3 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game, finishing fourth all-time in program history in field goal percentage (55.2%). He also helped lead Richmond to the 2022 NCAA Tournament, scoring 15 points in a win over the University of Iowa to advance to the second round. Having proven himself at every level he’s competed, Cayo combines professional experience, championship pedigree, and a unique ability to impact games on both ends of the floor. Since joining Niagara, he has been a cornerstone of the River Lions’ rotation, delivering timely scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence. With two consecutive CEBL titles under his belt, Cayo enters 2026 as a proven winner and the type of player who sets the tone for a team chasing sustained success. “My family and I feel blessed to run it back for a third season!” said Cayo. “An opportunity to be part of history doesn’t come by everyday; and to try and do so in an environment that feels like home made it a no brainer. Go River Lions.” ###
The Winnipeg Sea Bears today signed Canadian forward Fareed Shittu for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League season. The six-foot-six forward from Edmonton, Alberta, brings two years of CEBL experience and a decorated U SPORTS career. “Fareed is a high-level athlete,” said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. “He has worked hard on his game and brings a level of athleticism that few can match.” Shittu began his U SPORTS career with the UNBC Timberwolves, where he earned UNBC Timberwolves Male Rookie of the Year honours and a selection to the Canada West All-Rookie Team in 2019-20. By his third season, he earned Canada West third-team all-star honours, averaging 14.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2 assists per game on 38 per cent three-point shooting. After transferring to the UBC Thunderbirds for his final two seasons, Shittu averaged 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 27.3 minutes per game over 18 games, including a season-high 28 points against the Winnipeg Wesmen on February 2. “Signing with the Sea Bears was an easy decision for me,” Shittu said.”After speaking with coach Mike and Alex, I knew I wanted to be part of what they’re building here in Winnipeg. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from them, and contribute to the team's success." Shittu enters his third CEBL season. He previously signed a U SPORTS development contract with the Saskatchewan Rattlers during the 2024 season before spending the 2025 campaign with the Edmonton Stingers. ###
The Edmonton Stingers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday the signing of St. Thomas Ontario’s Taye Donald. The 6’2” guard spent last summer in a Stingers uniform on his first pro-contract, after spending the summer prior in Edmonton as a developmental player. “I’m really looking forward to coming back to Edmonton for a third season,” said Donald. “Edmonton has become like a second home for me during the summer, and now with a season of overseas basketball experience, I’m excited to take on a bigger role with the Stingers.” Last summer, Donald appeared in 23 of 25 games for the Stingers, including a season high 14 points in the final home game vs the Winnipeg Seabears. In his first season of overseas pro ball, he is averaging 15.2 points per game, 1.8 steals, 5.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game. “We are very excited to have Taye back with us this summer,” said Stingers President, Head Coach and General Manager Jordan Baker. “With an additional year of professional experience under his belt, we are looking forward to seeing his impact grow in the CEBL. He is a competitor, a tireless worker, and he embodies everything we look for when building our roster. ” Donald will join the Stingers at Edmonton EXPO Centre on May 9th to host the Winnipeg Seabears in their home opener. ### About the Edmonton Stingers The Edmonton Stingers play a 24-game season from May to August in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, the top professional league in Canada with 10 teams in major markets from coast to coast. The Stingers joined the league in its inaugural season in 2019 and have twice been crowned CEBL Champions. The Stingers play in the 4,000 seat Edmonton Expo Centre. Our core value as an organization is to offer affordable, family-friendly fun at our games and be a positive force in our community all year long.