2024 Western Conference Season Preview: Battle of Alberta kicks off season six of CEBL

May 20, 2024
Zulfi Sheikh

Season six for the Canadian Elite Basketball League tips off Tuesday and fans can expect even more nail-biting finishes, record-setting performances and premier Canadian talent on display.


It’ll all get underway May 21 with a battle of Alberta, as the Edmonton Stingers take on the Calgary Surge at 9 p.m. ET/7 p.m. local at Scotiabank Saddledome. Typically, home to the NHL’s Calgary Flames, the local landmark will host a roaring CEBL crowd on Tuesday night instead.


But before we dive into the action, let’s get a reminder of how last season went and what changes each Western Conference team made in their pursuit of earning a spot in Montréal for Championship Weekend 2024.


CALGARY SURGE | 2023 Record: 12-8 | 1st in West

Starting with the Surge, who’ll be hosting game one of 2024 and are the reigning Western Conference Champions. Much of their success last year was courtesy of boasting the league’s premier defence, holding opponents to a league-low 80.7 points per game.


The question heading into this year is whether they can maintain that identity with a revamped roster. Veteran additions like Malcolm Duvivier, who spent last season with the Bandits, or newcomers Matt Grace (Hamilton, Ont.) and Gabe Osabuohien (Toronto) will immediately have to step up in order to replicate the team’s front court dominance like the duo of Kylor Kelly and Simi Shittu did a season ago.


For what it’s worth, newly appointed head coach Tyrell Vernon has no doubts that he can recreate Calgary’s defensive magic from a season ago.


“It always has to start on the defensive end,” said the former Shooting Stars assistant coach. “This league is extremely talented, all teams try to spread you out and in order to win a championship in this league you have to be able to defend and take things personally, so it’s definitely an identity we’re going to need to keep from last year.”


Vernon won’t just be tasked with maintaining Calgary’s strong defensive play however, he also has to find ways to improve an offence that ranked last in 2023 (80.7 points per game). Fortunately for Surge fans, if anyone had the pedigree to do it, it’s the 2023 Atlantic University Sports (AUS) Coach of the Year and U SPORTS silver medalist.


“I think we’re extremely athletic and we have diverse skillsets at every position,” coach Vernon said of his team’s offensive potential this year. “If we can space it out, make defensives play in space, we’ll naturally get better as the season goes on.”


For all the newness of this Surge squad, fans coming to the WinSport Event Centre will get to see a familiar pairing in the backcourt. Canadians Sean Miller-Moore and Stefan Smith were the first players to sign (re-sign in their case) with Calgary this season and it’s clear the duo earned the trust of the front office after their success in 2023. 


Miller-Moore is coming off a CEBL All-Canadian campaign in 2023 as the league’s 10th highest scorer while leading the team with 16.7 points per game. Smith wasn’t far behind averaging 15.4 points while leading the team with 5.6 assists (fourth in the CEBL). The workhorse duo that led the team in field goal attempts and minutes will be relied upon once again in the “Stampede City,” looking to carry them one win further this time.


EDMONTON STINGERS | 2023 Record: 9-11 |3rd in West

Edmonton will be Calgary’s opponent for game one and the two-time champions are hoping to bounce back from a middling season. The Stingers were a “do it by committee” team in 2023, quick to share the wealth as one of just three teams to average over 19 assists a game, yet they struggled to establish an identity beyond that. 


Without an identifiable strength to translate effort into wins consistently, Edmonton found itself stuck in the middle. Better than Saskatchewan and Vancouver at the bottom, but not strong enough to threaten Calgary or Winnipeg at the top of the standings in the West. They did, however, pull together to upset the Sea Bears in the Play-In round of the playoffs before falling to the Surge in the Conference Semi-Final.


A “do it by committee” team still tends to need a No. 1 option to push them over the top though. Keep in mind this is the same team that won back-to-back titles with a well-built roster that was undoubtedly spearheaded by two-time MVP Xavier Moon. Which then begs the question, who’s going to step up and take that mantle in 2024? 


Perhaps one of their four returning players as the Stingers brought back a core of Brody Clarke, Adika Peter-McNeilly, Nick Hornsby and Elijah Miller. Clarke led the team in scoring last year with 14.4 points per game and Hornsby was right behind putting up 12.9 points a night. Hornsby was also a Swiss army knife as he led Edmonton in rebounding (8.4) and assists (4.8) to go along with his offensive production. Meanwhile, Peter-McNeilly returns for his sixth season and although slotting into the No. 1 option spot isn’t likely for him, the 2021 Sixth Man of the Year will be a good option off the bench.


Maybe Edmonton finds their new No. 1 through one of their offseason acquisitions. The Stingers brought in a pair of NBA G League experienced players in Jacob Evans III, a former first round NBA draft pick, and Davion Warren – both of whom have the potential to be the latest import guards to dominate the Western Conference.


Evans III has four years of G League experience under his belt, primarily with the Santa Cruz Warriors, while Warren spent the last two seasons with the College Park Sky Hawks and Long Island Nets. In 2023-24, Warren averaged 11.6 points on over 50 per cent shooting from the field.


WINNIPEG SEA BEARS | 2023 Record: 12-8 | 2nd in West

The Sea Bears are ready to follow up the growling success that was their inaugural season. In 2023, the team not only set attendance records, selling out Canada Life Centre on more than one occasion, they were also a Western Conference powerhouse. 


“We got off to a great start last year,” said head coach and general manager Mike Taylor reflecting on Winnipeg’s inaugural season. “It was something special as an expansion team, but again, we want to continue to push further. Our dream goal is a CEBL championship and we’re trying to pursue that in every way possible.”


Much of their good fortune was thanks to a breakout campaign for reigning league MVP Teddy Allen. The American guard averaged 27.2 points (second in the CEBL), eight rebounds (seventh) and 1.7 steals (fourth) while leading the league in average minutes played and total three-pointers made. Allen didn’t stop at just taking home some hardware as he also added his name to the record books tying single-game records for most points scored (42) and three-pointers made (nine).


Another part of what made the Sea Bears such a tough team to face in 2023 was how physically imposing they were as the No. 1 rebounding team in the CEBL. And based on their offseason moves, it’s looking like that area of strength is something coach Taylor has chosen to double-down on.


“We felt like we did a great job upgrading our perimeter with great Canadian players, so it then became a focus for us to get size and skill around the rim,” Taylor said. 


The Sea Bears not only brought back local favourite Chad Posthumus who was one of the premier rebounders in the CEBL last season, they’ve added even more depth with the additions of Darius Days and Byron Mullens.


“What we love about Byron and Darius in particular is the fact they can score inside and out,” said Taylor on adding NBA experienced players to their roster for the first time ever. “We needed more frontcourt three-point shooting and we’ve addressed that with both guys.”


Days, 6-foot-7, has nearly 100 games of NBA G League experience with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and was named to the league’s 2022-23 All-Rookie team. Meanwhile, Mullens was the 24th overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft and played in nearly 200 games, with his best season coming in 2012 with the Charlotte Bobcats when he averaged 10.6 points and 6.4 rebounds.


And as coach Taylor eluded too, the team made those signings after loading up on local backcourt talent. Players vying to join Teddy Allen as one of Winnipeg’s starting guard’s will be Mason Bourcier (Kelowna B.C.), Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson and Shawn Maranan (both from Winnipeg) and the CEBL’s all-time leading Canadian scorer Alex Campbell.


VANCOUVER BANDITS | 2023 Record: 8-12 | 4th in West

Another team that predicated much of their production by eating up rebounds last season was Vancouver. The Bandits were the league’s No. 2 rebounding team in 2023, but they weren’t able to translate their production on the glass into wins like the Sea Bears did. 


In 2024, the Bandits have opted for a balanced roster chock-full of talent. Notably, Vancouver’s biggest offseason move was likely nabbing McEwen from Brampton and bringing him out West. The Honey Badgers franchise leader in minutes played and assists will surely help a Bandits’ guard rotation that became a bit of a carousel last year. 


McEwen will look to bring his championship pedigree to a Bandits squad still in search of their first title and it’s safe to say the team’s head coach and general manager is excited about the addition of the 2021 Sixth Man of the Year.


“Koby was one of the top Canadian free agents in our league,” said Julius. “Koby embodies our culture and the way we want to play. He is a two-way threat and someone we have targeted the past three years. I can't wait to have him join our family.”


Even with McEwen and other new additions like Americans Zach Copeland and Taze Moore, fans at Langley Events Centre will still get to see plenty of familiar faces. Returning members of the 2023 Bandits roster include Kur Jongkuch, Diego Maffia, Duane Notice and Nick Ward. 


Ward, 6-foot-9, was a major reason Vancouver was so effective around the rim last season. The CEBL’s leader in field goal percentage (62.2 per cent) led the team in scoring with 18.5 points and was a top 10 rebounder with his 7.8 boards a game. Having the big man back to pair with a dynamic backcourt player in McEwen will be a treat for Bandits fans all season.


SASKATCHEWAN RATTLERS | 2023 Record: 8-12 | 5th in West

Battling at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with the Bandits in 2023 was the Rattlers. The team relied heavily on CEBL scoring leader Justin Wright-Foreman last season and it led to them struggling in other areas because of their dependency.


The 2019 champions come into this season hoping to change that and make some noise with a revamped roster built around experienced talent. At the top they’ve brought in Larry Abney to be their new head coach. Abney brings lots of NBA experience as he’s coached with the Los Angeles Clippers for seven seasons with a focus on player development, working alongside the likes of NBA champion Kawhi Leonard and Canadian All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.


Abney’s on-court floor general is likely going to be Jalen Harris. Formerly of the Scarborough Shooting Stars, Harris is the latest import guard to bring his talents West. He ended up playing four games in the CEBL last season due to NBA-related commitments, but in 2022 the former second round pick by the Toronto Raptors was one of the league’s best scorers. Harris averaged 20.1 points two seasons ago, which was third in the league, as he led the Shooting Stars to their first finals appearance.


Along with Harris, Abney also added more NBA G League experience by way of a Clippers reunion. Elijah Harkless and Bryson Williams are joining the Rattlers after successful seasons with the Ontario Clippers. Harkless averaged 11.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and a steal in 22.6 minutes of action. Meanwhile, Williams put up 9.4 points and 5.6 rebounds through 57 games. 


It won’t be all fresh faces however, as Saskatchewan brings back five players who previously played for the team in Julian Roche, Adong Makuoi, Isaac Simon, Alexander Dewar and fourth year CEBL player Anthony Tsegakele.



- 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 10 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. 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 with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN, TSN+, RDS, Game+, Next Level Sports & Entertainment and Courtside1891. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

Veteran Guard Osborne, Sea Bears Agree to Terms

January 28, 2026
The Winnipeg Sea Bears are pleased to announce that they have agreed to terms with guard Isiah Osborne for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Osborne, a 6’5” guard from Windsor, Ontario, brings a wealth of professional experience to Winnipeg. Across 49 career CEBL games, Osborne has averaged 25.1 minutes, 10.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, between the Edmonton Stingers, Montréal Alliance, and Ottawa BlackJacks. “Isiah’s background as a dynamic offensive player and his athletic capabilities made him an ideal fit for our system,” said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. “He brings positional size and versatility at both ends of the floor and has the ability to impact winning in a variety of ways.” “I’ve hit big shots in this league, but nothing comes without hard work and teammates who make winning possible,” said Osborne. “That’s why I’m excited to come to Winnipeg. I’m grateful for the opportunity and I’m coming in ready to grind.” Osborne is currently competing with Energa Kotwica Kołobrzeg in Poland. Prior to turning professional, Osborne appeared in 23 NCAA games with the University of Texas at El Paso. He then spent two seasons at Carleton University (2018–2020), where he played 43 U SPORTS games and helped lead the Ravens to back-to-back U SPORTS national championships. Osborne earned All-Star honours in both seasons and was named U SPORTS Championship MVP in 2020. Osborne has played professionally in Canada with the Stingers, Surge, and Alliance, as well as internationally in Finland (Kouvot), Greece (Maroussi), Latvia (Rīgas Zeļļi), Lithuania (Prienų and Gargždų), and Romania with CSM Corona Brașov of the Rome DivA league. Season tickets for the 2026 Winnipeg Sea Bears season are on sale now and can be purchased online at https://www.seabears.ca/season-tickets-2026 ### 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 24-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.

Davidson Joins CEBL as Chief Operating Officer

January 27, 2026
Welcome to the Canadian Elite Basketball League, Shannon Davidson. Davidson brings decades of leadership and strategic integration across the sport and corporate worlds. Her wide-ranging experience strengthens our ability to execute, scale, and lead with purpose.

Saskatchewan Announces Coaching Staff Update

January 26, 2026
The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club has notified Head Coach Eric Magdanz that his contract will not be renewed following the conclusion of the 2025 season. Associate Head Coach Steve Burrows will also not be returning due to family reasons. Burrows spent two years with the franchise and Magdanz four – three as Lead Assistant Coach and in 2025 he was promoted to Head Coach. The team finished with a 7-17 record and did not qualify for the playoffs for the third straight season. The organization is grateful for the contributions of both Eric and Steve and their families. Their passion for player development and growing the game of basketball throughout Saskatchewan has our deepest admiration. The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club has already begun recruitment for a new Head Coach. A new era of basketball in Saskatoon will be unveiled on February 4th, 2026.  ### About the Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club (previously Saskatchewan Rattlers) tipped off their inaugural season at SaskTel Centre in May 2019 and went on to win the inaugural Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) championship. The team are active members of the community, participating in countless events that connect the team with diverse communities through sport, entertainment, and arts and culture. The team has restored over 100 basketball nets across the city to make basketball more accessible to youth. For more information, visit www.therattlers.ca .

Les BlackJacks d’Ottawa nomment Justin Mazzulla entraîneur en chef

January 22, 2026
Les BlackJacks d'Ottawa de la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB), ont annoncé aujourd’hui que le club a engagé Justin Mazzulla comme cinquième entraîneur en chef de l’histoire de la franchise. Il remplace David DeAveiro, dont le contrat n’a pas été renouvelé à la suite de la saison 2025. Mazzulla, originaire de Johnston, R.I., est actuellement le poste de coordinateur vidéo adjoint pour le Jazz de l'Utah dans la ligue NBA, après avoir débuté sa carrière professionnelle d’entraîneur en tant qu’entraîneur adjoint et coordinateur vidéo des Stars de Salt Lake City, l’affiliée de l'Utah en G League. « Justin Mazzulla représente exactement le standard d’excellence que nous voulons pour les BlackJacks d’Ottawa », a déclaré le directeur général des BlackJacks, James Derouin. « Il a été un élément clé de certaines des salles d’entraîneurs les plus innovantes de la NBA, et il apporte à notre organisation un plan directeur digne d’une équipe de championnat. Nous ne cherchons pas seulement à être compétitifs; nous voulons mener la ligue en matière d’innovation et d’intensité. Justin est l’architecte qui nous permettra d’y parvenir. » Âgé de 27 ans et 26 jours au moment de sa nomination, il devient le plus jeune entraîneur en chef de l’histoire de la CEBL, surpassant l’entraineur en chef des Niagara River Lions, Victor Raso, qui avait 28 ans lorsqu’il a été nommé à ce poste en 2019. « J’ai choisi Ottawa parce que les propriétaires, la direction sportive et les dirigeants ont cru en moi et étaient prêts à me donner une chance », a déclaré Mazzulla. « Intrépide, rapide et plaisant étaient les piliers qu’ils ont mis de l’avant, et cela me semblait une excellente occasion de me joindre à eux et de bâtir autour de la culture et de la communauté d’Ottawa. » Joueur de Division I à George Washington (2017-2019) et à l’Université du Vermont (2020-2022), frère de l’actuel entraîneur en chef des Celtics de Boston, Joe Mazzulla, il a rejoint l’Université du Rhode Island en juin 2022 en tant qu’assistant diplômé à l’issue de sa carrière de joueur. Il a auparavant travaillé comme entraîneur en chef pour Rise to the Top, où il a organisé des ligues de basketball Junior NBA pour les jeunes, ainsi que comme préparateur de la performance pour Ernie Duncan Hoops, deux structures basées dans le Vermont. Élu Joueur de l’Année Gatorade du Rhode Island en 2016, Mazzulla a contribué à mener le Bishop Hendricken High School à des championnats d’État consécutifs avant de commencer sa carrière universitaire avec les George Washington Colonials, où il a été nommé dans l’équipe All-Academic de l’Atlantic 10 lors de sa saison sophomore. Ottawa amorcera sa saison à l’Aréna de la TD Place le mardi 12 mai à 19 h 30 contre les champions en titre de la Conférence de l’Ouest, le Calgary Surge. Des forfaits de billets flexibles et des expériences de groupe sont actuellement en vente en visitant theblackjacks.ca/fr-ca/tickets , ou rendez-vous sur theblackjacks.ca/fr-ca/season-seat-memberships pour vous joindre à nous lors de tous les matchs à domicile de la saison 2026. ###

Mazzulla Becomes CEBL’s Youngest Head Coach

January 22, 2026
Ottawa BlackJacks hire NBA-developed coach to lead franchise forward

Une nouvelle ère des séries éliminatoires débute avec le calendrier de la saison 2026 de la LECB

January 15, 2026
La huitième saison de la ligue, qui commencera le 9 mai, introduira des changements historiques : des séries éliminatoires entièrement disputées sur les marchés locaux et une finale de la LECB au meilleur de trois

New Playoff Era to Begin as CEBL Announces 2026 Season Schedule

January 15, 2026
Historic format changes introduce full in-market postseason and best-of-three CEBL Finals as league’s eighth season set to tip off May 9

Saskatchewan Announces Basketball Operations Update

January 13, 2026
The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club has notified General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Barry Rawlyk that his contract will not be renewed following the conclusion of the 2025 season. During his seven seasons with the franchise, Barry brought a deep familiarity with Canadian basketball and long-standing relationships across the province that supported the club’s operations and player development. He also served as the Lead Assistant Coach during the franchise's 2019 Championship season. The organization wishes Barry and his family well as he moves on from the team and appreciates his willingness to support a smooth transition. The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club has already begun recruitment for a new General Manager. A new era of basketball in Saskatoon will be unveiled soon. ### About the Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club (previously Saskatchewan Rattlers) tipped off their inaugural season at SaskTel Centre in May 2019 and went on to win the inaugural Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) championship. The team are active members of the community, participating in countless events that connect the team with diverse communities through sport, entertainment, and arts and culture. The team has restored over 100 basketball nets across the city to make basketball more accessible to youth. For more information, visit www.therattlers.ca .

Cowan Joins CEBL as Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships

January 13, 2026
Please join us in welcoming Rob Cowan to the Canadian Elite Basketball League as Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships. Rob brings more than 20 years of experience across the Canadian sports industry. Most recently at Rugby Canada, he led national partnership sales, account management, and commercial strategy across the organization’s flagship programs and events. With a background spanning partnerships, data & analytics, live events, and digital marketing, Rob brings a well-rounded, modern perspective on how brands create value in sport today - and where the partnership landscape is heading next. Welcome to the CEBL, Rob!

Bilamu Agrees to Terms with Sea Bears

January 8, 2026
The Winnipeg Sea Bears are pleased to announce that they have agreed to terms with forward Nathan Bilamu for the upcoming season. Bilamu (6-5; born August 7, 2000 in Hamilton, ON) returns to Winnipeg after a productive 2025 season with the Sea Bears in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). In his rookie professional season with Winnipeg, he appeared in 20 games and averaged 5.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, showing consistent effort and earning increased playing time as the season progressed. “We are excited to have Nate back as he builds on what he started here," said Head Coach and General Manager, Mike Raimbault. "Last summer he brought a tremendous commitment to the team, specifically a passion for winning that showed in his effort and willingness to do whatever it took to help this group.” Before joining Winnipeg, Bilamu enjoyed a standout university career at Lakehead University, where he emerged as a versatile two-way player. In his senior season (2024-25), Bilamu averaged 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. He was named an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) First-Team All-Star and a U-SPORTS Second-Team All-Canadian. Following his time in the CEBL, Bilamu continued his professional career overseas with Esgueira Basket in Portugal’s Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol. Through early 2025-26 international competition, he has been a key rotation player, averaging around 12.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while logging significant minutes. The season ticket member renewal deadline is January 15, 2026. Fans can renew or purchase new season tickets at https://www.seabears.ca/season-tickets-2026 . ### 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 24-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 .