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.

Goswami Joins CEBL as Coordinator, Commercial Strategy

September 12, 2025
Please join us in welcoming Krish Goswami to the Canadian Elite Basketball League. Krish joins as Coordinator, Commercial Strategy, bringing experience from some of Canada’s leading sports and entertainment organizations, including Wasserman, MLSE, XMC, and most recently, the City of Brampton. He has worked across experiential activations, partnership development, and sponsorship consulting, and is passionate about building strong, meaningful relationships in the sports industry. Welcome to the CEBL team, Krish!

Winnipeg Sea Bears Announce Leadership Transition

September 11, 2025
The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced today that Jason Smith will be transitioning out of his role as President over the coming months. Smith helped establish the franchise and led the Sea Bears through its first three seasons. When Smith was first engaged to guide the due diligence process, finalize the franchise deal, and bring the Sea Bears to life, he committed to dedicating himself fully to the team for its crucial early years. With that three-year commitment coming to an end this fall, Smith will step back from day-to-day duties in order to rebalance his professional life, including devoting more time to his company, Smith Events, while maintaining a strong connection to the Sea Bears. Under a new agreement, Smith will remain with the organization in a consulting capacity, focusing on a variety of strategic projects and continuing to provide guidance and expertise as the team enters its next phase of growth. Team Owner and Chairman David Asper will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer as the Sea Bears restructure. “We’re all very fortunate that three years ago Jason agreed to set aside a very successful business and stable personal life and commit all his energy to launching the Sea Bears, which we knew would be all-encompassing and chaotic”, said David Asper. “He’s a co-founder of the team, always will be, and I look forward to continuing our relationship with big goals yet to achieve.” “It has been an honour to serve as President of the Sea Bears and to help create something so special for the city and province,” said Smith. “I look forward to supporting David and the team through this transition and into the next chapter, while also returning focus to Smith Events and other projects that allow me to contribute in new ways.” This transition sets the stage for the next phase of the Sea Bears’ growth, as the team continues to strengthen its place in the local and national professional sports landscape. ### About the Winnipeg Sea Bears: 
The Winnipeg Sea Bears are a professional basketball team in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), proudly representing Winnipeg and Manitoba on the national stage. Since their debut, the Sea Bears have become a community leader, delivering top-tier basketball and fan experiences while contributing to the growth of the sport across Canada.

Diamond Sports Canada Inc. finalise l’acquisition des BlackJacks d’Ottawa

September 4, 2025
Les BlackJacks d’Ottawa de la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB), la plus grande ligue professionnelle de sport au Canada, ont annoncé aujourd’hui que le club a été acquis par Diamond Sports Canada Inc., une filiale de Global Sports Fund Management Group. Le groupe est détenu par Bandeli (Lee) Hagipantelis et Justin Pascoe, qui occupe également le poste de directeur général. Pascoe cumule plus de 20 ans d’expérience en gestion exécutive dans l’administration du sport de haut niveau. Il est titulaire d’un MBA de la Melbourne Business School et a également suivi des études complémentaires à l’Université Harvard. Tout au long de sa carrière, il a constamment contribué à rehausser le profil d’organisations dans les secteurs du sport, des produits de consommation, de l’automobile et de l’industrie. En Australie, Pascoe a occupé des postes de direction dans plusieurs disciplines sportives majeures et apporte une perspective internationale grâce à son travail dans le capital-investissement et l’industrie du sport en Amérique du Nord et en Europe. En plus de son rôle au sein de Global Sports Fund Management Group, il est également propriétaire des Newcastle Jets, un club de soccer australien évoluant dans l’A-League. Basé à Newcastle, en Nouvelle-Galles du Sud, le club se prépare actuellement pour la finale de l’Australia Cup. « Je me sens extrêmement privilégié d’avoir l’opportunité de contribuer à la construction d’une franchise dont toute la communauté pourra être fière », a déclaré Pascoe. « Ce processus a duré près de huit mois, et au fil du temps, il m’est devenu évident que la LECB et les BlackJacks d’Ottawa représentent un géant endormi dans le paysage sportif canadien. » Pascoe a ajouté : « Notre objectif est de créer une franchise de basketball qui favorise un engagement authentique de la part de tous les intervenants — les partisans, la communauté, les instances gouvernementales et les partenaires corporatifs. Nous croyons que notre expérience opérationnelle à l’échelle mondiale peut venir appuyer le travail acharné et le talent du personnel en place, et contribuer à faire passer l’organisation à un niveau supérieur. Cela dépasse les BlackJacks. Il s’agit de collaborer avec Mike et la LECB pour accroître la notoriété de la ligue, offrir des expériences inoubliables aux partisans et bâtir une ligue durable et florissante, animée par une volonté de croissance — avec pour ambition de positionner le basketball canadien comme une force sur la scène mondiale. » Diamond Sports Canada Inc. prend la relève de Canadian Basketball Ventures LP, qui dirigeait l’équipe depuis sa création en 2020. Il s’agit du premier groupe entièrement financé par des capitaux privés à détenir une participation dans les BlackJacks, ainsi que des premiers propriétaires internationaux de l’histoire de la LECB, leur siège étant situé en Nouvelle-Galles du Sud, en Australie. « Justin Pascoe et le groupe Diamond Sports Canada Inc. apportent une perspective internationale précieuse ainsi qu’une grande expertise et une sophistication remarquables dans le domaine des affaires sportives aux BlackJacks d’Ottawa », a déclaré Mike Morreale, commissaire et cofondateur de la Ligue canadienne élite de basketball (LECB). « Leur acquisition renforce à la fois l’équipe et la ligue, alors que nous continuons à bâtir un modèle durable pour le basketball professionnel au Canada. L’engagement du groupe envers l’innovation, l’implication communautaire et la croissance à long terme s’aligne parfaitement avec la vision de la LECB quant à ce que nos équipes représentent. Nous apprécions sincèrement l’élargissement de notre table de propriétaires au-delà des frontières canadiennes. » La transition des opérations de l’équipe commencera immédiatement, alors que la septième saison de basketball des BlackJacks d’Ottawa débutera en mai 2026 à l’Aréna de la Place TD . ### À propos des BlackJacks d'Ottawa Première franchise d'expansion de la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB), les BlackJacks d'Ottawa présentent le meilleur du basket-ball et du divertissement dans la capitale nationale. Le bureau de direction d'Ottawa apporte à la franchise son expérience de la NBA, de la NBA G League, de l'équipe nationale, de la NCAA et des grandes ligues professionnelles internationales. Dirigée par le directeur général James Derouin et l'entraîneur-chef Dave DeAveiro, l'équipe d'Ottawa joue ses matchs à domicile dans l'aréna de classe mondiale de la Place TD, dans le parc Lansdowne. Pour plus d'informations, visitez le site theblackjacks.ca .

Diamond Sports Canada Inc. Finalizes Acquisition of the Ottawa BlackJacks

September 4, 2025
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), Canada’s largest professional sports league, announced today that the club has been acquired by Diamond Sports Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Global Sports Fund Management Group. The group is owned by Bandeli (Lee) Hagipantelis and Justin Pascoe, who also serves as Chief Executive Officer. Pascoe brings more than 20 years of executive experience in elite-level sports administration. He holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School and has completed additional studies at Harvard University. Throughout his career, he has consistently elevated the profile of organizations across the sports, consumer products, automotive, and industrial sectors. In Australia, Pascoe has held senior leadership positions across multiple major sports, and he brings a global perspective through his work in private equity and the sports industry across North America and Europe. In addition to his role with Global Sports Fund Management Group, he also currently serves as Owner of the Newcastle Jets, an Australian soccer club competing in the A-League. Based in Newcastle, New South Wales, the club is currently preparing for the Final of the Australia Cup. "I feel incredibly privileged to be afforded the opportunity to help build a franchise that the entire community can be proud of,” said Pascoe. “This process has been nearly eight months in the making, and throughout that time, it’s become clear to me that the CEBL and the Ottawa BlackJacks represent a sleeping giant in the Canadian sports landscape.” Added Pascoe, “Our focus is on creating a basketball franchise that fosters authentic engagement across all stakeholders — fans, community members, government, and corporate partners alike. We believe that by bringing our global operating experience to the table, we can complement the hard-working and talented staff here and help elevate the organization to new heights. This goes beyond just the BlackJacks. It’s about collaborating with Mike and the CEBL to drive league-wide awareness, deliver unforgettable experiences for fans, and create a sustainable, thriving league that embraces a growth mindset — one that aims to position Canadian basketball as a force on the global stage." Diamond Sports Canada Inc. takes over ownership of the club from Canadian Basketball Ventures LP who had stewarded the team since their inception in 2020. They will serve as the first privately funded group with an ownership stake in the BlackJacks and the first international owners in CEBL history with their base of operations being located in New South Wales, Australia. “Justin Pascoe and the Diamond Sports Canada Inc. group bring valuable international perspective and a wealth of sports business experience and sophistication to the Ottawa BlackJacks,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner & Co-Founder of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. “Their ownership strengthens both the team and the league as we continue building a sustainable model for professional basketball in Canada. The group’s commitment to innovation, community engagement, and long-term growth perfectly aligns with the CEBL’s vision for what our teams represent, and we truly value the extension of our ownership table beyond Canada.” Transition of team operations will begin immediately, with the seventh season of Ottawa BlackJacks basketball set to kick off in May 2026 at The Arena at TD Place . ### About the Ottawa BlackJacks The first expansion franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Ottawa BlackJacks showcase the best of basketball and entertainment in the nation’s capital. The Ottawa front office brings NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. Led by General Manager James Derouin and Head Coach Dave DeAveiro, Ottawa plays its home games out of the world-class Arena at TD Place in Lansdowne Park. For more information, visit theblackjacks.ca .

Bandits Partner With Vancouver Park Board to Refurbish Outdoor Basketball Court at Grays Park

September 3, 2025
The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that the club has partnered with the Vancouver Park Board, Bandits Community Found ation and Little Legends Foundation to support the refurbishment of an outdoor basketball court at Grays Park in South Vancouver. The refr eshed court will be unveiled this fall as part of an official launch event in collaboration between the Vancouver Bandits, Vancouver Park Board, Bandits Community Foundation and Little Legends Foundation. The court refurbishment project is part of the Bandits Community Foundation’s Court Projects program that enhances outdoor basketball courts across British Columbia, including most recently a court refurbishment in partnership with City of Pitt Meadows in September of 2024. “Building a world class basketball court in this community has been a long time dream. Thanks to our partners at the Vancouver Bandits, Bandits Community Foundation and Vancouver Park Board for coming together to make this project happen - there are a number of incredible donors we are going to announce in the coming weeks,” said Little Legends Foundation founder Spensir Sangara. “Grays Park was the perfect place for Court Projects, the basketball culture here is strong and connected. The legacy goes beyond the refurbishment where, with Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation, we are going to host free youth camps and The Legendary Tournament at Grays Park starting in 2026.” The partnership was sparked in 2023 when Sangara expressed interest in building a basketball court for the South Vancouver community. Around the same time, the Bandits Community Foundation had completed a similar project in Pitt Meadows with the City of Pitt Meadows, creating a natural alignment between the two organizations. “Basketball has the power to bring people together, and this project is about more than just a court - it is about creating a safe, vibrant space where young people and families can connect, play, and grow,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “We are proud to work through Court Projects with our partners in the Vancouver Park Board, Bandits Community Foundation, and Little Legends Foundation to invest in South Vancouver and to use sport as a tool for building resilience, unity, and positive change in the community.” The court refurbishment at Grays Park, located at 4850 St. Catherines Street in Vancouver, includes upgrades to the basketball hoops, playing area resurfacing and seating areas. Grays Park was identified as one of Vancouver’s most active outdoor basketball spaces, and community feedback strongly supported the refurbishment. "It has been amazing to see the local community come together with the Vancouver Bandits to upgrade this beloved neighbourhood court," says Vancouver Park Board Chair Laura Christensen. "Strategic partnerships like this allow us to deliver so much public benefit for our residents.  ###

Les River Lions remportent un deuxième titre consécutif au terme d’un duel enlevé contre le Surge

By Myles Dichter • August 25, 2025
(Aperçu: Finale du Championnat de la LECB) La montagne n’avait été escaladée qu’une seule fois auparavant. Mais après la saison la plus exigeante de l’histoire de la LECB, les River Lions de Niagara ont atteint le sommet une fois de plus. Les River Lions ont remporté le titre 2025 de la LECB dimanche, battant le Surge de Calgary 79-73 au Canada Life Centre de Winnipeg. Niagara rejoint ainsi les Stingers d’Edmonton (2020-2021) comme les seules équipes à avoir gagné deux titres consécutifs. Les River Lions deviennent aussi la première franchise de l’histoire de la ligue à avoir plus d’un championnat à leur palmarès. « C’est incroyable. Vraiment, a dit l’entraîneur-chef Victor Raso. C’est l’un des moments les plus spéciaux de ma carrière. Cette fois-ci, pour ces gars-là, c'est une confirmation. Je suis vraiment heureux pour eux. » Khalil Ahmad a été nommé joueur le plus utile de la finale après avoir inscrit 16 points, dont le panier gagnant, en plus de capter neuf rebonds. Quand l’horloge a stoppé pour la période du pointage cible, l’avance des River Lions — qui avait déjà atteint 16 points — n’était plus que de trois, à 70-67. Comme toujours dans les moments décisifs, Ahmad a ouvert le bal avec un tir de trois points. Après qu’un lancer franc de Sean Miller-Moore ait réduit l’écart, Elijah Lufile a saisi un rebond offensif et marqué pour rapprocher Niagara à quatre points du titre. Calgary est ensuite allé sur la ligne de lancers francs lors de deux possessions consécutives, autour d’un tir raté d’Ahmad, mais n’a converti que deux de ses quatre tentatives. Nathan Cayo a alors calmement réussi deux lancers francs, laissant les River Lions à un panier du championnat. Sur le jeu suivant, Evan Gilyard II a redonné vie aux Surge avec un tir à trois points. Cela s'est avéré être leur dernier souffle. Même si le Surge a ensuite forcé un arrêt défensif, une perte de ballon a permis à Ahmad de filer de l’autre côté du terrain, où il a provoqué une faute et obtenu deux lancers francs. Premier lancer : ficelle. Deuxième lancer : match fini. Champions. « Rédemption », a déclaré Ahmad, qui avait manqué un lancer franc crucial dans la même situation lors de la finale de l'an dernier. « Je pensais exactement à ça. J’ai marqué le premier et raté le deuxième l’an dernier… Je me suis dit : “Ouf, je ne peux pas refaire ça.” » Ces lancers francs victorieux ont valu à Ahmad un deuxième titre consécutif de Joueur par excellence de la finale, et son cinquième match éliminatoire de suite à inscrire le panier gagnant en période du pointage cible. Vendredi, en finale de la Conférence de l’Est contre les Shooting Stars de Scarborough, il avait aussi réussi le tir de trois points décisif. Après la rencontre, Raso n’avait que des éloges pour sa vedette : « C’est le meilleur joueur à avoir évolué dans cette ligue et c’est une personne phénoménale. Il ne dira pas ce que je dis, mais c’est la vérité », a lancé Raso. Le capitaine Kimbal Mackenzie a renchéri : « Franchement, ça devient presque ridicule, a-t-il dit en riant. Quand il a marqué contre Scarborough, je me suis dit : combien de fois ce gars-là va faire ça? Il a ce flair pour briller dans les grands moments. » Le match a pris des allures de duel défensif — la finale la moins offensive de l’histoire de la ligue. Aucun joueur n’a atteint 20 points, et les deux équipes n’ont converti que 27,5 % de leurs tirs de trois points, tout en restant sous la barre des 40 % au total. Pour les River Lions, tout s’est joué par l’effort défensif. « Ces gars-là se sont donnés à fond. Il n'y a pas eu un seul moment perdu. Ils ont réfléchi à chaque possession défensive, et nous les avons forcés à jouer sur leurs faiblesses plutôt que sur leurs forces », a expliqué Raso. Nathan Cayo a suivi Ahmad avec 14 points, tandis qu’Ahmed Hill a ajouté 13 points et six rebonds en sortie de banc, affichant le meilleur différentiel de l’équipe (+16). Chez le Surge, le duo de meneurs Jameer Nelson Jr. et Gilyard II a éprouvé beaucoup de difficultés, ne combinant que 16 points avec un taux de réussite de sept en 32. « On n’a pas fait assez de jeux, mais on reste une équipe. Je l’ai dit toute l’année », a résumé l’entraîneur-chef Kaleb Canales. Le Canadien Sean Miller-Moore a mené le Surge avec 19 points, tandis que Greg Brown a établi deux records de finale avec 17 rebonds et cinq blocs. Miller-Moore, meilleur marqueur canadien de l’histoire de la ligue, a encore échappé au titre à son troisième week-end du Championnat. « Chaque défaite est un crève-cœur. Même en saison régulière. Alors, pour le dernier match avec ce groupe, ça fait évidemment encore plus mal. Mais on a été bons toute la saison et aujourd'hui, on est juste tombés à court. » Pour Niagara, il s'agissait de la saison la plus longue de l'histoire (24 matchs par équipe) et la plus difficile. Malgré plusieurs retours de vétérans, l’équipe a parfois manqué de motivation. À la mi-saison, les River Lions ont toutefois enchaîné une série de sept victoires qui leur a permis de prendre la tête de la Conférence de l’Est et de retrouver leur élan. « J’ai lu beaucoup d’histoires d’équipes qui ont répété et ça s’est avéré vrai. Ce n’est jamais comme la première fois. C’est difficile. Il faut trouver un nouveau pourquoi. » Il faut tourner la page sur l’an dernier », a déclaré Raso. Pour certains, la raison était évidente. Ahmed Hill, meilleur marqueur de l’histoire de la ligue, n'avait toujours pas remporté de championnat. Guillaume Boucard, de retour à Niagara après avoir manqué le titre en 2024, le voulait aussi. Hill et Boucard avaient d'ailleurs fait partie de l'Alliance de Montréal, éliminée en demi-finale par Niagara l'an dernier. « C’est incroyable, a déclaré Hill, rappelant que c’était son premier titre. J’ai toujours aimé marquer et accumuler les honneurs, mais ça, c’est ce qui me manquait. » Boucard à ajouté: « Je n'ai même pas l'impression que c'est réel pour l'instant. La boucle est bouclée. C'est quelque chose que je poursuis depuis longtemps. C'est quelque chose que nous voulons chaque été à Niagara. » Elijah Lufile, qui visait un triplé historique, voulait aussi gagner pour son frère Meshack, qui n’avait jamais été champion. « C’est quelque chose qu’on pourra raconter à nos enfants, a dit Lufile. On est restés fidèles à nous-mêmes, en donnant toujours 100 %. » Le capitaine Mackenzie, peu utilisé en 2024, était cette fois l’un des joueurs partants importants dans l’équipe. Et malgré ses nombreux honneurs, Ahmad a répété qu’il ne se sentait pas toujours reconnu à sa juste valeur. « Ouf… je n’ai pas de mots », a-t-il soufflé. Raso a déclaré que tous les éléments étaient réunis pour former une équipe qui a été sous-estimée par certains tout au long de la saison. Aujourd'hui, ils sont champions. « Il a fallu un certain temps à cette équipe pour s'adapter et trouver son rythme. Nous avons Ahmed Hill qui sort du banc. Il est le meilleur marqueur de l'histoire de la LECB. C'est ce qui me dérange quand les gens parlent de nous comme ils l'ont fait cette année, a déclaré Raso. C’était une très bonne équipe de basketball et, quand ça comptait, on a livré. » Calgary avait pourtant frappé fort d’entrée, prenant les devants 11-3 avec un spectaculaire alley-oop de Brown III. Mais les champions en titre ont immédiatement répondu par une séquence de 13-0 et n’ont plus jamais perdu l’avance. Après un quart, Niagara menait 21-20, puis a haussé son intensité défensive pour prendre l’avance 42-36 à la mi-temps, alors que Calgary n’avait réussi que trois de ses 19 tirs de trois points. Nelson Jr. a toutefois donné un peu d’élan au Surge avant la pause, en marquant un panier du milieu de terrain au buzzer. Pourtant, les River Lions n'ont pas été découragés. Ahmad a ouvert le troisième quart avec un tir de trois points, puis Hill a enchaîné deux autres tirs de trois points consécutifs pour porter l’avance à 16. Niagara menait 63-51 après trois quarts, avant de compléter le travail. Dans une foule de 7 129 personnes, plusieurs figures marquantes étaient présentes : Steve Konchalski, entraîneur légendaire au Canada, et Nick Elam, créateur du pointage cible en fin de match. Les parents de Chad Posthumus, vétéran de la LECB et natif de Winnipeg, décédé en novembre dernier à l'âge de 33 ans, étaient également présents pour remettre le trophée. Pour la deuxième année consécutive, ce trophée prendra donc le chemin de St. Catharines, en Ontario. « Nous avons traversé tellement d'adversité, a déclaré Ahmad. On méritait cette victoire. » Feuille de match https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2702972 - LECB -

River Lions Capture Second Straight Championship in Thrilling Win Over Surge

By Myles Dichter • August 25, 2025
(CEBL Championship Final) The mountain had only been scaled once before. But after the most grueling season in CEBL history, the Niagara River Lions reached the summit once again. The River Lions captured the 2025 CEBL title on Sunday, beating the Calgary Surge 79-73 at Winnipeg’s Canada Life Centre. Niagara joins the 2020-2021 Edmonton Stingers as the only teams ever to go back-to-back. They are also the only franchises in league history to claim multiple titles. “It feels incredible. It really does,” head coach Victor Raso said. “It’s as special of a moment as I ever had as a coach. This one, for these guys, it just cemented them. I’m really happy for them.” Khalil Ahmad was named Finals MVP after scoring 16 points, including the game-winner, while adding nine rebounds. When the clocks stopped for Target Score Time, a River Lions lead that was once 16 had been cut to three points at 70-67. Clutch as ever, Khalil Ahmad opened the proceedings with a three-pointer. After Sean Miller-Moore made a free throw at the other end, Elijah Lufile deposited a putback to move Niagara within four points of the win. Calgary then went to the line on two straight possessions around an Ahmad miss, but made just two of four attempts. Niagara moved within any bucket of the title when Nathan Cayo cashed a pair from the charity stripe himself. On the following play, Evan Gilyard II breathed some life into the Surge with a three-pointer. It turned out to be their last gasp. While the Surge earned a defensive stop, a turnover sent Ahmad streaking back the other way, where he drew a foul in the corner that sent him to the line. Attempt No. 1: splash. Attempt No. 2: ballgame. Champions. “Redemption,” said Ahmad, who missed a free throw in the same situation in last year’s Final. “I thought about exactly that, [when] I made the first one, missed the second. I was like, ‘Oof, I can’t do that again.’” The clutch free throws pushed Ahmad to his second straight Finals MVP and marked his fifth straight playoff game scoring the Target Score Time winner. He knocked down the game-winning three in Friday’s East Final against the Scarborough Shooting Stars, too. After the game, Raso had high praise for his star player, who will need to make room on his trophy case next to a number of other accolades. “He’s the greatest player to ever play in this league and he’s just a phenomenal person, so he won’t say all the things that I say, but that’s the truth,” Raso said. Captain Kimbal Mackenzie echoed Raso’s sentiment. “[It’s] getting a little bit ridiculous at this point, quite frankly,” Mackenzie joked. “When he hit that shot against Scarborough, I was like, ‘How many times is this guy gonna do this?’ He just has a knack for when those moments get big, just playing off his instincts.” The game itself proved to be a defensive grind — the lowest-scoring final in league history. No player on either team reached 20 points, and the clubs combined to make just 27.5 per cent of their three-point shots while neither reached 40 per cent overall from the field. For the River Lions, it came down to simple effort in their own end. “These guys cared a lot. There was no in-between moments that we lost. These guys were thoughtful on every defensive possession and we just kinda forced them to play to their weaknesses instead of playing to their strengths,” Raso said. Nathan Cayo was second on the River Lions with 14 points, while Ahmed Hill added 13 points and six rebounds off the bench while posting a team-high plus-16 rating. Meanwhile, the star Surge guard duo of Jameer Nelson Jr. and Gilyard II struggled mightily, combining for 16 points on just seven-for-32 shooting. “We didn’t make enough plays, but we’re a team. I’ve said it all year long,” head coach Kaleb Canales said. Canada’s Sean Miller-Moore led the way for the Surge with 19 points, while Greg Brown broke a pair of championship record with 17 rebounds and five blocks. Miller-Moore, the league’s all-time leading Canadian scorer, came up just short at his third Championship Weekend. “Every loss is a heartbreak. Even when we lose in the regular season, it’s a heartbreak. So of course this was the last game and the last time I’m gonna be with this particular group, so it hurt more, but we were a good team all season and we just came up short today,” Miller-Moore said. For Niagara, By Raso’s own admission, this season — the longest in CEBL history, with 24 games per team — was more difficult than last, as a roster featuring multiple returning players struggled at times to find motivation during the summer-long grind. Around mid-season, however, the River Lions ripped off a seven-game winning streak to clinch the Eastern Conference. And the team found its motivation. “I read a lot about teams who repeated and it all rang true,” Raso said. “It’s not gonna be like the first time. It’s gonna be hard. There’s gonna be ups and downs. You’re gonna have to find a new why. You have to shed last year.” For some, that “why” was obvious. Ahmed Hill has scored more points than anyone in league history but was still searching for his first championship. Guillaume Boucard was a River Lion two years ago, but missed last year’s title run, and sought his first title, too. Hill and Boucard were both part of the Montreal Alliance squad that fell to the River Lions in the semifinals last season. “It’s amazing,” said Hill, who added that it’s his first title at any level. “I’ve always been a player to want to score and get all the accolades, but this is one thing I always missed.” Added Boucard: “It doesn’t even feel real right now. It’s just full circle. … It’s been something that I’ve been chasing for a long time. It’s something that we always want every summer in Niagara.” Elijah Lufile wanted to win for himself to become the first player to ever three-peat; he also wanted to win for brother Meshack, a teammate who had never won before. “That’s something we can tell our kids,” Lufile said. “We just stayed true to ourselves and our identity is guys giving 100 per cent effort.” Captain Kimbal Mackenzie was a leader on last year’s team, but didn’t play much. This year, he was a relied-upon starter. And for all his league accolades, Khalil Ahmad still felt like he didn’t get the love he deserved. “I mean, sheesh. Can’t put any words on it,” Ahmad said. Raso said all the parts came together to make a roster that was underrated by some throughout the season. Now, they’re champions. “It took a while for this team to gel and find their rhythm. We have Ahmed Hill coming off the bench. He’s the leading scorer in CEBL history. That’s what bothers me when people talk about us this year the way they did,” Raso said. “This was a really, really good basketball team and when it mattered, we were awesome.” In the early going, Calgary made its presence known, racing to an 11-3 lead that was punctuated by a monstrous alley-oop jam from Brown III. But last year’s winners showed their championship mettle immediately, responding with a 13-0 run of their own to go in front. They never relinquished that lead. Through one quarter, Niagara led 21-20. Then, it turned the defence up a notch en route to a 42-36 halftime advantage as Calgary made just three of 19 three-point attempts. But momentum followed Calgary into the locker room after Nelson Jr. drained a halfcourt buzzer-beater. Still, the River Lions weren’t fazed, opening the third frame with an Ahmad three and stretching their lead to 16 after back-to-back Hill triples. Niagara took a 63-51 lead into the final quarter of the season before it ultimately prevailed. Basketball royalty was among the 7,129 total attendance for the Final, as longtime Canadian coach Steve Konchalski and Nick Elam, who created Target Score endings, both witnessed the championship game. Meanwhile, the parents of Chad Posthumus — a CEBL lifer and Winnipeg native who tragically died in November at age 33 — were on hand to present the championship trophy. Now, for the second straight year, that trophy will make a home in St. Catharines, Ont. “We fought through so much adversity,” Ahmad said. “We deserved this win.” Box Score https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2702972 - CEBL -

Les River Lions et le Surge s’affrontent en finale du Championnat 2025 de la LECB

By Myles Dichter • August 24, 2025
(Aperçu: Finale du Championnat de la LECB) La devise des River Lions cette saison ? Défendre leur titre. Ils ne sont plus qu’à une victoire d’y parvenir, mais le puissant Surge de Calgary, qui a remporté sept matchs consécutifs, se dresse sur leur chemin. Le match de championnat aura lieu dimanche à 18 h (HAC) / 17 h (HR) / 19 h (HE) au Canada Life Centre de Winnipeg, avec une couverture en direct sur TSN, RDS, CEBL+, TSN+ et NLSE. Une victoire de Niagara en ferait la deuxième équipe de l’histoire à remporter deux championnats consécutifs, et seulement la deuxième formation à gagner plus d’un titre, rejoignant les Stingers d’Edmonton de 2020-2021. De leur côté, le Surge vise un premier championnat lors de sa troisième participation consécutive au week-end du Championnat. L’entraîneur-chef des River Lions, Victor Raso, affirme que son équipe a une identité bien différente de celle de l’an dernier, malgré la présence de plusieurs joueurs de retour. « Ça a vraiment été une saison très, très différente. Peu importe la façon, ce qui compte, c’est de le faire. Et ces gars-là ont une chance de remporter un deuxième championnat consécutif, ce qui est vraiment spécial », a expliqué Raso. Les River Lions ont terminé la saison régulière avec une fiche de 14-10, grâce à une séquence de sept victoires consécutives en milieu de saison qui leur a permis de décrocher la première place de l’Est, avant de conclure avec cinq revers d’affilée. Mais quand le niveau a monté d’un cran en finale de la Conférence de l’Est contre les Shooting Stars de Scarborough, c’est l’équipe du milieu de saison qui s’est de nouveau manifestée. Encore une fois, c’est Khalil Ahmad qui a eu le dernier mot en inscrivant le panier décisif dans une victoire de 93-91. Prochaine étape : Calgary. « L’important, c’est que je sais que tout ça, ce n’est que du basket, a déclaré Raso. Ils n’ont pas besoin que je leur rappelle d’y tenir. Ils y tiennent déjà. C’est pour ça que notre programme a du succès : nous avons créé une culture dans laquelle les joueurs tiennent vraiment les uns aux autres et à la victoire. » Aux côtés d’Ahmad, Elijah Lufile a brillé face aux Shooting Stars, inscrivant huit points, en plus de capter 15 rebonds — un record en séries pour la franchise — et réussissant quatre lancers francs cruciaux dans les dernières minutes. Mais ils devront se montrer à la hauteur face à Calgary, qui a accordé le moins de points par match en saison régulière (87,2) et a dominé la ligue avec le plus de vols par rencontre (10,3). Le Surge se présente en finale avec toute l’expérience possible, après avoir remporté le match de qualification de l’Alberta, éliminé les Bandits de Vancouver (meilleure fiche de l’Ouest) en demi-finale, puis fait tomber les Sea Bears de Winnipeg devant plus de 9 000 partisans en furie. Calgary a terminé la saison régulière avec la deuxième meilleure fiche de la ligue (17-7). « Notre sang-froid en fin de match a été déterminant. On a beaucoup travaillé là-dessus cette saison et j’adore ce groupe », a affirmé l’entraîneur-chef Kaleb Canales. Le Surge s’est appuyé sur sa défense tout au long des séries — sa grande force de la saison. Les deux finalistes pour le titre de Joueur défensif de l’année évoluaient à Calgary, soit le garde Jameer Nelson Jr. et l’ailier Greg Brown III. C’est finalement Nelson Jr. qui a remporté le trophée, mais il est clair que la défense du Surge repose sur un effort collectif. « Oui, on est l’équipe numéro un en défense, mais on sent toujours qu’on peut défendre encore mieux. C’est ça qu’on aime dans notre groupe : on n’arrête jamais d’essayer », a expliqué l’ailier Sean Miller-Moore. Miller-Moore, meilleur marqueur canadien de tous les temps de la ligue, toujours à la recherche d’un premier titre, ajoute que le Surge carbure à son énergie interne, ce qui les rend très difficiles à contenir, particulièrement au retour de la mi-temps. « On est tous des leaders sur le terrain. Il n’y a rien qu’ils puissent nous dire qui va nous motiver davantage. On est déjà motivés. On sait ce qu’on a à faire. On sait qu’on est la meilleure équipe défensive », a-t-il lancé. Avec leur motivation interne et leur cohésion, Raso dit que le Surge lui rappelle sa propre équipe. « Ils sont incroyablement soudés. Leur chimie est excellente. On voit qu’ils s’aiment, qu’ils aiment jouer ensemble… Ils font vraiment bien circuler le ballon. Il y a beaucoup de solidarité, ils défendent avec intensité », a noté Raso. Les deux formations comptent aussi sur des vétérans de la LECB qui cherchent toujours un premier titre, soit Miller-Moore et le garde des River Lions Ahmed Hill, meilleur marqueur de tous les temps de la ligue. Chacune d’entre elles possède des vedettes établies, des joueurs de soutien capables de livrer dans les moments cruciaux et une profondeur impressionnante. Mais une seule équipe soulèvera le prestigieux trophée de champion dimanche. Calendrier des séries éliminatoires 2025 de la LECB WC25 – Finale du Championnat de la LECB – Dimanche 24 août – Surge de Calgary c. River Lions de Niagara – 18 h HAC / 17 h HR / 19 h HE – Canada Life Centre – Winnipeg, MB (TSN, RDS, CEBL+, TSN+, NLSE) Pour consulter le calendrier complet 2025 de la LECB, visitez cebl.ca/fr-ca/games .

River Lions, Surge Set to Duel in 2025 CEBL Final

By Myles Dichter • August 24, 2025
(Preview: CEBL Championship Final) The motto in Niagara all season? Run it back. Now, the River Lions are just one win away — but standing opposite them is a thriving Calgary Surge team that’s won seven straight games to get to the Final. The championship game begins Sunday at 6 p.m. CDT / 5 p.m. MT / 7 p.m. ET at Winnipeg’s Canada Life Centre with live coverage on TSN, RDS, CEBL+, TSN+ and NLSE. A victory for the River Lions would make them the second team ever to go back-to-back, and also the second franchise to win multiple titles, joining the 2020-2021 Edmonton Stingers. The Surge, meanwhile, are searching for their first title in their third straight trip to Championship Weekend. Niagara head coach Victor Raso said this team feels different than last year’s despite having multiple returning players. “It’s just been a very, very different season. It doesn’t matter how you do it; it just matters that you do it. And these guys got a chance to win a back-to-back championship, which is pretty cool,” he said. Raso’s River Lions finished the regular season at 14-10, going on a mid-season seven-game winning streak to clinch the East before losing their last five in a row. But when the level ramped up a notch in the East final against the Scarborough Shooting Stars, that middle-of-the-season squad showed up once more. And yet again, it was Khalil Ahmad who delivered the game-winner in a 93-91 win. Now, it’s onto the Surge. “The big thing is I know that it’s just about basketball,” Raso said. “They don’t need me to care. They care enough about this. This is why this program has been successful is because we’ve created a culture where these guys actually care about each other and winning.” Alongside Ahmad, Elijah Lufile dominated against the Shooting Stars, scoring eight points to go with 15 rebounds — a franchise playoff record — and four huge free throws down the stretch. But both will face tougher tasks in Calgary, which allowed the fewest points per game in the regular season (87.2) and collected the most steals per game (10.3). The Surge come into this Final as battle-tested as can be after winning a Battle of Alberta play-in game, beating the top-seeded Vancouver Bandits in the West semi and ousting the Winnipeg Sea Bears on their home court in front of 9,000-plus screaming fans. Calgary had the second-best regular-season record at 17-7. "Our championship poise down the stretch was big. We’ve coached that a lot this season and I just love our group,” head coach Kaleb Canales said. Calgary got through those playoff matchups on the strength of defence — a strength all season. Both Defensive Player of the Year nominees came from the Surge, in the form of guard Jameer Nelson Jr. and big man Greg Brown III. Nelson Jr. ultimately took home the trophy, but it was clear that Calgary’s defence was the product of a team effort. “Yeah, we’re the No. 1 defensive team but we always feel like we can play way better defence. That’s what we love about our team. It’s just like endless trying,” forward Sean Miller-Moore said. Miller-Moore, the league’s all-time Canadian leading scorer who is still searching for his first title, added that the Surge have plenty of fuel within them, which makes them tough to handle especially coming out of halftime. “We’re all leaders on the court. There’s nothing they can tell us that will motivate us. We’re already motivated. We know what we need to do. We know that we’re the best defending team,” he said. Given the internal motivation and the connectiveness, Raso said the Surge remind him of his own team. “They’re incredibly together. Their chemistry is really good. You can tell they like each other, they like playing basketball for each other. … They just move the ball really well. There’s a lot of togetherness, they try defensively,” Raso said. Both teams also have longtime CEBLers looking for their first title in Miller-Moore and River Lions guard Ahmed Hill, the league’s all-time leading scorer. They’re each lined with top-end stars, clutch role players and depth across the floor. Just one, however, will leave Sunday’s game with the coveted championship trophy. 2025 CEBL Playoff Schedule CW25 – CEBL Championship Final – Sunday, Aug. 24 – CGY vs. NRL – 6 p.m. CDT / 5 p.m. MT / 7 p.m. ET – Canada Life Centre – Winnipeg, MB (TSN, RDS, CEBL+, TSN+, NLSE) For the full 2025 CEBL schedule, please visit cebl.ca/games

Notebook: Unsung Lufile; Potential First-Time Champions; Posthumus Legacy

By Myles Dichter • August 23, 2025
When the whistle blew for Target Score Time in Niagara’s contentious semifinal victory against Scarborough, Elijah Lufile went to the free-throw line for two crucial attempts. Lufile had made just 58.3 per cent of his attempts from the stripe during the season — and everyone in the building knew these pressure shots could essentially be coin flips. Before the first, the big man walked to the base of the net, put his head against the blue padding and lingered there for a few moments. He proceeded to make both — and then two more a few minutes later to put the River Lions within three points of victory. “I was locking in. I was also extremely tired. I think right before that I had asked Vic [Raso] for a sub and I was just trying to really gather my thoughts and clear my head at the same time, because that’s what you want. You’re not thinking. You’re just form shooting, repetition and muscle memory,” Lufile said. He added that this Championship Weekend means even more to him with brother Meshack on his side. On a personal level, he could become the first player ever with three titles. He played for the Shooting Stars in 2023 where he won his first championship after collecting seven offensive rebounds in a semifinal win over the River Lions. He then signed with Niagara that off-season and won yet again. “Knowing that this could be a historical thing for me potentially winning three in a row, I was just locked in. That’s really what it was. I was just locked in. And I’m really doing this for my brother as well. He’s on my team, he’s never won a ring before, get him to win a ring and also the other guys who are just coming in as well,” Lufile said. Lufile, the Milton, Ont., native, also hauled in a River Lions playoff record 15 rebounds in the win over the Shooting Stars. From the sidelines, Raso said he didn’t waver even as one of the worst free-throw shooters on his team — at least statistically — stepped in for some of the biggest of the game. “There was something about him that gave me confidence last night, just the way he was standing over the ball. That was humongous. Outside of Khalil’s shot, his [free throws] were massive. Massive.” Ahmad, who now has more playoff Target Score Winners than anyone in league history, had just one word to describe Lufile’s heroics. “Clutch.” Miller-Moore, Hill take aim at first title Between them, Calgary’s Sean Miller-Moore and Niagara’s Ahmed Hill have suited up in 194 CEBL games. Miller-Moore has scored more points than any Canadian; Hill’s scored more points than anyone, period. Yet neither has ever won a title. That will change Sunday, when Miller-Moore’s Surge clash with Hill’s River Lions at Winnipeg’s Canada Life Centre. “It’d be amazing,” Hill said. “Like they say, I already got accolades, but I don’t have a ring, so that’s something I want really bad. I’ve never won a championship before. So to do it with these guys, it would be amazing.” To be clear, when the 30-year-old Hill says he’s never won a championship before, he doesn’t just mean the CEBL. Hill said he’s never won a season-long championship in his career, dating back to at least high school. In the CEBL, he’s bounced around three teams in search of that elusive ring — now, with the defending champions, he’s one win away. Standing in his way, however, is Miller-Moore, who’s been in the Surge organization for five years since it was located in Guelph. He wasn’t willing to look ahead after the team’s semifinal win over Calgary, though. “It’s a great feeling, but it doesn’t mean anything unless you win. So we’re excited for the opportunity to get there. Obviously it’s my second time there, so extremely excited.” Teammate Evan Gilyard II said part of his motivation was getting Miller-Moore that long-awaited win. “It’d be great to win this championship for us, the city and Rugzy. … We gotta get him one.” Posthumus legacy lives on It’s hard to miss. Hanging from the roof on the south end of Winnipeg’s Canada Life Centre, there is a lone Sea Bears banner. ‘Posthumus, 33.’ The teal-coloured sign memorializes Chad Posthumus, the Winnipeg native and longtime CEBLer who died tragically in November at age 33 after suffering a brain aneurysm. On the court across from the banner, another logo is imprinted: ’33 Forever.’ As Championship Weekend takes place in Winnipeg, it’s clear that Posthumus won’t soon be forgotten. Sea Bears head coach and general manager Mike Taylor, who spent Posthumus’ final two seasons with him in his hometown, said the connection between player, city and league was undeniable. “My last phone call with Chad, I remember sitting at my son's baseball practice in Florida, and it was a conversation about how great Championship Weekend is going to be, how special it's going to be here in Winnipeg,” Taylor recalled in a press conference on Wednesday. “So it's a difficult thing to think about. We loved him, and he was such a big part of our organization and city. And I really believe he's with us now in spirit.” Posthumus still sits 13th all-time in games played in CEBL history, having suited up for 81 contests. He appeared in the inaugural 2019 season, where he won the championship as a member of the Saskatchewan Rattlers, and he also spent two seasons with the Ottawa BlackJacks in 2021 and 2022. In many ways, the CEBL was created for players like Posthumus, a basketball lifer who was finally given the opportunity to play professionally at home. It’s fitting, then, that he’s watching over as a champion will be crowned in his hometown on Sunday. - CEBL -