Canadian Big Joins the Saskatchewan Rattlers for the 2023 Season

Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers announced Monday that they have signed Canadian forward Julian Roche to their roster for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Roche returns to the CEBL for his second season. The near seven-foot big man will be an asset in the paint for the Rattlers this season.

“Julian is a high motor, high character, big body athlete that addresses our need to add depth to our roster at the Canadian Forward position.” said Rattler General Manager Barry Rawlyk “He is a personable guy that will dive right into the community and become a fan favourite.”

Roche made his professional debut in 2022 when signing with the Guelph Nighthawks of the CEBL playing 19 games and averaging 2.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 0.4 assist, and 12.2 minutes per game. He tied a career-high of 15 rebounds in his very first professional game on May 26 against the Shooting Stars. He ranked top-five on the Nighthawks in games played (19), total blocked shots (8), and total rebounds (59). After the 2022 CEBL season, Roche signed with Swiss Central of the Swiss Basketball League in Switzerland. He is currently ranked first on the team in blocked shots (19) and total rebounds (168), and second on the team in total points (290) and field goal percentage (58%). Roche has played 45 professional games in his career while averaging 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 22.2 minutes.

Prior to his professional career, Roche attended Proctor Academy in Andover, New Hampshire. As a three-year starter, he averaged over 12 rebounds per game during his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. He was an all-state selection while a sophomore, during that season he averaged 14 points and 13 rebounds per game. Roche began his collegiate career at Santa Clara University of NCAA D1 in 2016. He redshirted for the 2016-17 season, then saw the court as a reserve in the 2017-18 season playing in six games. He transferred to Simon Fraser University in 2018, playing in 28 games while averaging 28.0 minutes, 13.4 points, 1.2 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game. He was named to the GNAC All-Conference Second Team and a finalist for Male Athlete of the Year by Simon Fraser University. As a junior, he played all 29 games in the season averaging 22.3 minutes, 8.3 points, 0.9 assists, and 6.0 rebounds per game. In his senior year, he averaged 30.2 minutes, 13.0 points, 1.7 assists, and 8.2 rebounds in 24 games. He was ranked first on the team in points per game (13.0) and rebounds per game (8.2). Simon Fraser recognized Roche as Male Athlete of the Year. He was named to the GNAC All-Conference Second Team and GNAC Men’s Basketball All-Academic Team. During three seasons with Simon Fraser, he averaged 11.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 26.6 minutes in 80 games. 

“I am extremely excited to suit up for the Rattlers this 2023 season.” said Roche “I could tell that there was something special about this organization. The fans have an undying love for the game and the team, the coaching staff is top tier and the players on the team are extremely talented. I knew that I had to be a part of that.”

Canadian Elite Basketball League free agency has opened with more player announcements to follow. The 2023 CEBL schedule has been released with the Rattlers season opener scheduled for May 31st 2023 at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, SK.

Individual game tickets range from $30 in the bronze section to $90 for seating in the courtside row 2 (All courtside row 1 offers are sold out), three-games bundles start at $28/seat per game in the bronze section, half season five-packs start at $35/seat per game in the silver section, and season tickets include 10 regular season games and one playoff game starting at $33/seat per game. All ticket can also be purchased through the Rattlers Front Office (306) 244-2181, Saskatchewan Rattlers website, or via Ticketmaster. For more seating options, luxury suites, and group rates; fans can contact an account executive

All games including playoffs will be live streamed on CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices). TSN will showcase live coverage of select CEBL games on TSN and TSN+.

About the Saskatchewan Rattlers

The Saskatchewan Rattlers are Saskatchewan’s professional basketball team, one of the six original team’s in the CEBL – the Rattlers won the 2019 inaugural season championship. Playing out of SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – the Rattlers offer an entertainment-focused environment surrounded by some of the world’s top professional athletes. The Rattlers are a community-first organization and take pride in their ability to bring communities together while making sport more accessible to the province. 

About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (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 71 percent of its 2022 roster being Canadian Players bringing experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players have attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, & YouTube.

For more information on the Saskatchewan Rattlers professional basketball team - visit therattlers.ca.