Canadian Big Returns to the Rattlers

Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that the club resigned 6-foot-11 Julian Roche for the 2024 season. The Saint John, New Brunswick-native will return to the CEBL for his third season, while adding length to the Rattlers front court. 

“Julian put together a nice campaign with us last year, and after a season overseas – we are expecting him to play an even larger roll this season,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk. “He is a big body athlete that is willing to learn and put in the necessary work to continue his growth as a professional We are very happy to have him back this season.”

During his three-year professional career, Roche has played with four teams in Switzerland, Germany, and Canada. He has a career average of 7.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 18.7 minutes in 95 games.

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. Where he was 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%).

In 2023, Roche signed with the Saskatchewan Rattlers where he averaged 4.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 14.2 minutes while playing all 20 games. He led the Rattlers with a team-high 59.7% field goal percentage and ranked third with 0.5 blocks per game. During the CEBL offseason, Roche signed with Paderborn Basket in the German Pro A League. While in Germany, he averaged 6.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 15.9 minutes playing in 27 games. Roche was ranked second on the team with 127 rebounds and grabbed season-high 13 rebounds on October 7th.

“I am really excited to come back and play with the Rattlers this summer. We have a great group of guys and I look forward to getting after it with them,” said Roche. “It’s going to be fun being back and winning games in the Snake Pit.”

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. 

Julian Roche joins the newly assembled roster consisting of Somto Dimanochie, Bryson Williams, Elijah Harkless, Emmanuel Bandoumel, Cody John, Maurice Calloo, Adong Makuoi, and 2023 Rattlers Defensive Player of the Year - Anthony Tsegakele. The Rattlers added three familiar faces concluding the 2024 CEBL Draft with Alexander Dewar, Isaac Simon, and Elias Ralph with the third-overall pick. The franchise will continue to unveil the 2024 roster leading up to their Training Camp in mid-May.

The full 2024 Rattlers schedule has been released, which features a full 20-game slate with one potential home playoff game and Championship Weekend (CW24) happening in Montréal, QC from August 9-11, 2024.

Individual game tickets range from $20 in the Fang Zone section to $95 for seating in courtside row 2 (All row 1 options are sold out). Flex Ticket Bundles and Group tickets can be purchased to access bulk discounts. Season tickets range from $175 in the Fang Zone to $850 for courtside row 2 (All row 1 options are sold out). Premium seat options are available including VIP tables, Luxury Suites, and the Rattlers Courtside Lounge. All ticket options can also be purchased through the Rattlers Front Office (306) 244-2181, Saskatchewan Rattlers website, or via Ticketmaster. Current season ticket members can manage their seats by using Account Manager. For more seating options, and partnership opportunities; fans can contact an account executive or Ivan Brown (Director of Partnerships).

About the Saskatchewan Rattlers
The Saskatchewan Rattlers are Saskatchewan’s professional basketball team, one of the six

original teams 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 73% of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Fourteen players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

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