The Hamilton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that they have signed their first non-American import, Slovenian Martin Krampelj. The 6-foot-9 forward is currently playing in Uruguay with Aguada where he averaged 15.8 points and 10 rebounds in the last four regular season games.
“Martin is an experienced player who has played in various high-level leagues around the globe,” said Honey Badgers general manager Jermaine Anderson. “He’s extremely versatile for his size, with a high basketball IQ. His ability to pop and roll when using the ball screen will be a welcomed asset for our team. We’re definitely looking forward to having him in a Honey Badgers uniform this season.”
Krampelj is in his third professional season, and has played 57 games for six teams since 2019. Prior to signing in Uruguay, he played 41 games for the Miami Heat’s NBA G League affiliate, Sioux Falls, during 2020-21, averaging 9.6 points, 5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1 steal in 19.4 minutes per game.
Krampelj aggravated a right knee injury during his redshirt freshman year at Creighton University and was sidelined only seven games into the season after undergoing ACL surgery. He then tore his left ACL as a sophomore after having a breakthrough season as one of the most improved players in the BIG EAST. He battled through both injuries and averaged 13.5 points and 6.9 rebounds in his junior season and led his team in rebounds (241), blocks (29), field goals (177), free throws made (93) and field goal percentage (.592). Krampelj was named to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team in 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18. He was named to the Dean’s List in 2016 and an NABC Honors Court in 2018. In 2018-19 he was named Creighton Athletics Comeback Kid, Preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention and Honorable-Mention BIG EAST.
Hamilton opens training camp for the 2022 season Tuesday, May 17 at the training centre for the men’s Canadian National team at Humber College North in Mississauga. The Honey Badgers tip off their fourth CEBL season Wednesday, May 25 when the expansion Montreal Alliance visit FirstOntario Centre. It will be the first of 100 regular season CEBL games played in 69 days for Canada’s official national professional basketball league. Tickets are on sale now at ticketmaster.ca or 905-522-BALL.