NBA-Experienced Guard Joins Roster Ahead of the Home Opener on Wednesday

Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that they have signed American guard Justin Wright-Foreman to their roster. Wright-Foreman was drafted in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz with the 53rd overall pick. Wright-Foreman brings four years of NCAA experience and five years of professional experience from the NBA, NBA G League, NBA Summer League, USA Basketball, and international teams. The six-foot two guard from New York will reunite with 2019-20 teammate Malik Benlevi ahead of his CEBL debut on Wednesday May 31st at SaskTel Centre. 

“Justin is going to bring some impressive experience to a key position in our lineup” said Rattlers General Manager Barry Rawlyk “We expect that his talent and high basketball IQ will be critical to the success of our team.”

During his professional career, Wright-Foreman has played with eleven professional teams in the NBA, NBA Summer League, NBA G League, USA Basketball, Germany, China, Turkey, and France. Wright-Foreman has a career average of 15.1 points, 2.5 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 25.1 minutes in 142 professional games.

Wright-Foreman made his professional debut after signing a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz in 2019. He played as a starter for the Jazz in the 2019 NBA Summer League averaging 11.8 points, 3.3 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 26.0 minutes. Setting his NBA career game-highs during the 2019 Summer League with 20 points (July 2nd), 6 rebounds (July 6th), 3 steals twice, and 4 assists twice. He went on to play three games with the Jazz during the NBA Preseason, and returned to the Jazz rotation on February while making appearances during the NBA Bubble. As a two-way player, he played alongside Malik Benlevi with Salt Lake City Stars. He ranked third on the team in points per game (17.3), and second on the team in total 3-pointers made (79) while shooting 40% from deep. Wright-Foreman finished his rookie year with 17.3 points, 2.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 28.1 minutes in 36 games with the Stars. 

Wright-Foreman entered the 2020-21 season with the New Orleans NBA G League-affiliate the Erie Bayhawks averaging 12.8 points, 2.2 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 23.8 minutes while playing 15 games. During this season, he played alongside former-Rattler Tony Carr. After an exit in the NBA G League semi-finals, Wright-Foreman joined Chorale Roanne Basket in France in the first division of LNB Pro A. He averaged 16.9 points, 3.7 assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 30.9 minutes playing 12 games. He returned to the New Orleans-affiliate now called the Birmingham Squadron for the 2021-22 season. He averaged 12.3 points, 1.4 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 24.7 minutes while playing 14 games. During this season he joined the USA Basketball Team for the FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifiers. Wright-Foreman averaged 11.5 points, 1.5 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 17.5 minutes over two games. Team USA finished with bronze. 

Prior to the 2022-23 season, Wright-Foreman joined the Chicago Bulls for the NBA Summer League. After Summer League, he joined Brose Bamberg of Basketball Bundesliga in Germany. Wright-Foreman helped Brose Bamberg during the German Cup, Basketball Champions League Qualifiers, Europe Cup and league play averaging 18.5 points, 2.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 28.1 minutes over 11 games. He spent a short time with the Shenzhen Aviators in China, before returning to the NBA G League by signing with the Westchester Knicks for the remainder of the 2022-23 season. Wright-Foreman averaged 14.6 points, 3.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 25.4 minutes while playing 18 games.

Prior to his professional career, Wright-Foreman attended High School for Construction Trades in New York City. The Queens, New York product led Construction to win the PSAL Queens borough championship twice. He was named Second Team All-New York State as a senior before beginning his collegiate career in 2015 with Hofstra Pride in the NCAA D1. During his four-year collegiate career, Wright-Forman averaged 18.6 points, 2.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 28.1 minutes in 125 games for the Hofstra University Pride. The University located in Hempstead, New York made two appearances in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) with Wright-Foreman leading the Pride. He finished his career second all-time at Hofstra for total points (2,327) and total three-pointers made (277). Closed his career by scoring double figures in 88 consecutive games, the seventh longest in the history of NCAA Division 1.  He was named to the NABC All-District First Team three times, All-CAA First Team twice, All-CAA Second Team, CAA All-Tournament Team, and named back-to-back CAA Player of the Year (2018 and 2019). 

“What’s going on Rattlers fans, it’s JWF! I’m excited to get started” said Wright-Foreman “I am looking forward to getting to work with my teammates and staff.”

The Rattlers last day of training camp is free to the public to attend on Tuesday May 30th with the Rattlers season opener happening this Wednesday May 31st 2023 at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, SK.

Individual game tickets range from $20 in the Rattlers Fan Zone 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+ Powered by BetVictor, 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.