NCAA Canadian Big from Tennessee State Joins Rattlers Roster

Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers announced Wednesday that they have signed Edmonton, Alberta-native Adong Makuoi to their roster for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. The six-foot nine big man spent three seasons in the NCAA D1 program, playing with the Northern Illinois Huskies and the Tennessee State Tigers. Makuoi makes his professional debut in the CEBL this summer.

“We are looking forward to seeing Adong make an immediate contribution in our front court, even as a first-year player in the league. We anticipate him bringing the same physical style of play and hustle that he displayed throughout his college career.” said Rattler General Manager Barry Rawlyk “I actually tried to recruit Adong when he was coming out of high school, so I am a real fan of how he plays.” 

Prior to entering college, Makuoi played for Archbishop O’Leary Highschool in Edmonton, Alberta. The Archbishop O’Leary Spartans made appearances in Saskatoon’s longest reigning invitational tournament, BRIT in 2015 and 2016, where Makuoi was named Dunk Champion in 2015. Makuoi spent his last year of high school at The RISE Centre Academy in Brantford, Ontario and was selected that season to play in the 2018 BioSteel All-Canadian High School Basketball Game. Makuoi made his collegiate debut for Palm Beach State Junior College for the 2018-19 season. He started 29 of the 30 games as a freshman averaging 8.1 points, 5.6 rebounds while shooting 58.1 percent from the field. Makuoi transferred to Daytona State Junior College for the 2019-2020 season. Makuoi started all 30 games as a sophomore, averaging 6.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting 69.8 percent from the field and 75.0 percent for the free throw line. Makuoi was named to the All-Mid-Florida Conference Second Team.

Makuoi entered NCAA D1 as a junior with the Northern Illinois University Huskies for the 2020-21 season. As a junior, he started 14 of 17 games averaging 4.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 17.9 minutes per game. In his final season with the Huskies, Makuoi made it into the starting line-up 25 of the 30 games played. He finished the season averaging 5.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 16.9 minutes per game while shooting 53 percent from the field. Makuoi transferred to Tennessee State University for the 2022-23 season. In his final NCAA season, he started all 32 games averaging 9.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 22.4 minutes per game while shooting 62 percent from the field. Makuoi lead his team in total rebounds (175), rebounds per game (5.5), total blocks (35), and blocks per game (1.1). In his final year, he set new career-bests with 18 points (Dec 20), and four blocks (Jan 12). 

“I am really happy that the Rattlers blessed me with the opportunity to be a part of their organization this summer.” said Makuoi “I am really excited to compete against high-level pros while being able to learn from elite coaches and players.”

Canadian Elite Basketball League free agency will continue leading up to the announcement of the full training camp roster. The Rattlers season opener is 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.