CEBL NEWS ARTICLES

Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that the club signed 6-foot-3 California-native Elijah Harkless for the 2024 season. The American guard made his professional debut with the Ontario Clippers (Los Angeles Clippers affiliate) during the 2023-24 NBA G League season under the leadership of Saskatchewan Rattlers head coach Larry Abney. “We are really excited about signing an emerging talent like EJ,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk. “He has just begun to scratch the surface of what he can do as a professional basketball player. The CEBL is seen as a league where potential future NBA players emerge, and with the high-ceiling EJ has, he is definitely in that category.” Harkless made his professional debut with the Ontario Clippers after being selected 23rd overall in the 2023 NBA G League Draft. During his rookie season, he played 20 games while averaging 11.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 22.6 minutes and shooting 47.5% from the field. Harkless set professional career game-highs of 25 points (Jan. 29), eight rebounds (twice), 11 assists (twice), and three steals (Mar. 7). He ranked third on the roster for three-point shooting with 26 made shots while shooting 42.6 from behind the arc. Harkless will make his international debut with Saskatchewan Rattlers this May. “I am excited for the opportunity to play in a new country, expand my game, and help the Rattlers win a championship,” said Harkless. Prior to his professional career, Harkless attended Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California. As a senior, he led the team to a 30-4 record with a third-place finish in the CIF Southern Section Open Division Tournament. Harkless was named to the All-Baseline First Team and Sun-Daily Bulletin All-Area Team. The California-native made his NCAA debut with the Cal State Northridge Matadors where he played 51 games over two seasons averaging 8.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 23.6 minutes with 25 appearances in the starting line-up. As a sophomore, he became the first CSUN player to record a triple-double (22 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) on January 4, and the first player since 2005 to secure 54 steals in a single-season. As a junior, he transferred to play with the Oklahoma University Sooners where he started 40 of the 49 games played over two seasons averaging 9.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 28.8 minutes. As a junior, the Sooners won the 2021 Big 12 Tournament which led them to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament as an eighth seed in the West region. Harkless appeared as a starter in both games during the tournament – registering a double-double in the first round (16 points and 10 rebounds) to advance the Sooners into the second round. As a senior with Oklahoma he was named an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and a Myrtle Beach Invitational Honorable Mention. For his final NCAA season, Harkless transferred to UNLV where he started in all 32 games averaging a career-high 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 31.0 minutes. He led his team in total points (611), total rebounds (163), total assists (108), total minutes (991), and total games (32). During his final season, he was recognized as All-Mountain West Conference Second Team, USBWA All-District Team, and NABC All-District (17) Second Team. Elijah Harkless will reunite with his Clippers coach in Saskatchewan this May while joining the newly assembled roster consisting of 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

The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that they have agreed to terms with Niagara University product Yaw Obeng-Mensah. The Toronto native is coming off a season where he averaged 10.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 24.9 minutes in 28 games as a senior with the Purple Eagles. Obeng-Mensah will turn the page on his collegiate career this summer with the Honey Badgers after signing his first professional contract. “Yaw (Obeng-Mensah)is a young high-energy player eager for an opportunity to show and prove at the next level,” said Jermaine Anderson, general manager and vice president of basketball operations. “Our coaching staff is looking forward to helping Yaw develop on and off the court this summer.” During a five-year, 143-game collegiate career, Obeng-Mensah averaged 9.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 21.7 minutes. Prior to transferring to Niagara University ahead of his final season of eligibility, the six-foot-seven forward played two seasons at both the University of Maryland Baltimore County and Santa Fe Community College. “I’ve always dreamed of this moment, and to sign my first professional contract so close to home is incredibly special,” said Obeng-Mensah. “I’ve heard so many great things about the organization, coaching staff, and fans, and I can’t wait to get started.” Obeng-Mensah played in 64 games with the University of Maryland Baltimore County and averaged 7.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. During his second season with the Retrievers, Obeng-Mensah led the team with 17 blocks and 204 total rebounds. He recorded four double-doubles that season, including an 18-point and 16-rebound effort against the University of Vermont on January 28. He began his collegiate career at Santa Fe Community College, appearing in 51 games across two seasons with the Saints. The forward earned FCSA First-Team All-Conference and Mid-Florida Conference All-Academic honors in his sophomore year, while leading the team in points scored (252) and rebounding (194). Obeng-Mensah is the fourth player to sign with the Honey Badgers after recently completing their collegiate careers, joining Callum Baker, Cole Syllas, and David Walker who were all selected in the 2024 CEBL Draft earlier this month. The young but experienced Honey Badgers roster also features three returning veterans; Shamiel Stevenson, Zane Waterman, and Prince Oduro. The Brampton Honey Badgers open the 2024 campaign at home against the Niagara River Lions as part of Home Opener Weekend at the CAA Centre. Season tickets, ultimate voucher packages, and single game tickets are available now to witness the best of Canadian professional basketball this summer. For more information contact a Honey Badgers representative at [email protected] or visit www.honeybadgers.ca/tickets. About the Brampton Honey Badgers One of the original franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the 2022 CEBL Champion Brampton Honey Badgers proudly call the CAA Centre home. The Brampton front office and basketball operations department bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. With a vision of promoting Brampton grassroots basketball and local businesses through community and corporate engagement, the Honey Badgers will leverage the explosion of basketball as a vehicle for innovation and change. For more information visit honeybadgers.ca . 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 2023 rosters being Canadian. TSN, Canada's sports leader, is the official broadcast partner of the league. 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. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. 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.

LANGLEY, B.C. , April 25, 2024 – The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has signed 6-foot-4 guard and former Winnipeg Sea Bear Glen Yang for its upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season at Langley Events Centre (LEC). Yang was born in Burnaby and moved to Hong Kong when he was five before moving back to Canada. He spent his high school and university years in Calgary, attending Sir Winston Churchill High School before starring at Mount Royal University from 2014-2019. “I can’t wait to get back to Vancouver and embrace the culture of the Bandits franchise. I was born in Burnaby, so to come back and play professional basketball is a full circle moment and a dream come true. I am excited to join the team and to get to work!” Yang said. Yang will report to Bandits’ training camp this May, which precedes Vancouver’s highly anticipated home opener on Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. PT against the Montréal Alliance. Single game tickets for the home opener and all regular season games are on sale now at this link . 2024 will be Yang’s second season in the CEBL after starting all 20 games with the Sea Bears last year. He averaged six points, three assists and 2.6 rebounds per game over the course of 20 regular season games with the Sea Bears, who finished in a three-way tie for the second best record in the CEBL last year (12-8). Yang scored in double figures five times throughout the 2023 CEBL season; including a season-high 15 points versus Calgary on July 16 and Vancouver on July 23. His July 23rd scoring outburst was complemented by an all-around performance that saw Yang tally nine rebounds, five assists and three steals in nearly 35 minutes of action. “Glen is a proven winner who plays with toughness and a high IQ. I am really looking forward to working with Glen and having him enhance our culture,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. Yang is in the midst of his fourth season of professional basketball; spending two seasons in Spain before taking his talents to Asia where he has suited up with the Bay Area Dragons (2022-23) and the Kaohsiung Steelers (2023-24). During his time in the East Asia Super League, Yang helped the Bay Area Dragons advance to a Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup finals appearance in 2023. This past season in Taiwan with the Steelers, Yang played in 11 games and recorded season-highs in points (18), rebounds (7) and assists (6) in his first game with the club on Dec. 3, 2023. Vancouver will play a total of 10 regular season home games in 2024 between Thursday, May 23 and Thursday, July 18. The Bandits wrap up regular season action on the road against Montréal on Sunday, July 28 at 1 p.m. PT. All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on TSN+, as well as the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ , and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices). Individuals interested in ticket flexibility or purchasing a bundle of tickets are invited to consider a flex pack or season tickets . More information can be found at thebandits.ca/tickets or by speaking with a Bandits representative by calling (604) 455-8881 or emailing [email protected] . A complete regular season schedule can be found by clicking here . More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter . About the Vancouver Bandits: The Vancouver Bandits are British Columbia’s professional basketball team. As the westernmost club in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Bandits offer an entertainment experience that combines a fast-paced game day atmosphere with a presentation of some of Canada’s top professional athletes within a world-class venue at Langley Events Centre (LEC). About the 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 .

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced Wednesday that their entire 2023 coaching staff will return for the 2024 season. The six specialists will resume their roles under head coach and general manager Mike Taylor after helping the team to a West-leading 12-8 record in its inaugural season. Winnipeg’s Mike Raimbault will re-join the team as an assistant coach after leading his University of Winnipeg Wesmen men’s team to a Canada West silver medal and the U SPORTS elite eight in both 2023 and 2024. Raimbault, a product of Brandon, MB, was a standout for the Bobcats before making his coaching debut there. He also earned a CCAA championship and CCAA Coach of the Year award in 2010 with the University of Northern British Columbia. Ryan Thomson out of the University of Lakehead (Thunder Bay) is poised to pick up where he left off with the Sea Bears last season. The assistant coach and assistant general manager has led the Lakehead Thunderwolves program for six years and spent time under Taylor with the then-Fraser Valley Bandits before coming to Winnipeg for the team’s inaugural season. The team’s analytics coach is William Gatchalian, who has made a name for himself in the Canada Basketball high performance program. Gatchalian spends his winters with the Brock Badgers men’s team, most recently seeing a promotion to lead assistant coach. Josh Reddy will return to oversee operations and video coordination for the team. Reddy has also spent time with Canada Basketball and won back-to-back Canada West titles as an assistant for the Victoria Vikes. Most recently, Reddy made the move to Winnipeg full time to assist Raimbault with the Winnipeg Wesmen. Tevin Juwan Brown will return to Winnipeg to head up the team’s player development program. Brown has been the lead video coordinator and player development coach with the Texas Legends of the NBA G League since 2022. Brown has trained several NBA athletes, such as Buddy Hield and Julius Randle. “I absolutely love our coaching staff and am both thankful and excited to have everyone back on board for Sea Bears season two. We came together quickly last year and worked together extremely well. We are now focused to push our team to the next level,” said Taylor. “I believe strongly in our coaching staff and enjoy the daily activities with them. We love to see our Sea Bears players develop, but I also love to see our coaches develop. We have a lot to look forward to and a lot to work for and I am looking forward to take on the challenge of CEBL 2024 with our outstanding Sea Bears coaching staff.” The Sea Bears open training camp Monday, May 13 at Sport Manitoba in Winnipeg before they head to Saskatchewan to take on the Rattlers on May 22. The team’s home opener is slated for May 24 at Canada Life Centre against the defending CEBL champions, the Scarborough Shooting Stars. About the Winnipeg Sea Bears The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 20-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman. More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook . About the 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 .

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that they have re-signed 6’2” point guard, Cat Barber. The 2023 All-CEBL First Team Star averaged 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 33.3 minutes per game for Scarborough last season. Barber finished the 2023 CEBL season as the league’s all-time leading scorer with 1108 CEBL career points. The Virginia native averages 16.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1 steal in 29.6 minutes per game over 354 professional games. He is currently playing for FC Porto of the Portugal-Liga Betclic League where he is leading his team in points (16.5) and assists (4.5) per game through 20 games. Barber averaged 17 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.5 minutes per game through 15 games for FC Porto in the 2023-24 Europe Cup. The eight-year pro has played in top leagues across seven countries, including for teams in the FIBA Europe Cup and NBA G-League. Most notably, Barber signed a 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks in December 2021 registering 3 rebounds and 3 assists in 13 minutes through 3 games in the NBA. The NC State alum ranks 17 in Wolfpack history with 1516 career points and 8 in school history with 403 assists. In his junior and final year, Barber led the ACC with 28.7 minutes per game as well as eight games of at least 30 points. He set an NC State record with 237 made free throws. He was voted ACC Player of the Week three times, 2016 First Team All-ACC by media and coaches and NABC All-District First Team. The reigning CEBL Champions open their season on May 24 at the Canada Life Centre where they will take on the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The team welcomes the Niagara River Lions to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on June 1 for their home opener and championship banner drop. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca  About the 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 .

The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday the completion of its basketball operations staff for the 2024 CEBL season. Joining General Manager and Head Coach James Derouin and Vice President of Basketball Operations Jevohn Shepherd are: Assistant Coaches David DeAveiro, Damian Buckley, Michael L’Africain, and Jamil Abiad; Performance Director Sean Stoqua; Coordinator of Player Personnel and Strategy Hennessy Roppovalente; Equipment Manager Alexander Louis; Athletic Therapist Finley Miller; Medical Director Adrian Huynh; and Team Doctor Jessica Curran. Returning with the BlackJacks for a second season, David DeAveiro has been the head coach of the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) men's basketball team since 2020 and has also enjoyed an extensive coaching history with Canada Basketball, including the men's senior, development and junior teams. He came to TMU after serving as head coach of the McGill University men's basketball team for 10 seasons. Prior to joining McGill, DeAveiro coached the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees men’s basketball team for nine seasons. Damian Buckley , who is also continuing his tenure with the BlackJacks for a second season, serves as an assistant coach for the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees men’s basketball team under BlackJacks and Gee-Gees Head Coach James Derouin, where he won back-to-back National Bronze medals in 2022-23 and 2023-24 while securing the OUA Gold in 2022-23. Buckley has served as Head Coach for the Montreal Toundra in 2023 and 2024, carving out a path as a promising young coach at the pro level. Michael L'Africain's coaching journey saw him as assistant coach with the BlackJacks in 2021 and 2023, and with the Newfoundland Growlers in 2022. Transitioning from his illustrious playing career, L'Africain assumed the role of lead assistant coach of the University of Ottawa men’s basketball team in 2018, following a landmark five-year tenure as a player for the Gee-Gees from 2011 to 2016. L'Africain played two professional seasons in Europe before returning to Canada to focus on coaching. Returning with the Ottawa BlackJacks for a third season, Jamil Abiad spent the past two winters in Reykjavík, Iceland, where he coached the U18 and U21 Valur men’s basketball teams, reaching the league’s semifinals twice. Abiad also served as the lead assistant coach for Valur men’s professional team, winning the regular season title and the Super Cup. Following a two-year professional basketball career in Lebanon and five collegiate seasons with the Bishop University Gaitors, Abiad dedicated his time to growing the game of basketball in the nation’s capital. Sean Stoqua graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Acadia University, where he was an active member of the Axemen football and basketball teams from 2011 to 2015. Following this, he pursued his master’s degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Ottawa from 2017 to 2019, during which time he also represented the Gee-Gees basketball team. As a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and registered Physiotherapist, Stoqua has spent the past five years honing his craft, specializing in training, and rehabilitating a diverse spectrum of athletes. His clientele ranges from NBA, G League, and Euroleague players to professional footballers, soccer players, dancers, and BMX bikers. Hennessy Roppovalente serves as an assistant and analytics coordinator for the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees men’s basketball team under Head Coach James Derouin. Roppovalente joined the BlackJacks during the 2023 season, serving as the team’s Equipment Manager and Performance Analytics and Scouting Advisor. An Ottawa native, Roppovalente is currently completing his undergraduate degree in Finance and Business Analytics at the University of Ottawa. Alexander Louis will be taking on the role of Equipment Manager for the Ottawa BlackJacks in the upcoming 2024 season. Concurrently, he is pursuing studies in Marketing and Finance at the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa. Louis' journey into basketball operations began in 2023 when he assumed the position of Basketball Operations Coordinator for the Gee-Gees men's basketball team, working alongside Head Coach James Derouin. Finley Miller c urrently lends her expertise to the men's football team at Carleton University. During her academic years, she gained valuable experience working with a diverse range of sports teams, including the Ottawa REDBLACKS, University of Toronto's men's football team, and York University's women's volleyball team. Equipped with an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology and Health Sciences, coupled with a certification in Athletic Therapy, Miller brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to her practice. Adrian Huynh is an athletic therapist at Carleton University with extensive experience across various sports organizations. He previously served as Athletic Therapist with the BlackJacks from 2021 to 2023 and worked with Canada Soccer, Atlético Ottawa, Montréal Impact, and Ottawa Fury FC. Huynh completed his undergraduate degree in Integrated Science at Carleton University in 2013 and his Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences in Athletic Therapy at Sheridan College, winning the Dr. Tim Fried Leadership Award in 2017. That same year, he obtained a Diploma in Pedorthics from Western University. A Chief Doctor for Team Canada for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games, Dr. Jessica Curran has been a team physician with the Canadian women’s national basketball program since 2011 and the Canadian men’s national volleyball team since 2022. She is currently the team physician for the Carleton Ravens men’s football team and has worked with various other varsity teams, including men’s and women’s soccer and basketball teams. Serving major multi-sport Games, Dr. Curran was a member of the medical team for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio, 2015 and 2019 Pan American Games, 2015 Winter Universiade, and 2013 Summer Universiade. The Ottawa BlackJacks 2024 single game tickets are on sale now at https://www.theblackjacks.ca/single-game-tickets . The team's fifth season will kick off at The Arena at TD Place on May 29, promising professional basketball and exciting entertainment in a family-friendly environment. For more information, please visit www.theblackjacks.ca or contact the Ottawa BlackJacks Membership Services team directly at 613-690-0519 or by email at [email protected] . Quotes: “At the core of our mission is building a robust basketball operations team dedicated to our players' well-being and performance. We aim for them to excel on the court, stay healthy and depart our team better than they came, with a reliable support system in place. I'm proud of the crew we've assembled, not only for their expertise but also for their deep-rooted connection to Ottawa, and I'm certain it will pave the way for success, both on and off the court.” - James Derouin, General Manager and Head Coach, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club About the Ottawa BlackJacks The first expansion franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Ottawa BlackJacks showcase the best of basketball and entertainment in the nation’s capital. The Ottawa front office brings NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. Led by General Manager and Head Coach James Derouin, Ottawa plays its home games out of the world-class Arena at TD Place in Lansdowne Park. The anticipation is building for the upcoming 2024 season, slated to tip off at home on May 29 against the Edmonton Stingers. For more information, visit www.theblackjacks.ca. About Canadian Elite Basketball League 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 . 

The Calgary Surge have signed six-foot-five guard Mathieu Kamba for the 2024 season, the team announced Wednesday. Kamba spent the 2020 and 2021 CEBL seasons with the Edmonton Stingers where he averaged 12.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 29.6 minutes. He also won two back-to-back CEBL championships with the Surge’s cross-province rivals during his tenure. “Mathieu is an important signing for us. His story will be a great one to tell. Being a local son of Calgary, while also being a CEBL champion is special,” said Surge General Manager Shane James. “He has been a target for us since last year and we are fortunate to have him. We expect him to bring that championship mindset, while doing a little bit of everything on the floor that will contribute to our success.” Kamba most recently played professionally in Spain with Zunder Palencia in the Liga ACB, the top professional basketball division of the Spanish basketball league system. “I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to play professional basketball in my city. I can’t wait to meet my teammates and the coaching staff. But I am most excited to bring a championship to Calgary,” said Surge guard Mathieu Kamba. Kamba attended the University of Central Arkansas where he averaged 11.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 28.4 minutes in 124 games played over four seasons in the NCAA. Prior to his time in Central Arkansas, Kamba attended Bishop McNally High School in Calgary where he was named a High School All-Star and won a city-wide championship. Fans can now purchase tickets to the 2024 Season Opener at the Scotiabank Saddledome at www.calgarysurge.ca/surge2thedome . Single game tickets for the remainder of the 2024 Calgary Surge season are now available at https://www.calgarysurge.ca/single-game-tickets . About the Calgary Surge The Calgary Surge tipped off their inaugural season at WinSport Event Centre in May 2023, after originating the Guelph Nighthawks, one of the founding members of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). From day one, the Surge have been committed to being the Home Team for Calgary and a space where everyone is welcome. The Calgary Surge are active members of the community and have participated in a few hundred events (and counting) around the city that connect the team with diverse communities through sport and entertainment. In their inaugural season, the Surge finished 1st overall in the Western Conference and were crowned Western Conference Champions in the playoffs. For more information, visit www.calgarysurge.ca . About the Canadian Elite Basketball League 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 .

RDS coverage features eight live televised games, including five Montréal Alliance regular season games and all three CW24 contests, with 14 total games streamed on RDS.ca/RDS app