CEBL NEWS ARTICLES

The Edmonton Stingers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday the signing of Quebec City, Quebec native Emmanuel Bandoumel. The 6’4” guard is currently competing overseas in Finland, averaging 22.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game. “I enjoyed playing in the CEBL my very first summer,” said Bandoumel. “I feel like this is a very competitive league which allows you to showcase your game. Edmonton has a great organization and coach so it was a great situation for me to go into. Jordan has a player/coach style which is perfect to evolve in this league where he also excelled.” Emmanuel is returning to the CEBL for his second season. He began his CEBL career with the Saskatchewan Rattlers (now the Saskatchewan Mamba), averaging 10.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. “Bringing Emmanuel to Edmonton was a priority for us this off-season.” said Stingers Head Coach and General Manager Jordan Baker. “He is a high character individual who can impact the game on both ends of the court, and his energy and passion is infectious. We look forward to seeing him mesh with our group this summer!” Bandoumel will join the Stingers at Edmonton EXPO Centre on May 9th to host the Winnipeg Sea Bears in their home opener. Tickets are available for as low as $20 per seat and can be purchased online , by contacting the Stingers head office via email ( [email protected] ) or phone (1-87STINGERS). ### About the Edmonton Stingers The Edmonton Stingers play a 24-game season from May to August in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, the top professional league in Canada with 10 teams in major markets from coast to coast. The Stingers joined the league in its inaugural season in 2019 and have twice been crowned CEBL Champions. The Stingers play in the 4,000 seat Edmonton Expo Centre. Our core value as an organization is to offer affordable, family-friendly fun at our games and be a positive force in our community all year long.

The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that the team has re-signed forward/centre Christian Rohlehr for the 2026 season. Rohlehr returns to the CEBL with established defensive credentials, ranking among the league’s top shot blockers since entering the league in 2023. He currently sits tied for 23rd in CEBL history with 1.3 blocks per game while also holding the Montreal Alliance franchise record for field goal percentage (.696) among players with multiple appearances. During the 2023–24 professional season, Rohlehr played for Starwings Basket Regio Basel of the Swiss LNA, where he led the league in blocks per game (2.7) while averaging 8.3 rebounds and recording 11 double-doubles across 29 games. He also produced 21 double-digit scoring performances, highlighting his impact on both ends of the floor. Rohlehr later returned to the Montreal Alliance, where he averaged 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds across seven contests, including a season-high 14 points and six rebounds in a win over Vancouver. During the 2024–25 campaign, Rohlehr competed internationally with Golden Eagle YLLI in Kosovo, appearing in five games and averaging 5.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while continuing to develop his interior presence. A native of Montreal, Quebec, Rohlehr began his professional career in 2023 with the Alliance, appearing in nine games and ranking sixth in the league in blocks per game (1.3). He recorded a CEBL career-high nine rebounds and three blocks in a single contest during his rookie campaign. Prior to turning professional, Rohlehr played collegiately at St. Francis Brooklyn, where he ranked among the team leaders in blocks during both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Before transferring to St. Francis, Rohlehr starred at Jefferson Community College, where he led his conference in blocks in consecutive seasons and recorded multiple triple-doubles, including a standout 22-point, 13-rebound, 10-block performance during the 2017–18 campaign. ###

Three-year partnership connects a purpose-driven brand with Canada’s fastest-growing professional basketball league

The Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of 6’6 Canadian forward T.J. Lall. The Cambridge, Ontario native returns to Niagara for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season after a one-year hiatus. The upcoming season will mark his third with the organization after helping the River Lions capture the 2024 championship. After his time with the River Lions, Lall spent the 2024-2025 season with ZZ Leiden of the BNXT League in the Netherlands , where he averaged 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 28 games. He spent the past year rehabbing a knee injury. “We are thrilled to have T.J. back for his third season with the River Lions. T.J. is a versatile wing who impacts winning in a multitude of ways.”said Head Coach and General Manager, Kimbal Mackenzie, “He is a shotmaker, great passer, and elite point of attack defender. He brings a business first attitude and will do whatever is required to win. He has a great I.Q. and feel for the game, he will be a big piece for us!” A proven contributor in the CEBL, Lall played a key role during the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the River Lions. In 2024, he averaged 9.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, continuing to establish himself as a reliable two-way presence. Originally selected first overall in the 2020 CEBL U SPORTS Draft by the Ottawa BlackJacks, Lall began his professional career following a decorated collegiate run. He played four seasons at Carleton University, winning four national championships, before transferring to Brock University for his final year. At Brock, Lall delivered a standout season earning First Team All-Canadian, OUA West First Team All-Star, and team MVP honours. Lall’s professional journey has taken him across the globe, having played in Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Netherlands, where he has consistently demonstrated his ability to adapt and contribute at a high level. “I’m looking forward to getting back to Niagara and getting to work with this group,” said Lall. “We’ve built something special here, and I’m excited to compete for another championship with the River Lions.” ### About the Niagara River Lions The Niagara River Lions are one of the founding franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and the league’s reigning back-to-back champions (2024 & 2025). Competing out of the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, from May to August each season, the River Lions proudly represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region, uniting fans through passion, pride, and purpose. Entering their second decade, the River Lions have earned a reputation for championship-caliber performance and community impact, embodying the strength and spirit of Niagara both on and off the court. For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on IG, FB, TikTok, & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X.

Thousands of Saskatoon Public Schools students are getting the chance to attend a professional basketball game during the school day this spring as part of a new initiative focused on student well-being, belonging, and healthy decision-making.

The 2025 CEBL Most Valuable Player finalist joins Brampton after setting the league’s single-season scoring record

The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that they have signed the 2025 CEBL Defensive Player of the Year and All-CEBL Second Team member Jameer Nelson Jr. ahead of the 2026 season. After a standout CEBL-season debut with the Calgary Surge in 2025, Nelson Jr. will be bringing his talents to the CAA Centre in 2026. Through 23 games last season, he averaged 20.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and a CEBL-leading 2.8 steals in 31.5 minutes. His best game of the season came against the Vancouver Bandits in the CEBL Western Conference Semi-Finals where he scored a career-high 39 points in a two-point victory to send the Surge to Championship Weekend. "When building a roster to compete at the highest level, you envision signing players like Jameer Nelson Jr.," said Honey Badgers CEO Al Whitley. "Jameer is an elite and dynamic two-way player that can dominate both ends of the floor. This is a special moment for me personally, as I have known Jameer's dad, Jameer Nelson, for many years in the NBA, having worked with him in 2017 as a member of the Dallas Mavericks. We are excited and grateful Jameer trusts what we are building in Brampton." Aside from the CEBL, Nelson Jr. has spent two seasons in the NBA G League. He is currently starting for the Stockton Kings (Sacramento Kings affiliate), putting up 18.9 points per game and has while scoring 20 or more points in nine out of 16 games. In 2024-25, he played 44 games with the Austin Spurs (San Antonio Spurs affiliate) and helped them reach the G League Semi-Finals after spending the NBA Summer League with the organization. “The Honey Badgers are building something special here, and I wanted to be a part of that.” said Nelson Jr. “Having the opportunity to play in the CEBL last year and get to the finals gave me a taste into what it means to win at this level, and I feel we have the opportunity to finish the job and bring a championship to Brampton this year. To the fans, let’s pack the CAA Centre this summer and build something special together.” Nelson Jr. had a very successful collegiate career. In his final season, he helped lead the Texas Christian Horned Frogs to their 11th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. In 2023 with the University of Delaware, Nelson Jr. earned a spot on the All-Coastal Athletic Conference (CAA) First Team and CAA All-Defense Team after leading the conference in points per game (20.5), steals per game (2.4), free throws made (159), and much more. He scored in double-figures in every contest through the season, and in his junior year in 2021-22, he had a school-record eight steals versus the University of Charleston. “I had the privilege of coaching Jameer last season, and there’s not another player or person I’d want to begin building a championship team with,” said Honey Badgers Assistant General Manager John Ross. “Jameer is a talented offensive player as well as the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. He is going to bring an elite level of toughness and energy to the city of Brampton!” Nelson Jr. is the son of NBA All-Star Jameer Nelson, who spent 14 seasons with the Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, and Detroit Pistons. Nelson Jr. has taken the family reins and carved out a career for himself that has seen an abundance of winning and achievements. Winning has followed him throughout his career, from a state championship at Haverford Prep in Pennsylvania, to an appearance in March Madness with Texas Christian University, a journey to the G League Semi-Finals with the Austin Spurs, and a CEBL Finals appearance with Calgary in 2025. "We’re thrilled to bring Jameer Nelson Jr. to Brampton,” said Honey Badgers Head Coach Alex Cerda. “He’s a proven leader and playmaker who understands how to run a team, compete defensively, and make winning plays. Jameer comes from a great basketball background and carries himself with a professionalism that elevates the group around him. I’m excited to work with him and see the leadership and toughness he’ll bring to our team this season.” Nelson Jr.’s signing comes as the fourth for the Honey Badgers this off-season. He joins Keon Ambrose-Hylton, Danilo Djuricic, and Prince Oduro as the team’s initial signings ahead of the 2026 season. ### 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 .

The Niagara River Lions announced today the re-signing of 6’7” Canadian forward Nathan Cayo for the upcoming 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. The 28-year-old from Montreal, Quebec returns to Niagara after contributing to the River Lions’ championship successes over the past two seasons (2024, 2025) averaging 9.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Cayo is currently playing with the ADA Blois Basket in France’s LNB Pro B, where he has averaged 9.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists during the 2025–2026 season. “We are very excited to welcome Nathan and his family back to Niagara for year 3!”, said Head Coach and General Manager, Kimbal Mackenzie. “Cayo has played a pivotal role in our back to back championship runs, and is highly skilled, physical and smart. One underrated trait of Nathan’s that I got to see firsthand as his teammate is how competitive he is. He is primed for a big summer!” Cayo began his CEBL career with the Montreal Alliance in 2022, where he played for two seasons before joining Niagara in 2024. Internationally, he has also competed with Astoria Bydgoszcz in Poland, the Memphis Hustle and Ontario Clippers of the NBA G League, and Manchester Basketball in the United Kingdom. He played collegiately at the University of Richmond, appearing in 155 games across five seasons with the Richmond Spiders. Cayo averaged 8.9 points, 1.3 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game, finishing fourth all-time in program history in field goal percentage (55.2%). He also helped lead Richmond to the 2022 NCAA Tournament, scoring 15 points in a win over the University of Iowa to advance to the second round. Having proven himself at every level he’s competed, Cayo combines professional experience, championship pedigree, and a unique ability to impact games on both ends of the floor. Since joining Niagara, he has been a cornerstone of the River Lions’ rotation, delivering timely scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence. With two consecutive CEBL titles under his belt, Cayo enters 2026 as a proven winner and the type of player who sets the tone for a team chasing sustained success. “My family and I feel blessed to run it back for a third season!” said Cayo. “An opportunity to be part of history doesn’t come by everyday; and to try and do so in an environment that feels like home made it a no brainer. Go River Lions.” ###