CEBL NEWS ARTICLES

The Montreal Alliance of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today the signing of Montreal natives Georges Lefebvre and Nate Tshimanga as training camp continues ahead of the 2026 season and the team’s home opener. The additions of Lefebvre and Tshimanga bring size, physicality, and local talent to the Alliance frontcourt as the organization continues preparations for the upcoming CEBL campaign. “These additions give us strong depth, versatility, and competition heading into the season,” said Co-Owner and General Manager Joel Anthony. “Both players bring physicality, energy, and a strong work ethic that fit the identity we want to build.” Georges Lefebvre | Forward | 6’8” | Montreal, QC A Montreal product, Lefebvre joins the Alliance after beginning his professional career in Portugal with Galitos Barreiro, where he averaged 6.9 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting an impressive 50 percent from three-point range in limited action. The 6-foot-8 forward previously competed at the NCAA Division I and II levels with Vermont and Simon Fraser before starring at McGill University during the 2024-25 season. At McGill, Lefebvre averaged 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, recording multiple double-doubles and establishing himself as a reliable interior presence. Known for his size, rebounding ability, and floor spacing, Lefebvre adds versatility to the Alliance frontcourt. Nate Tshimanga | Centre | 6’10” | Montreal, QC A familiar face within the organization, Tshimanga officially joins the Alliance roster after spending time with the team’s practice squad during the 2025 season and earning opportunities with the active roster throughout the year, where he showed strong energy and interior presence. The Montreal-born center appeared in seven games for the Alliance this past season, averaging 2.0 points and 0.9 rebounds while shooting 77.8 percent from the field in limited minutes. Prior to turning professional, Tshimanga competed at Troy University, Utah Valley, and New Mexico State, appearing in more than 100 NCAA Division I games over four collegiate seasons. His size, physicality, and familiarity with the organization add valuable depth and frontcourt presence as the Alliance continues preparations throughout training camp and into the start of the season. With training camp now underway, the Alliance continues preparing for its 2026 home opener and the start of a new CEBL season. The additions of Lefebvre and Tshimanga strengthen the club’s frontcourt depth heading into the summer. ### About the Montreal Alliance The Montreal Alliance is a professional basketball team competing in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), Canada’s premier summer basketball league. The organization is committed to delivering high-level basketball and an engaging experience for fans in Montreal and across Quebec. 

Jordan Baker has seen it all. The Edmonton Stingers icon played in Year 1 of the CEBL in 2019, lived through the 2020 bubble and won a title then went back-to-back the next year. He played one more season in 2022 before becoming the team’s head coach and now president. On Saturday, he’ll lead his team into its eighth season as it hosts the Winnipeg Sea Bears to tip off the campaign. Watch it live on CBC-TV, CBC Gem , cbcsports.ca , CBC Sports YouTube channel , and CEBL+ starting at 1:30 p.m. MT / 2:30 p.m. CT / 3:30 p.m. ET. “Once the lights come on and the building gets loud, some guys step up to that opportunity and other guys maybe not so much. So it's an important game for us certainly, home opener, national TV, all those things,” Baker said. “But at the same time, it's one of 24 and we got to attack it like we would any other game. Trying to get better and trying to execute on the things that we've talked about.” The Stingers have not won it all since Baker helped hoist the championship trophy in 2021, and they can no longer claim to be the only franchise with multiple titles after the Niagara River Lions completed a repeat of their own last season. Despite having the third-best regular-season record, Edmonton fell in the Western Conference Play-In round last season against the eventual finalist Calgary Surge. It then lost MVP runner-up Sean East II and key big man Keon Ambrose-Hylton in free agency to the Brampton Honey Badgers. Still, the Stingers are entering the season with a strong squad led by returnees Nick Hornsby, Mason Bourcier, Mike Nuga and Aaron Rhooms. G Leaguer Dain Dainja joins from the Sioux Falls Skyforce and forward Isaac Jack is aboard fresh off a stint with the NCAA’s University of the Pacific Tigers, where he played for Canadian coaching legend Dave Smart. Even with the new faces, Baker said Stingers basketball wouldn’t change. “We like to play a certain brand of basketball here in Edmonton. So it takes a little bit of learning, takes a little bit of adjustments. We know May 9 is not going to be a finished product … but we want some guys that can get their first steps underway and to play hard and hopefully start the season in front of our own fans and on national TV the right way,” he said. Having Baker in the building since Day 1 and players like Hornsby, who is entering his fourth season with the club, helps instill that culture year-over-year. “There's always going to be a learning curve for new players and having voices — not just my own and not just the coaching staff, but from other players in the locker room — preaching some of the things that we care about in terms of unselfishness and putting your ego aside and really trying to commit to something bigger than yourself in the summer. As many people as we can have pitching that to new players, then that's better for us,” Baker said. The first test will come against a revamped Sea Bears squad, which is still looking for its first-ever title after falling in the Western Conference Final on home court last season. Winnipeg brought in a new coach in Mike Raimbault and overhauled its roster, most notably signing three-time MVP and former Stingers star Xavier Moon, who is making his CEBL return after four seasons away, which included time with the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers. “It's a testament to the growth of the league as well that somebody that has NBA experience would want to come back and invest and be a part of it,” Baker said. “We're only in Year 8, which seems like a lifetime for people that have been here from the beginning, but in relative terms, it's still a very young league and continuing to grow and people that get on board early and are able to help push things forward, they're going to reap the rewards of that for sure.” Isiah Osborne, a Sea Bears guard from Windsor, Ont., said he’s looking forward to playing with Moon for the first time. “He's gonna draw a lot of people to him. So that obviously opens up other people, opens up me a little bit. So I can't get too mad about that,” Osborne said. Osborne, 29, is entering his fifth CEBL season. Like Moon, he too is a former Stinger. He said he is taking his expectations for Winnipeg, which also brought back another former MVP in Teddy Allen, day by day. “I always try to take it slow, to put ourselves in a spot to make playoffs and then once you make playoffs, important games start, it's one and done from there,” he said. Of course, that isn’t quite true this season, with the CEBL Finals a best-of-three for the first time in league history. Osborne said it’ll be harder than ever to reach that series. “The competition has gotten a lot better. Things have gotten a lot faster, pace of play is up. … It’s a good league,” he said. Likewise, Baker said the CEBL mindset has transformed drastically from the inaugural season in 2019 from trepidation to full and complete buy-in. “You see how much the league has grown, not only with the number of teams, but also with the amount of staff involved with each team and year-round operations and some of the things that they're doing in different markets,” Baker said. “You're not walking into the season feeling cautious. You're feeling excited. You're feeling optimistic. You're attacking it with an understanding that this is going to be around for a while and that puts you in a great position to plan for the future.” It all starts again on Saturday. ###

The Montreal Alliance announced today the signing of American guard Lue Williams III ahead of the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Williams III (6’5”, 190 lbs), a native of Atmore, Alabama, enters his second professional season after an impressive rookie campaign with Lahti Basketball in Finland, where he averaged 19.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 42.2 percent from three-point range. Known for his offensive consistency, Williams quickly established himself as one of his team’s primary scoring options in Europe, recording multiple 20-point performances while showcasing his efficiency from beyond the arc. “Lue is a natural scorer who can make an immediate impact offensively,” said General Manager and Co-Owner Joel Anthony. “His versatility, perimeter shooting, and ability to fill multiple roles are exactly what we’re looking for.” Before beginning his professional career, Williams enjoyed a strong collegiate career, highlighted by his time at Tarleton State University (NCAA Division I), where he was a consistent starter and versatile contributor on both ends of the floor. Prior to Tarleton State, he stood out at Coastal Alabama South, where he emerged as one of the team’s top offensive threats, regularly producing scoring performances in the 20-to-30-point range. An energetic and competitive player, Williams III brings offensive versatility and the ability to impact the game in multiple ways. ### About the Montreal Alliance The Montreal Alliance is a professional basketball team competing in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), Canada’s premier summer basketball league. The organization is committed to delivering high-level basketball and an engaging experience for fans in Montreal and across Quebec.

The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that the team has re-signed Javonte Smart for the 2026 Season. The 6 ‘4 guard, originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, returns to Ottawa after a breakout CEBL season with Ottawa, averaging 26 points. Smart spent the CEBL off-season with the Osceola Magic, the G-League affiliate of the Orlando Magic. “Javonte Smart is a tremendous player and a major part of what we do offensively. He’s an elite scorer who commands a lot of attention from opposing defenses, and that creates opportunities for everyone around him. Our fans love the energy and competitiveness he brings, and his ability to push the pace allows us to play a fast, fearless and exciting brand of basketball.” said Ottawa BlackJacks Head Coach, Justin Mazzulla. “We’re thrilled to welcome Javonte back to Ottawa. What he accomplished last season was nothing short of historic for our franchise. He proved himself as one of the premier players in the CEBL, and just as importantly, he embraced the culture we’re building here,” said Ottawa BlackJacks General Manager, James Derouin. In the 2025 CEBL season, Smart averaged 26 points, four rebounds, six assists, and one steal per game. On July 31 against Niagara, Smart made history by scoring a franchise-record 44 points, the second-most ever recorded in a single CEBL game. When Smart joined the team in June 2025, he quickly made an impact. In his first three games with the BlackJacks, he scored a combined 86 points. In his most recent G-League season with the Magic, he averaged 16 points and three assists per game. His professional career began when he joined the Miami Heat for 2021 NBA Summer League, then shortly after signed a contract with them. He played a few games with the Heat and joined their G-League affiliate the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Shortly after, in November 2021, Smart signed a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, splitting time with their G-League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd. He then finished that season back with the Skyforce. In the 2021-22 NBA season, he averaged three points and 1.4 rebounds, In the G-League, he averaged 21 points, four assists and 2 steals. For the 2022-23 NBA season, Smart joined the Philadelphia 76ers for their NBA Summer League games, before signing a two-way contract with them. During his time with the Delaware Blue Coats, the G-League affiliate of the 76ers, he averaged 20 points per game. He then finished that season in Belgrade, Serbia with KK Crvena Zvezda. There, he averaged nine points per game. Since then, he has played with the Orlando, and Osceola Magic, averaging a total of 16 points and four assists throughout his NBA and G-League career. Now, Smart will be looking to make an impact in the CEBL again this season with the BlackJacks. ### About the Ottawa BlackJacks The first expansion franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Ottawa BlackJacks are a professional men’s basketball team competing out of The Arena at TD Place. The club is committed to excellence on-and-off the court and aims to inspire community pride, foster grassroots development and deliver an unparalleled fan experience. For more information, visit theblackjacks.ca .

The Scarborough Shooting Stars announced today the signing of Canadian guard Kobey Lam for the 2026 season. Lam, a 6’0 guard from Toronto, brings speed, shot-making, and high-level scoring ability to Scarborough’s backcourt. Known for his quick first step, perimeter shooting, and ability to create offence, Lam adds an exciting and dynamic presence to the Shooting Stars roster. Lam enters the professional ranks following a strong developmental path through the NCAA and Canadian basketball system. His experience competing against top collegiate talent has helped shape him into a confident and capable guard ready to contribute at the next level. Lam most recently competed with the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles, where he continued to establish himself as a reliable scoring guard. During his collegiate career, Lam demonstrated his ability to impact games offensively with his shooting and pace, while also contributing as a playmaker and perimeter defender. His consistency and confidence with the ball made him a key contributor in the backcourt. Before his NCAA career, Lam developed through Canada’s competitive basketball pipeline, earning recognition as a skilled guard with strong offensive instincts. As a Toronto native, he represents the next generation of Canadian talent continuing to rise through the ranks. Lam’s quickness, scoring ability, and offensive creativity give the Shooting Stars added depth and versatility in the backcourt. His ability to push the pace, knock down perimeter shots, and create opportunities makes him a valuable addition heading into the 2026 season. With Lam joining the roster, Scarborough continues to invest in emerging Canadian talent while building a competitive and exciting team ready to contend in the 2026 CEBL season.  ###

The Scarborough Shooting Stars announced today the signing of Canadian center Charles Bediako for the 2026 season. Bediako, a 7’0 center from Brampton, brings elite rim protection, size, and defensive presence to Scarborough’s frontcourt. Known for his shot-blocking ability, rebounding, and interior efficiency, Bediako adds a strong defensive anchor and vertical threat around the basket. Bediako began his professional career after declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft, earning opportunities across the NBA G League and NBA systems. He signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs organization and gained valuable experience with their G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs. During his G League career, Bediako showcased his ability as a rim protector and rebounder, averaging 7.7 points and 6.9 rebounds in limited minutes with Austin. He later continued his development with the Grand Rapids Gold, where he posted 9.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and over a block per game across a full season. His experience competing against high-level professional talent has helped shape him into a reliable interior presence heading into the next stage of his career. Bediako played two seasons with the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he developed into one of the top defensive big men in the Southeastern Conference. As a freshman, he earned SEC All-Freshman Team honours, quickly establishing himself as a defensive force in the paint. In his sophomore season, Bediako was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team, highlighting his impact as one of the conference’s premier rim protectors. Across his collegiate career, he averaged 6.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game while helping Alabama reach the NCAA Tournament in both seasons. A product of IMG Academy and originally from Brampton, Bediako represents the continued rise of Canadian basketball talent on the global stage. His development through elite prep and NCAA programs has positioned him as one of Canada’s top young big men. Bediako’s size, length, and defensive instincts give the Shooting Stars a true presence in the paint. His ability to protect the rim, control the glass, and finish efficiently around the basket makes him a key addition to Scarborough’s roster. With Bediako joining the lineup, the Shooting Stars continue to build a strong, athletic, and defensively versatile team ready to compete for a championship in the 2026 CEBL season.  ###

The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that billionaire entrepreneur, former majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and former co-star of the Emmy award winning TV show Shark Tank, Mark Cuban has joined the Honey Badgers ownership group. Cuban’s career has spanned a wide range of business ventures, with the Brampton Honey Badgers being among the latest. In the sports world, Cuban is most notably known as the former majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, a position he held until he sold his majority stake in 2023, though still holding roughly 27% ownership of the organization. Through long-time relationships with Honey Badgers and Anthem Sports and Entertainment owner Leonard Asper and former Mavericks executive, and current Honey Badgers CEO Al Whitley, Cuban has a strong connection with the team. “I am thrilled that Mark has decided to formally join me on this journey after having already helped along the way, including introducing me to our current CEO Al Whitley,” said Asper. “No one brings more basketball knowledge and winning culture than Mark, and all of us at the Honey Badgers are honoured to have him join this organization.” Cuban played an active role in the Mavericks success over his ownership tenure, contributing to their 2011 NBA championship. He is credited for his willingness to spend to acquire top talent, fostering team chemistry, building a “family-like” atmosphere, and pushing boundaries in an effort to improve the game he loves. “Canadian basketball is probably the most underappreciated in the world,” said Cuban. “The talent here is through the roof and getting better by the day. The CEBL offers all of Canada the chance to see that amazing talent on display in exciting games that are fun and affordable for the entire family. I’m excited to be part of this team, help build the Brampton fanbase, and to bring some of the same fun we had in Dallas to the Toronto area!” Many people will also recognize Mark Cuban from his 13-year career on Shark Tank , where he sat on a panel as one of five investors, listening to small companies’ presentations and pitches asking for investment. More recently, Cuban co-founded Cost Plus Drugs in 2022, a public benefit corporation focused on providing pharmaceutical drugs to the public at a much lower cost. You can read more about Cost Plus Drugs here . “I have had the honour and privilege to know and work with Mark Cuban for the last 25 years and I say without any hesitation, he is one-of-one,” said Whitley. “This is a historic and landmark day for our franchise. Mark’s business acumen, championship pedigree, and philanthropic endeavors make this relationship one that the Brampton Honey Badgers wholeheartedly cherish and are grateful for. We roll out the red carpet and welcome Mark into our ownership group with open arms!” The Brampton Honey Badgers will begin their season with two home games on Friday, May 15 and Sunday, May 17 versus the Ottawa BlackJacks and Calgary Surge, respectively. Click here to get your Honey Badgers tickets today, starting at only $20 per game. ### 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 .

Rain is beginning to give way to sunshine, pollen counts are rising and Target Score Time is around the corner. Indeed, spring has sprung and a new CEBL season — the eighth in history — is set to begin Saturday, May 9, back where it all began in the league’s inaugural season on CBC TV and CBC Gem. Some things have changed. For example, Championship Weekend is no more, replaced instead by playoff tilts set at the higher seed’s venue and a three-game CEBL Finals. And so this CEBL title will be the hardest-earned yet as the Niagara River Lions go for a three-peat while the other nine franchises look to dethrone Khalil Ahmad and company. Here’s a capsule look at each team ahead of tip-off: EASTERN CONFERENCE Niagara River Lions Head coach: Kimbal Mackenzie; Last season: 14-10, won CEBL championship It’s same, same but different in St. Catharines, Ont., where two-time Finals MVP Ahmad returns looking to help the River Lions become the first team to win three straight championships. Other parts of that title DNA also remain intact, including dependable big man Elijah Lufile and forward Nathan Cayo. However, there is one massive change in Niagara this season: champion coach Victor Raso has moved into an advisory role with the club, while longtime point guard and captain Mackenzie has taken over the sidelines as head coach. The pieces are in place for a smooth transition — but how it all fits together is the big question. Ottawa BlackJacks Head coach: Justin Mazzulla; Last season: 12-12, eliminated in Eastern Conference Semifinal Speaking of championship DNA, the BlackJacks brought in Justin Mazzulla — whose brother Joe led the Boston Celtics to an NBA title just two years ago — as head coach, looking to impart some of that intensity his family is known for. Familiar faces like Canadians Justin Jackson and Tyrrel Tate will suit up for Mazzulla while G Leaguers Matthew Cleveland and Drew Cisse — the latter of whom played under Mazzulla with the Delaware Blue Coats —aim to provide a fresh spark as Ottawa seeks its first-ever Finals appearance. Scarborough Shooting Stars Last season: 11-13, eliminated in Eastern Conference Final The Shooting Stars will look to follow up their run to the Eastern Conference Final last season with a more consistent effort this time around. Champions in 2023, Scarborough hasn’t quite rediscovered that mojo since as it’s cycled through coaches and players alike. But with Tyrell Vernon, a former Shooting Stars assistant, returning as head coach and Canadian NCAAer Kellen Tynes coming aboard for his first run at the CEBL, things seem headed in a positive direction. Montreal Alliance Head coach: Jermaine Small; Last season: 9-15, eliminated in Eastern Conference Play-In The Alliance underwent a full revamp last season, headlined by the addition of the two-time champion coach Small. It all seemed to be working smoothly as Montreal won its first four games in blowout fashion; however, the Quebec squad managed just five wins the rest of the way. Small is back for another go this season alongside star player and Montreal native Quincy Guerrier, who averaged 16.2 points and 7.3 rebounds across 21 games last season. The 26-year-old is also coming off his second season with Raptors 905, where he scored 9.9 points per game while earning consistent minutes off the bench. Brampton Honey Badgers Head coach: Alex Cerda; Last season: 5-19, missed playoffs These aren’t your same old Honey Badgers who won just 11 games in the past two seasons. No, Brampton will look completely different this season, starting with the fierce backcourt duo of Sean East II and Jameer Nelson Jr., who spent last season as rivals in the Battle of Alberta with the Stingers and Surge, respectively. East II was MVP runner-up and a first-team All-CEBLer in 2025, scoring 22.8 points per game as a league rookie while knocking down 41.9 per cent of his three-point attempts. Nelson Jr. won defensive player of the year honours, snagging three steals per game to go with 19.4 points. Add another former Stinger in Keon Ambrose-Hylton, veterans like Prince Oduro and Danilo Djuricic and rookie Canadian Matthew Moncrieffe and this Brampton team appears like a force to be reckoned with. WESTERN CONFERENCE Vancouver Bandits Head coach: Kyle Julius; Last season: 19-5, eliminated in Western Conference Semifinal You know the Bandits are going to come out with a vengeance this season after their shocking playoff elimination at the hand of the Surge last season. And while MVP Mitch Creek’s return is in question, the roster still looks strong. Returning is the guard-forward combo of Shamar Givance and reigning Canadian player of the year Tyrese Samuel, who will provide stability and upside for Kyle Julius’s troops. Some extra experience will come in the form of Tevian Jones, a 17.8-point-per-game scorer over 33 career CEBL contests. Vancouver will also have first-year player Mychal Mulder, a Windsor, Ont., sharpshooter with 84 games of NBA experience. Despite constantly being in contention, Vancouver is still seeking its first-ever title. Calgary Surge Head coach: Perry Huang; Last season: 17-7, lost in CEBL Championship Final Feeling the momentum from its run to the Championship Final last season, Calgary brought back Surge staple Rugzy Miller-Moore and shifty guard Evan Gilyard II to cement its backcourt for rookie head coach Perry Huang, who won two WNBA titles while coaching the likes of Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart a Seattle Storm assistant. Canadian centre Javonte Brown is also back for a second stint with the Surge while Calgarians Brandon Muntu and Caelum Swanton-Rodger, a seven-footer, will get their first shots with the local club. Like Vancouver, Calgary has twice lost in the CEBL Championship Final and is still looking for its first championship. Edmonton Stingers Head coach: Jordan Baker; Last season: 15-9, eliminated in Western Conference Play-In The Stingers had a tough draw last season, having to go through the play-in despite owning the league’s third-best record. But with the new playoff format, that won’t be a problem. And even having lost East II and Ambrose-Hylton to Brampton, the Stingers will enjoy some continuity with the likes of veterans Nick Hornsby and Mason Bourcier back in the fold. Head coach and president Jordan Baker was a key part of the Stingers’ back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021 — now, he’s hoping to lead his hometown team back to the promised land. Winnipeg Sea Bears Head coach: Mike Raimbault; Last season: 11-13, eliminated in Western Conference Final The Sea Bears answered fans’ call for change after a disappointing season as Championship Weekend hosts, tapping the University of Winnipeg’s Raimbault to lead their charges. Raimbault will have some talent to work with, too, in the form of former MVPs Xavier Moon and Teddy Allen, who are both making their CEBL returns. Moon, considered by some the greatest player in league history, last played in 2021, the last of his three consecutive MVP seasons with the Stingers before joining the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers. He’s averaged 20.9 points per game in his career, but he’ll have to share the ball with Allen, the 2023 MVP who’s back with Winnipeg after a year away. At 25 points per game, Allen sits third in CEBL history and first among those with more than 32 games played. Saskatoon Mamba Head coach: Isaiah Fox; Last season: 7-17, missed playoffs The first-ever CEBL champions have yet to bring home another title — and so they’re shaking things up, with the Rattlers nickname now a thing of the past, making way for the Saskatoon Mamba. Leading the first edition of the Mamba are returnees Jaden Bediako and Devonte Bandoo alongside first-year Canadian guard Jamal Fuller, who put up 16.1 points per game for Long Island University last season. The refreshed Mamba will face a difficult slate through the Western Conference, including two tough games right out of the gates against Vancouver and Winnipeg. ###