Pure Vita Labs Becomes An Official Partner Of Canada's Pro Basketball League

The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that the club has signed former NBA draft selection and decorated overseas champion Stephen Zimmerman for the remainder of the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. A 7-foot centre hailing from Las Vegas, Nev., Zimmerman was selected 41st overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2016 NBA Draft and appeared in 19 games as a rookie. With the signing, Zimmerman becomes the first-ever NBA draft selection to sign with the Bandits. “Zimmerman brings additional size to our team and experience from the highest levels of the game around the world,” said Bandits general manager Kyle Julius. “His signing is part of our strategic plan to ensure we have a strong roster to compete in the CEBL playoffs.” A veteran of 10 professional seasons, Zimmerman most recently played for Gigantes de San Francisco in the Dominican Republic during the 2025-26 season where he helped lead the club to a Dominican LNB championship. He also earned championships in the Czech Republic, guiding ERA Nymburk to both a Czech Cup and Czech NBL title in 2021. His journeyman career overseas includes previous stops in Germany, Poland, Australia, Japan, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Malaysia and China. In addition, Zimmerman played parts of four NBA G League seasons with the Orlando Magic’s affiliate (Erie Bayhawks, now Osceola Magic) in 2016-17, the Los Angeles Lakers’ affiliate (South Bay Lakers) in 2017-18, the New York Knicks’ affiliate (Westchester Knicks) in 2018-19, and San Antonio Spurs’ affiliate (Austin Spurs) in 2022-23. Internationally, Zimmerman represents the United States. He competed for his country at the senior level at the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup and 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, and won a gold medal at the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship in 2014. Before playing professionally, Zimmerman played one season of NCAA DI basketball for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). As a freshman, he started 24 of 26 games played and averaged 26.2 minutes, 10.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocked shots per game while shooting .477 per cent from the field.

Trois équipes ont obtenu leur laissez-passer, mais bonne chance pour deviner le reste. La course aux séries éliminatoires de la LECB est plus effrénée que jamais cette saison, avec six équipes qui comptent huit ou neuf victoires, dont quatre dans l’Est (!) et une équipe de dernière place qui multiplie les efforts en fin de saison pour rendre les choses encore plus intéressantes dans l’Ouest. Pendant ce temps, les Sea Bears de Winnipeg et les Bandits de Vancouver se disputent la première place, tandis que les Shooting Stars de Scarborough peuvent s’asseoir et regarder tout cela se dérouler depuis leur perchoir au sommet de l’Est. Analysons le tout… Conférence de l’Est Les Shooting Stars ont assuré la première place dans l’Est malgré une semaine de 1-1 qui comprenait une victoire contre les Stingers d’Edmonton et une défaite contre les BlackJacks d’Ottawa. Maintenant, l’objectif au cours de leurs cinq derniers matchs sera de rester prêts pour le début des séries éliminatoires, où tout se jouera soudainement sur un seul match. Qu’en est-il du reste de l’Est? Un mot juste pour décrire la course aux séries éliminatoires serait le chaos. Les Honey Badgers de Brampton occupent la deuxième place avec une fiche de 9-10, mais ils viennent de perdre deux matchs consécutifs contre les River Lions de Niagara (9-11), qui ont descendu en quatrième place après une défaite contre les Stingers. Entre les deux, les BlackJacks (9-10) sont troisièmes après cette victoire contre les Shooting Stars. L’Alliance de Montréal (8-12), qui connaît une série de trois défaites, ferme la marche. Comme on peut l’imaginer, toutefois, tout cela pourrait être très différent dans une semaine. Ottawa est l’équipe à surveiller, avec des matchs à l’extérieur cette semaine, vendredi à Montréal et dimanche à Niagara, qui pourraient leur permettre de se détacher du peloton ou de perdre un terrain précieux. Les BlackJacks auront aussi une autre chance d’affronter les Shooting Stars, qui terminent leur saison, mercredi, tandis que Scarborough accueillera Niagara et Montréal plus tard dans la semaine avec la possibilité d’avoir son mot à dire sur ses adversaires potentiels en séries. La saison dernière, les River Lions, dans la même position que les Shooting Stars, ont perdu cinq matchs de suite pour terminer la saison, mais se sont ralliés pour remporter le championnat. La façon dont cela affectera la stratégie de fin de saison de Scarborough sera captivante, en particulier avec le retour du marqueur étoile Terquavion Smith, qui a re-signé avec l'équipe jeudi. Conférence de l’Ouest Il y a moins de désordre dans l’Ouest, mais trois paliers distincts se démarquent tout de même. Au sommet, les Sea Bears (13-7) et les Bandits (12-7) se disputent la première place, ce qui pourrait constituer un avantage clé s'ils devaient s'affronter lors de la finale de conférence. Ils se rencontreront jeudi au Canada Life Centre de Winnipeg, alors que Teddy Allen des Sea Bears est en pleine forme après sa soirée record de 54 points lors d'une victoire contre l'Alliance dimanche, au cours de laquelle il a également établi le record de points en une seule saison. Ce match a également marqué les débuts à Winnipeg de Xavier Moon, triple joueur le plus utile, qui a inscrit 17 points et distribué 14 passes décisives aux côtés de sa nouvelle covedette. Si cela est révélateur, les Sea Bears pourraient être les favoris pour le titre, mais les Bandits et la vedette canadienne, Tyrese Samuel, auront certainement leur mot à dire. Ensuite, il y a une bataille pour la troisième place dans l'Ouest, le Mamba de Saskatoon (8-10) et les Stingers (8-11) luttant pour suivre le rythme dans la course aux séries éliminatoires, tandis que le Surge de Calgary (5-14), dernier au classement, effectue une remontée en fin de saison, ayant remporté quatre de leurs cinq derniers matchs. Le Mamba et les Stingers s'affronteront mardi et le vainqueur aura le plein contrôle de son destin. C'est une semaine particulièrement importante pour Edmonton, qui disputera une série aller-retour contre son rival albertain, Calgary, vendredi et dimanche. S'ils remportent les deux matchs, les Stingers assureront leur place en séries éliminatoires. S'ils perdent les deux, la dernière semaine de la saison deviendra beaucoup plus intéressante. En effet, c'est ce moment de l'année où chaque panier, chaque arrêt, chaque temps mort semble beaucoup plus crucial. Les séries éliminatoires approchent à grands pas. Horaire hebdomadaire (13 matchs) Match #97 – Le mardi 21 juillet – EDM à SSK – 19 h 30 (HNC)/(HR) / 21 h 30 (HE) – Merlis Belsher Place (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #98 – Le mardi 21 juillet – VAN à CGY – 19 h 30 (HR) / 18 h 30 (HP) / 21 h 30 (HE) – WinSport Event Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #99 – Le mercredi 22 juillet – SSS à OTT – 19 h 30 (HE) – l’aréna à la Place TD (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #100 – Le jeudi 23 juillet – VAN à WPG – 19 h (HAC) / 17 h (HP) / 20 h (HE) – Canada Life Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #101 – Le jeudi 23 juillet – BHB à SSK – 19 h 30 (HNC) / 21 h 30 (HE) – Merlis Belsher Place (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #102 – Le vendredi 24 juillet – NRL à SSS – 19 h 30 (HE) – Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #103 – Le vendredi 24 juillet – OTT à MTL – 19 h 30 (HE) – l'Auditorium de Verdun (CBC Gem, YouTube, RDS, CEBL+) Match #104 – Le vendredi 24 juillet – EDM à CGY – 19 h 30 (HR) / 21 h 30 (HE) – WinSport Event Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #105 – Le samedi 25 juillet – BHB à WPG – 14 h 30 (HAC) / 15 h 30 HE – Canada Life Centre (CBC, CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #106 – Le samedi 25 juillet – SSK à VAN – 18 h (HP) / 19 h (HNC) / 21 h (HE) – Envision Financial Court au Langley Events Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #107 – Le dimanche 26 juillet – OTT à NRL – 15 h (HE) – Meridian Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #108 – Le dimanche 26 juillet – MTL à SSS – 16 h (HE) – Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #109 – Le dimanche 26 juillet – CGY à EDM – 16 h (HR) / 18 h (HE) – Edmonton EXPO Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Pour le calendrier complet de la LECB 2026, veuillez consulter cebl.ca/games .

The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that they have signed two-year NBA G League-experienced big man Jordan Minor for the remainder of the CEBL season. After a short six-game stint in ProB France, Minor has spent the last two seasons in the G League with the Mexico City Capitanes, Birmingham Squadron (New Orleans Pelicans affiliate), Memphis Hustle (Memphis Grizzlies affiliate), and Long Island Nets (Brooklyn Nets affiliate). He most recently averaged 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 15.3 minutes in 20 games with the Capitanes to close out the G League campaign. Through 77 games, Minor posted five double-doubles and has grabbed more offensive rebounds than defensive throughout his G League tenure (151:130), as he has consistently used his 239-pound physique to outmuscle opponents near the basket. The Kingston, Massachusetts native will look to bolster the skill that the Honey Badgers already possess to crash the glass effectively, as Brampton currently leads the CEBL in offensive rebounds with 230. “Jordan is a physical player with a high motor,” said Honey Badgers General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Jermaine Anderson. “His physical tenacity and willingness to defend will provide a much needed boost. We’re looking forward to welcoming Jordan to the team for our playoff push.” Minor spent his senior season of college at the University of Virginia, where he teamed up with current Phoenix Sun Ryan Dunn and reached the ACC Tournament semifinals with a 23-11 record. He was able to tally 135 points over 31 games with the Cavaliers, which then allowed him to make the jump to the pros. Before joining Virginia, Minor was one of the standouts of the Merrimack College program, spending four years competing in the Northeast Conference. He broke out in the 2022-23 campaign where he led the Warriors to their first ever NEC championship by averaging 17.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 2.3 assists, and 1.4 steals. Leading the NEC in rebounds per game, blocks (59), blocks per game, and offensive rebounds (82), while ranking second in points per game and field goal percentage (.519), Minor was awarded the Conference Co-Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, and was nominated to the All-NEC First Team. “Jordan is a proven competitor who impacts the game in ways that don't always show up in the box score,” said Honey Badgers Head Coach Alex Cerda. “Rebounding, defending multiple positions, protecting the rim, and doing the little things that help teams win.” The Brampton Honey Badgers will begin their final road trip of the season tonight, July 23, at the Merlis Belsher Place against the Saskatoon Mamba and then take on the Winnipeg Sea Bears on Saturday, July 25. Stream all the action live on CBC Sports, CBC Gem, CBC Sports YouTube, and CEBL+. ### 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 Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that they have signed former Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans signee and three-year CEBL-experienced guard Tevian Jones for the remainder of the 2026 season. Through 12 games so far this season, 10 with Saskatoon and two with Vancouver, Jones is averaging 19.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 steals. He recently went off for a career-high 36 points on 11-for-17 shooting June 28 versus the Edmonton Stingers while playing for the Mamba. Prior to this CEBL season, Jones spent the 2025-26 season with the South Bay Lakers - his third season in the NBA G League after signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers in September, 2025. Here he posted 10.9 points across 38 games while playing under current Honey Badgers Head Coach Alex Cerda. “I'm excited to welcome Tevian to the Honey Badgers,” said Cerda. “I had the opportunity to coach him this past season with the South Bay Lakers, so I've seen firsthand the competitor, worker, and teammate that he is every day. He brings toughness, athleticism, and the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Just as importantly, he has a great approach to the game and will fit the culture we're building here in Brampton. We're looking forward to seeing him make an immediate impact for our organization.” In 2025, Jones played 22 games between the Saskatchewan Rattlers and Winnipeg Sea Bears, posting 18.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 steals. He also played 11 games with the Scarborough Shooting Stars in 2024, averaging 16.9 points and 5.5 rebounds. He currently ranks 21st in CEBL history in points scored at 820. “We are looking forward to welcoming Tevian to the Honey Badgers organization,” said Honey Badgers General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Jermaine Anderson. “His CEBL experience will be a welcome addition to our roster as we continue to fight for playoff positioning.” After finishing his collegiate career ranked fifth on Southern Utah University’s all-time scoring list, he joined the New Orleans Pelicans for his first stint at NBA Summer League, and later signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the club to begin his professional career. The Brampton Honey Badgers are down to five more regular season games in one of the tightest playoff races the CEBL has seen with four Eastern Conference teams within 1.5 games of each other. Only three can make it. Get your Honey Badgers tickets here with their last two home appearances taking place on July 30 and August 1. ### 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 .

Un partenariat axé sur la communauté célèbre le basketball, un mode de vie sain et un lien local à travers l'Ouest canadien

Community-focused partnership celebrates basketball, healthy living and local connection across Western Canada.

Three teams have punched their ticket, but good luck figuring out the rest. The CEBL post-season race is as wild as ever this season, with six teams sitting on eight or nine wins, including four in the East (!), and a last-place team cobbling together a late-season surge to make things even more interesting out West. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Sea Bears and Vancouver Bandits are duking it out for top spot, while the Scarborough Shooting stars can sit back and watch the whole thing unfold from their perch atop the East. Let’s break it all down… Eastern Conference The Shooting Stars sewed up the top seed in the East despite a 1-1 week that included a win over the Edmonton Stingers and a loss to the Ottawa BlackJacks. Now, the goal over their final five games will be to stay sharp for when the post-season begins and it’s suddenly do or die. As for the rest of the East? An apt word to describe the playoff race would be chaos. The Brampton Honey Badgers sit second at 9-10, but just lost two straight to the Niagara River Lions (9-11), who fell back to fourth after a loss to the Stingers. In between, the BlackJacks (9-10) are third after that win over the Shooting Stars. The Montreal Alliance (8-12), riding a three-game losing streak, bring up the rear. As one would imagine, however, this could all look very different in a week’s time. Ottawa is the team to watch, with road games in Montreal Friday and Niagara Sunday that could see it separate from the pack or lose valuable ground. The BlackJacks will also get another shot at the playing-out-the-string Shooting stars on Wednesday, while Scarborough will host Niagara and Montreal later in the week with the chance to have a say in its potential playoff opponents. Last season, the River Lions, in the same spot as the Shooting Stars, lost five straight to end the season, but rallied to win the championship. How that informs Scarborough’s season-end strategy should be fascinating, especially as it reintegrates star scorer Terquavion Smith, who re-signed with the club on Thursday. Western Conference There’s less mess in the West, but three clear tiers still stand out. At the top, the Sea Bears (13-7) and Bandits (12-7) are dueling for first place, which could be a key advantage if they wind up against each other in the conference final. They’ll meet Thursday at Winnipeg’s Canada Life Centre with the Sea Bears’ Teddy Allen scorching hot off his record 54-point night in a win over the Alliance on Sunday in which he also set the single-season scoring record. That game also saw Winnipeg debut of three-time Xavier Moon, who registered 17 points and dished 14 assists alongside his newfound co-star. If that’s any indication, the Sea Bears may be title favourites, but the Bandits and Canadian star Tyrese Samuel will certainly have their say. Then, there’s a battle for third place in the West, with the Saskatoon Mamba (8-10) and Stingers (8-11) fighting to keep pace in the playoff race as the last-place Calgary Surge (5-14) author a late-season charge, having won four of their last five. The Mamba and Stingers will meet Tuesday, and the winner will be in full control of their fate. It’s an especially big week for Edmonton, which has a home-and-home with Alberta-rival Calgary on Friday and Sunday. Win both, and the Stingers will secure their post-season spot. Lose both, and the final week of the season gets a whole lot more interesting. Indeed, it’s that time of year, where every basket, every stop, every timeout feels that much more crucial. The post-season is right around the corner. Weekly schedule (13 games) Game #97 – Tuesday, July 21 – EDM at SSK – 7:30 p.m. CST/MT / 9:30 p.m. ET – Merlis Belsher Place (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #98 – Tuesday, July 21 – VAN at CGY – 7:30 p.m. MT / 6:30 p.m. PT / 9:30 p.m. ET – WinSport Event Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #99 – Wednesday, July 22 – SSS at OTT – 7:30 p.m. ET – The Arena at TD Place (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #100 – Thursday, July 23 – VAN at WPG – 7 p.m. CDT / 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET – Canada Life Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #101 – Thursday, July 23 – BHB at SSK – 7:30 p.m. CST / 9:30 p.m. ET – Merlis Belsher Place (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #102 – Friday, July 24 – NRL at SSS – 7:30 p.m. ET – Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #103 – Friday, July 24 – OTT at MTL – 7:30 p.m. ET – Verdun Auditorium (CBC Gem, YouTube, RDS, CEBL+) Game #104 – Friday, July 24 – EDM at CGY – 7:30 p.m. MT / 9:30 p.m. ET – WinSport Event Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #105 – Saturday, July 25 – BHB at WPG – 2:30 p.m. CDT / 3:30 p.m. ET – Canada Life Centre (CBC, CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #106 – Saturday, July 25 – SSK at VAN – 6 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. CST / 9 p.m. ET – Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #107 – Sunday, July 26 – OTT at NRL – 3 p.m. ET – Meridian Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #108 – Sunday, July 26 – MTL at SSS – 4 p.m. ET – Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #109 – Sunday, July 26 – CGY at EDM – 4 p.m. MT / 6 p.m. ET – Edmonton EXPO Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) For the full 2026 CEBL schedule, please visit cebl.ca/games .

The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that they have signed six-year overseas guard Roddy Peters Jr. for the rest of the season. After a three-year timespan with three different schools in the NCAA, Peters Jr. has taken his talents all over the world ranging from the Dominican Republic to Montenegro, with a one-year stint with the Delaware Blue Coats (Philadelphia 76ers affiliate) in the NBA G League in 2022-23. In a pivotal home stretch of the CEBL season, the Honey Badgers add a spark to their guard depth. Peters Jr. is coming off of his best professional season to date in Mexico with the Caballeros de Culiacan, where he led the league in assists per game (8.3), ranked fourth in steals per game (1.9), and fifth in points per game (17.5). “Roddy is an experienced player,” said Honey Badgers General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Jermaine Anderson. “He is a playmaker who has the ability to create opportunities for himself as well. We look forward to welcoming him to the Honey Badgers family.” Peters Jr., 31, has been an exceptional point guard over his time at the pro level, with 998 total assists across 180 games. He has also tallied 2347 career points and has grabbed 281 steals. He rounded out his collegiate tenure with Nicholls State University, where he scored the third-most points in a single season in school history with 629. As Brampton prepares for the final push to a playoff berth, Peters Jr. adds extensive ball-handling skill to this Honey Badgers team that currently ranks ninth in the CEBL in assists (362) and fourth in turnovers (272). “We're excited to add Roddy to our team,” said Honey Badgers Head Coach Alex Cerda. “He's a veteran point guard who brings leadership, poise, and a wealth of professional experience. Roddy has a great feel for the game, makes the right plays, and has the ability to elevate the players around him.” The Brampton Honey Badgers head out West for their final road trip of the season, taking on the Saskatoon Mamba on Thursday, July 23, and the newly-paired dynamic duo of Teddy Allen and Xavier Moon of the Winnipeg Sea Bears on Saturday, July 25. You can tune in live for free online on CBC Sports, CBC Gem, the CBC Sports YouTube page, and CEBL+. ### 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 Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that the club has re-signed homegrown talent James Karnik for the remainder of the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.  A 6-foot-9 forward from Surrey, B.C., Karnik is set to compete in his fourth CEBL campaign. He has appeared in 29 games for the club dating back to the 2022 season, averaging 10.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. During the 2025-26 season, Karnik suited up for three different teams: Neptunas Klaipeda in Lithuania, Basquet Girona in Spain, and IHC Apes in Mongolia, where he helped the latter to a domestic championship. His international career also featured previous playing stints in Switzerland and the Netherlands. Karnik represents the Czech Republic in international FIBA play by way of naturalized citizenship. His most recent call up to the national team was for the 2027 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers, which were held earlier this month. Prior to turning professional, Karnik played five years of NCAA DI basketball between Lehigh University (2017-20) and Boston College (2020-22), while he played high school basketball at Earl Marriott Secondary in Surrey and BC Christian Academy in Port Coquitlam before transferring to Orangeville Prep in Mono, Ont.. ### 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 Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre (LEC), while also being committed to growing the game of basketball by fostering meaningful community connections through youth programming, events, and partnerships.