River Lions Sign Canadian Point Guard Kimbal Mackenzie
July 4, 2023
St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of 6’1 point guard, Kimbal Mackenzie presented by YOUR Legal Services. The 26-year-old from Oakville, Ontario will join the team ahead of tomorrow’s game versus the Brampton Honey Badgers. Mackenzie most recently played for the Leicester Riders of the British BBL where he averaged 12.7 points and 3.6 assists in 22.9 minutes per game.
“Kimbal is a leader, great teammate and a very good basketball player,” said Head Coach and General Manager, Victor Raso. “I’m excited for him to join this group for the second half of the season.”
A familiar name to the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), Mackenzie played three seasons for the Guelph Nighthawks where he averaged 13.2 points and 3.2 assists from 2019-2021.
After his final summer with the Nighthawks, Mackenzie found a home with the Leicester Riders and has proven to be a fan favourite as he earned the Supporters Club Player of the Year this past season. Mackenzie was also named on the Molten BBL British Team of the Year alongside Riders teammate and now River Lions teammate, Patrick Whelan. Mackenzie recorded several team-leading performances during the 2022-23 season including a 31-point game where he went 11-15 from the field and 7-7 from the free throw line. Mackenzie will return to England after the 2023 CEBL campaign for his third year with the Riders.
Prior to his professional career, Mackenzie spent four seasons at Bucknell University where he proved to be an outstanding playmaker and leader. Over the course of his collegiate career, Mackenzie started in 89 of 122 games and averaged 10.9 points, 2.4 assists and 2 rebounds through four seasons. With 1330 career points, Mackenzie ranked 18th in Bisons history as well as 4th in all-time made three pointers (211) and 2nd in career free throw percentage (85.4%).
“I’m very excited to be joining the River Lions organization,” said Mackenzie. “Vic has created an awesome culture of winning here and I’m looking forward to playing with a great group of guys in front of an great fan base.”
Mackenzie’s signing comes as Aiden Warnholtz temporarily leaves the River Lions to play with the U23 Men’s National Team in preparation for GLOBL JAM, a world-class international basketball showcase taking place in Toronto from July 12-16.
The Niagara River Lions are one of the original six teams of the CEBL. Playing out of Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, the River Lions represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region while living up to the River Lions moniker of pride and strength of community. The River Lions are currently 6-6 on the season with just four more regular season home games through the month of July. Visit www.riverlions.ca/tickets for more information.
L’ailier canadien revient dans la capitale nationale pour sa cinquième saison dans la LECB.
The Canadian forward returns for his fifth CEBL season.
L'Alliance de Montréal vient de réaliser une signature majeure pour la franchise, annonçant aujourd’hui que le meneur dynamique Keeshawn Barthelemy, natif de Montréal, rejoindra l'équipe pour la saison 2026 de la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB). Fort d’une expérience NCAA, internationale et professionnelle, Barthelemy revient dans sa ville natale pour entamer un nouveau chapitre de sa carrière. « Keeshawn est un joueur de grande qualité humaine, qui apporte calme, compétitivité et une excellente lecture du jeu », a déclaré Joel Anthony, directeur général et copropriétaire de l’Alliance. « Il a évolué à un très haut niveau, il a continué de progresser comme professionnel, et le fait d’accueillir un joueur montréalais de retour à la maison avec cette expérience est très significatif pour notre organisation. Nous croyons qu’il correspond parfaitement à ce que nous construisons. » Le meneur de 6 pi 1 po et 180 livres arrive à Montréal après un passage remarqué avec Proteas EKA AEL, dans la Division A chypriote, lors de la saison 2025-2026. En 10 matchs professionnels, Barthelemy a maintenu des moyennes de 13,8 points, 3,0 passes décisives, 2,8 rebonds et 1,1 interception par rencontre, se classant au troisième rang de son équipe pour les points marqués, tout en assumant un rôle clé comme meneur de jeu et en offrant une contribution constante des deux côtés du terrain. Son impact s’est fait sentir tout au long de la saison, notamment grâce à plusieurs performances à deux chiffres, dont une sortie de 27 points contre Morphou. Âgé de 25 ans, Barthelemy a connu un parcours universitaire remarquable dans la NCAA, amorçant sa carrière à l’Université du Colorado avant de la conclure à l’Université de l’Oregon. En cinq saisons, il a disputé 140 matchs, obtenant plusieurs départs et s’imposant comme un marqueur fiable et un meneur capable d'orchestrer l'attaque. Lors de sa dernière saison universitaire à Oregon (2024-2025), Barthelemy a inscrit 10,0 points par match, tout en maintenant un taux de réussite de 41,4 % derrière l’arc. Son efficacité offensive et aux lancers francs le classaient parmi les meilleurs de sa conférence. Barthelemy apporte également une précieuse expérience internationale, ayant représenté Équipe Canada sur plusieurs scènes, notamment lors de la Coupe du monde FIBA U17 en 2018 ainsi qu’au tournoi Global Jam en 2022. « Revenir à Montréal pour jouer au niveau professionnel, c’est quelque chose dont j’ai toujours rêvé », a confié Barthelemy. « C’est ici que tout a commencé pour moi, et pouvoir porter le chandail de l’Alliance devant ma famille, mes amis et les partisans, c’est vraiment spécial. J’ai très hâte à la nouvelle saison, à ce que l’équipe est en train de bâtir, et je suis prêt à me mettre au travail. » Cette signature représente un moment marquant pour l’Alliance, qui ramène à la maison un joueur montréalais dont le parcours l’a mené des gymnases locaux à la NCAA, puis au basketball professionnel à l’étranger. Tout au long de sa carrière, Barthelemy est demeuré profondément lié à la ville qui l’a formé, représentant fièrement le Québec et le Canada sur les scènes nationale et internationale. Son retour renforce l’engagement de l’Alliance à bâtir une équipe qui reflète à la fois le talent et l’identité de Montréal, alors que l’organisation poursuit sa progression en vue de la saison 2026. La prochaine saison comptera 12 matchs à domicile pour l’Alliance à l'Auditorium de Verdun, en plus d’un nouveau format de séries éliminatoires à l’échelle de la ligue, qui culminera avec une finale de la LECB deux de trois. L’Alliance disputera son match d’ouverture à domicile le 15 mai, face aux Shooting Stars de Scarborough. Pour plus d’information sur les forfaits de billets disponibles, visitez BASKETMTL.ca. ###
The Montréal Alliance has made a key signing for the franchise, announcing today that dynamic guard Keeshawn Barthelemy, a Montréal native with NCAA, international, and professional experience, has signed with the team for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. “Keeshawn is a high-character player who brings poise, competitiveness, and a strong feel for the game,” said Joel Anthony, General Manager and co-owner of the Alliance. “He’s played at a high level, he’s continued to grow as a professional, and having a Montreal-born player return home with that experience means a lot to this organization. We believe he’ll be a great fit for what we’re building.” The 6'1", 180-pound guard brings professional experience after most recently competing with Proteas EKA AEL in the Cyprus Division A, where he made an immediate impact during the 2025–26 season. In 10 professional games, he averaged 13.8 points, 3.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game, ranking third on the team in scoring while serving as a primary ball handler and reliable two-way contributor. His impact was evident throughout the season, scoring in double figures on multiple occasions, highlighted by a 27-point performance against Morphou. The 25-year-old guard built an impressive collegiate career in the NCAA, beginning at the University of Colorado before finishing at the University of Oregon. Across five seasons, he appeared in 140 games, earning multiple starting roles and developing into a consistent perimeter scorer and playmaker. In his final collegiate season at Oregon (2024–25), Barthelemy averaged 10.0 points per game while shooting 41.4% from three-point range, ranking among the conference leaders in efficiency and free throw percentage. Barthelemy also brings valuable international experience, having represented Team Canada on multiple occasions, including at the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup and the 2022 Global Jam Tournament. “Coming back to Montreal to play professionally is something I’ve dreamed about,” said Barthelemy. “This city is where everything started for me, and to put on an Alliance jersey in front of my family, friends, and the fans is really special. I’m excited for the new season, excited for what this team is building, and ready to get to work.” This signing marks a significant milestone for the Alliance, bringing home a Montréal native whose journey has taken him from local gyms to the NCAA and the professional ranks overseas. Throughout his career, Barthelemy has remained connected to the city that shaped him, proudly representing Québec and Canada on the national and international stage. His return reinforces the Alliance's commitment to building a team that reflects both the talent and the identity of Montréal as the organization builds toward the 2026 season. The upcoming season will include 12 home contests for the Alliance at the Verdun Auditorium and a new league-wide playoff format that culminates in a best-of-three CEBL Final. The Alliance will play its home opener on May 15 against the Scarborough Shooting Stars. For more information on available ticket packages, visit BASKETMTL.ca. ###
Prince Oduro returns for his fifth season as the Honey Badgers’ all-time leader in games, rebounds and blocks.
Longtime head coach Victor Raso moves into an advisory position as Kimbal Mackenzie is named Head Coach and General Manager.
Reigning Canadian Player of the Year returns after a record-setting debut season in Vancouver.
The Winnipeg Sea Bears are pleased to announce that they have agreed to terms with guard Isiah Osborne for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Osborne, a 6’5” guard from Windsor, Ontario, brings a wealth of professional experience to Winnipeg. Across 49 career CEBL games, Osborne has averaged 25.1 minutes, 10.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, between the Edmonton Stingers, Montréal Alliance, and Ottawa BlackJacks. “Isiah’s background as a dynamic offensive player and his athletic capabilities made him an ideal fit for our system,” said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. “He brings positional size and versatility at both ends of the floor and has the ability to impact winning in a variety of ways.” “I’ve hit big shots in this league, but nothing comes without hard work and teammates who make winning possible,” said Osborne. “That’s why I’m excited to come to Winnipeg. I’m grateful for the opportunity and I’m coming in ready to grind.” Osborne is currently competing with Energa Kotwica Kołobrzeg in Poland. Prior to turning professional, Osborne appeared in 23 NCAA games with the University of Texas at El Paso. He then spent two seasons at Carleton University (2018–2020), where he played 43 U SPORTS games and helped lead the Ravens to back-to-back U SPORTS national championships. Osborne earned All-Star honours in both seasons and was named U SPORTS Championship MVP in 2020. Osborne has played professionally in Canada with the Stingers, Surge, and Alliance, as well as internationally in Finland (Kouvot), Greece (Maroussi), Latvia (Rīgas Zeļļi), Lithuania (Prienų and Gargždų), and Romania with CSM Corona Brașov of the Rome DivA league. Season tickets for the 2026 Winnipeg Sea Bears season are on sale now and can be purchased online at https://www.seabears.ca/season-tickets-2026 ### 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 24-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.
Welcome to the Canadian Elite Basketball League, Shannon Davidson. Davidson brings decades of leadership and strategic integration across the sport and corporate worlds. Her wide-ranging experience strengthens our ability to execute, scale, and lead with purpose.
The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club has notified Head Coach Eric Magdanz that his contract will not be renewed following the conclusion of the 2025 season. Associate Head Coach Steve Burrows will also not be returning due to family reasons. Burrows spent two years with the franchise and Magdanz four – three as Lead Assistant Coach and in 2025 he was promoted to Head Coach. The team finished with a 7-17 record and did not qualify for the playoffs for the third straight season. The organization is grateful for the contributions of both Eric and Steve and their families. Their passion for player development and growing the game of basketball throughout Saskatchewan has our deepest admiration. The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club has already begun recruitment for a new Head Coach. A new era of basketball in Saskatoon will be unveiled on February 4th, 2026. ### About the Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club (previously Saskatchewan Rattlers) tipped off their inaugural season at SaskTel Centre in May 2019 and went on to win the inaugural Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) championship. The team are active members of the community, participating in countless events that connect the team with diverse communities through sport, entertainment, and arts and culture. The team has restored over 100 basketball nets across the city to make basketball more accessible to youth. For more information, visit www.therattlers.ca .