Sea Bears Re-Sign Hometown Forward Akot

February 19, 2025

Winnipeg-born Akot returns to club as first signing for the Sea Bears

The Winnipeg Sea Bears have re-signed forward Emmanuel Akot for the 2025 season, bringing back a key contributor from last year’s squad as a protected player.

The Winnipeg-born Akot made an immediate impact in the 2024 season, averaging 11.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 12 games. He proved to be an efficient and versatile offensive threat, shooting 62.9 per cent from the field and 42.1 per cent from three-point range. He also delivered in clutch moments, securing two Target Score game-winners during the season.

Following his time with the Sea Bears, Akot signed with KK Wloclawek in Poland’s top league. However, his season was cut short due to a foot injury, which required him to return to Winnipeg for surgery and rehabilitation. Since then, he has spent the offseason training with the Sea Bears’ athletic therapy staff, focusing on recovery and preparation for the upcoming season.

"We’re thrilled to have Emmanuel back with the Sea Bears," said Head Coach and General Manager, Mike Taylor "He’s a talented and dynamic player who made a real impact last season. His commitment to rehab and training has been impressive, and we’re excited to see him take another step forward in 2025."

Akot, a former standout at Western Kentucky, Boise State and Arizona, brings high-level experience and versatility to the roster. With professional experience in Canada, Poland and the Netherlands, he adds a valuable veteran presence as the Sea Bears prepare for another competitive season.

"I’m excited to be back with the Sea Bears and to play in front of my hometown fans again," said Akot. "Last season was an incredible experience, and I’m grateful for the support I received from the organization throughout my rehab. I can’t wait to get back on the court and help this team compete for a championship."

With Akot’s return, the Sea Bears continue to build a strong and competitive roster heading into 2025. The team looks forward to welcoming him back to the floor and seeing him make an impact once again.

Winnipeg is set to host Championship Weekend from August 21 to 24, bringing the league’s top teams to town for Canada’s biggest basketball celebration. Tournament packs will be available soon.

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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 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 12 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 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 with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN, TSN+, RDS, Game+, Next Level Sports & Entertainment and Courtside1891. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

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The Vancouver Bandits, BC’s professional basketball team in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), are committed to making a positive impact through basketball and growing the game across British Columbia, and this dedication was highlighted this past week in Kelowna and the Okanagan area. Coming off the recent announcement of Kelowna HOOPFEST, a brand-new basketball festival featuring a CEBL neutral-site home game in partnership with the City of Kelowna, Bandits head coach Kyle Julius spent time at five Okanagan-area secondary schools and both of Kelowna’s post-secondary men’s basketball teams, as part of the Vancouver Bandits third-annual Bandits School Tour. Julius and Bandits staff visited Mount Boucherie Secondary School, Immaculata Regional High School, Okanagan Mission Secondary, Rutland Secondary School and Kelowna Secondary, as well as the men’s basketball teams at UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College, providing dedicated and tailored practices along with motivational talks and training materials. Launched in 2023, the Bandits School Tour is supported by the Bandits Community Foundation, Preston Chevrolet and Envision Financial and offers a unique opportunity for student-athletes and volunteer coaches to learn directly from BC’s only professional basketball coach. “What stood out most during our visit was the impact basketball can have when it is rooted in mentorship and connection; it is clear how vibrant the basketball and business ecosystem is in the Okanagan,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “We are thankful to the Okanagan and Kelowna communities for welcoming us so openly, and this is only the beginning. We are committed to being present and intentional in the lead-up to Kelowna HOOPFEST from June 5th to 7th.” In addition to the Bandits School Tour, Julius and members of Bandits staff had the opportunity to connect with various Okanagan business, media and community leaders, including attending the 51st annual Western Canada Tournament at Kelowna Secondary and a Kelowna Rockets hockey game. ###