Brampton to Open Training Camp Thursday at Humber Collage

May 14, 2024

The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday their roster ahead of the first day of training camp on Thursday at Humber College North Campus in Etobicoke.

 

This year’s 15-man training camp roster brings a mix of experienced veterans and players in the early stages of their professional careers. Greek forward Petros Melissaratos leads the Honey Badgers with 12 years of professional basketball experience, while 22-year-old Ayub Nurrussion recently completed his junior season at Ontario Tech University.

 

Familiar faces returning to Brampton this summer include Prince Oduro, Zane Waterman, Shamiel Stevenson, and Callum Baker. The four players combined for 100 games played for the Honey Badgers entering opening night on May 24 at the CAA Centre.

 

“We have an incredibly talented group in Brampton this summer, but more importantly some amazing people and role models in the community,” said Sheldon Cassimy, head coach and assistant general manager for the Brampton Honey Badgers. “I can’t wait to get to work this week and get the season going.”

         

A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Javonte Cooke arrives in Brampton following a second season with the Iowa Wolves, the NBA G League affiliate of the Minnesota Timberwolves. He signed with the Timberwolves on October 20 and was released the following day and assigned to Iowa where he averaged 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 33.1 minutes in 48 games.

 

 In April, the Honey Badgers selected Callum Baker (2nd overall), Cole Syllas (19th overall), and David Walker (22nd overall) in the 2024 CEBL Draft. All three players will look to build off their first professional campaign in the CEBL last summer. Syllas appeared in 10 games with the Ottawa BlackJacks last season, while Walker averaged 10.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in nine contests with the Scarborough Shooting Stars.

NO. NAME POS HT WT DOB PREVIOUS TEAM HOME TOWN NATION COLLEGE
1 LJ Thorpe (I) G 6-5 220 05/13/1999 Siauliali (Lithuania) West Palm Beach, FL USA UNC Asheville '22
6 David Walker G 6-4 210 09/29/1999 Toronto Metropolitan University (U SPORTS) Toronto, ON CAN TMU '24
8 Prince Oduro F 6-8 250 08/27/1998 Korihait (Finland) Toronto, ON CAN Detroit Mercy '22
10 Yaw Obeng-Mensah F 6-7 215 06/15/2000 Niagara University (NCAA) Toronto, ON CAN Niagara '24
11 Callum Baker G 6-2 160 12/08/2000 University of Toronto (U SPORTS) Oakville, ON CAN Toronto '24
13 Lincoln Rosebush F 6-11 230 09/09/1999 Toronto Metropolitan University (U SPORTS) Guelph, ON CAN TMU '24
14 Javonte Cooke (l) G 6-6 190 07/11/1999 Iowa (NBA G League) Columbia, SC CAN Winston-Salem '22
15 Kevin Kangu G 6-4 185 04/27/1998 Sloga KR (Serbia) Burlington, ON CAN Lenoir-Rhyne '22
17 Ayub Nurhussien F 6-10 190 12/14/2002 Ontario Tech University (U SPORTS) Hamilton, ON CAN Ontario Tech '25
20 Cole Syllas (U) G 6-5 210 08/01/2000 Queen's University (U SPORTS) Kingston, ON CAN Queen's '24
21 Jevon Brown G 6-5 200 05/30/1998 Brock University (U SPORTS) Toronto, ON CAN Brock '24
22 Shamiel Stevenson F 6-6 245 04/24/1998 Targu Jiu (Romania) Toronto, ON CAN Nebraska '21
24 Zane Waterman (l) F 6-8 220 10/12/1995 Apollon (Cyprus) Winston-Salem, NC CAN Manhattan '18
32 Akeem Clarke F 6-11 255 11/26/1998 Toronto Metropolitan University (U SPORTS) Toronto, ON CAN TMU '24
34 Petros Melissaratos F 6-9 270 04/10/1993 Milonas (Greece) Athens, Greece GRE N/A

Notable highlights include:

 

  • Comprised of seven guards and eight forwards
  • Features 12 Canadians and three Americans
  •  All of the Canadian players are from Ontario, including six from Toronto
  • Six players with prior CEBL experience
  • Five players looking to make their professional debut this summer; Jevon Brown, Akeem Clarke, Ayub Nurhussien, Yaw Obeng-Mensah, and Lincoln Rosebush
  • Two players with 5+ years of professional experience; Zane Waterman (6) and Petros Melissaratos (12)
  • Two players with NBA G League experience; Javonte Cooke and Kevin Kangu

 

 The Honey Badgers open the 2024 campaign at home against the Niagara River Lions as part of Home Opener Weekend at the CAA Centre. Season tickets, ultimate voucher packages, and single game tickets are available now to witness the best of Canadian professional basketball this summer. For more information contact a Honey Badgers representative at [email protected] or visit www.honeybadgers.ca/tickets.


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.

 

About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (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 71 percent of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. TSN, Canada's sports leader, is the official broadcast partner of the league. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

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The Calgary Stampede is proud to welcome professional basketball to The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth as the Calgary Surge of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) take on the Montreal Alliance at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Wednesday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m. Taking place on BMO Kids’ Day, this special event invites Stampede guests to experience the energy and excitement of live basketball, Stampede-style. With a focus on family fun, community celebration and dynamic entertainment, this first-ever Stampede appearance by the Calgary Surge will be a highlight of the 2025 Stampede. “The Calgary Stampede is all about bringing people together through unforgettable experiences,” says Allison Wright, Director of Stampede Programming at the Calgary Stampede. “What better way to do that than by introducing live professional basketball to Stampede Park – in a way that only the Stampede can deliver.” Game tickets, starting at $35 for the upper bowl and $45 for the lower bowl (plus applicable fees and taxes), include admission to Stampede Park for the entire day on July 9, giving fans the chance to explore the rides, food, music, and entertainment of the Calgary Stampede before heading to the Saddledome for tip-off. It’s a full day of Stampede excitement—from the Midway to the hardwood. “The reverence we have for the Calgary Stampede and its ability to create community runs deep, so to be partnering this early in our journey is a milestone moment for our company," says Jason Ribeiro, Surge Vice-Chairman & President and Co-Founder of REAL Entertainment & Culture Inc. “With SURGE 2 THE DOME, SURGE 2 RED DEER, and now SURGE 2 STAMPEDE, our feet are firmly planted as live event operators, and we look forward to bringing even more communities together around sports, arts and culture." The Calgary Surge made national headlines in May 2024 when they drew a record-setting crowd of 12,327 fans to the Saddledome—the largest single-game audience in Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) history. With another appearance at the venue scheduled for August, their Stampede debut on July 9 promises to blend the fast-paced energy of professional basketball with the spirit and spectacle of Stampede, adding a bold new chapter to the celebration’s entertainment lineup. “The Calgary Stampede is one of the most iconic celebrations in Canada, and it’s only fitting that CEBL basketball will become part of that energy and tradition,” says Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “Bringing the Surge to the Saddledome during the Stampede is another bold step by the organization’s leadership to grow the game and deepen its roots in the Calgary community. It will be a truly special night that fuses the spirit of sport and culture in a uniquely Albertan way.” Don’t miss the chance to see one of Canada's fastest growing and exciting sports teams live at the Calgary Stampede. Tickets go on sale to the public on May 16th at 10 a.m. MST. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster online or by phone at (587) 329-7087. Calgary Stampede Insiders can pre-purchase tickets beginning on May 14th at 10 a.m. MST. Become a Stampede Insider to receive the latest Stampede news, advance ticket opportunities, exclusive contests and more here . For more Calgary Stampede entertainment, tickets for the Stampede Rodeo as well as the Evening Show, which include the Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Races presented by Play Alberta, the fan-favourite Relay Races, and the 2025 Grandstand Show presented by Freedom Mobile, are available now. Plan your Stampede today by visiting calgarystampede.com/tickets . ### About the Calgary Stampede The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together, we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and celebrates our western heritage, cultures and community spirit. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities. About REAL Entertainment & Culture Inc. & the Calgary Surge REAL Entertainment & Culture Inc. (REC) is a professional sports and live events company co-founded by Jason Ribeiro that owns and operates the Calgary Surge Professional Basketball Club. The Calgary Surge tipped off their inaugural season at WinSport Event Centre in May 2023, after originating the Guelph Nighthawks, one of the founding members of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). The Surge are active members of the community and have participated in a few hundred events (and counting) around the city that connect the team with diverse communities through sport, entertainment, and arts and culture. Over two seasons, the Surge have made back-to-back CEBL Championship Weekend appearances, were crowned Western Conference Champions in 2023, hold the league’s single game attendance record, and have sent over 4000 deserving kids and families to their games for free. Fans can expect even more excitement for 2025! For more information, visit www.calgarysurge.ca . About the Canadian Elite Basketball League 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, 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+, TSN, TSN+, RDS, Game+, and Next Level Sports & Entertainment. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.
May 8, 2025
La Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB) et la Société des loteries et des jeux de l’Ontario (OLG) ont annoncé jeudi le renouvellement du partenariat officiel d’OLG pour une deuxième saison. Dans le cadre de cet accord, LOTTO MAX continuera d’être la loterie officielle, et PROLINE restera le service de paris sportifs en points de vente officiel de la LECB et de ses quatre équipes basées en Ontario. De plus, LOTTO MAX revient en tant que partenaire présentateur de la Conférence de l’Est de la LECB et des séries éliminatoires de la Conférence de l’Est. OLG continuera d’offrir des expériences innovantes et excitantes aux partisans de la LECB et aux amateurs de basketball à travers l’Ontario en 2025. La société demeure engagée à dynamiser la ligue en proposant des promotions centrées sur l’expérience des partisans ainsi que du contenu attrayant, tant dans les arénas que sur les plateformes de diffusion. « Le renouvellement de notre partenariat avec OLG reflète notre engagement commun à offrir des expériences exceptionnelles aux partisans », a déclaré Mike Morreale, commissaire et cofondateur de la LECB. « Ensemble, nous poursuivons sur notre lancée afin de faire croître le sport et de renforcer la présence de la ligue en Ontario, dans ce qui s’annonce comme une autre saison palpitante. » Pour lancer la saison, les partisans assistant aux matchs d'ouverture à domicile des Honey Badgers de Brampton, des River Lions de Niagara, des BlackJacks d’Ottawa et des Shooting Stars de Scarborough recevront un t-shirt spécial aux couleurs de leur équipe. Pour ajouter à l’excitation, OLG lancera le programme « Super partisan LOTTO MAX du match », qui permettra à deux partisans chanceux par match, dans chacun de ces marchés, d’être surclassés à des sièges au bord du terrain, leur offrant une vue rapprochée et immersive de l’action. Cette reconnaissance spéciale vise à célébrer nos partisans passionnés et à enrichir leur expérience de match de manière inoubliable. « OLG est fière de poursuivre son partenariat avec la LECB et de créer encore plus de moments mémorables et palpitants pour les amateurs de basketball », a déclaré Maxine Chapman, vice-présidente, marque et marketing. « Notre engagement envers le soutien du sport en Ontario demeure fort, et nous avons hâte d’améliorer l’expérience des partisans tout en célébrant la passion et l’enthousiasme des supporteurs à travers la province. » La septième saison de la LECB débutera le 11 mai, lorsque le Surge de Calgary se rendra à Edmonton pour affronter les Stingers dans le cadre de la Bataille de l'Alberta. Avec 127 matchs de saison régulière au programme, la campagne 2025 mènera aux séries éliminatoires qui commenceront le 14 août. Le week-end du Championnat , qui réunira les quatre meilleures équipes de la saison régulière s'affrontant pour le titre de la ligue, se tiendra au Centre Canada Life à Winnipeg, du 22 au 24 août. Les abonnements saisonniers et les forfaits flex sont désormais disponibles dans toute la ligue, offrant un accès prioritaire aux sièges et donnant accès à des prix avantageux. Pour plus d'informations sur les billets pour tous les matchs de la LECB, y compris les billets individuels, rendez-vous sur cebl.ca/fr-ca/tickets et cebl.ca/cw25/tickets . - LECB – À propos de la LECB Ligue créée par des Canadiens pour des Canadiens avec la mission de développer des joueurs, des entraîneurs, des dirigeants sportifs et des arbitres canadiens, la LECB compte le pourcentage le plus élevé de joueurs canadiens de toutes les ligues professionnelles du pays, ses formations étant composées à 75 % de Canadiens et comptant un nombre record de 12 joueurs possédant une expérience de la NBA dans leurs rangs en 2024. Les joueurs viennent également de la NBA G League, des meilleures ligues professionnelles internationales, du programme de l'équipe nationale canadienne, des programmes de la NCAA, ainsi que de U SPORTS et de l’ACSC. Plus de 20 joueurs ont signé des contrats de la NBA après une saison de la LECB et de nombreux joueurs de la LECB participent chaque année à des camps d'entraînement de la NBA G League. La saison de la LECB se déroule de mai à août et les matchs sont diffusés en direct sur CEBL+ , TSN, TSN+, RDS , Game+ , et Next Level Sports & Entertainment . De plus amples informations sur la LECB sont disponibles sur CEBL.ca/fr-ca et via @cebleague sur Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook et YouTube . À propos d’OLG OLG est une société de la Couronne qui contribue à l’essor de l’Ontario en offrant des expériences de divertissement de grande qualité à ses clients. Agissant de manière socialement responsable, OLG exploite et gère des établissements de jeux terrestres, la vente de jeux de loterie à l’échelle provinciale, des jeux en ligne ainsi que la prestation de bingo et d’autres produits de jeux électroniques dans les centres de jeux de bienfaisance. OLG soutient également l’industrie des courses de chevaux en Ontario. Depuis 1975, OLG a généré environ 62 milliards de dollars pour la population et la province de l’Ontario, soutenant ainsi les grandes priorités du gouvernement, notamment les soins de santé, la prévention et le traitement du jeu problématique, ainsi que le soutien aux athlètes amateurs. Chaque année, les profits des activités d’OLG bénéficient également aux communautés hôtes, aux Premières Nations de l’Ontario, aux détaillants de loterie et aux organismes de bienfaisance locaux partout dans la province.
May 8, 2025
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) announced Thursday the renewal of OLG’s official sponsorship for a second season. As part of the agreement, LOTTO MAX will continue as the Official Lottery, and PROLINE will remain the Official Retail Sportsbook of the CEBL and its four Ontario-based teams. Additionally, LOTTO MAX returns as the presenting partner of the CEBL’s Eastern Conference and Eastern Conference Playoffs. OLG will continue to deliver innovative and exciting experiences for CEBL fans and basketball enthusiasts across Ontario in 2025. They remain committed to enhancing the vibrancy of the league by offering fan-centric promotions and engaging content both in arenas and on broadcast platforms. “Renewing our partnership with OLG reflects our shared commitment to delivering exceptional fan experiences,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “Together, we’re building on our momentum to grow the game and elevate the league’s presence across Ontario in what promises to be another exciting season.” To kick off the season, fans attending home openers for the Brampton Honey Badgers, Niagara River Lions, Ottawa BlackJacks and Scarborough Shooting Stars will receive a special team t-shirt. Adding to the excitement, OLG will introduce the "LOTTO MAX Supreme Fan of the Game" which will see two lucky fans per game in each of these markets upgraded to courtside seats, offering them an up-close and personal view of the action. This special recognition aims to celebrate our passionate supporters and enhance their game-day experience in an unforgettable way. “OLG is proud to continue its sponsorship of the CEBL and create even more memorable and exciting moments for basketball fans,” said Maxine Chapman, VP Brand and Marketing Officer. “Our commitment to supporting sports in Ontario remains strong, and we look forward to enhancing the fan experience and celebrating the passion and enthusiasm of supporters across the province.” The seventh season of the CEBL tips off May 11 with a total of 120 regular season games in the 2025 campaign , leading to playoffs that begin August 14. Championship Weekend , which features the league’s top four teams during the regular season vying for the league title, will be held at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg August 22-24. Season tickets and flex packs are now available league wide with priority seating access and preferred pricing. Ticket information for all CEBL games, including single-game tickets, can be found by visiting cebl.ca/tickets and cebl.ca/cw25/tickets . - CEBL - 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+ , TSN, TSN+, RDS , Game+ and Next Level Sports & Entertainment . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube . About OLG OLG is a Crown agency that contributes to a better Ontario by delivering great entertainment experiences for our customers. Acting in a socially responsible way, OLG conducts and manages land-based gaming facilities; the sale of province-wide lottery games; Internet gaming; and the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres. OLG is also helping support the horse racing industry in Ontario. Since 1975, OLG has generated approximately $62 billion for the people and Province of Ontario to support key government priorities like health care; the treatment and prevention of problem gambling; and support for amateur athletes. Each year profits from OLG's operations also support host communities, Ontario First Nations, lottery retailers and local charities across the province.
May 8, 2025
Explosive guard brings elite scoring ability and playmaking versatility to Montréal following stellar season in Slovakia
May 8, 2025
L’Alliance de Montréal a renforcé son groupe de meneurs pour la saison 2025 de la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB), annonçant aujourd’hui l’ajout du dynamique Tavis “Pistol” Smith. Originaire de Detroit au Michigan et mesurant 6’3”, Smith rejoint l’Alliance après une saison remarquable avec MBK Handlova dans la première division slovaque.  Smith, 25 ans, arrive à Montréal après s’être imposé comme l’un des marqueurs les plus prolifiques du championnat slovaque, maintenant des moyennes de 20,8 points, 5,1 rebonds et 4,7 passes décisives en 33,5 minutes sur 38 matchs. Sa puissance offensive s’est manifestée avec constance, marquant plus de dix points lors de chaque apparition, dont dix-sept performances à plus de 20 points, quatre matchs à plus de 30 points, et une explosion offensive de 43 points contre Iskra Svit en février. « Rejoindre l’Alliance représente un nouveau chapitre excitant de ma carrière, a déclaré Smith. J’ai développé mon jeu à travers l’Europe ces dernières années, et je suis maintenant prêt à apporter cette expérience à Montréal. J’ai hâte de montrer mes capacités tout en aidant l’équipe à rivaliser au plus haut niveau. » Le parcours de Smith vers le basketball professionnel a débuté au Belmont Abbey College (2016-2020), où il a développé son jeu et les capacités de meneur qui ont défini sa carrière professionnelle. Après l’obtention de son diplôme, il a acquis une précieuse expérience avec des passages en Arménie, en Albanie et en Géorgie avant sa saison décisive en Slovaquie. La saison 2025 sera la plus longue de l’histoire de la LECB, avec chaque équipe disputant 24 matchs de saison régulière, dont 12 rencontres à domicile pour l’Alliance à l’Auditorium de Verdun et au Stade IGA. L’Alliance jouera son match d’ouverture à domicile le 18 mai contre les Honey Badgers de Brampton. Dans le cadre d’un événement historique, l’Alliance accueillera le tout premier match professionnel de basketball 5x5 en plein air de l’histoire canadienne au stade IGA le 23 mai. L’événement, intitulé Éclipse : Match sous les étoiles, offre aux partisans une occasion unique de vivre l’expérience du basketball professionnel à ciel ouvert. Les billets sont disponibles à partir de 25 $ sur www.alliancemontreal.ca/eclipse . ### À propos de l’Alliance de Montréal L’Alliance de Montréal est une équipe de basketball professionnelle évoluant dans la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB) depuis 2022. Sous la présidence de Jo-Annie Charbonneau et la direction générale de Joel Anthony, double champion de la NBA, l’Alliance entamera sa quatrième saison en mai 2025. En janvier 2025, l’équipe est passée sous le contrôle d’Alli-Oop Investissements, un groupe de propriétaires 100% montréalais mené par Joel Anthony, aux côtés de Léo Bouisson et Ian-Philip Paul-Hus. L’Alliance, qui a vu deux de ses anciens joueurs signer des contrats NBA, se distingue par son engagement communautaire et le développement du talent local. L’Alliance marquera l’histoire le 23 mai en accueillant Éclipse : Match sous les étoiles, le premier match professionnel de basketball 5x5 en plein air de l’histoire canadienne au stade IGA. L’équipe dispute ses matchs de saison régulière à domicile à l’Auditorium de Verdun. Pour plus d’informations, visitez www.alliancemontreal.ca ou suivez l’Alliance sur Instagram , Facebook , X , LinkedIn et TikTok .
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Le chef de file canadien des technologies financières s’engage à offrir un programme de remise en argent sur tous les achats de billets de la LECB pour les détenteurs de la carte Neo Mastercard
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