NCAA Experienced Big Grant Basile Signs with Rattlers

May 10, 2024

Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that the club signed 6-foot-9 Grant Basile for the 2024 season. The NCAA-experienced forward makes his CEBL debut with the Saskatchewan Rattlers this season.


“Grant displayed his athleticism and high basketball IQ during an outstanding NCAA career,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk. “He is a player with a very high-ceiling and we think he will really shine in the CEBL. He will definitely be a player to watch this year and going into the future.”


Basile made his professional debut during the 2023-24 season in Italy. During his rookie professional season, he had the opportunity to represent the Italian National Team, play in Italian Lega Basket Serie A, and Basketball Champions League Europe. Professionally Basile is averaging 17.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 31.3 minutes playing in 26 games with 21 appearances in the starting line-up. 


Prior to his professional debut, Basile attended Pewaukee High School in his hometown of Pewaukee, Wisconsin. During his senior season, he led his team to the sectional final while averaging 24.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks while shooting 68.0% from the field. While with the team he scored 1,049 total points, while being named unanimous 2018 First-Team All-State, 2018 Conference Player of the Year, 2017 Conference Player of the Year, and 2017 Second-Team AP All-State.


In his NCAA debut, he signed with the Wright State Raiders where he played four seasons. During his time with Wright State he averaged 12.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 24.2 minutes playing in 95 games. He transferred to Virginia Tech as a senior where he averaged 16.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 28.0 minutes while shooting 52.1% from the field in 34 games appearing in 33 starting lineups. During his NCAA career he was named 2020 Horizon League All-Freshman Team, 2021 Horizon All-League Second Team, 2022 Horizon All-League Second Team, 2022 Horizon League All-Tournament Team, 2022 Horizon League Tournament MVP, 2022 NABC All-District (12) Second Team, and 2023 ACC All-Honorable Mention Team.


“I’m very excited for the opportunity to join the Rattlers and be able to compete on a team with some high-level players in this competitive league,” said Basile. “Looking forward to seeing you all soon!”


Basile joins the newly assembled roster consisting of Jalen Harris, Julian Roche, Somto Dimanochie, Elijah Harkless, Emmanuel Bandoumel, Cody John, Maurice Calloo, Adong Makuoi, and 2023 Rattlers Defensive Player of the Year - Anthony Tsegakele. The Rattlers added some familiar faces concluding the 2024 CEBL Draft with Alexander Dewar, and Isaac Simon. The franchise will announce their full training camp roster early next week.


The full 2024 Rattlers schedule has been released, which features a full 20-game slate with one potential home playoff game and Championship Weekend (CW24) happening in Montréal, QC from August 9-11, 2024.


Individual game tickets range from $20 in the Fang Zone section to $95 for seating in courtside row 2 (All row 1 options are sold out). Flex Ticket Bundles and Group tickets can be purchased to access bulk discounts. Season tickets range from $175 in the Fang Zone to $850 for courtside row 2 (All row 1 options are sold out). Premium seat options are available including VIP tables, Luxury Suites, and the Rattlers Courtside Lounge. All ticket options can also be purchased through the Rattlers Front Office (306) 244-2181, Saskatchewan Rattlers website, or via Ticketmaster. Current season ticket members can manage their seats by using Account Manager. For more seating options, and partnership opportunities; fans can contact an account executive or Ivan Brown (Director of Partnerships).



About the Saskatchewan Rattlers


The Saskatchewan Rattlers are Saskatchewan’s professional basketball team, one of the six

original teams in the CEBL – the Rattlers won the 2019 inaugural season championship. Playing out of SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – the Rattlers offer an entertainment-focused environment surrounded by some of the world’s top professional athletes. The Rattlers are a community-first organization and take pride in their ability to bring communities together while making sport more accessible to the province.


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 73% of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. 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. Fourteen 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. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.


For more information on the Saskatchewan Rattlers professional basketball team - visit therattlers.ca

Les BlackJacks d'Ottawa signe Coleman III

May 6, 2025
Les BlackJacks d'Ottawa de la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB), la plus grande ligue sportive professionnelle du Canada, ont annoncé aujourd'hui que l'équipe a signé l'arrière Matt Coleman III pour un contrat pour la saison 2025. Le natif de Norfolk, en Virginie, fait son retour dans la LECB après avoir disputé la saison 2023 avec Ottawa, où il a pris part à neuf matchs et affiché des moyennes de 9,4 points, 4,1 passes décisives et 3,9 rebonds par rencontre, tout en menant l’équipe avec 1,7 interception par match. « Nous sommes ravis d’accueillir Matt de retour à Ottawa cette saison, » a déclaré James Derouin, directeur général des BlackJacks. « Son retour apportera une voix de vétéran à notre groupe, son style de leadership et son caractère ajoutant un élément essentiel à notre vestiaire au quotidien. Grâce à son éthique de travail et à son engagement, il contribuera à donner le ton pour notre équipe cette saison. » Arrière de 6 pi 2 po, il évolue durant la saison 2024-2025 avec le Hapoel Haifa en première division israélienne (BSL), où il mène l’équipe au chapitre des passes décisives totales (89) et des points par match (15,0), tout en partageant le premier rang pour les interceptions par match (1,6). Il a enregistré son tout premier double-double en carrière internationale en signant un sommet de saison de 29 points et 12 passes décisives, le 7 avril contre le Hapoel Upper Galilee Safed. Titulaire accompli pendant quatre saisons à l’Université du Texas, il a reçu de nombreuses distinctions au niveau universitaire, notamment deux sélections dans la troisième équipe All-Big 12 (2020, 2021), deux mentions honorables All-Big 12 (2018, 2019) et le titre de Joueur par excellence du tournoi Big 12 en 2021. Cette année-là, il a aidé les Longhorns à remporter le championnat de conférence grâce à une performance de 30 points en finale contre Oklahoma State, menée par Cade Cunningham, qui deviendra le premier choix du repêchage NBA 2021. Il a disputé un total de 13 matchs dans la NBA Summer League avec les Kings de Sacramento en 2021 et 2022, avant de poursuivre sa carrière professionnelle en Grèce, en Turquie et en Pologne. Son frère, Chase, a joué pendant quatre saisons avec l’Université de Virginie (2019-2023), tandis que son père, Clifford, ancien joueur à la Newport News Apprentice School (NCAA Division III), est actuellement entraîneur-chef au Bryant and Stratton Junior College à Newport News, en Virginie. Il est actuellement possible d'acheter des forfaits de billets flexibles en visitant le site theblackjacks.ca/fr-ca/tickets . Les abonnements de saison des BlackJacks 2025 sont disponibles dès maintenant. Pour plus de détails, les amateurs sont invités à envoyer un courriel à [email protected] ou à composer le 613-690-0519. ### À propos des BlackJacks d'Ottawa: Première franchise d'expansion de la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB), les BlackJacks d'Ottawa présentent le meilleur du basket-ball et du divertissement dans la capitale nationale. Le bureau de direction d'Ottawa apporte à la franchise son expérience de la NBA, de la NBA G League, de l'équipe nationale, de la NCAA et des grandes ligues professionnelles internationales. Dirigée par le directeur général James Derouin et l'entraîneur-chef Dave DeAveiro, l'équipe d'Ottawa joue ses matchs à domicile dans l'aréna de classe mondiale de la Place TD, dans le parc Lansdowne. Pour plus d'informations, visitez le site theblackjacks.ca .

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Sea Bears Hire Elam, Creator of Innovative Basketball Scoring Format, as Target Score Time Strategist

May 5, 2025
The Winnipeg Sea Bears are bringing in one of basketball’s most innovative minds for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season, announcing Monday that Dr. Nick Elam, creator of the Elam Ending (known as Target Score Time in the CEBL), will join the club as its Target Score Time strategist. Elam will work alongside Head Coach and General Manager Mike Taylor and the Sea Bears coaching staff to analyze trends and inform late-game strategy. Known for revolutionizing how basketball games end, Elam’s expertise is expected to provide a significant competitive advantage under the CEBL’s unique format. “Coach Taylor reached out to me during the off-season about the possibility of teaming up with the Sea Bears to refine late-game strategy,” said Elam. “As the originator of the Elam Ending format used in CEBL and many other leagues and events, it was a call I knew would come eventually, I just wasn’t sure who would be the first team to reach out. I’m grateful to Coach Taylor for bringing me on board.” Taylor first encountered Elam’s work in 2018 while coaching Team Fredette at The Basketball Tournament (TBT), which uses the Elam Ending. The team reached the tournament’s final four in Baltimore. “It was my first experience with the Elam Ending and I loved it,” said Taylor. “I was intrigued by the strategy, and over the past few years in the CEBL, we’ve stayed in touch. Nick would always make time to answer my questions and talk about target score time. We’re really happy to have him officially join us.” Elam, who has spent thousands of hours researching the late-game format since first devising it in 2007, says his work with the Sea Bears will go beyond what’s been done before. “To this point, that research has been used to make late-game play more authentic and exciting,” said Elam. “There has been an untapped element of that research that can be used to help a team win. I’m glad the Sea Bears are the first team to seek the benefits of that research directly from the source.” Although Elam will work primarily remotely, he is expected to join the team in person during the season. “I am absolutely thrilled for the opportunity to make at least one trip to Winnipeg this season to meet the team in person, experience a Sea Bears game live, and explore the city,” he said. “Dining and sightseeing recommendations are welcome.” Elam’s role will include evaluating every target score time across the CEBL, identifying strategic tendencies, and helping the Sea Bears make better decisions in late-game moments. “Ever since the Elam Ending was first implemented at TBT in 2017, I have closely monitored various late-game strategies and their effectiveness everywhere it’s been played, including the CEBL, NBA G League, NBA All-Star Game, NBA Summer League, and others,” said Elam. “I see sound strategies used, and I see unsound strategies used. While no strategy can guarantee success, I am excited to work with the Sea Bears to implement strategies that offer the best chance of winning.” For Taylor, adding Elam is about gaining every edge possible. “We’ve featured an excellent analytics programme the last two summers, and now we’re looking to the inventor himself to bring his expertise to our team,” he said. “Nick is creative and thinks outside the box. We aim to create an advantage in different areas of our organization, and I believe Nick will help us do that.” The Sea Bears open their 2025 campaign with a renewed focus on precision in late-game situations, aiming to turn one of the game’s most exciting formats into a season-long advantage. ### 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.

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Les BlackJacks renouvellent le contrat de Thomas

May 4, 2025
Les BlackJacks d'Ottawa de la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB), la plus grande ligue sportive professionnelle du Canada, ont annoncé aujourd'hui que l'équipe a signé l'ailier Miryne Thomas à un contrat pour la saison 2025. Le joueur de 6 pi 8 po, Thomas, effectue son retour chez les BlackJacks après une saison 2024 dans la LECB au cours de laquelle il a pris part à sept matchs de saison régulière et des séries éliminatoires avec le club, inscrivant des points à deux chiffres dans trois de ces rencontres, dont une performance notable de 15 points le 27 juillet à Niagara. « L’arrivée de Miryne en fin de saison dernière a joué un rôle déterminant dans l’élan de notre équipe et notre qualification en séries éliminatoires, » a déclaré James Derouin, directeur général des BlackJacks. « Sa polyvalence au poste d’ailier est un atout majeur, et son énergie débordante a été contagieuse au sein de l’effectif. Nous avons hâte de l’accueillir de nouveau à Ottawa et nous nous attendons à ce qu’il continue d’avoir un impact positif sur le succès de notre équipe. » Originaire de Cleveland, Ohio, il a passé la saison 2024-2025 avec les Bozic Estriche Knights Kirchheim dans la ligue Pro A allemande ainsi qu’avec les Nitra Blue Wings de l’Extraliga slovaque, affichant une moyenne de 12,1 points et 4,5 rebonds par match dans ces deux championnats. Il a amorcé sa carrière professionnelle en 2023-2024 avec les Leicester Riders (BBL britannique), où il a mené l’équipe au chapitre des points marqués (472) et a été nommé dans l’équipe de la semaine de la British Basketball League le 2 janvier 2024, après avoir cumulé 32 points et 18 rebonds en deux matchs la semaine précédente. Au niveau universitaire, Thomas a évolué au sein de programmes de la NCAA Division I, notamment à Maryland-Eastern Shore (MEAC), Ball State (MAC) et Kent State (MAC). Il a été nommé dans l’équipe des recrues de l’année du MEAC en 2018 après avoir mené Maryland-Eastern Shore au chapitre des rebonds par match (7,8) et s’être classé troisième meilleur marqueur de l’équipe (11,1 points). Lors de la saison 2022-2023, il a aidé Kent State à remporter son premier titre du tournoi du MAC depuis 2017, inscrivant 12 points et captant huit rebonds lors du match de championnat contre Toledo. Il est actuellement possible d'acheter des forfaits de billets flexibles en visitant le site theblackjacks.ca/fr-ca/tickets . Les abonnements de saison des BlackJacks 2025 sont disponibles dès maintenant. Pour plus de détails, les amateurs sont invités à envoyer un courriel à [email protected] ou à composer le 613-690-0519. ### À propos des BlackJacks d'Ottawa Première franchise d'expansion de la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB), les BlackJacks d'Ottawa présentent le meilleur du basket-ball et du divertissement dans la capitale nationale. Le bureau de direction d'Ottawa apporte à la franchise son expérience de la NBA, de la NBA G League, de l'équipe nationale, de la NCAA et des grandes ligues professionnelles internationales. Dirigée par le directeur général James Derouin et l'entraîneur-chef Dave DeAveiro, l'équipe d'Ottawa joue ses matchs à domicile dans l'aréna de classe mondiale de la Place TD, dans le parc Lansdowne. Pour plus d'informations, visitez le site theblackjacks.ca .

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