The Scarborough Shooting Stars Team News

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Guard Myles Powell for 2026 Season

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:36:35 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars announced today the signing of guard Myles Powell for the 2026 season.

The Scarborough Shooting Stars announced today the signing of guard Myles Powell for the 2026 season.

Powell, a 6’2 guard from Trenton, brings elite scoring ability, veteran leadership, and high-level professional experience to Scarborough’s backcourt. Known for his toughness, shot-making, and ability to perform in clutch moments, Powell adds proven offensive firepower and championship-level competitiveness to the Shooting Stars roster.

Professional Journey

Powell joins the Shooting Stars with professional experience in the NBA, NBA G League, international leagues and recently CBA, where he has continued to showcase his scoring talent against top competition. Throughout his professional career, Powell has built a reputation as a dynamic guard capable of creating offence, stretching the floor, and leading from the backcourt.

His combination of experience and production makes him a significant addition as Scarborough prepares for the 2026 season.

NCAA Career

Powell completed a historic collegiate career with the Seton Hall Pirates, where he became one of the most accomplished players in program history and one of the premier guards in college basketball.

During the 2019–20 season, Powell earned Big East Player of the Year and Consensus First-Team All-American recognition after averaging 21.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. He led Seton Hall to a share of the Big East Conference regular season title and established himself as one of the nation’s most feared scorers.

Across four collegiate seasons, Powell scored more than 2,200 career points and consistently delivered in high-pressure moments, cementing his legacy as one of Seton Hall’s all-time greats.

International & Development Experience

Following college, Powell continued his professional career through the NBA G League and overseas opportunities, gaining valuable experience against elite competition. His time at the professional level has further strengthened his all-around game and veteran presence.

Pro Impact

Powell’s ability to score at all three levels, create offence late in games, and lead with confidence makes him a major addition to Scarborough’s lineup. His experience, competitiveness, and proven production give the Shooting Stars another difference-maker capable of impacting winning immediately.

With Powell joining the roster, Scarborough continues to build a talented and experienced group ready to compete for a championship in the 2026 CEBL season.

Scarborough Signs Canadian Guard Kellen Tynes

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:04:38 GMT

Elite two-way guard and defensive standout joins Scarborough for the 2026 CEBL season

The Scarborough Shooting Stars announced today the signing of Canadian guard Kellen Tynes for the 2026 season.

Tynes, a 6’3 guard from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, brings elite perimeter defence, high-level NCAA experience, and strong two-way versatility to Scarborough’s backcourt. Widely regarded as one of the top defensive guards in college basketball during his NCAA career, Tynes is known for his on-ball pressure, transition speed, and ability to disrupt opposing offences.

Professional Journey

Tynes joins the Shooting Stars following a season in the NBA G League with the Delaware Blue Coats, where he continued his development after a strong collegiate career as a defensive standout.

NCAA Career

Tynes completed a five-year NCAA career across Montana State Bobcats and the University of Maine Black Bears, where he became one of the most decorated defenders in the America East Conference.

During the 2023–24 season, Tynes started 31 games for Maine and was named America East Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. He also earned America East Third Team All-Conference honours and was a finalist for the Lefty Driesell Award, given annually to the top defensive player in NCAA Division I basketball.

He averaged 12.6 points, 3.9 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game, while leading the conference with 70 steals. Tynes recorded four or more steals in seven games and posted a season-high 26 points against Holy Cross.

In the 2022–23 season, he became the first player in Maine program history to win America East Defensive Player of the Year after leading all of NCAA Division I with 98 steals. He also averaged 14.3 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game, earning America East Third Team All-Conference honours.

Canadian Background

Before college, Tynes starred at Rothesay Netherwood School, where he was a multiple-time National Preparatory Association Defensive Player of the Year and MVP. He also represented Canada at the U23 level and was selected twice to the BioSteel All-Canadian Game, highlighting him as one of the country’s top young talents.

Pro Impact

Tynes’ elite defensive instincts, high motor, and ability to impact winning on both ends of the floor make him a significant addition to Scarborough’s roster. His experience guarding top NCAA competition and transitioning into the professional game positions him as a key contributor heading into the 2026 CEBL season.

With Tynes joining the lineup, Scarborough continues to strengthen its identity with high-character Canadian talent ready to compete at the professional level.

CANADIAN ELITE BASKETBALL LEAGUE AND OLG RENEW SPONSORSHIP FOR THIRD SEASON UNDER LOTTO MAX AND PROLINE BRANDS

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:42:44 GMT

 April 22, 2026 – Toronto, ON – Today, the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced the renewal of Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation's (OLG) official sponsorship for a third consecutive season. During the 2026 season, OLG will continue to enhance excitement for CEBL fans across Ontario.

Through OLG’s sponsorship of the CEBL and its four Ontario clubs – the Brampton Honey Badgers, Niagara River Lions, Ottawa BlackJacks and Scarborough Shooting Stars – LOTTO MAX will once again serve as the Official Lottery of the CEBL and the presenting partner of the Eastern Conference and Eastern Conference Playoffs. PROLINE remains the Official Retail Sportsbook of the league and its four Ontario-based teams.

"It’s been an exciting year for both LOTTO MAX and PROLINE, and we’re looking forward to bringing that momentum to CEBL fans this season,” said Andrew Darley, VP Lottery Product at OLG. “Continuing our sponsorship gives us an opportunity to showcase our support for Ontario, while also leveling up the fan experience and celebrating their love of sport.”

Just this month, the new LOTTO MAX launched with more prizes to win and jackpots that can grow up to $90 million. And earlier this year, OLG rolled out a new PROLINE platform providing a better playing experience with more choice and more ways to play. Through fan-centric, in-game promotions, CEBL fans can learn about these upgrades, and how by playing with OLG, they are helping give back to people and communities across Ontario.

“OLG has a long-standing commitment to communities across Ontario, and that aligns perfectly with what we’re building at the CEBL,” said CEBL President and CEO Ty Mazereeuw. “This partnership supports the continued growth of our league while creating more ways for fans across the province to connect with the game.”

For the full 2026 CEBL schedule, visit cebl.ca/schedule . Details on the league’s new playoff format are available at cebl.ca/playoffs , and ticket information for all CEBL games can be found at cebl.ca/tickets .

- CEBL -

About the Canadian Elite Basketball League

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada’s professional basketball league, featuring 10 member clubs across six provinces. Powered by elite talent, a fast-paced game format, and deep community connections, the CEBL delivers high-level basketball and unforgettable summer experiences for fans nationwide.

The league boasts the youngest fan base in Canadian professional sport, half under 34, and one of the fastest-growing audiences in the country, now reaching nearly 4.1 million Canadians. This momentum reflects the CEBL’s ability to deliver dynamic, thrilling gameplay while connecting authentically with a new generation of fans and expanding basketball’s cultural footprint across Canada.

The CEBL is where elite performance meets homegrown talent. In 2025, 17 players with NBA experience hit the court, while nearly 70% of the league’s roster was Canadian, the highest concentration of domestic talent in any professional sports league in the country. Running from May through August, the CEBL has become a proven pathway for top basketball talent and a summer hub for fast-paced, high-energy fan excitement.

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. OLG has been giving back to Ontario since 1975, generating approximately $64 billion for the people and the Province 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.

Scarborough signs Ontario Tech guard AJ Cummings

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:52:40 GMT

The U Sports guard brings elite outside shooting to Scarborough

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that they have signed 6’4 guard AJ Cummings for the 2026 season.

U Sports Career

Cummings played for the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks from 2019-2023 and the Queens Gaels from 2024-25. He’s returning to the Ridgebacks for the 2026-27 season as a graduate transfer and joins the Shooting Stars on CEBL Signing Day .

Cummings is an absolute sniper from behind the arc. At Ontario Tech he averaged 11.6 points on 37% shooting from three and at Queens averaged 11 points on 39% shooting from three. His 57% True Shooting percentage from his 2024-25 season at Queens ranked in the 91st percentile in U Sports. In the 2025 U Sports national championships, Cummings averaged 15 points on 57.1% from three over two games.

Cummings also averaged 3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in his final season for the Gaels but it will be his floor spacing ability, low turnover rate, and ability to play without the ball that will help him transition into professional basketball. Cummings shot efficiently on a high volume of three point shots (6.2) with the Gaels without having the ball in his hands a lot (only a 9.7 usage rate) showing he’s able to find spaces on the floor to get his shot off and be a reliable outlet. He also only turned the ball over 0.9 times a game with a solid +1.3 assist to turnover ratio, showing he rarely makes mistakes with the ball.

CEBL Signing Day

Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Signing Day replaces the CEBL Draft. Designed as a developmental opportunity for players in Canadian universities and colleges, these signings allow players to experience being pros for the first time. Through the draft, 116 student-athletes from 44 schools across Canada have been selected by CEBL clubs, a testament to the exceptional depth and calibre of Canadian university and collegiate basketball. CEBL Signing Day will continue that pathway.

Scarborough signs AUS Rookie of the Year Phoenyx Wyse

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:43:54 GMT

The Toronto native is coming off a fantastic first season at STFX

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that they have signed 6’5 forward Phoenyx Wyse for the 2026 season.

U Sports Career

A member of the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men, Wyse joins the Shooting Stars on CEBL Signing Day . Wyse won the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) conference Rookie of the Year award this past season after averaging 14.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals a game on 50% shooting.

Wyse is a strong and athletic wing with fantastic finishing around the rim abilities. He lived in the paint on both sides of the ball. His 9.6 rebounds a game were third in the AUS and his touch around the rim helped him score 286 total points which was third among all U Sports rookies last season. He’s an active defender as well, his 33 steals in 20 contests last season ranked ninth in the AUS.

The Toronto native played his high school basketball at St. Michaels College School.

CEBL Signing Day

Scarborough Shooting Stars to Hold Open Tryouts

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:43:58 GMT

Your opportunity to become a professional hooper.

For the first time in their five year history, the Scarborough Shooting Stars (SSS) are holding open tryouts to the public in hopes of finding a hidden gem. Two standout athletes will secure guaranteed spots at SSS training camp, putting them one step closer to going pro and earning a place on the roster. Here’s what you need to know.

Date - April 18, 2026

Time - 7-9 PM

Where - Royal Crown School, 4620 Finch Ave E, Toronto, ON M1S 4G2

Price - $199

The two hour session will include a professional-level tryout and evaluation by the Scarborough Shooting Stars coaching staff as well as a SSS reversible practice jersey.

Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly, sign up here .

CEBL Signing Day for U Sports and CCAA Athletes set for April 8, 2026

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:26:47 GMT

CEBL Signing Day will replace the CEBL draft

CEBL clubs will reveal signed U SPORTS or CCAA student-athletes on April 8, 2026

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and the Scarborough Shooting Stars are proud to announce CEBL Signing Day, coming April 8. Replacing the CEBL Draft, Signing Day will roll out across league-wide social platforms, spotlighting the next wave of elite Canadian talent as student-athletes from U SPORTS and the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) officially sign for the 2026 season.

Two athletes per team will be announced, with the possibility of more signings as the season approaches. Since 2019, the CEBL’s partnership with U SPORTS and the CCAA has built a pro-level stage where the best intercollegiate talent from coast to coast can shine. CEBL teams are incentivized to carry development players on their active rosters, with up to three developmental players eligible per game outside the club’s salary cap.

The results speak for themselves: 116 student-athletes from 44 schools across Canada have been selected by CEBL clubs through the draft process, a testament to the exceptional depth and calibre of Canadian collegiate basketball. Over four years of drafts, the Shooting Stars have selected U Sports players such as Toronto Metropolitan University’s Aaron Rhooms and David Walker, St Francis Xavier University’s David Muenkat and Koat Thomas, Dalhousie University’s Malcolm Christie, and Brock University’s Davante Hackett.

The world will be watching. Through the CEBL’s landmark five-year broadcast partnership with CBC Sports, these talented student-athletes will receive national and global spotlight. Marquee games will air on CBC TV, including the first-ever best-of-three CEBL Finals in league history, with every CEBL game live streamed on CBC Gem and CBC Sports YouTube and CEBL+.

For the full 2026 Shooting Stars schedule, visit here . Details on the league’s new playoff format are available here , and tickets for all Shooting Stars games can be found here .

Yerba Madre Revealed as Official Yerba Mate Drink of the Canadian Elite Basketball League Through 2028

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:30:23 GMT

Yerba Madre Signs Three Season Deal with CEBL

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and Yerba Madre officially introduced a new three-year partnership today, naming Yerba Madre as the Official Yerba Mate Drink of the CEBL and its 10 member clubs through the 2028 season.

At the heart of the partnership is a national retail program aimed at celebrating the 2026 CEBL season and creating engaging fan experiences across all league markets. Together, the league and Yerba Madre will activate a purpose-driven collaboration that supports communities and fans from cost-to-coast.

“Basketball is one of the fastest-growing sports in Canada, and the CEBL is building a league that reflects the energy of its communities,” said Ben Mand, CEO of Yerba Madre. “We’re proud to partner as the Official Yerba Mate Drink of the CEBL and introduce more fans and athletes across the country to the functional benefits and bonding ritual of yerba mate.”

Rooted in regenerative sourcing and long-term impact, Yerba Madre aligns with the league’s commitment to growing the game and connecting with communities nationwide.

“Yerba Madre shares our commitment to community, sustainability and growth,” said CEBL President and CEO Ty Mazereeuw. “This partnership is another demonstration of a great brand expanding the reach and impact of our league nationwide. With Yerba providing opportunities across the nation for consumers to win tickets to our games, they are contributing to our ongoing commitment to meeting fans where they are.”

This announcement follows the league’s landmark five-year broadcast partnership with CBC Sports . The agreement will see marquee games air nationally on CBC TV including the first best-of-three CEBL Finals in league history, and all games live streamed on CBC Gem and CBC Sports YouTube.

For the full 2026 Scarborough Shooting Stars schedule, visit here. Details on the league’s new playoff format are available here , and ticket information for all Shooting Star games can be found at here

About Yerba Madre

Yerba Madre—formerly Guayakí Yerba Mate—is the nearly 30-year pioneer of regenerative yerba mate [yer-bah ma-tay] and the category leader in ready-to-drink mate beverages across North America. The name Yerba Madre is a tribute to Mother Earth and the ancestral wisdom of the Indigenous communities who have cultivated yerba mate for generations —a reflection of the values the brand has championed since day one.

Headquartered in Oakland and Los Angeles, California, Yerba Madre sources regenerative, organic, shade-grown yerba mate in direct partnership with 257 Indigenous and farmer families across Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Using its Market Driven Regeneration™ model, every purchase helps conserve and restore the Atlantic Forest, support fair trade premiums, and build long-term economic resilience for grower communities.

Yerba Madre is proudly the first yerba mate to be Regenerative Organic Certified® and the first company in South America to achieve ROC™ Gold status, marking a dual milestone in regenerative agriculture and ethical sourcing. This achievement affirms the brands leadership in regenerative business. The ROC™ seal debuted on Yerba Madre packaging for Traditional Air-Dried Loose Leaf and Mate Bags in May 2025. As one of the original founding B Corp and a founding pilot member of the Purpose Pledge, Yerba Madre is committed to ethical business practices across ten key pillars, including climate action, living wages, circularity, and inclusion. Yerba Madre is available in over 45,000 retail locations across the U.S. and Canada.

To learn more, visit www.YerbaMadre.com

Canadian Elite Basketball League and CBC Sports Sign Five-Year Broadcast Partnership

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 21:05:16 GMT

All games livestreamed on CBC Gem and CBC Sports YouTube channel with marquee games on CBC TV

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and CBC have reached a landmark five-year broadcast partnership, starting with the upcoming 2026 CEBL season.

The partnership will feature marquee games on CBC TV, including the league’s first-ever best-of-three CEBL Finals, with all games live-streamed on CBC Gem and the CBC Sports YouTube channel.

“Partnering with CBC Sports brings the CEBL to more Canadians on a trusted national stage, and expands access across digital platforms including CBC Gem and YouTube, giving basketball fans of all ages more choice in how they follow our biggest moments,” said CEBL President and CEO Ty Mazereeuw.

CBC Sports was the league’s broadcast partner for its inaugural seasons from 2019 through 2022, and with the new partnership, for the next five years CBC Sports will offer select regular-season games on CBC TV and all regular-season and playoff games on CBC Gem and CBC Sports YouTube. Available platforms will also include CEBL+. The CEBL’s full 2026 broadcast schedule and more broadcast-related announcements are coming soon.

“Canadian basketball is having a moment right now on the world stage, and through our partnership with the CEBL, we can bring the energy and momentum of Canada’s top young players to fans across the country,” said Chris Wilson, Executive Director, Sports and Olympics, CBC. “We are excited to share the excitement from the court with wider audiences on CBC’s platforms, and to interact with and serve local fans in CEBL locations across Canada.”

For the full 2026 Scarborough Shooting Stars game schedule, visit here . Details on the League’s new playoff format are available here and ticket information for all Shooting Stars games can be found here .

Reach For The Stars Gala: Everything You Need To Know

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 21:52:45 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars are launching their inaugural Reach For The Stars Gala Saturday , with all proceeds directly helping Scarborough youth.

The Scarborough Shooting Stars are hosting their inaugural Reach For The Stars Gala this weekend from 6 to 10 PM on Saturday, Feb. 28 at The Illuminarium in the Distillery District. All funds raised from the Gala will go towards the Scarborough Shooting Stars Foundation which empowers under-resourced youth from Scarborough and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) by providing access to athletic training, health & wellness programs, educational opportunities, and professional sporting events.

Individual tickets to attend the event have sold out and we are proud to announce we have raised over seven thousand dollars and counting that will directly go towards supporting youth development through sport, wellness, and education.

The black tie evening will feature live entertainment, guest speakers, and both silent and live auctions . Items available for bidding include:

Private Jet Experience to watch the Toronto Raptors take on the Boston Celtics in Boston on April 5.
2 Courtside VIP Tickets to see the Toronto Raptors battle the Detroit Pistons on March 15.
2 Courtside Tickets to see the Toronto Raptors take on the Dallas Mavericks on March 8
OVO x SSS Black Varsity Jacket plus 2 courtside tickets (availability)
Stone Island x SSS Tracksuit
Personal Suit from Indochino
Signed Magic Johnson Basketball
3 Fitness Classes at Sweat and Tonic
$750 Scarborough Town Centre Gift Card
Custom Scarborough Shooting Stars Dog Collar
Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant Themed Artwork
To view the many more items that are available, please visit here

The Scarborough Shooting Stars Foundation focuses on youth aged 8-18 in three different sectors. Under-resourced youth who come from low-income households and are facing financial barriers to organized sport, newcomer youth who are new to the country and have not had the opportunity to seek belonging and foster the community connections that come with sport, and at-risk youth who are exposed to community disorder or limited positive mentorship.

There are four main pillars of growth that the Foundation and your support are building to empower positive development.

Education

Twice a week there will be tutoring and homework support in collaboration with schools alongside structured credit accumulation tracking to help students in grades 9-12.

Leadership

Students will participate in mentorship circles alongside athletes, alumni and community leaders. These sessions will build confidence, communication skills and positive social development.

Physical Activity

Structured basketball training and physical literacy are combined with an emphasis on discipline, teamwork and access to mental health education.

Career Exposure

Participants in the program gain leadership experience and access to the Scarborough Shooting Stars network of career opportunities including internships, volunteer opportunities, and job placements. Career opportunities include exposure to coaching, sports operations, and event staff roles.

Together we can empower Scarborough’s youth to dream big and thrive, building futures, one child at a time.

For more information on the event, please click here

“It's motivation for them to achieve their highest basketball dreams” Scarborough Shooting Stars Host Season 5 SSSkills Camp

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 19:30:24 GMT

Family Day in Scarborough

The Scarborough Shooting Stars held the first of four PA Day camps at Royal Crown Private High School on Monday, 16 Feb, 2026. The camp was led by former professional basketball stars and current members of the Shooting Stars coaching staff, Daniel Mullings and Kyle Johnson.

The morning started with the younger group of 7-10 year olds and the afternoon featured the 11-14 year olds.

“I think it was a great day overall, beginning with the younger group, they were a little more in their shell but with the activations that we did, they became more comfortable,” said Mullings. “As we went through the day from drill to drill, we progressed… and they ended up competing a lot.”

The younger ages played from 9-12 AM, starting with the basics of dribbling with each hand, when to use a chest pass vs a bounce pass and form shooting before getting into some scrimmages. With the older ages, they were in action from 12-3 PM, working on expanding the fundamentals, communicating on defence and creative finishing around the rim.

“With the older kids, we're able to add a little bit onto what we did (with the younger group) and make it a little more advanced and competition-based,” said Mullings.“Not only teaching them, but also talking about the mental side of the game, the IQ part, and explaining why we're doing things rather than just doing them.”

Having two coaches with a combined 22 years of pro basketball experience, including Mullings who won a championship with the Shooting Stars in 2022, made an impact on the campers.

“They have a great mindset, and the right teaching for us to get better,” said a camper.

“Having two, not just one, but two pros coaching us. It feels really like you can learn a lot from them,” added another camper.

Mullings and Johnson are both from Scarborough and after retiring from their pro careers, have made concerted efforts to help develop the next generation. Mullings coaches at Royal Crown School in Scarborough, where the event was held and is also a premier prep basketball school in Canada. Johnson is the Technical Lead for High Performance at the Ontario Basketball Association, where he provides coaching and leadership for young athletes.

“We care about Scarborough. The development and struggle growing up, and now we want to be those mentors that are able to help the community here,” said Mullings.

“It's nice to be home and pay the game forward,” said Johnson. “It's also pretty cool that these kids have an opportunity to come and watch a professional team in Scarborough. It's motivation for them to achieve their highest basketball dreams.”

There will be three more PA Day camps before the school year ends. These sessions will run on April 6, June 5, and June 26 as well as the first ever Shooting Stars March Break camp, happening March 16-18.

For more information about the PA Day camps, please visit here .

For more information about the March Break camp, please visit here .

SSS Season 5 | Schedule

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 18:25:22 GMT

January 15, 2026 – Toronto, ON – The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) unveiled its 2026 schedule Thursday, marking the beginning of a new era for the league with the introduction of a full in-market playoff model and the first best-of-three CEBL Finals series in league history.

Scarborough’s 2026 season tips off on the road May 15 at Verdun Auditorium against the Montreal Alliance at 7:30 pm ET. The Shooting Stars are slated for 24 regular season games and 12 home games running through August 3 before the new playoff format takes flight.

Marquee Dates

Home opener at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on May 19 at 11:00 am ET.
Father’s day matchup at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre against the Niagara River Lions on June 21 at 4 pm ET.
Canada Day matchup at Verdun Auditorium against the Montreal Alliance on July 1 at 4 pm ET.

For the full 2026 CEBL schedule, visit Scarborough Shooting Stars Schedule or CEBL Schedule .

To purchase tickets, visit here or email tickets@scarboroughshootingstars.ca for more information.

Flex Packs are also available with options of 6,12 and 24 game tickets - designed for flexibility, convenience and savings. Pick any combination of Shooting Stars home games and enjoy the flexibility of attending multiple games, sharing with friends, or mix and matching games throughout the season. To purchase a Flex Pack, visit here .

Historic New Playoff Format Debuts in 2026

The 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League Playoffs will begin with single-elimination Conference Semifinals on Thursday, August 6, where the 1st seed faces the 4th seed and the 2nd seed faces the 3rd seed in each conference. Winners will advance to the Conference Finals on Saturday, August 8, also single elimination, with higher seeds hosting each round.

The CEBL Finals will be a best-of-three series from August 12–16, marking the first multi-game playoff series in league history:

Game 1 – August 12

Game 2 – August 15

Game 3 (if necessary) – August 16

The lower seed team will host Game 1, while the higher seed will host Games 2 and 3 (if necessary), replacing the previous single-elimination Championship Weekend host team model.

“These historic changes to our playoff format represent a major milestone for the CEBL and our fans, and they mark a natural progression as the league continues to grow and evolve,” explained CEBL President Tyler Mazereeuw. “Our focus remains on delivering the best possible experience for our teams, players, and fans, and this is another step forward in fulfilling that mission. Our fans and communities have supported this league from the start, and we’re proud to give them a playoff experience that reflects their passion.”

Mazereeuw added, “Championship Weekend played a key role in building the foundation of our league and grew into Canada’s largest annual celebration of professional basketball. While we’re proud of what it became, moving to an in-market model allows us to deepen connections with our local communities and create new traditions that reflect the growth and maturity of the league.”

For full details on the new Canadian Elite Basketball League playoff format, visit cebl.ca/playoffs .

Scarborough Shooting Stars Announce Drew Green as Franchise’s New Co-Owner

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 18:00:03 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that award-winning entrepreneur and business leader Drew Green has joined the franchise’s ownership group alongside existing co-owners of the CEBL and Scarborough Shooting Stars, Sam Ibrahim, Niko Carino and Giancarlo Falcioni .

Green, a visionary Canadian executive and the founder of one of the world’s fastest-growing apparel brands, brings more than 25 years of leadership experience building global companies, forming strategic partnerships, and driving community impact.

As the long-time Chairman and CEO of INDOCHINO , Green led the company’s transformation into a global retail powerhouse securing over $100 million in strategic investments and expanding to over 100 retail locations across North America, and delivering INDOCHINO to over 50 countries the past decade. Under his leadership, INDOCHINO sold over a billion dollars worldwide and formed partnerships with hundreds of athletes, celebrities, and professional sports teams across the MLB, NHL, NBA, and NFL.

“Joining the Scarborough Shooting Stars is an incredible honour,” said Green. “I’m a Scarborough kid through and through. This community shaped who I am and I’ve always believed in the power of Basketball to unite people, inspire youth and showcase the best of Canadian talent and culture. Scarborough represents everything good about Canada, with the community known for energy, ambition and resilience - values that align with everything I stand for. Together, we are going to build something special for our fans and our city. Could not be more grateful for the opportunity, or excited about the impact we will have on the community.”

A highly decorated leader, Green has been recognized with numerous honours, including the Lifetime Innovation in Retail Award (2017) , Retailer of the Year by Chain Store Age (2018) , EY Entrepreneur of the Year (2018) , and most recently the King Charles Coronation Medal (2025) for his contributions to business and the community across Canada and globally. In 2019, Canadian Business ranked INDOCHINO the #1 fastest-growing Canadian retailer globally , and #3 among retailers with revenues over $100 million .

Beyond his business achievements, Green is deeply committed to education and philanthropy. He serves on the Board of Governors at York University , his alma mater, and has sponsored annual scholarships for student-athletes at both York University and the University of British Columbia the past decade through the Drew Green Award established at each University.

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Drew to the Shooting Stars family,” said Sam Ibrahim , Co-Owner of the Scarborough Shooting Stars. “He’s an exceptional leader with a proven ability to build world-class brands and organizations. His passion for community, business and sport will help us take the Shooting Stars to new heights.”

“Drew’s track record speaks for itself,” added Niko Carino , Co-Owner of the Shooting Stars. “He brings not just business acumen but a genuine commitment to our fans, players and the community. His involvement marks a new chapter for our franchise.”

Giancarlo Falcioni , Co-Owner, shared, “Drew’s energy and vision fit perfectly with what we’ve been building in Scarborough, something that’s bigger than basketball. We’re thrilled to have him on board as we continue to grow the game and give back to our community.”

In his role as franchise partner, Green will work closely with the ownership team to strengthen the club’s community connections, enhance fan experience, and expand the organization’s reach both in Canada and internationally.

Michael Foster Jr. Joins Scarborough Shooting Stars Ahead of Season Stretch Run

jaunaefreeman9@gmail.com (Jaunae Freeman) — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 17:00:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Sunday that they have signed 6-foot-10 forward Michael Foster Jr., bringing a dominant frontcourt presence to the team as they gear up for the final leg of the regular season.

A Milwaukee native, Foster joins the Shooting Stars with four years of professional experience across the NBA, NBA G League, Puerto Rico’s BSN, and the G League Ignite program. Over 155 professional games, he has totaled 1,821 points, 1,089 rebounds, 289 assists, 116 steals, and 230 blocks—averaging 11.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 55.7% from two-point range and over 51% from three.

Foster most recently suited up for the Capital City Go-Go, where he averaged 10.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 2024–25 while shooting 42.1% from beyond the arc. His versatile frontcourt skill set, and rim protection are expected to make an immediate impact for a Scarborough squad still eyeing a spot at Championship Weekend 2025 (CW25).

Foster joins a strong Shooting Stars core featuring Kalif Young, Cat Barber, Terquavion Smith, and the recently returned Donovan Williams, who is back with the team following his Summer League stint. Scarborough (8–10) currently sits just ahead of the Montreal Alliance (7–11) in the play-off race and has a chance to create critical separation with a road win today.

The team had an opportunity to clinch its postseason spot this past Friday against Brampton but fell short. With the play-off picture tightening, Foster’s addition could provide the edge Scarborough needs to punch its ticket to CW25.

The Shooting Stars are back in action this afternoon, Sunday, July 27, as they face off against the Montreal Alliance at Verdun Auditorium. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET in what promises to be a pivotal matchup with postseason implications.

For more information on the team, tickets, and schedule, visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca.

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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 .

Media Contact:

Jaunaé Freeman

Media & Communications

media@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Aaron Best Returns to Help Scarborough Shooting Stars Finish Season Strong

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 15:58:51 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Sunday that they have re-signed veteran guard Aaron Best as they push to clinch their spot at Championship Weekend 2025 (CW25).

The 6-foot-4 Scarborough native returns for his second season with the Shooting Stars and third CEBL campaign overall. Best brings over a decade of professional experience, having played 411 career games across top leagues in Europe and North America, including Poland’s OBL, EuroCup, the NBA G League, and the CEBL. He has totaled 4,044 points, 1,416 rebounds, and 646 assists, averaging 9.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 36.7% from three-point range and 75.7% from the free throw line.

In 2024–25, Best averaged 14.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists over 39 games with Trefl Sopot in Poland’s top division (OBL), shooting an efficient 43.7% from beyond the arc and 84.9% from the line. He recorded nine 20+ point performances, including a standout 31-point game with seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. He also suited up for Canada in FIBA AmeriCup Qualifiers, averaging 9.2 points and 2.7 rebounds across six games.

During the 2024 CEBL season, Best appeared in nine games for Scarborough, averaging 10.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 27 minutes per game, while helping the team remain competitive throughout the summer stretch.

Best previously captured a CEBL Championship with the Hamilton Honey Badgers in 2022 and has played professionally in France, Greece, Germany, Lithuania, and the United Kingdom. He is known across the league for his leadership, consistent production, and ability to impact both ends of the floor.

Collegiately, Best was a standout at TMU (formerly Ryerson University), where he averaged 14.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists over five seasons. He was a two-time OUA First-Team All-Star, CIS Second-Team All-Canadian, and two-time Ryerson Male Athlete of the Year, leading the team to an OUA Wilson Cup title in 2016.

Best rejoins a strong Shooting Stars roster featuring Kalif Young, Cat Barber, NC State product Terquavion Smith, and recent addition Anthony Walker as Scarborough (8–8) continues its playoff push in the closing stretch of the regular season.

The team is back in action this afternoon, Sunday, July 20, as they travel to St. Catharines to face the Niagara River Lions (11–5) at the Meridian Centre. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. in what promises to be a pivotal matchup with playoff implications.

For more information on the team, tickets, and schedule, visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca .

###

About the CEBL

Media Contact:

Jaunaé Freeman

Media & Communications

media@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Forward Anthony Walker for 2025 Season

jaunaefreeman9@gmail.com (Jaunae Freeman) — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 17:01:06 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that they have signed forward Anthony Walker.

The 6-foot-9 Baltimore native most recently played with BC Beroe of the Bulgarian NBL, where he averaged 19.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 29.5 minutes across 25 games during the 2024–25 season. Walker shot 58% from two-point range, 31.8% from three, and 81.2% from the free throw line, totaling 482 points, 182 rebounds, 29 steals, and 14 blocks. He led Beroe in scoring and emerged as one of the team’s most efficient offensive weapons in his rookie season.

Walker began his pro career overseas after a five-year NCAA journey split between the University of Miami and Indiana University. He appeared in 158 games with 37 starts, averaging 4.9 points and 2.5 rebounds across his collegiate career. His standout college campaign came in 2020–21, when he posted 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game for the Hurricanes. At Indiana in 2023–24, he contributed 5.1 points and 2.3 rebounds per game while shooting a career-best 48.3% from the field, helping the Hoosiers throughout a competitive Big Ten season.

Walker joins a strong Shooting Stars roster that includes returnees Kalif Young, Cat Barber, and NC State standout Terquavion Smith as the team looks to build momentum heading into the second half of the season.

Scarborough currently holds a 7–7 record and returns to action tonight, Friday, July 11, for its first home game since June 22. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. against the Edmonton Stingers at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. Tonight’s game also celebrates Ontario Basketball Association (OBA) Night, welcoming young athletes and community partners from across the province. The team will be back at home on Sunday, July 13, to take on Brampton in another key matchup for STC Day.

For more information on the team, tickets, and schedule, visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca.

###

About the CEBL

Media Contact:

Jaunaé Freeman

Media & Communications

media@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Kalif Young for 2025 Season

jaunaefreeman9@gmail.com (Jaunae Freeman) — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 17:45:38 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that they have re-signed forward Kalif Young.

The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 12.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 27.8 minutes across 43 games this past season with CSU Oradea in the Romanian League. Young also made appearances in the Romania Cup, FIBA Europe Cup, and Basketball Champions League. He recorded eight double-doubles and scored a season-high 20 points in a March 31 win over Brasov. Young's season stats included 546 points, 426 rebounds, 89 assists, 47 steals, and 38 blocks.

The Providence College alum completed his collegiate career with averages of 4.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 16.3 minutes per game across 131 games. In his senior year (2019-20), he averaged 5.0 points and 4.9 rebounds while recording several double-digit scoring and rebounding performances.

Young previously played for the Scarborough Shooting Stars during the 2023-2024 season, contributing to their CEBL Championship victory with averages of 8.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 26 minutes per game.

Kalif joins recent signee NC State standout Terquavion Smith as the Shooting Stars continue their strong start to the 2025 season. The team currently holds a 7-5 record and secured a road victory last night against Winnipeg with a final score of 103-93. Their next game is tomorrow, June 29, on the road against the Edmonton Stingers. The Shooting Stars are led by the dynamic trio of Donovan Williams, Cat Barber, and Terquavion Smith. For more information on the team, tickets, and schedule, visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca .

###

About the CEBL

Media Contact:

Jaunaé Freeman

Media & Communications

media@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Signs NC State Standout Terquavion Smith

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 17:07:09 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that they have signed American point guard Terquavion Smith.

The 6-foot-4 guard most recently played with Rip City during the 2023–24 season, where he appeared in 16 games and averaged 3.3 points, 0.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in just 5.3 minutes per game. Smith scored a season-high 17 points against the Long Island Nets on February 3, 2024, shooting 45.5% from the field and 37.1% from three.

A product of North Carolina State University, Smith played two seasons for the Wolfpack, averaging 10.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.4 steals in 32.6 minutes per game through 66 collegiate contests. In his freshman year (2021–22), he posted 16.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game and notched 11 performances with 20+ points, including a 34-point showing against North Carolina. As a sophomore, Smith added three 30-point games to his resume and recorded over 30 double-digit scoring efforts, displaying dynamic playmaking and two-way ability.

Smith brings NCAA and pro-level experience and will look to provide energy and scoring off the bench as Scarborough pushes into the heart of the 2025 campaign.

The Scarborough Shooting Stars recently completed a two-game road trip, falling to Calgary 94–80 on June 15 after earning a 101–93 victory over Saskatchewan on June 13. They face Montreal on the road tonight (June 18) before returning home to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for two special games this weekend. On Friday, June 20 at 7:30 PM, the team hosts the Ottawa BlackJacks for Scarborough Business Association Night, which will feature a pre-game mixer open to ticket holders who RSVP. Then on Sunday, June 22 at 2:00 PM, the Shooting Stars take on the Niagara River Lions for Filipinos in the 6ix’s Mabuhay Cup Celebration. Visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca for tickets, schedule, and team information.

###

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.

Media Contact:
Jaunaé Freeman
Media & Communications
media@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Record-Breaking Night for Montreal in the Ends

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 13:38:56 GMT

It didn’t take long for Montreal to break its own franchise record for most points in a game. Last game, they scored 105 points. Tonight, they dropped 108 in the Ends.

It was Montreal’s first game facing a team with a winning record (3-2), but Montreal started to pull away in the third quarter. Scarborough’s fatigue was beginning to surface in the second half and they lost 108-88.

“I think it’s a long stretch for us,” Scarborough head coach Mike De Giorgio said about playing three games in four nights. “Playing a game on the road and two at home with only one off-day in between. Not having Hason Ward shortened our bench for sure. We needed his size.”

Montreal took full advantage in the third quarter when they quickly built up a 13-point lead.
Tavian Dunn-Martin (game-high 26 points) threw a beautiful pocket bounce pass into Ben Stevens at the right elbow for an easy bucket. Scarborough missed a lay-up, and Anthony Walker (game total 16 points) nailed a triple on the other end while drawing a foul. He missed his free throw, scored on his own miss, and his five-point play seemed to deflate Scarborough.

“Our depth is definitely a strength of ours. And it’s good because it keeps guys engaged. It’s been four games now and everyone’s getting in and they’re happy,” said Montreal head coach Jermaine Small. “Especially someone like Ant (Anthony) Walker, he’s been more aggressive. He got into foul trouble early on, but I think he came back on and had a really strong second half.”

Walker continued to be impressive in the third, swatting Cat Barber and then threw a cross-court pass to Kevin Osawe (game total 11 points) that allowed him to drive to the hoop and draw a foul.

Most notably, the 20-point lead was established in the third when Quincy Guerrier hit a triple, assisted by none other than fellow Montrealer Alain Louis.

Louis, the only returning Alliance player from last season and who has been with them since its inception, became the all-time regular season assist leader with 332, surpassing another U SPORTS-to-CEBL pathway player Kadre Gray.

“My biggest thing has always been, I gotta represent the U SPORTS players,” said Louis after the game, reflecting on his individual record. “And for me to be the leader now, that just goes to tell you that U SPORTS guys can play. We’re good enough. That’s my biggest thing for sure.”

Guerrier also had a strong all-around game, finishing with 21 points, seven rebounds, and four stocks.

“Look at the weapons they have,” play-by-play commentator Rod Black summed up Montreal’s firepower in the third. They stopped relying on Dunn-Martin, who had exploded for 21 points in the first half, shooting nine-for-13 from the field and three-for-five from downtown.

The 5-foot-8 guard would have impressed another diminutive guard, Jamal Shead, who watched from the sidelines along with Raptors players Ja’Kobe Walter, Jonathan Mogbo, and Ulrich Chomche. True to their team name, Scarborough has been consistently drawing celebrities to the sidelines as Olympic gold medalist Andre De Grasse was there just a few days ago at their last home game against Winnipeg.

Records weren’t only being achieved by Montreal, however. It was CEBL’s all-time second leading scorer Cat Barber’s first game back, and he reached 300 regular season assists.

Coach De Giorgio remains excited about the potential a Cat Barber-Yuri Collins backcourt could achieve, and recognized the need to limit turnovers as they head out on a three-game road trip.

Scarborough saw a spirited effort from its role players. David Walker, last year’s Developmental Player of the Year finalist, had an impressive 21 points on seven-for-11 shooting. Sharp shooter Danilo Djuricic tried to fill in for Hasan Ward’s absence by grabbing some key defensive boards in the second quarter (game total seven boards).

The league’s leading scorer, Donovan Williams, had a team-high 23 points, and recorded a big block in the second quarter after a massive two-handed block in the fourth against Winnipeg last time out. The 6-foot-6 star continues to be impressive at both ends of the court, but will be looking to make a mark in the fourth quarter as Scarborough looks to end its three-game losing streak.

Box score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600596

Up next for both teams

Montreal (4-0) will continue their road trip as they head west to face the Winnipeg Sea Bears. Saturday night’s rematch will take place on Wednesday, June 11 at Canada Life Centre. Scarborough (3-3) will be looking to end their three-game losing streak on the road. They begin their three-game road trip against the Saskatchewan Rattlers (2-5) at SaskTel Centre on Friday, June 13.

Next CEBL action

The Ottawa BlackJacks (2-4) will face the Edmonton Stingers (2-5) at the EXPO Centre in Tuesday’s lone contest. For the full 2025 CEBL schedule and up-to-date results, please visit cebl.ca/games .

- CEBL -

Winnipeg Rallies for Dramatic Comeback Win Over Scarborough

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 13:34:04 GMT

The ball was in Winnipeg Sea Bears guard Jalen Harris’ hands in the last possession of the game. In isolation, he banked a mid-range jumper to secure a thrilling comeback victory on Saturday night.

He waved Scarborough fans a good night as Winnipeg stole the game 87-86.

Prior to Target Time, Scarborough maintained a double-digit lead for most of the second half. At one point, Winnipeg was down by 17 points, and every time there was a flicker of hope for Winnipeg, Scarborough seemed to pour ice cold water over it.

That was the case until the very end.

A beautiful backcut by Harris and pass by Emmanuel Akot narrowed the lead to eight points. A three-pointer by Tevian Jones and bucket by Nathan Bilamu helped Winnipeg inch within five points ahead of Target Time.

At the end, the game started to feel close like the first quarter.

Scarborough hoisted a couple of three-pointers that missed the mark in the crucial moments of the game. Almost perfectly on cue, as CEBL+ colour commentator Brady Heslip, who was a three-point marksman during his playing career, suggested that three-pointers were not necessary, Donovon Willaims let one fly in an attempt to put away the game and missed.

“One of our goals is to get to the hoop and play with pace, score easily at the rim. I thought we did that at times,” Scarborough head coach Mike De Giorgio said while reflecting on the game.
“We want to get easy baskets and we want to get threes that are good for our team. Find great shots every time down. We didn’t do that on a consistent basis and that ended up coming back and hurting us.”

Before Target Time, Scarborough had only attempted 18 threes.

In the first half, Scarborough led 22-19 and 26-21 in the first and second quarters, respectively. Winnipeg inched within one point with two minutes and 15 seconds left in the first half, but they went scoreless until halftime. Scarborough closed out with a 7-0 run, punctuated by Yuri Collins’ step-back mid-range jumper, which gave Scarborough an eight-point buffer.

Though things started to look like they were slipping for Winnipeg in the third quarter, the series of comeback attempts made early allowed them to make one extra push at the end.

In the third quarter, Jalen Harris initiated the offense with 10 seconds left on the clock, passed to the cutter, the ball got swung to the wing, and an extra pass to the corner led to a wide-open corner triple by Jones. In the subsequent offensive play, Jones made a dribble drive for a paint two. Winnipeg inched within two points, but Scarborough quickly pulled away.

Scarborough guard Williams’ bucket gave his team a 57-43 boost. While Akot’s triple and Kyle Filewich’s paint two made it a single-digit game, Williams’ triple and Danilo Djuricic’s triple made it a 15-point game.

In the fourth quarter, playing catch-up all game paid dividends for Winnipeg as a beautiful pass by Jaylin Williams to Jalen Harris established synergy, and in the subsequent possession, Harris got to the hoop again, but the missed shot was tipped in.

Winnipeg head coach and general manager Mike Taylor was relieved to escape with a victory after losing to Brampton the previous night. “The beginning of the season has been a bit tough for us,” admitted Taylor. “We’ve upgraded with Jalen [Harris], we saw the difference he makes today with the game-winning shot. We also added Simi Shittu, he joined us here on the road trip here to the GTA, so we’re really happy about that.”

Saturday night’s victory was Winnipeg’s first road victory of the season. Alex Campbell also became the first-ever player to play in 100 regular season CEBL games. Unaware of his milestone, he was shocked. “I didn’t even know. It means a lot though and it just goes to show my stick-to-itiveness and age in this league,” he said.

Box score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600584

Up next for both teams

Winnipeg (2-5) will return home and host the Montreal Alliance on Wednesday, June 11 at Canada Life Centre. Scarborough (3-2) will stay home and host the Montreal Alliance at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on Monday, June 9. Scarborough will have played three games in four days.

Next CEBL action

There was only one CEBL game tonight, but three remain on deck for tomorrow. The Brampton Honey Badgers (1-6) will be looking for their first road win against the Niagara River Lions. The Ottawa BlackJacks (2-3) will be out west to face the Calgary Surge (5-2). Last but not least, the Vancouver Bandits will be visiting SaskTel Centre to face the Saskatchewan Rattlers (2-4).

For the full 2025 CEBL schedule and up-to-date results, please visit cebl.ca/games .

- CEBL -

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Calvin Epistola for 2025 Season

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:00:30 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that they have re-signed Calvin Epistola.

The 5-foot-11 guard averaged 3.8 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 12.0 minutes through 11 games with the Scarborough Shooting Stars in 2022. Since then he has been playing for KCC Egis in the Korean Basketball League where he averaged 3.2 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 14.5 minutes per game through 52 games this past season. Epistola won the KBL Championship in 2023-24 with the team.

The Ottawa Gee-Gee alum averaged 10.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals in 22.5 minutes per game through 106 games over a five-year collegiate career at the University of Ottawa. During his senior year he averaged 19.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.5 steals in 28.5 minutes per game through 22 games. Started every game of the season and was named U Sports First-Team All-Canadian, becoming the first Filipino to receive that honour. He was also named OUA First Team All-Star that year.

Epistola will reunite with Scarborough Shooting Stars teammate Danilo Djuricic ahead of the 2025 season.

The Scarborough Shooting Stars kicked off their 2025 season on Sunday May 25 at CAA Centre against the Brampton Honey Badgers. The Shooting Stars hosted two day time games against the Ottawa BlackJacks and Saskatchewan Rattlers at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for their first home games last week and will be heading to St. Catherines to take on the Niagara River Lions tonight. Head to scarboroughshootingstars.ca for additional information on the team, tickets and schedule.

About the CEBL

###

Media Contact:

Jaunaé Freeman

Media & Communications

media@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Shooting Stars Outlast Winless Rattlers to Remain Undefeated

Fri, 30 May 2025 01:22:24 GMT

Once the dust settled on a game that saw 17 lead changes and neither team lead by more than eight points, it was the Scarborough Shooting Stars who walked away with their perfect record intact.

The East-leading squad improved to 3-0 after a 91-84 victory on Thursday over the visiting Saskatchewan Rattlers (0-4) at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.

Spearheading that effort was Donovan Williams, who finished with a CEBL career-high of 34 points on 12-of-18 shooting from the field and five made triples. Yuri Collins did his part as well, chipping in 18 points, eight assists and two steals, while Hasan Ward added a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, Kobe Elvis put up nine points and five assists, finishing as Scarborough’s only bench player with a positive plus-minus (plus-nine).

“That’s something we prepare for,” Williams said after the win when asked about the back-and-forth nature of the game. “Being able to get hit and hit back, this is a league full of great players … we understand we’re a gritty team, we have to work hard, so when teams make runs, you just weather the storm.”

On the other side, Saskatchewan was led by recent-signee Jordan Bowden. The import finished with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting off the bench in his Rattlers debut, reminding fans why he ranked top 15 in scoring last season with the Montreal Alliance. Cody John wasn’t far behind as the Mississauga, Ont. native put up 18 points and four assists, albeit struggling efficiency wise, going 6-of-15 from the field. Grant Anticevich and Nate-Pierre Louis chipped in 12 and 11 points respectively, while Jaden Bediako scored nine to go with his game-high 14 rebounds.

Entering the game, Shooting Stars head coach Mike De Giorgio’s message to his team was simple.

“We have to come out and punch first,” the first-year CEBL bench boss said pre-game. “Get ourselves going and hopefully sustain it for 40 minutes.”

And count that message received, specifically by Williams, who proved to be the tone-setter for Scarborough early on. The UNLV product made five of his first six shots as he scored 12 points in the opening frame while the Shooting Stars carved out a slim 22-21 lead — showcasing why he now leads the league in scoring with 25.3 points per game.

“That’s his challenge every night,” De Giorgio said of Williams post-game. “He’s our leader, our best player, he’s the dude we’re relying on to do a whole lot of different things, not just score. So when he can do that for us, we’re going to be tough to beat.”

That lead only grew in the second as Williams’ strong play — scoring Scarborough’s first eight points of the quarter and finishing the half with 25, the last three of which came on an off-balance triple right before the buzzer — was coupled with some sloppy ball handling by the Rattlers. Saskatchewan racked up 10 turnovers through the first 20 minutes, giving up 15 points off those giveaways as they trailed 48-43 at the break.

An uncharacteristic showing from a Rattlers team that averaged 15.3 turnovers per game entering the day — finishing the loss with a total of 19.

“It’s frustrating and you get sick of silver linings,” Saskatchewan head coach Eric Magdanz said post-game of his team’s winless start. “But we’ve lost a game by two, four and seven … we’re right there and we know we’re right there. Just have to put together the final couple pieces.”

And while the Rattlers did respond coming out of halftime, winning the third quarter (26-22) and briefly taking the lead thanks to a 7-2 run toward the end of the frame, consecutive buckets from Kobe Elvis and Williams put the Shootings Stars back up 70-69 ahead of the fourth quarter.

Scarborough pushed that lead up to five (82-77) going into Target Score time before ultimately walking away with a seven-point victory. And just like he did in the Shooting Stars’ first win of the season, Collins closed out the game with a near-identical stepback jumper from the left elbow.

The first-year CEBLer is making a strong early case for Clutch Player of the Year as he’s hit all three of Scarborough’s Target time winners this season.

“It’s a sense of relief,” Williams said when asked what it’s like playing with Collins in late-game situations. “Understanding games like this where I’m hot throughout the game, teams are focusing in on me, the last three games Yuri has taken advantage of one-on-one matchups, and it feels good to have a guy like that.”

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600581

Up next

The Rattlers will get little time to dwell on the outcome as they’ll visit the Niagara River Lions (3-1) on Friday for the second leg of a GTA back-to-back. It’ll be the second and final meeting between the cross-conference opponents after Saskatchewan narrowly fell 88-86 to the defending champs in their first meeting last Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Shooting Stars will get much more rest as they won’t return to the court until next Friday (June 6) when it’ll be their turn to take on the River Lions.

Next CEBL action

Another East vs. West matchup will wrap up Thursday’s slate, with the 0-4 Honey Badgers visiting the 3-1 Surge. Brampton’s search for a first win resumes in Calgary at 9:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. local.

For the full 2025 CEBL schedule and up-to-date results, please visit cebl.ca/games .

- CEBL -

Shooting Stars Edge BlackJacks 87–86 in School Day Thriller

Tue, 27 May 2025 18:48:40 GMT

A deliberate foul was made by the Scarborough Shooting Stars to gain possession of the ball.

The Ottawa Blackjacks were up 86-85 with the target score set at 87, but Scarborough’s import guard Yuri Collins iced the game with a clutch pull-up mid-range jumper in today’s School Day game – Scarborough’s first home game of the season.

Today’s matinee ended in a coin flip. Ottawa inched within two points by the end of the first half, and the constant back-and-forth made for entertaining basketball in front of 1,205 fans. The kids who came from 19 different schools got to witness competitive basketball.

Scarborough pushed an up-tempo style in the first half. Collins pushed an uncomfortable pace at times, it even resulted in some turnovers. When it worked, however, it led to a 3-point attempt in less than three seconds. They attempted 17 three-pointers in the first half (five made) and finished the game 10-for-30 beyond the arc.

Ottawa had four more turnovers than Scarborough, and Scarborough was plus-two in points off turnovers. Right before Target Time, Ottawa’s star Deng Adel, who led all scorers with 26 points, had answered with back-to-back baskets. Then, Tyrell Tate hit two free throws to tie the game at 78 apiece, making it anyone’s game.

“We’ve been in two close games now and we’ve come up short in both,” said Ottawa’s head coach Dave DeAveiro about his desire to get his team to play better in Target Time.

Scarborough is now 2-0 to start the season, but head coach Mike DeGiorgio recognized the importance of not settling for three-point shots.

“I think we got to focus on getting paint touches before we shoot the three,” he said about the problem when the ball just swings around the arc. “Once we started focusing on getting to the paint and hitting the kick-out corner threes, those are the ones we ended up making down the stretch.”

What helped propel Scarborough to its second victory was Scarborough’s leading scorer Donovan Williams (23 points) and his sparkling shoes coming off the bench in Target Time.

Williams was sidelined in the fourth due to racking up four fouls. He instantly made his presence felt with back-to-back buckets, the second one resulting in an and-one.

Box score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600578

Up next for both teams

Scarborough will host the Saskatchewan Rattlers at another School Day game on Thursday, May 29. Ottawa heads west to play the Winnipeg Sea Bears on Saturday, May 31 at Canada Life Centre.

Next CEBL action

The Winnipeg Sea Bears will host the Vancouver Bandits on Wednesday, May 28th. Vancouver remains undefeated at 3-0, and Winnipeg will be looking to get to .500 as they currently sit with a 1-2 record. For the full 2025 CEBL schedule and up-to-date results, please visit cebl.ca/games .

- CEBL -

Shooting Stars Win Season Debut, Spoil Honey Badgers' Home Opener

Sun, 25 May 2025 20:09:23 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars (1-0) opened their campaign on a high note, picking up a 90-76 win on Sunday to spoil the Brampton Honey Badgers' (0-3) home debut.

Donovon Williams spearheaded the winning effort, finishing with a team-high 19 points along with six rebounds and two steals. The import guard picked up where he left off last season when his 17.7 points per game were top 10 in the CEBL. Behind Williams was another pair of Scarborough returnees in Jaden Campbell and Danilo Djuricic, who each scored 12 points. Meanwhile, CEBL debutant Yuri Collins added 13 points (including the game-winner), six assists and three steals.

The still-winless Honey Badgers were led by Koby McEwen, as the reigning Canadian Player of the Year racked up a game-high 22 points to go with three assists and three steals. Rounding out Brampton’s double-digit scoring efforts was the frontcourt pair of Prince Oduro (14 points, 10 rebounds) and Amari Kelly (10 points, 12 rebounds), who each chipped in double-doubles. Quinndary Weatherspoon — coming off a stellar 29-point debut — struggled as he finished with 10 points on 4-of-15 shooting with six rebounds and three turnovers.

The Shooting Stars came out flying to start their season, carving out a double-digit lead in less than seven minutes. Scarborough led 29-13 after the first quarter thanks to a pair of 7-0 runs and some overwhelming defence. Donovan Williams led that charge, bookending the first of those runs with a triple and a transition slam.

Meanwhile, their ball pressure forced six Honey Badgers’ turnovers (for 10 points) while Scarborough held Brampton to just 6-of-22 shooting from the field in the first 10 minutes. Ball security has become a recurring concern for the Honey Badgers this season, their 19.7 turnovers per game are tops in the CEBL.

Brampton finished the contest with 16 giveaways, which led to 23 extra points for Scarborough (plus-eight).

The runs didn’t stop there as the Shooting Stars went on a 16-0 run between the end of the first and start of the second, their lead growing as large as 23 points in the first half. The Honey Badgers did respond, however, ending the second quarter on a 17-4 run that brought their deficit to 44-34 at the break.

Brampton's turnaround came in part thanks to the interior effort of Oduro, who racked up nine rebounds (five offensive) in the first 20 minutes to go with eight points. The Honey Badgers' veteran spearheaded a 28-21 rebounding edge for Brampton at halftime.

The Honey Badgers chipped into the lead even more in the third as they cut the deficit to as low as six points, but couldn’t bring it closer as back-to-back triples from Williams and David Walker kept the Shooting Stars ahead 64-55 by the end of the frame.

Proficiency from distance appears to be a strength for the team yet again, after leading the CEBL with 12.7 three-point makes per game in 2024. The Shooting Stars finished Sunday’s win with 12 made triples on a 35 per cent clip, a touch below their 36.8 conversion rate from last season.

Scarborough’s momentum kept up from there as it began the fourth on an 8-2 run en route to an 80-70 lead when Target Score time got underway.

The Shooting Stars' defence did the heavy lifting from there, holding the Honey Badgers to just one made field goal in the closing stretch, before Collins called his own number and nailed a stepback jumper from the left elbow to walk away victorious.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600576

Up next

The Shooting Stars now prepare for their home-opener on Tuesday as they’ll host the Ottawa BlackJacks — it’ll be Scarborough’s second of three games in five days. Meanwhile, the Honey Badgers start a two-game road trip on Wednesday by visiting the 1-3 Edmonton Stingers.

Next CEBL action

Sunday’s triple-header slate continues with the 1-1 Winnipeg Sea Bears visiting the 2-1 Calgary Surge for their home-opener (4 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. local), followed by the 1-0 Montreal Alliance hosting the 1-1 BlackJacks in the first-ever 5x5 outdoor professional basketball game in Canada (7:30 p.m. ET).

For the full 2025 CEBL schedule and up-to-date results, please visit cebl.ca/games .

- CEBL -

Scarborough Shooting Stars sign Yuri Collins

Sat, 17 May 2025 16:02:14 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Saturday that they have signed Yuri Collins.

The 6-foot-0 guard began his professional career in 2023 and averaged 8.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1 steal in 26.1 minutes through 114 games with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA G League and the Golden State Warriors of the NBA. He made appearances with the Golden State Warriors in 2023 and 2024 during NBA Summer League.

The St. Louis native spent his four-year collegiate career at Saint Louis University where he averaged 8.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.5 steals in 32.4 minutes through 116 games. He scored 1002 collegiate points and 878 assists. The Billikens star accumulated many accolades during his tenure with the school being named Atlantic-10 Player of the Week multiple times, making Atlantic 10 First-Team All-Conference and All-Defensive team selection.

Collins joins the list of 2025 signees as well as 2025 CEBL Draft picks David Walker, Koat Thomas and Samuel Wong.

The Scarborough Shooting Stars will kick off their 2025 season on Sunday May 25 at CAA Centre against the Brampton Honey Badgers. Scarborough will then host the Winnipeg Sea Bears at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for their home opener on Saturday June 7. Head to scarboroughshootingstars.ca for additional information on the team, tickets and schedule.

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 73% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 10 players with NBA experience in 2025. 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 Tonybet, 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 .

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Media Contact:

Media & Communications

media@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Donovan Williams for 2025 Season

Mon, 12 May 2025 18:04:09 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that they have re-signed Donovan Williams.

The 6-foot-6 guard returns to the Shooting Stars after playing with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball League where he averaged 6.9 points and 1.7 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per game over seven games.

Williams brings over three years of pro experience playing in the NBA, NBA Summer League and NBA G League most recently with the Westchester Knicks. He averaged 17.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 30.3 minutes per game over 35 games prior to signing a contract overseas.

Williams began his collegiate career at the University of Texas before transferring to the University of Nevada where he averaged 12.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 20.1 minutes per game as a junior.

Williams will join 2025 signees Cat Barber, Hason Ward, Joirdon Nicholas, Jaden Campbell, Danilo Djuricic, Jayden Coke, Khalil Miller, Kobe Elvis and 2025 CEBL Draft picks David Walker, Koat Thomas and Samuel Wong.

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 73% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 10 players with NBA experience in 2025. 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 Tonybet, 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 .

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Media Contact:

Isabel Asuako

Media & Communications

media@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

CDIC Expands National Partnership with CEBL in 2025

Sun, 11 May 2025 16:15:00 GMT

Partner branding to appear on all league referee jerseys this summer

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced the renewal of its national partnership with the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC), building upon their Championship Weekend partnership from the 2024 season.

As Canada’s federal Crown corporation that protects deposits in the event of member institution failure, CDIC is aligning the core of its partnership with the CEBL’s referees by becoming the first national partner to brand the CEBL’s referee jerseys for the duration of a CEBL season. Additionally, CDIC and the CEBL are developing a dedicated social campaign that will recognize the CEBL’s top defender each week during the 2025 season.

“We’re proud to renew and expand our partnership with an organization that prioritizes the best interests of our communities,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “Our partnership will engage fans in ways that celebrate financial protection for Canadians, both on and off the court.” The CDIC has been a long-standing staple of the Canadian financial industry since 1967, contributing to the stability of the financial system in Canada by insuring deposits at member institutions against failure up to $100,000 – per institution, per category.

“CDIC is happy to renew its partnership with the CEBL for the upcoming season,” said Tamara Mason, Head of Communications at CDIC. “We are committed to raising awareness of deposit protection among Canadians as research shows that awareness contributes to overall confidence in—and the stability of—the Canadian financial system.”

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.

- 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 73% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 10 players with NBA experience in 2025. 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 Tonybet, 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 the CDIC

The Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) is a federal Crown corporation established in 1967 to protect Canadians' deposits and contribute to financial stability. CDIC safeguards over $1 trillion in eligible deposits at more than 80 member institutions, including banks, federally regulated credit unions, and trust and loan companies. As the resolution authority, CDIC is responsible for managing the failure of any of its members, from the smallest to the largest. Funded by premiums paid by member institutions, CDIC operates without public funds. To date, CDIC has resolved 43 member failures, affecting approximately two million Canadians, with no depositor losing a dollar under its protection.

Media Contacts:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Kyle Warrener – Manager, Communications & Content

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 870-1262 | kwarrener@cebl.ca

Media Inquiries

CDIC

(613) 943-4395 | media@cdic.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign All-CEBL First Team Guard Cat Barber

Sat, 10 May 2025 18:00:36 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Saturday that they have re-signed 6-foot-2 guard Cat Barber.

The back to back ALL-CEBL First Team stand out averaged 19.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.2 steals in 28.9 minutes per game through 13 games with the Shooting Stars last season. The Virginia native made CEBL history multiple times becoming the second player in the league to reach 300 assists as well as to score 1000 regular season points. He made league history once again scoring 24 consecutive points on July 13 in a thrilling win against Edmonton.

The veteran pro has played in eight different countries and multiple leagues including the NBA and the NBA G League. Barber has averaged 16.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists and one steal in 29.6 minutes per game through 396 career games. He is currently playing for Sporting CP of the Portugal-Liga Betclic League where he has averaged 16.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 31.8 minutes per game through 16 games so far.

Barber ranks 17 in NC State history with 1516 career points and 8 in school history with 403 assists. The NC State alum was voted ACC Player of the Week three times, named 2016 First Team All-ACC by media and coaches and named NABC All-District First Team.

Barber will reunite with former teammates Hason Ward, Jaden Campbell and 2023 CEBL Championship teammate Danilo Djuricic.

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 73% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 10 players with NBA experience in 2025. 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 Tonybet, 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 .

###

Media Contact:

Isabel Asuako

Media & Communications

media@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Tonybet Becomes Official Online Sportsbook of the CEBL

Sat, 10 May 2025 17:02:12 GMT

Ontario licensed and regulated Sportsbook to power all CEBL+ streaming broadcasts during 2025 season

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Saturday a groundbreaking partnership with Tonybet, which will see the Ontario licensed and regulated sportsbook become the Official Online Sportsbook of the CEBL.

As part of this landmark partnership, Tonybet has posted odds for the CEBL season opener at tonybet.ca . The first game of the CEBL’s seventh season features the Battle of Alberta as the Calgary Surge take on the Edmonton Stingers at 4 p.m. MT / 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 11 at Edmonton Expo Centre.

Fans can watch the season-opening tip-off – and every CEBL regular season, playoff, and Championship Weekend game – live and free, thanks to Tonybet. CEBL+ will now be powered by Tonybet for the 2025 season, delivering free streaming access to Canadians for all 127 broadcasts throughout the year.

With 15 years in the market, Tonybet has established itself as one of the most trusted sportsbooks worldwide, committed to providing a safe, fair, and reliable betting experience for its players.

“Tonybet is a respected leader in the online sports betting space and a welcome addition to the CEBL’s sponsorship family,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. “A main part of their commitment is providing free access to our existing and new fans to all 127 games this season on CEBL+, strengthening the league’s visibility and accessibility to basketball fans all across the country.”

Tonybet will also be delivering fans an immersive digital experience through the lens of some of Canada’s most recognizable social figures. They will be dropping social and digital content throughout the season, including the CEBL’s weekly digital sportsbook content series, Pick n’ Roll .

“Enabled by this partnership, we intend to bring an unparalleled streaming experience for free. Being a big fan myself, basketball is, easily, a very hype sport, and we’re happy that our partnership with CEBL brings it closer to every fan living in Canada,” said Dmitry Arabuli, CEO of Tonybet.

ConnexOntario provides service information and resources for people experiencing problems with gambling, drugs, alcohol, or mental health. The service is free, confidential, and available anytime. Contact ConnexOntario 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600, via text at 247247, or chat online at Connexontario.ca .

- 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 73% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 10 players with NBA experience in 2025. 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 Tonybet, 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 Tonybet

Tonybet is an international online gaming company specializing in iGaming and sports betting. Established in 2011, Tonybet operates in multiple jurisdictions worldwide, offering a comprehensive platform that includes sports betting, online casino games, and live dealer experiences. The company is committed to bringing players a secure, fair, and entertaining online gaming environment worldwide by employing the best practices in player protection and responsible gaming.

Media Contacts:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Kyle Warrener – Manager, Communications & Content

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 870-1262 | kwarrener@cebl.ca

Dmitry Zakharov – PR Director

Tonybet

Dmitry.zaharov@tonybet.com

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Bajan Native Hason Ward

Thu, 08 May 2025 18:00:08 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that they have re-signed Bajan standout Hason Ward.

Ward returns to the Shooting Stars for a second season after averaging 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 12.8 minutes per game over 13 games last year. He scored 10 or more points four times and scored a season high 14 points with six rebounds and three steals on May 29 in a win against Calgary.

The 6-foot-9 forward had an incredible run in the NBA G League where he averaged 7.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 blocks in 22.1 minutes per game over 53 games with the Maine Celtics. He recorded five double-double games in points and rebounds and scored 10 or more points in 16 games.

The Iowa State alum averaged 5.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 11.9 minutes per game over 130 games for Virginia Commonwealth University and Iowa State.

Ward will reunite with former teammates 2023 CEBL Champion Danilo Djuricic and Jaden Campbell ahead of the 2025 season.

About the CEBL

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Media Contact:

Isabel Asuako

Media & Communications

media@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

OLG Renews Sponsorship Deal with CEBL Under its PROLINE and LOTTO MAX Brands

Thu, 08 May 2025 15:07:49 GMT

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.”

- 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 , & 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.

Media Contacts:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Kyle Warrener – Manager, Communications & Content

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 870-1262 | kwarrener@cebl.ca

OLG Media Relations

1-888-946-6716

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Joirdon Nicholas

Wed, 07 May 2025 18:00:14 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that they have signed Joirdon Nicholas.

The 6-foot-9 forward began his professional career and averaged 7.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 17.0 minutes per game through 87 games with the South Bay Lakers, Cleveland Charge, College Park Skyhawks of the NBA G League and Zonkeys de Tijuana of the CIBACOPA League in Mexico.

The Pearland native spent his five-year collegiate career at the University of Montana, Stephen F. Austin State University and Texas Southern University where he averaged 8.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 19.9 minutes per game through 131 games. The Texas Southern alum won three back to back Championships during his tenure with the school and led them to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.

Nicholas will join Ontario natives Jaden Campbell, Danilo Djuricic, Jayden Coke, Khalil Miller, Kobe Elvis and 2025 CEBL Draft picks David Walker, Koat Thomas and Samuel Wong.

About the CEBL

###

Media Contact:

Isabel Asuako

Media & Communications

media@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Neo Financial Becomes Official Credit Card of the CEBL

Wed, 07 May 2025 17:03:04 GMT

Canadian fintech leader commits to cashback program on all CEBL ticket purchases for Neo Mastercard holders

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday the renewal of its national partnership with Canadian fintech leader Neo Financial (Neo) as the Official Credit Card of the CEBL. Neo became the first official financial partner in league history in 2024.

The partnership between Neo and the CEBL provides Canadian basketball fans with exclusive access to cashback on all ticket purchases made with a Neo Mastercard throughout the upcoming 2025 season. By purchasing tickets through cebl.ca/neo , CEBL fans will receive 15 per cent cashback on their purchase with a Neo credit card, up to $20 off per transaction*.

For CEBL fans that don’t currently have a Neo Mastercard, a $25 sign-up bonus will be provided to any fan signing up for a new card, in addition to 15 per cent cashback on their CEBL ticket purchases*. Fans can sign-up for a Neo credit card today at get.neofinancial.com/cebl to secure their $25 sign-up bonus.

“Excited to continue our partnership with Neo Financial as they become the Official Credit Card of the CEBL,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “This next step in our partnership creates another unique opportunity for our fans to engage with a made in Canada brand with services that make it more rewarding than ever to support Canadian basketball.”

In addition to the relaunch of the CEBL Cashback Program, Neo will be selecting one lucky CEBL fan and a guest for a VIP basketball experience of a lifetime**. The winner will receive a Grand Prize package containing a VIP trip for two to Championship Weekend in Winnipeg this August, including flights, hotel, game tickets to the Conference Finals and Championship Final, and access to the CEBL Awards and Commissioner’s Luncheon. Each CEBL ticket purchase made with a Neo credit card through cebl.ca/neo will amplify your entries into the Neo Championship Weekend VIP Experience contest.

“We’re thrilled to once again partner with the CEBL as the official credit card and preferred payment method,” said Andrew Chau, Co-Founder and CEO at Neo Financial. “This renewed partnership goes beyond sponsorship – it’s about investing in Canada’s future by supporting homegrown athletes and delivering better financial experiences to fans across the country. Together, we’re driving innovation in both sports and finance, helping shape a strong, more connected Canada.”

Neo is building the future of financial services for Canadians, offering its customers a modern financial experience, simplifying finances through reimagined credit card products on an easy-to-use platform. To learn more about the CEBL Cashback Program, visit get.neofinancial.com/cebl .

- 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 Neo Financial

Neo Financial is a technology company building a more rewarding financial experience through reimagined spending, savings, investing, and mortgages. Founded in 2019 by the co-founders of SkipTheDishes, Neo Financial has raised more than $650 million in funding and has been recognized as Canada’s fastest growing company by The Globe and Mail and Deloitte. Neo is headquartered in Calgary, Winnipeg, and Toronto and is backed by top-tier investors across North America. Through partnerships with leading financial institutions, Neo Financial provides customers with safe and secure ways to spend ( Neo Financial’s suite of credit and

prepaid cards ), Everyday banking products ( Neo Money ™), investment solutions ( Neo Invest ™), and low-rate

mortgages ( Neo Mortgage) . Neo for Business powers financial solutions for Tim Hortons, Cathay Pacific, Hudson’s Bay, and over 10,000 other partners across the country. To learn more, visit neofinancial.com .

Media Contacts:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Kyle Warrener – Manager, Communications & Content

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 870-1262 | kwarrener@cebl.ca

Neo Financial

media@neofinancial.com

Disclaimers:

Neo Credit and Neo Secured Credit cards are issued by ATB Financial pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated.

The Neo Money™ card is a prepaid Mastercard® issued by Equitable Bank pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. The Neo Money™ card is powered by the Neo Money™ account, which is provided by Concentra Bank.

*Certain conditions apply. See www.cebl.ca/neo for terms and conditions.

**No purchase necessary. Giveaway runs until August 1, 2025. Open to residents of Canada, excluding

Quebec, who are the age of majority and participate in any of the designated locations during the Giveaway Period. Odds depend on the number of entries. Skill-testing question required. Full rules at NeoFinancial.com/CEBLChampionship .

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Jaden Campbell for 2025 Season

Tue, 06 May 2025 18:01:07 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that they have re-signed Jaden Campbell.

The 6-foot-5 guard began his professional career with the Scarborough Shooting Stars and averaged 6.2 points and 1.2 rebounds in 12 minutes per game through 19 games last season.

The Brampton native played overseas where he averaged 16.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 29.8 minutes of play through 38 games with USK Praha of the Czech-Republic NBL, consistently putting up big numbers.

Campbell was named to Team Canada’s Senior Men’s National team training camp roster ahead of FIBA Americup 2025 Qualifiers. He will reunite with Scarborough Shooting Stars teammate Danilo Djuricic ahead of the 2025 season.

The Scarborough Shooting Stars will kick off their 2025 season on Sunday May 25 at CAA Centre against the Brampton Honey Badgers. Scarborough will then host the Ottawa BlackJacks at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for their first home game on Tuesday May 27. Head to scarboroughshootingstars.ca for additional information on the team, tickets and schedule.

About the CEBL

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Media Contact:

Isabel Asuako

Media & Communications

media@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Danilo Djuricic for 2025 Season

Mon, 05 May 2025 18:03:10 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that they have re-signed Danilo Djuricic.

The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 11.6 minutes per game through 17 games with the Scarborough Shooting Stars last season. Djuricic returns for his fourth season with the Shooting Stars, previously playing two seasons for Brno of the Czech Republic (2021/22 and 2022/23)

The Harvard alum averaged 5.8 points and 3.6 rebounds through 91 games over three seasons with the Crimson. He helped Harvard to two consecutive Ivy League championships and berths into the NIT during his freshman and sophomore years.

Djuricic will join new teammates Jayden Coke, Khalil Miller, Kobe Elvis as well as 2025 CEBL Draft picks David Walker, Koat Thomas and Samuel Wong.

About the CEBL

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Media Contact:

Isabel Asuako

Media & Communications

media@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Jayden Coke

Sun, 04 May 2025 18:02:10 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Sunday that they have signed Jayden Coke.

The 6-foot-6 swingman has played in the USA, Canada, Jamaica, Australia and Poland. He averaged 19.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 blocks and 2.0 steals in 32.7 minutes per game through 56 games for KKS Polonia Warszawa of the Polish 1Liga and Shepparton of the Australian Big V League. He played in the summer league for Elite1 Horizon of the Elite 1 Caribbean Basketball League (E1CBL).

Coke dominated internationally in the Polish 1Liga and the Australian Big V League. Named Player of the Week twice in both leagues, and Defensive Player of the Year in the Australian Big V.

He played his collegiate career at Snow College, Gillette College, Academy of Art, Vancouver Island University and Ontario Tech University. Coke averaged 11.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 20.7 minutes per game through 88 games throughout his collegiate career.

Coke joins Khalil Miller, Kobe Elvis and 2025 CEBL Draft picks David Walker, Koat Thomas and Samuel Wong on Scarborough’s 2025 roster.

About the CEBL

###

Media Contact:

Isabel Asuako

Media & Communications

media@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Scarborough Native Khalil Miller

Sat, 03 May 2025 18:00:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Saturday that they have signed Scarborough native Khalil Miller.

The 6-foot-8 forward began his professional career in 2023 and briefly played for the Ottawa BlackJacks of the CEBL and the former Truro Tide of the ECBL. He has international pro experience playing in the Austrian BSL, Colombian Liga Wplay, and Germany ProB. He averaged 13.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 26.3 minutes per game through 67 games as a pro and has recorded a career best 33 double-double games in points and rebounds.

Miller played three seasons at Seneca College before concluding his collegiate career at McMaster University in 2023. Miller averaged 9.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.8 blocks in 25.2 minutes per game through 17 games at McMaster University where he was named OUA Defensive Player of the Year.

Miller joins Kobe Elvis and 2025 CEBL Draft picks David Walker, Koat Thomas and Samuel Wong on Scarborough’s 2025 roster.

About the CEBL

###

Media Contact:

Isabel Asuako

Media & Communications

media@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Kobe Elvis

Fri, 02 May 2025 18:00:24 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that they have signed Brampton native Kobe Elvis.

The 6-foot-1 guard played his rookie season at DePaul University before transferring to the University of Dayton and completed his collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma. Elvis averaged 7.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 23.6 minutes per game through 34 games with the University of Oklahoma.

Elvis joins 2025 CEBL Draft picks David Walker, Koat Thomas and Samuel Wong on Scarborough’s 2025 roster.

About the CEBL

###

Media Contact:

Isabel Asuako

Media & Communications

media@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Mazereeuw Named President of Canadian Elite Basketball League

Thu, 01 May 2025 14:51:18 GMT

Seasoned sports executive and business leader steps into key role with Canada’s largest pro sports league

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday the appointment of Tyler “Ty” Mazereeuw, a distinguished business leader and established executive in the Canadian sports sector, as the league’s first-ever President.

Mazereeuw brings over 20 years of dynamic experience focused on innovation and revenue growth in the sports and entertainment industry. Joining the CEBL’s executive team at a pivotal stage in the league’s growth, Mazereeuw will bring a collaborative mindset to driving key strategic initiatives, with a focus on leading and strengthening the league’s sales and marketing efforts to elevate its commercial presence.

“Securing someone of Tyler’s caliber with his proven experience and track record is a significant achievement for the CEBL,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner & Co-Founder of the CEBL. “His extensive involvement with top-tier Canadian sports and entertainment brands throughout his career provides invaluable insights and successes that will greatly benefit our league as we pursue our rapid growth strategy in Canada and internationally.”

Mazereeuw has built numerous high-impact partnerships between Canada’s leading properties and brands across the sports and entertainment landscape. He has held senior roles with several prominent organizations, including the Canadian Football League (CFL), IMG, and Molson Sports & Entertainment.

“The CEBL has rapidly established itself as a significant force in Canadian sports,” said Mazereeuw. “I am grateful for the opportunity to join at such a pivotal stage in its evolution and to serve our growing and passionate fan base. As a dynamic league fueled by entrepreneurial energy, the CEBL is well-positioned to meet the changing landscape of sports and the evolving nature of fandom. I look forward to working in concert with our owners, teams, players and partners to align our efforts, build on the league’s momentum, and help advance the CEBL’s position as a premier sports and entertainment property.”

Recognized as a thought leader and named one of Canada’s Top 5 Under 40 in Sports Business, Mazereeuw brings a strategic and innovative approach to commercial growth, business development, and building lasting relationships with key stakeholders. Over a 12-year career with the CFL, he held progressively senior leadership roles, most recently serving as Chief Commercial Officer, where he oversaw revenue, marketing, and data strategy across broadcast, sponsorship, ticketing, licensing, brand, and digital platforms.

- CEBL -

About the CEBL

Media Contacts:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Kyle Warrener – Manager, Communications & Content

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 870-1262 | kwarrener@cebl.ca

2025 RDS Broadcast Team Announced

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:05:34 GMT

Éclipse: Match Sous les Étoiles in Montréal kicks off RDS coverage May 23

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday its 2025 RDS broadcast team that will call all 16 CEBL games on RDS this season, beginning with the first 5x5 outdoor pro basketball game in Canadian history when the Montréal Alliance host the Ottawa BlackJacks May 23 at IGA Stadium in the CEBL Summer Classic – Éclipse: Match Sous les Étoiles .

French-language CEBL coverage on RDS includes 16 total games this summer – 12 live televised games and four games streamed live on RDS.ca and the RDS app . All 12 Alliance regular season home games and one road game, as well as all three CW25 games, will be available on RDS platforms this summer.

2025 RDS BROADCAST TEAM

Alex Tourigny – Play-By-Play

Alex Tourigny is entering his 21st season in broadcasting as a reporter and play-by-play announcer for RDS. Tourigny has been calling games for RDS for more than a decade at every level, including the NBA, G League, NCAA, Olympics (2x) and CEBL. He has covered most pro sports teams and major sporting events in Montreal (as well as the Ottawa Senators) as a reporter and was lucky enough to be assigned to the 2019

Raptors run, including Game 6 in Oakland.

Will Archambault – Analyst

Will Archambault has worked at RDS as a basketball analyst for over 13 years. In addition to covering the NCAA, NBA, G-League and most recently the CEBL, he was the lead basketball analyst for Radio-Canada during the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. As a former NCAA Division 1 player, Archambault contributed to Davidson College’s historic March Madness run to the Elite 8 during the 2008 NCAA Tournament. His international experience includes playing professionally overseas. Overall, Archambault’s multifaceted background in basketball, both as a player and analyst, underscores his passion and dedication to the game.

Peter Yannopoulos - Analyst

After 15 years in coaching, including becoming the first Quebec-born male assistant coach in the NCAA at the University of Massachusetts (UMass), Peter Yannopoulos enters his 22nd season in broadcasting as an NBA TV analyst and radio insider. Yannopoulos has 13 years experience at RDS as an NBA & NCAA TV analyst, 21 years at TSN 690 radio and has been an NBA insider at BPM Sport, Sports Grid in New York, and Die Hards radio in Boston. He is also host of the NBA Canada Series Chalk Talk with NBA legends. Yannopoulos is also the Director of International Relations for the Haitian National Basketball Federation & the Haiti senior national team, and is currently a certified NBPA player agent.

- CEBL -

About the CEBL

About RDS

RDS is Canada’s French-language sports broadcasting leader. In addition to its world-class content delivered across multiple platforms, including RDS, RDS2, RDS Info, RDS.ca   and  the RDS app , RDS offers the one of the broadest portfolio of French-language sports programming in the world. Official broadcaster of the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators, CFL and Grey Cup, NFL and Super Bowl, MLB and World Series, NBA and the NBA Finals, MLS and MLS Cup, LaLiga, FIFA World Cup until 2026, exclusive French-language broadcaster of the Montreal Alouettes, Laval Rocket and Formula 1, RDS’s slate of channels present more than 4,000 hours of live programming each year, including PWHL, the IIHF Men’s World Championship, Women’s World Championship and World Junior Championship, NASCAR, the CEBL, PGA Tour golf including all four majors, ATP tennis including all four Grand Slam tournaments and Season of Champions Curling. RDS comes from Bell Media, Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, digital, and Out-of-Home. More information about RDS is available at RDS.ca .

Media Contacts:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Patrick Tremblay – Chef, Communications et relations publiques

RDS

(514) 913-6799 | Patrick.tremblay@bellmedia.ca

Zachary Favreau – Sr. Director, Marketing, Communications & Community Relations

Montréal Alliance

(514) 962-2798 | zfavreau@alliancemontreal.ca

2025 CEBL+ Broadcast Teams Announced

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 17:17:44 GMT

Seventh season of CEBL action tips off May 11 with Battle of Alberta at Edmonton EXPO Centre

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday the local broadcast teams that will deliver all the excitement of Canada’s professional basketball league in 2025 to viewers across the country on the league’s OTT streaming platform CEBL+ , TSN+ and the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. The lineup covering all livestream games this summer consists of more than 45 media personalities across all 10 of the league’s markets.

The seventh season of the CEBL tips off May 11 when the Calgary Surge travel to Edmonton to take on the Stingers in the Battle of Alberta. In addition to the CEBL on TSN broadcast team announced Tuesday, the following is the full CEBL+ broadcast lineup in 2025:

2025 CEBL+ BROADCAST TEAMS

SCARBOROUGH:

Rod Black – Play-By-Play

As a Canadian sports broadcaster for over 40 years, Rod Black has been a part of some of sports most iconic events, including multiple Olympic Games and PGA tournaments. He was on the mic for the Toronto Raptors inaugural season television broadcasts. Following a lengthy career with TSN and CTV that included calling Toronto Blue Jays games and leading the pregame coverage of their 1992 and 1993 World Series championships, Black currently broadcasts numerous sports on both a national and regional level around the world. He currently handles play-by-play duties for the CEBL’s Scarborough Shooting Stars.

Warren Ward – Analyst

Warren Ward, a seasoned broadcaster and former professional athlete, spent six years on the court before transitioning to broadcasting. Currently working with the Toronto Raptors, Raptors 905, and Scarborough Shooting Stars, Ward seamlessly merged his athletic prowess with his passion for communication. Now in his fourth season with Scarborough, he continues to captivate audiences with his insightful commentary and dedication to the game. Ward’s dynamic career trajectory showcases a commitment to excellence both on and off the court.

Danielle Bain – Sideline Reporter

Danielle Bain is a sports broadcaster from Mississauga who began her career as a video journalist in Thunder Bay. Transitioning to Ottawa, Bain covered local sports and breaking news on television and radio. Finally, she made her return to Toronto, where she currently works as the rinkside reporter for the Toronto Marlies and in-arena host for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Last year, she had the incredible opportunity to work for OBS as a reporter and producer at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Now entering her third season with the CEBL, Bain is excited to bring her skills and enthusiasm to the basketball court this summer.

Esfandiar Baraheni – Analyst / Sideline Reporter

Esfandiar Baraheni has been a basketball reporter, writer and producer for over six years, working with publications like TheScore, Bleacher Report, TSN, Spotify, and Raptors Republic — specializing in covering the Toronto Raptors and the rest of the NBA. Now, he works as a co-host for the NBA Daily for The Athletic and an In-Arena Host for the Raptors 905. Esfandiar is entering his third year as a sideline reporter and analyst for the CEBL.

BRAMPTON / NIAGARA:

Sean Woodley – Play-By-Play

Sean Woodley is the longtime host of the daily Locked On Raptors podcast and is a credentialed member of the Raptors media corps. He's worked as a studio personality and play-by-play voice for the CEBL since the league's inception. Sean has also worked as a host at TSN 1150 Radio and authored the book "We The Champs" about the Raptors' Championship run in 2019. Sean coaches youth basketball in Hamilton and plays pickup hoops any chance he gets. He likes basketball just a little bit.

Matt Bonomi – Play-By-Play

Matt Bonomi returns for his third season as a play-by-play commentator in the CEBL. As a fan of the sport, Bonomi has called over 230 Canadian University basketball games as the voice of the Brock Badgers. In 2020, he earned the inaugural OUA Broadcaster of the Year Award. In addition, Bonomi was on the call for the 2023 CCAA Women’s Canadian College Basketball Championships and two windows of the 2023 FIBA Basketball Champions League of Americas, featuring the 2022 CEBL champion Honey Badgers. Bonomi is a 2019 graduate of Brock University (Sport Management), and a 2022 graduate from the Ontario College of Sports Media.

Andrew Damelin – Play-By-Play

Andrew Damelin enters his fifth season covering the CEBL. He's the weekend sports reporter at CHCH in Hamilton, and he creates highlights for SportsCentre at TSN. Andrew is 6-foot-5, loves his wife, kids, eggs benedict and nifty post moves. His playing days may be over, but his passion for the grassroots game has never been stronger.

Joe Raso – Analyst

Joe Raso, Sr. Director, Basketball Operations for the CEBL, returns for his seventh year on the league’s broadcast staff. Raso has been involved in all levels of basketball for more than 40 years. He is the all-time winningest head coach in McMaster University history where he coached his teams to 12 national tournament appearances in 18 years, claiming four OUA championships and four silver medals. Raso has worked in the NBA as an advance scout. At the international level he was a scout & assistant for the Canadian Men’s National Team. Raso has experience as a TV analyst for the CEBL, FIBA, CBC, Sportsnet and TSN.

Esfandiar Baraheni – Analyst / Sideline Reporter

Dashawn Stephens – Analyst

Dashawn Stephens is a Canadian sports analyst, commentator, producer and sports entrepreneur with five years of on-air experience appearing on CBC and TSN – specializing in college sports. Stephens is also the CEO and Creative Director of PRSVRE Media Group, Canada's largest college sports media and production company. Through his work with PRSVRE, Stephens has been recognized as one of Canada's Top 40 emerging sports business leaders of 2025.

Dhanung Bulsara – Sideline Reporter

Dhanung Bulsara, commonly known as ‘D' enters his fifth season with the CEBL as a sideline reporter. For the past four seasons, Bulsara has patrolled the sidelines covering home games for the Guelph Nighthawks (2021, 2022), Brampton Honey Badgers and Niagara River Lions. The last two seasons saw Dhanung covering nationally televised games for the league on TSN. 'D' can also be found on the league's weekly program,'CEBL Weekly' alongside Esfandiar Baraheni covering all of the league's latest news on various digital platforms. Bulsara has also spent the last two summers as the in-game host for the Toronto Blue Jays and enters his third season with the club. He has previous experience with the Raptors 905 as their in-game host, spending two seasons with the team.

JJ Evason – Sideline Reporter

JJ Evason returns for his second CEBL season as a sideline reporter covering both the Niagara River Lions and the Brampton Honey Badgers. JJ is the voice of Ontario Basketball and has covered the game at multiple levels including the 15U & 17U Canadian National Championships, the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association, the Men's and Women's National Preparatory Association, the Hoop Queens Summer League, and the Basketball Super League. JJ holds a degree in Kinesiology from Western University and a diploma from The College of Sports Media.

Aaron Sanders – Sideline Reporter

Aaron Sanders has been a basketball broadcaster (play-by-play announcer & host) for 10 years. He has been on the headset for various FIBA tournaments and hosted FIBA’s chat party for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Aaron has also called games for the University of Windsor Lancers (OUA/U-Sports), St. Clair College Saints (OCAA) basketball, as well as NBL Canada & BSL basketball.

CALGARY:

Mitch Peacock – Play-By-Play

The voice of the CEBL in Calgary since the Surge arrived in 2023, Mitch Peacock enters the new season fresh from a fall/winter calling German Basketball Bundesliga, Swedish Hockey League and Champions Hockey League action for world feeds delivering to a range of streaming services and sports channels. Mitch has done network play-by-play for five Olympic Games, worked as a rinkside reporter on Hockey Night In Canada, and hosted FIFA World Cup coverage. Peacock’s other credits include FOX Soccer Report anchor and host of Calgary Flames Radio.

Jamaine Cummings – Analyst

As a student of the game, Jamaine Cummings is prepared to bring his unique analysis style to the Calgary Surge broadcast for a third season. Some of his past broadcast credits include the 2024 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Men’s Final 4 Championship, 2023 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s National Championship, 2023 Western Canadian Baseball League Championship, and the 2023 ACAC Men’s Provincial Championship. Cummings also played basketball at St. Marys' in Calgary and for Basketball Alberta. With a passion for both basketball and broadcasting, he is excited and honoured to once again, combine the two, to help showcase the CEBL's elite talent to the entire nation.

Cami Kepke – Sideline Reporter

Cami Kepke returns to the sidelines for the Calgary Surge’s third season. Kepke brings nine years of award-winning television sports experience to the court, including coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, NHL Heritage Classic, Grey Cup and the Basketball Champions League Americas’ Calgary stop on Global News and CTV. She’s roved the sidelines for the 2025 Canada West Men’s Basketball playoffs, the 2023 Canada West Women’s Basketball Championship and the 2022 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship. Kepke looks forward to bringing fans inside the game and sharing the stories of the coaches, athletes and staff who make every electric CEBL season possible.

EDMONTON:

Doug McLean – Play-By-Play

Doug McLean, a lifelong Edmontonian, brings over 20 years of national and international broadcast experience to his sixth season of play-by-play for the Edmonton Stingers. Also, the colour commentator for University of Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas basketball, McLean has called two U SPORTS Final 8 tournaments, Team USA at the FISU World University Games, FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying, and FIBA

3x3 events. He’s also broadcast hockey at five FISU World University Games, university and CFL football, and bandy in Russia. Outside broadcasting, McLean is the owner and president of McLean Sport and Strategy, a marketing and strategy consulting firm.

Marc Majeau – Play-By-Play / Analyst / Sideline Reporter

Marc Majeau has been a sports broadcaster in the Edmonton area for over 15 years. He has been the voice of the University of Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas basketball programs since 2017 and was a broadcaster for two U SPORTS National Championships in 2022 and 2024.

Greyson Knutson – Play-By-Play

Greyson Knutson is a new voice to the CEBL but no stranger to basketball. He has had the opportunity to do play-by-play for two U SPORTS Final 8 tournaments, FIBA 3x3 World Tour stops, and the most recent ASAA 4A High School Provincials. A former TV sports anchor and reporter, Greyson has dived headfirst into the play-by-play world, calling numerous local, provincial, national and international events in hockey, soccer, volleyball, football, lacrosse and basketball.

Paul Sir – Analyst

Paul has been the analyst for the Edmonton Stingers since its inception. He has been immersed in basketball throughout his life as a player, coach, executive and broadcaster. He hosts 'The Basketball Show' on Sports1440 & numerous podcasts. He has done both play by play and analysis for FIBA 3x3 and 5 on 5 international events.

Sarah Ryan – Sideline Reporter

Returning for a second season as a sideline reporter for Stingers’ home games, Sarah Ryan is thrilled to be back courtside. She has worked as a news reporter and anchor in her hometown of Edmonton for the last decade. Her true passion is covering local sports having been a competitive athlete her whole life. She juggled playing on three varsity teams (including the basketball team), while she earned her journalism degree at the University of King's College in Halifax, NS. Ryan is also a dog-mom and passionate animal rescue advocate, having fostered 15 dogs so far.

Ryan Reed – Sideline Reporter

Ryan Reed is a former ACAC basketball player and a broadcaster with a background in sports journalism and communications. After playing basketball for the University of Alberta’s Augustana Vikings, he moved into media and communications roles. Reed works with the Edmonton Oilers as part of their communications team. He also writes for NHL.com and co-hosts and produces The Basketball Show with Paul Sir on Sports 1440. Reed holds a journalism degree with a minor in professional communication.

MONTREAL:

Moe Khan – Play-By-Play

Moe Khan is entering his fourth year as the play-by-play voice of the Montreal Alliance in the CEBL. He has called games at the CCAA, NCAA, and U SPORTS levels across multiple varsity sports. In addition, he will be doing sideline reporting for select Montreal Roses games in the NSL, and will continue his behind-the-scenes role with CFL on TSN for Montreal Alouettes home games. With a fresh new look under private ownership and new direction from Coach Small, he looks forward to working with his colleagues Dwight Walton and Gabriela Hébert to produce top-quality Montreal Alliance broadcasts.

Dwight Walton – Analyst

Dwight Walton is a former member of the Canadian National Team from 1986-1995. Walton played professionally in Israel and Switzerland from 1994-2004, including four years in Israel and six years in Switzerland. The basketball analyst and colour commentator is also an assistant coach for the men’s program at Concordia University in Montreal and serves as General Manager for the Los Angeles Ignite of The Basketball League.

Gabriela Hébert – Sideline Reporter

After playing U SPORTS basketball with McGill University where she was part of five provincial championships and helped lay the foundations for the eventual Bronze Baby winning Martlets, Gabriela Hébert started getting involved in broadcasts. She participated as an analyst for different provincial and national women’s basketball championships in the last few years. Hébert is also the season analyst for the women’s basketball team at McGill University. You can also catch her new podcast, “The Corner Girl” launching this summer as she will discuss the world of women’s sports, including basketball, through stories and news to inspire the new generation of athletes. In 2024, Hébert will serve her fourth season as sideline reporter for Montreal Alliance home games.

OTTAWA:

AJ Jakubec – Play-By-Play

AJ Jakubec is a 28-year sports broadcasting veteran who has been at TSN 1200 Ottawa for 19 years after stops throughout British Columbia and his native Edmonton. Jakubec’s first basketball call was as the voice of the Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas from 2001-03. In Ottawa, he has brought the action to viewers and listeners during numerous Carleton Ravens and Ottawa Gee-Gees games, including the annual Capital Hoops Classic and multiple U SPORTS Championships. Jakubec’s local play-by-play experience includes work with the Ottawa REDBLACKS, Ottawa 67’s, Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oil Kings, Atlético Ottawa, Ottawa Fury FC, and the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship, in addition to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Elias El-Zein – Play-By-Play / Sideline Reporter

Elias El-Zein returns as the sideline reporter for the Ottawa BlackJacks, bringing his passion, energy, and sharp basketball insight back to the CEBL sidelines. A seasoned broadcaster with over a decade of experience, Elias is known for his engaging interviews, on-the-fly analysis, and deep connection to the game. Whether he's breaking down key moments or capturing behind-the-scenes stories, Elias keeps fans closer to

the action than ever before.

Garry Gallimore – Analyst

Gallimore is a former standout player for Coach Konchalski of the St. Francis Xavier X-Men from 2003-2007 where he earned U SPORTS Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006. Garry was a member of the Canadian National Basketball Team program (2002-2007) and earned two bronze medals. His professional basketball career spanned five years, during which he played in Belgium, Romania and North America. Over the last three seasons, Garry has served as a colour commentator for the Ottawa University Gee-Gees. His passion for basketball remains strong and being a sports analyst is one way he chooses to stay in the game.

Rose-Anne Joly – Analyst

Joly was named the Head Coach and Program Manager of the Ottawa Gee-Gees women's basketball team in June of 2021. Since her appointment, the team has a 65-15 regular season record and were ranked no. 1 in Canada in two different seasons. They were an OUA Critelli Cup Champion in 2025 and a U SPORTS bronze medalist in 2025. Joly was the women’s basketball analyst for CBC (Radio-Canada) during the Paris Olympics in the summer of 2024. In 2022 she joined the staff of the Montréal Alliance of the CEBL, serving as assistant coach for player development and data analysis. Joly also worked for the NBA Basketball School in Dubai in 2020-2021, serving as Coach and Operations Coordinator.

Jackie Perez – Sideline Reporter

Jackie Perez is excited for another season with the Ottawa BlackJacks broadcast team as a CEBL sideline reporter. Perez is currently a television broadcaster with CTV News Ottawa as the community and weather anchor for 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. newscasts. Born in Manila, Philippines and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, she began her television career as a video journalist for CTV News Saskatchewan before joining CTV Morning Live as Regina's live eye reporter. This led to a role at CityNews Calgary as an anchor and reporter. Perez also spent three seasons as the in-game host for the Toronto Argonauts Football Club.

Tyler McDonald – Sideline Reporter

Tyler McDonald joins the Ottawa BlackJacks broadcast team this year as a sideline reporter. The local Ottawa, Ontario broadcaster has spent the last 13 years covering numerous sports all throughout the Ottawa Region. This experience includes work with the Ottawa 67’s, Atlético Ottawa, Ottawa Fury FC, Ottawa Senators, University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, Carleton Ravens and recently the 2025 U SPORTS Men’s Hockey University Cup on CBC Sports. In basketball, Tyler has brought the action to viewers during UOttawa Gee-Gees and Carleton Ravens games, including multiple Capital Hoops Classics.

SASKATCHEWAN:

Simon Hiatt – Play-By-Play

Simon Hiatt has been the play-by-play voice of the Saskatchewan Rattlers since their inaugural season and called the first-ever CEBL championship game in 2019. He is the current PA Announcer for the Saskatoon Berries of the Western Canadian Baseball League. Hiatt has worked in local television in Saskatoon for 25 years and was also the play-by-play voice for the University of Saskatchewan women’s and men’s basketball teams for over a decade. He has also been a newspaper columnist and public address announcer and is an award-winning filmmaker. Hiatt lives in Saskatoon with his wife Joy.

Ryan Flaherty – Play- By-Play / Analyst

After more than a decade in television news, primarily as a sports anchor/reporter, Ryan now works as a freelance broadcaster and sportswriter. This is his fourth season as a member of the Rattlers broadcast team and when he’s not involved in the broadcast he serves as the team’s PA announcer. While he enjoys all three broadcast roles, Ryan’s passion is play-by-play. In addition to his work with the Rattlers, he’s spent three seasons calling USask Huskies hockey and basketball for HuskieFAN, including the women’s hoops team’s 2025 U SPORTS championship. He enjoyed two seasons in the booth with the National Lacrosse League’s Saskatchewan Rush and is in his seventh season as the voice of Saskatchewan SWAT junior lacrosse. He’s also the head writer of The Hardline Curling Show, streamed weekly online.

Amy Prokop – Analyst

Amy Prokop enters her third season as a colour analyst in the CEBL with the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Born and raised in Saskatoon, Prokop had an accomplished career as a point guard with the University of Saskatchewan women’s basketball program (2004-09) and helped them earn their first Canada West championship banner in 2005. She sits third all-time in Huskie assists and fifth in steals. Leaning into her multi-sport background, Prokop is now in her 10th year as an assistant coach with Huskie Women’s Soccer and is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in sport in her community.

James Hillis – Analyst

Hillis coached the University of Regina Cougars for 19 seasons (1994-2013), qualifying for the conference playoffs 18 straight years and being ranked nationally in the Top 10 in 14 others. He also led the Brandon University Bobcats to the national semifinal in 1994. Hillis was named the conference’s coach-of-the-year four times and was inducted into the Regina Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. Additionally, he was an assistant coach for Canada at the 1999 Pan Am Games and a video coordinator for the Olympic qualifying tournament in 1999 in Puerto Rico under Head Coach Jay Triano. Hillis has been involved extensively with Basketball Saskatchewan as board member and coach including a Bronze Medal at the 2005 Jeux Canada Games. He served as President of the National Coaches Association from 2005 to 2013.

Heather Morrison – Sideline Reporter

Heather Morrison is a broadcaster and public speaking coach from Saskatoon. This is Heather's fifth season with the Saskatchewan Rattlers and her third year covering the CEBL western conference on TSN. She has also handled sideline coverage for Canada West Football and the Saskatchewan Rush. Her previous work includes time with CBC Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Media Group and an extensive career in theatre. Now she runs her own business, Deliver Your Best Coaching, where she helps professionals overcome their fear of public speaking.

Caitrin Hodson - Sideline Reporter

Caitrin enters her first season as a member of the broadcast team for the CEBL's Saskatchewan Rattlers. Caitrin is a sports comms specialist, storyteller, public speaker, in-game host, announcer and former reporter, anchor and producer for CTV Morning Live. She is also a musician and singer, performing national anthems for multiple professional and college sports organizations, including the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Last summer, Caitrin had the privilege of in-game and on-court announcing for the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series featuring Team Canada, fresh off their Paris 2024 Olympic run.

VANCOUVER:

James Cybulski – Play-By-Play

Cybulski is currently the play-by-play voice for the popular EA Sports NHL video game franchise. An award-winning broadcaster, James has worked nationally with both TSN and Sportsnet covering several of the biggest events on the planet including three Olympics, the NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, and World Series. As a father of four, James spends much of his free time helping coach youth sports, reading comics, and walking his dog along the beach.

Andrew Savory – Play-By-Play / Analyst / Sideline Reporter

Andrew served as part of the Vancouver Bandits front office from 2018-24, overseeing communications and business operations. He continues to be involved in the local basketball scene, recently broadcasting at the 2025 U SPORTS Final 8 and the 2024 Canada West Championships as a play-by-play commentator and analyst. Andrew's broadcast career began at Carleton University where he was a member of the sports

information team before moving to BC where he has since provided on-air analysis for broadcasts at UFV, UBC and TWU.

Cheryl Jean-Paul – Analyst

Back for a second year with the Bandits, Cheryl Jean-Paul brings a background of athlete, coach, and official at the U SPORTS level. Jean-Paul has built the Spartans program into a perennial playoff contender since joining Trinity Western University as the women’s basketball coach in 2010. Internationally, she led Canada’s Cadette Women to a top four finish at the U17 World Championships in 2022. Jean-Paul, a Winnipeg native who played for the Manitoba Bisons, is a Chartered Professional Coach, obtaining her Advanced Coaching Diploma and has a master’s in leadership from Royal Roads University. CJP’s 23 years of involvement in the basketball community has included winning the CanWest Coach of the Year award, is currently Basketball BC’s U15 Girls Provincial team coach, and has joined Howard Tsumura as analyst for various levels of the BC High School Championships for the past few seasons.

Chris Wiggins – Sideline Reporter

Chris Wiggins returns for his second season as the sideline reporter for the Vancouver Bandits. With almost a decade of morning radio experience and an extensive background in in-game hosting and PA announcing across multiple sports leagues, Chris brings energy and insight to every broadcast. A two-time provincial basketball champion, he also played one season of college basketball with the Niagara Knights and is a graduate of the Niagara College Broadcasting: Radio, TV, and Film program.

WINNIPEG:

Joey Slattery – Play-By-Play / Sideline Reporter

Joey Slattery enters his third season as the CEBL sideline reporter in Winnipeg, where he also co-hosts the Target Score Weekly podcast focusing on the Sea Bears and CEBL. Slattery is a veteran journalist, having served as a reporter and anchor in both news and sports, as well as hosting TV morning shows in Northern Ontario, Regina, Edmonton and Winnipeg for more than a decade. Now narrowing his focus on basketball, he is excited to be back patrolling the CEBL sidelines and bringing you closer to the action in 2025.

Christian Aumell – Play-By-Play

After a mediocre high school basketball career, Aumell turned his attention to the microphone where he called games for well over a decade. He served as the play-by-play voice of the Western Mustangs before moving to Winnipeg, where he has called games for the University of Winnipeg Wesmen since 2016 and has been the voice of the Sea Bears since their inaugural game. In his day job, Aumell hosts the CJOB Sports Show, covering the Winnipeg sports scene on a nightly basis.

Dave Crook – Analyst

Dave Crook returns for his third season working for the CEBL in Winnipeg. Crook has a long connection in Canada having worked for over 40 years in the U SPORTS system including 27 years as a head coach. He also enjoyed a decade-long career coaching with the Canadian National team program. His time with Canada included the highlights of being named Head Coach of the Canadian junior team in 2002. In 2004, Crook led the Men’s Young team to be the first Canadian age group team to ever qualify for a World Championship. The following year, the team knocked off the U.S. in the quarter finals (Canada’s first win over the US at a FIBA event) and then went on to defeat the reigning World Champions Australia to capture the bronze medal. Crook recently retired from his position as Athletic Director at the University of Winnipeg.

Teagan Rasche – Sideline Reporter

From the hottest state to the coldest province, Rasche's journalism career has taken her to many places. Currently a reporter with Global News Winnipeg, Rasche covers everything happening within the city and beyond. But her favorite days are when she gets to do sports stories. A lifelong athlete, Rasche eventually pursued track and field, earning a scholarship to the University of Arizona. She competed on the track and

field team while earning a degree in journalism. Rasche is excited to be courtside joining the Sea Bears broadcast team.

Emily Potter – Sideline Reporter

Emily Potter enters her first year as a sideline reporter in the CEBL in Winnipeg after spending last season working on a postgame show with the Sea Bears. Potter is a current professional basketball player overseas with seven years of experience and has played in numerous countries around the world. A current member of the Canadian National Team, Potter was most recently selected as an alternate for the 2024 Paris Olympics. She is excited to be on the sidelines of her hometown professional team and learn more about the media and

production side of sports.

- CEBL -

About the CEBL

Media Contacts:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Kyle Warrener – Manager, Communications & Content

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 870-1262 | kwarrener@cebl.ca

2025 CEBL on TSN Broadcast Team Announced

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 16:59:14 GMT

CEBL Summer Classic in Montréal kicks off TSN’s national coverage May 23

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday its 2025 CEBL on TSN broadcast team that will cover the 17 nationally televised games announced in March.

TSN’s national CEBL coverage begins with the first 5x5 outdoor pro basketball game in Canadian history when the Montréal Alliance host the Ottawa BlackJacks May 23 at IGA Stadium in the CEBL Summer Classic – Éclipse: Match Sous les Étoiles , and culminates with all playoff and 2025 Championship Weekend (CW25) games in Winnipeg this August.

Calling the games on TSN this summer will be a mix of top-tier talent that again includes current and former NBA broadcasters like the legendary Chuck Swirsky (Chicago Bulls), Rod Black (original Raptors television play-by-play broadcaster), Amy Audibert (Miami Heat), Paul Jones (Toronto Raptors) and Nikki Reyes (Raptors sideline reporter for TSN).

CEBL+ talent will again be featured on the TSN broadcasts in 2025, with returnees Joe Raso, Heather Morrison, Esfandiar Baraheni and Danielle Bain, and newcomers Mitch Peacock and Joey Slattery.

2025 CEBL ON TSN BROADCAST TEAM

Chuck Swirsky – Play-By-Play

Chuck Swirsky has served as the radio play-by-play voice of the Chicago Bulls for the past 17 seasons following 10 years in that capacity with the Toronto Raptors (1998-99 to 2007-08). He has broadcast more than 2,100 NBA games. Swirsky's association with Chicago sports started in 1979 with his WCFL AM 1000 talk show and has also included broadcasting Chicago White Sox games. He was inducted into the

Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 and into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the WGN Radio Walk of Fame in 2018 and was inducted into the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame in 2022. Swirsky has called play-by-play for University of Michigan basketball and football. Swirsky grew up in Bellevue, Washington and gained his Canadian citizenship in January 2008.

Rod Black – Play-By-Play

Mitch Peacock – Play-By-Play

Amy Audibert – Analyst

Returning to the CEBL for her sixth season, Niagara Falls native Amy Audibert is currently serving as an analyst on the Miami Heat radio/TV broadcast team. In 2023, she became only the third woman to ever call an NBA Finals 'in the booth'. Prior to her South Florida appointment, Audibert was the courtside reporter/analyst for Sportsnet's national coverage of the Toronto Raptors. Amy proudly was the studio analyst for the NBA's first-ever all-female broadcast, which was aired on TSN. Audibert’s on-air experience encompasses calling basketball games for many networks and many leagues, including, the WNBA, the NBA G- League, FIBA, NCAA Men's and Women’s college hoops.

Paul Jones – Analyst

Paul Jones has been associated with Toronto Raptors broadcasts since the team’s inception during the 1995- 96 season. He was part of the inaugural radio broadcast crew for the first two seasons as an analyst and then moved into the television realm working as a sideline reporter and analyst for both Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies broadcasts on TSN and CTV. Jones has also worked as a courtside reporter for Raptor broadcasts on Sportsnet, as well as studio shows for NBA TV Canada. In 2025, Jones handled the radio play-by-play duties for TSN 1050 Toronto and served as the radio analyst for all games on Sportsnet 590 The FAN. During the NBA season he also hosts a weekly radio show (“Smith & Jones”). In 2022, he broadcasted the Canadian Senior Men's team qualifying contests on Sportsnet leading up to Canada's World Cup appearance. His experience also includes coverage of basketball at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, being part of the broadcast crew for the World Basketball Championship that was held in Toronto in 1994, and play-by-play duties for the Canadian Women's Team at the 2012 Olympics in London on TSN.

Joe Raso – Analyst

NBA as an advance scout. At the international level he was a scout & assistant for the Canadian Men’s National Team. Raso has experience as a TV analyst for the CEBL, FIBA, CBC, Sportsnet and TSN.

Heather Morrison – Sideline Reporter

Nikki Reyes – Sideline Reporter

Nikki Reyes is an anchor for TSN’s SportsCentre and Toronto Raptors coverage. She was also an Anchor/Reporter on Sportsnet in Toronto and at NESN in Boston, covering the Celtics, Bruins and Patriots.

Esfandiar Baraheni – Sideline Reporter

Danielle Bain – Sideline Reporter

Danielle Bain is a sports broadcaster from Mississauga who began her career as a video journalist in Thunder Bay. Transitioning to Ottawa, Bain covered local sports and breaking news on television and radio. Finally, she made her return to Toronto, where she currently works as the rinkside reporter for the Toronto Marlies and in- arena host for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Last year, she had the incredible opportunity to work for OBS as a reporter and producer at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Now entering her third season with the CEBL, Bain is excited to bring her skills and enthusiasm to the basketball court this summer.

Joey Slattery – Sideline Reporter

- CEBL -

About the CEBL

About TSN

TSN is Canada’s Sports Leader and provides world-class content across its industry-leading platforms including five national television feeds, TSN+, TSN.ca, TSN Radio stations, and the TSN app, featuring 5G capabilities. With a broad portfolio of multimedia sports assets, TSN delivers more championship events than any broadcaster in the country. The network’s deep and diverse roster of live sports programming includes the Grey Cup, IIHF Women’s Worlds, Men’s Worlds, and World Junior Championship, Spengler Cup, Hockey Canada events, CFL, NFL, NBA, MLS, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Winnipeg Jets, Season of Champions Curling, FIFA World Cup™, UEFA EURO, MLB, Golf’s Majors, Grand Slam Tennis, NASCAR, F1, IndyCar Series, CEBL, CHL, and NCAA March Madness. TSN is part of Bell Media, Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, digital, and Out-of-Home. More information about TSN is available at TSN.ca .

Media Contacts:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Kyle Warrener – Manager, Communications & Content

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 870-1262 | kwarrener@cebl.ca

Rob Duffy – Manager, Communications

TSN | rob.duffy@bellmedia.ca

LIVE CEBL ACTION RETURNS TO GAME+ IN 2025

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 16:25:40 GMT

Leading North American sports channel to broadcast 33 games this summer

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and global multi-platform media company Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. announced Wednesday that Game+ will once again deliver complete coverage of 33 live regular season CEBL games in 2025.

Available across North America on cable, IPTV, satellite and subscription streaming services including FUBO, Game+ is the premier destination for dynamic sports content. From live events and studio shows to the latest in emerging and popular sports, Game + delivers fast-paced, action-driven programming that keeps fans, engaged, energized and entertained.

Game+ coverage of the CEBL tips off on opening night of the 2025 season (Sunday, May 11) at 4 p.m. MT / 6p.m. ET with the Battle of Alberta between the Edmonton Stringers and the Calgary Surge at Edmonton Expo Centre.

Mirroring their coverage from 2024, Game+ will broadcast at least one game in every week of the CEBL’s regular season. The full 33-game Game+ CEBL broadcast schedule in 2025 is as follows:

2025 GAME+ BROADCAST SCHEDULE

- CEBL -

About the CEBL

About Game+

Game+ ( www.gameplusnetwork.com ) is a North American sports channel that airs both live event and studio-based programming featuring emerging and popular sports content. In addition to fast-paced live action sports programming from across the globe, Game+ presents the best in sports analysis, wrestling, strength and endurance, action-adventure series and lifestyle programming. The channel is available on IPTV, cable, satellite systems and subscription streaming services across North America. Game+ is a subsidiary of Anthem

Sports & Entertainment Corp ., a leading global sports media company. For more information, visit www.gameplusnetwork.com and @GamePlusNetwork on X.

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.

Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc.  is a global multi-platform media company with an expansive portfolio of diverse properties that includes  AXS TV , a leading television, streaming, digital, social music and entertainment brand;  Fight Network , the world's premier combat sports channel available globally through multiple OTT platforms;  TNA Wrestling , one of the world's leading professional wrestling organizations;  Invicta Fighting Championships , the world’s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion; Game+ , a North American sports channel featuring emerging and popular sports content;  GameTV , the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; and  HDNet Movies , which features theatrically released films, including blockbusters and Academy award winners. For more information, visit   www.anthemse.com .

Media Contacts:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Kyle Warrener – Manager, Communications & Content

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 870-1262 | kwarrener@cebl.ca

Cindy Ronzoni

Anthem Sports & Entertainment

cronzoni@anthemse.com

2025 CEBL DRAFT CLASS ANNOUNCED

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 23:59:27 GMT

Twenty-seven U SPORTS, three CCAA student-athletes selected in three rounds

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday the results of the 2025 CEBL Draft that saw 30 Canadian student-athletes selected over three rounds from 25 Canadian post-secondary institutions.

For the first time, the selections were unveiled live on CEBL+ ( plus.cebl.ca ) via the ‘2025 CEBL Draft Reveal Show’ that began at 7 p.m. ET. The full replay of the show can be watched on CEBL+ Video-on-Demand as of April 12.

Each CEBL club made three selections total (one in each round) of either returning or graduating Canadian post-secondary players. The priority of selection in round one was the reverse order of how each team finished the 2024 regular season, and the following rounds reverted to a ‘snake format’ in reverse order of the previous round.

By the Numbers:

 30 student-athletes selected from 25 different academic institutions
 27 U SPORTS players / 3 CCAA players
 21 first-time CEBL players / 9 returning CEBL players
 21 different hometown cities represented from 7 different provinces
 3 student-athletes selected from both Toronto Metropolitan University and St. Francis Xavier University (most from any school)

Results (By Round):

For more information on each player selected in the 2025 CEBL Draft, please visit cebl.ca/cebl-draft-2025-results .

The seventh season of the CEBL tips off May 11 when the Calgary Surge travel to Edmonton to take on the Stingers in the Battle of Alberta. A total of 120 regular season games fill 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 U SPORTS

U SPORTS is the national brand for university sports in Canada. Every year, over 15,500 student-athletes and 700 coaches vie for 23 national championships in 13 different sports. U SPORTS also provides high performance international opportunities at FISU Winter and Summer World University Games, World University Championships, University World Cups and various educational initiatives. U SPORTS works in collaboration with 58 members and four conferences as well as the Canadian sport system and Corporate Canada on the growth and delivery of university sport to student-athletes across the country.

About Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association

each hosted by one of the 95 CCAA member institutions (colleges, universities, technical institutes and cégeps) located in nine provinces. In addition to governing the national championships, the CCAA also provides national awards and recognition to CCAA student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors and member institutions. For more information, please visit ccaa.ca .

Media Contacts:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | a gogishvili@cebl.ca

Kyle Warrener – Manager, Communications & Content

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 870-1262 | kwarrener@cebl.ca

John Bower – Director, Marketing and Communications

U SPORTS

780-667-5646 | jbower@usports.ca

Nancy Paquette, Manager, Communications and Events

Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association

(613) 363-3133 | nancy@ccaa.ca

Shooting Stars Select Dynamic Trio of Guards in the 2025 CEBL Draft

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 23:29:21 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday their three selections in the 2025 CEBL Draft. The Shooting Stars have selected David Walker 7th overall out of Toronto Metropolitan University in the first round, Koat Thomas out of St. Francis Xavier University 14th overall in the second round, and sophomore guard Samuel Wong 27th overall out of Centennial College in the third round.

Two familiar faces return to Scarborough as Walker and Thomas both gear up for their second season with the Shooting Stars.

Walker returns after the 2024 CEBL season with the Brampton Honey Badgers where he averaged 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 15.6 minutes in 16 games. He was selected 12th overall in the 2023 CEBL Draft by the Scarborough Shooting Stars, and averaged 10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 21.8 minutes in nine appearances as a rookie.

Hailing from Waterloo, ON Koat Thomas is picked up in the second round after completing another successful collegiate season with St. Francis Xavier. He averaged 9.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.8 steals in 28.1 minutes per game through 17 games for St. Francis Xavier.

Wong, a Centennial College guard and Scarborough native, joins the Shooting Stars following his second season at Centennial College. Ranked among the top 5 in 3-point shooting in the CCAA during the 2023-24 season, he stood out his rookie year hitting 47.6% from beyond the arc.

###

Media Contact:

Isabel Asuako

Media & Communications

media@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

REDTAG.CA RENEWS FOUNDING PARTNERSHIP WITH CEBL

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 07:30:00 GMT

Canada’s leading full-service travel company remains ‘Official Travel Partner of the CEBL

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday the renewal of a multi-year national partnership with redtag.ca , a Founding Partner of the league and its 10 member clubs. redtag.ca is Canada’s leading full-service travel company and, as the 'Official Travel Partner of the CEBL,' will continue to support the league and its teams in coordinating travel across the country as the seventh season of CEBL basketball tips off in May.

redtag.ca will continue to provide the CEBL and its 10 member clubs with access to the best air travel options for league-affiliated personnel. In 2025, the CEBL will embark on its longest season in league history, with 127 total games, resulting in redtag.ca assisting teams in traveling over 400,000 kilometers across Canada. Their experience in serving professional sport teams and leagues, and their understanding that no two travellers are alike, will ensure the CEBL and its member teams travel with ease throughout this partnership.

“Our longstanding partnership with redtag.ca has united a league built by Canadians, for Canadians, with the country’s most trusted travel company,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner & Co-Founder of the CEBL. “As we continue our growth we have great confidence in their ongoing support to help our players, coaches, staff, officials and fans manage comfortable, timely, and convenient travel across Canada.”

To mark this partnership renewal, and as a gesture of appreciation for the CEBL’s passionate basketball fans across the country, redtag.ca is providing every CEBL fan with access to an exclusive travel offer of up to $300 off* their next vacation. Fans can access this offer until December 31, 2025 through the following link: Canadian Elite Basketball League | redtag.ca

“We’re pumped to team up with the CEBL once again,” said Sam Youssef, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Partnerships at redtag.ca. “Their dedication to Canadian athletes and the communities they inspire aligns perfectly with our passion for helping Canadians explore the world. It’s a slam dunk partnership - on and off the court. We can’t wait for another action-packed season!”

redtag.ca makes travel easy for CEBL fans and travellers, building custom trips tailored to their wants by

combining flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises and car rentals anywhere in the world. The seventh season of the CEBL tips off May 11 when the Calgary Surge travel to Edmonton to take on the Stingers in the Battle of Alberta. A total of 127 regular season games fill 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.

*Per booking. Certain conditions apply. See website for terms and conditions.

- 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 redtag.ca

redtag.ca is one of Canada’s top travel companies, specializing in personalized travel solutions for every type

of traveller. As part of the H.I.S Canada Travel Inc./TravelBrands family, redtag.ca offers an extensive selection of vacation packages, flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and even travel to the edge of space – making it easier than ever to plan and book unforgettable travel experiences. Known for its innovative approach and exceptional customer service, redtag.ca has earned the trust of travellers seeking great value, simplicity, and convenience. With competitive pricing and exclusive perks, redtag.ca ensures customers always get the best value for their travel investment. With over 20 years of experience, redtag.ca is committed to helping travellers create their dream vacations, powered by cutting-edge technology and a passionate team of travel professionals. Discover travel made easy™at www.redtag.ca .

Media Contacts:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Kyle Warrener – Manager, Communications & Content

Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 870-1262 | kwarrener@cebl.ca

Sandra Weber – Director of Communications, Content Strategy & Social Media

redtag.ca

sandra.weber@travelbrands.com

'2025 CEBL Draft Reveal Show’ Set For April 10 ON CEBL+

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 17:00:00 GMT

Draft results will be unveiled live on league’s official streaming platform for the first time

The full 2025 CEBL Draft order is as follows:

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that results of the 2025 CEBL Draft will be unveiled live on CEBL+ for the first time in league history via the ‘2025 CEBL Draft Reveal Show’ on Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m. ET. Fans can subscribe at plus.cebl.ca for free access to the show and other CEBL video content including upcoming live and previously archived games.

The show, featuring the talents of CEBL Weekly hosts Dhanung Bulsara and Esfandiar Baraheni, as well as Canadian University sports expert Dashawn Stephens, Founder and Creative Director of PRSVRE Media Group, will include the full reveal of all 30 players selected by CEBL clubs this year from U SPORTS and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) programs, instant analysis of each team’s picks, an interview

with Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL, and more!

The CEBL and U SPORTS have renewed a long-standing partnership, and with the addition of CCAA talent to the draft last year , every Canadian post-secondary student-athlete playing in Canada will again have an equal opportunity to be drafted into the league in April. The CEBL Draft presents a coveted opportunity for top Canadian post-secondary players to get a chance to experience professional basketball by practicing and playing alongside veteran pro basketball players from the NBA, NBA G League, Canadian National team, and top international leagues.

Both players that are returning developmental players (recognized Canadians with experience as a student-athlete with remaining eligibility) and those that have exhausted their academic eligibility are eligible to be drafted. CEBL teams are incentivized to have developmental players on their active roster as up to a maximum of three will not count against a club’s per game active roster salary cap.

All developmental players will become free agents at the conclusion of the CEBL season and can maintain eligibility to be selected in the 2026 CEBL Draft and/or sign with a CEBL club and re-enter the league as a developmental player next season.

The seventh season of the CEBL tips off May 11 when the Calgary Surge travel to Edmonton to take on the Stingers in the Battle of Alberta. A total of 127 regular season games fill 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.

NLSE Returns as U.S. Home for CEBL In 2025 This Summer

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 17:34:15 GMT

The full 40-game NLSE broadcast schedule in 2025 is as follows:

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and Next Level Sports & Entertainment (NLSE) announced Thursday that the innovative content platform and premier provider of live sports and entertainment will return as the ‘U.S. Home for CEBL’ in 2025 with 40 live game broadcasts in the United States this summer.

NLSE’s 2025 broadcast schedule tips off Friday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. CT / 8:30 p.m. ET when the Winnipeg Sea Bears host the Edmonton Stingers at Canada Life Centre. Their CEBL live coverage also includes all playoff and 2025 Championship Weekend (CW25) games in Winnipeg this August.

In 2025, the CEBL will embark on its longest season in league history , tipping off Sunday, May 11 at 4 p.m. MT / 6 p.m. ET when the Edmonton Stingers host provincial rival the Calgary Surge at Edmonton EXPO Centre. The season will culminate at CW25 in Winnipeg which runs August 21-24, featuring three games at Canada Life Centre, including the Conference Finals doubleheader Friday, August 22 and the CEBL

Championship Final on Sunday, August 24.

Live CEBL Action Available on TSN & RDS Once Again This Summer

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 20:16:37 GMT

The full TSN and RDS schedule for the 2025 CEBL season is as follows:

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), TSN, Canada’s Sports Leader, and RDS, the leading Canadian French-language specialty sports channel, announced Thursday the CEBL on TSN and RDS broadcast schedules for the 2025 season.

TSN’s CEBL coverage in 2025 includes 17 nationally televised games, beginning Friday, May 23 when the Ottawa BlackJacks visit the Montréal Alliance at 8 p.m. ET, and culminating with all playoff and 2025 Championship Weekend (CW25) games in Winnipeg this August. Additionally, all 127 CEBL games this season will be streamed live on TSN+ , the network’s stand-alone digital streaming service.

French-language CEBL coverage this season on RDS includes 16 total games – 12 live televised games and four games streamed live on RDS.ca and the RDS app . All 12 Alliance regular season home games and one road game, as well as all three CW25 games, will be available on RDS platforms this summer.

Electrolit Announce Two-Year Partnership Extension

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 18:27:31 GMT

Electrolit remains Official Hydration Partner of the CEBL through 2026

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday a two-year partnership extension that secures Electrolit as the Official Hydration Partner of the CEBL and its 10 member clubs through 2026.

Since 2024, Electrolit has ensured all 10 CEBL teams have access to premium hydration products, reflecting the league's dedication to player health and peak performance. Their scientific formula, great taste and variety of flavors has provided an essential resource for CEBL athletes and coaches to ensure they are hydrated and ready to compete at the highest level.

Electrolit also remains the presenting partner of all CEBL training camps. 2025 CEBL Training Camps, presented by Electrolit, open across the league in early-May. Each team will again be equipped with a hydration station for the duration of the season featuring towels, water bottles and premium hydration products.

In 2025, the CEBL will embark on its longest season in league history , tipping off Sunday, May 11 at 4 p.m. MT / 6 p.m. ET when the Edmonton Stingers host provincial rival the Calgary Surge at Edmonton EXPO Centre. The season will culminate at 2025 Championship Weekend (CW25) in Winnipeg which runs August 21-24, featuring three games at Canada Life Centre, including the Conference Finals doubleheader Friday, August 22 and the CEBL Championship Final on Sunday, August 24.

Scarborough Shooting Stars Announce 2025 Season Schedule

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 18:00:04 GMT

The Shooting Stars will visit every CEBL city during the league’s longest season to date

The Scarborough Shooting Stars released its 2025 CEBL schedule on Wednesday. Scarborough will play at least one game in each CEBL city as the league unveils its longest season in history with 120 regular season games.

The Shooting Stars 24 game schedule consists of 12 home and 12 away games that includes 14 games verse eastern conference teams and 10 games against teams from the west.

Scarborough opens their season on the road May 25 at the CAA Centre, where they will take on the Brampton Honey Badgers at 2:00 p.m. ET. The Shooting Stars will host back-to-back school day games at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Tuesday, May 27 versus the Ottawa BlackJacks and Thursday, May 29 verse the Saskatchewan Rattlers - both at 11:00 a.m. ET. However the team’s official home opener, open to all fans, will be Saturday, June 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET against the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

Each CEBL team will make an appearance at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre this season as Scarborough will play a home and home against all of the western conference teams. They will match up against the Niagara River Lions and Montreal Alliance in four games and play Brampton and Ottawa in three contests.

The Shooting Stars finish their season with a four game home stretch. The CEBL season stretches further into August this year with all 10 teams capping off their regular season on Sunday, August 10, including Scarborough who will host Montreal at 2:00 p.m. ET at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.

To download the Scarborough Shooting Stars full schedule, click here .

The 2025 broadcast schedule with all nationally televised games on TSN will be announced at a later date. All games, including playoffs, will be streamed live on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ Powered by BetVictor, on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices), and on TSN+.

The Scarborough Shooting Stars will begin announcing their 2025 roster in the weeks leading up to the start of their May training camp. Ticket information for Shooting Stars home games is available at scarboroughshootingstars.ca/tickets More information about the Scarborough Shooting Stars is available at scarboroughshootingstars.ca as well as on Instagram (@scarboroughshootingstars), Twitter (@sss_cebl) and Facebook.

###

Media Contact:

Maria Suriani

Director, Communications

Scarborough Shooting Stars

INDOCHINO CEO DREW GREEN NAMED CHAIR OF CEBL BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 17:12:21 GMT

Award-winning Canadian entrepreneur becomes co-owner of the league, with the goal of growing the business of basketball in Canada

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that Drew Green , an award-winning CEO, entrepreneur, and expert in launching and managing innovative high-growth companies, has been appointed as the first-ever Chair of the CEBL Board of Governors. Green has also become a co-owner of the league.

A visionary leader and accomplished entrepreneur, Green’s role as Chair will include instituting new formal governance at a Board level, working alongside the team to attract strategic investors, partners and international relationships for the league, and advise the commissioner and team owners on league business matters.

“Being able to attract an experienced and highly accomplished leader like Drew Green is an incredible win for the CEBL and for Canadian basketball,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner & Co-Founder of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. “Drew’s business success speaks for itself and his passion for the game mimics all involved in making the CEBL a homegrown and global success. His investment into the league demonstrates his strong belief of our bright future and recognizes the foundation that has been built during our formative years. Personally, I look forward to getting right to work with Drew on the next stage of the CEBL and the growth of our game.”

Green currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of INDOCHINO, one of Canada’s fastest-growing apparel brands, globally. Between 2014-24, INDOCHINO has secured over $100M in strategic capital commitments from major firms like Madrona Venture Partners, Highland Consumer, Dayang Group, Mitsui & Co. and Postmedia Network, expanding the company to 145 retail locations across Canada and the United States and has served customers in over 50 countries. In addition, he has procured partnerships with hundreds of celebrities and professional athletes for INDOCHINO, along with MLB, NHL, NBA and NFL teams. Drew’s family office DREWGREEN INC. has empowered dozens of entrepreneurs and 100’s of companies across Canada and the US, in industries ranging from Fintech, Edtech, eCommerce, through to Real Estate. A full business profile and list of Green’s accolades can be found HERE and HERE .

“Anyone that has been paying attention knows the CEBL is a rapidly growing and vibrant brand with boundless potential that has made great strides in a very short period of time,” said Green. “It is truly a league built by Canadians, for Canadians, and this resonates with my family – the epitome of a basketball family in Canada. We are basketball players, the sport is near and dear to our hearts, and we are fans of the CEBL. The league has been a catapult for the growth of the sport in our country, and I can’t wait to help lift basketball in Canada to new heights.”

Drew and his wife Andrea Dayco are basketball parents through and through. Their sons Liam (18) and Aidan (16) Dayco-Green are two of the top U19 prospects in Canada, and both represented by Tandem Sports and Entertainment Agency and NBA agent Elias Sbiet. Liam plays NCAA D1 at Florida Atlantic University for NCAA National Championship winner John Jakus, and Aidan is at Montverde Academy playing for legendary coach Kevin Boyle. Canada Basketball invited Aidan to its U17 camp at 15 in 2024, with Liam being invited to its U23 camp in 2025. For many years, the family has awarded annual scholarships to student athletes (basketball) at York University and University of British Columbia.

The CEBL, Canada’s largest professional sports league with 10 teams in six provinces, will embark on its seventh season next summer after again posting record growth numbers across the business in 2024. More than 4.2 million fans now follow the CEBL in Canada and internationally, culminating in over 9.6 million social media views this year.

Since 2022, the CEBL has seen an unprecedented 89% increase in league-wide attendance and a 97% increase in overall broadcast viewership. All games are available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and TSN+ , and in 2024, more than 50 CEBL games were broadcast live nationally on TSN , Canada’s Sports Leader, and Game+ , with an additional eight games in French on RDS . The league has also developed numerous significant partnerships in just six short years, including meaningful relationships with Canada Basketball, U SPORTS and iconic brands like Spalding and New Era.

- 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. Twenty-two 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 & YouTube .

Media Contact :

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations
Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Shooting Stars host BlackJacks in high-octane Eastern Conference Play-In

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 12:32:38 GMT

The defending CEBL champion Scarborough Shooting Stars (12-8) will begin their quest to repeat as they open the post-season with an Eastern Conference Play-in matchup against the Ottawa BlackJacks (9-11).

The game tips off at 7 p.m. ET from Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, with live coverage available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+, Courtside 1891 and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. The game will also be televised on TSN and NLSE in the United States.

Scarborough is looking to become just the second team to ever repeat as CEBL champions. The Edmonton Stingers are the only team to accomplish this feat, doing so in 2020 and 2021.

Led by the dynamic duo of Cat Barber and Donovan Williams, the Shooting Stars feature a lethal offensive attack, centered around hunting three-point shots.

The shot selection can sometimes look suspect in the name of getting threes up, but when they’re falling, few if any team in the CEBL can match the shear firepower that the Shooting Stars can output from distance.

Defensively, Scarborough is middle of the road, but does feature exceptional rim protection with names like Kalif Young, Hason Ward and Nick Ongenda patrolling the paint.

Heading into Friday’s matchup, the Shooting Stars look to be the superior team on paper.

However, if actual games went just according to how the stat sheet predicted they would go, then there’s a good chance that the Ottawa BlackJacks wouldn’t be competing in Friday’s Eastern Conference Play-In.

Starting the season 1-6, Ottawa was behind the eight ball early on but for good reason. Missing key players both due to injury and other international commitments, it felt like all Ottawa could do was wait for the cavalry to arrive. In the meantime, however, all they were doing was painfully losing games and watching the Brampton Honey Badgers slip further and further away.

The post-season wasn’t looking like a very real possibility.

Those reinforcements did eventually arrive, and while waiting for them, BlackJacks coach James Derouin found a style of play that dramatically turned his team around over the last third of the season.

The BlackJacks want to play fast, force turnovers and get threes up in bunches.

A high-risk, high-reward playstyle, Ottawa has been banking on the individual skills of players like Deng Adel, Isaih Moore, Tyrrel Tate, Keevan Veinot, Tevin Brown and CEBL Defensive Player of the Year award nominee Lloyd Pandi to, make plays and, essentially, run opposing teams out of the gym.

It’s been a recipe for success that’s, really, only been perfected over Ottawa’s last four games and, as a result, the BlackJacks are entering Friday probably playing the best basketball they have all season long, and it looks like the secret’s out, with Scarborough only a 2.5-point favourite on BetVictor .

Ultimately, even though the Shooting Stars look like the better team from a statistical standpoint, the BlackJacks’ helter-skelter style of play could prove to be disruptive enough to give Scarborough some real issues.

Key matchup

As talented as Williams is for Scarborough, the engine of the Shooting Stars is Barber, meaning Pandi is likely getting that assignment. A matchup against one of the CEBL’s premier guards against, possibly, the best perimeter defender in the entire league – who set a new CEBL record with 44 steals during the regular season – in a playoff game should make for some destination viewing.

Milestone watch

● Scarborough’s Kadre Gray, of Toronto, Ont., needs 12 points to reach 900 for his career, regular season and playoffs.

● Ottawa’s Deng Adel needs two rebounds to reach 250 for his career, regular season and playoffs.

● Ottawa’s Deng Adel needs nine assists to reach 200 for his career, regular season and playoffs.

● Ottawa’s Lloyd Pandi, of Ottawa, Ont., needs six steals to reach 100 for his career, regular season and playoffs.

2024 season series

In three meetings with one another during the regular season, Scarborough won twice, including recently on July 18, a 92-79 rout in Ottawa.

- 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 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 .

Surge fight for seeding in regular season finale against Shooting Stars

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 15:02:43 GMT

The Calgary Surge cap off the 2024 regular season on the road as they visit the Scarborough Shooting Stars on Sunday night.

Live coverage from Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre begins at 7 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. MT and fans can catch all the action on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

Both squads have already clinched playoff berths in their respective conferences but whenever it’s a championship final rematch, there’s still plenty to play for. Whichever team comes out on top goes into the postseason feeling a bit better knowing it can hang with the competition on the other side.

Stakes will be even higher for the Surge however, as they are still in a seeding battle with the Edmonton Stingers. Calgary is third in the Western Conference currently, and just one game back of its province rival. If the Surge lose to the Shooting Stars on Sunday, then hopes of moving up into that spot and avoiding the Play-In officially vanish. If they win, the onus falls on the Stingers to win their final game against the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

Thankfully for Surge fans, the team enters the night as one of the hottest teams in the league, winning five of their last six contests. Most recently, Calgary picked up an 87-83 win over Winnipeg in what might end up being a preview of the West Play-In depending on how the end of the season shakes out.

It was a gritty win for the Surge considering they were outshot by the Sea Bears from the field, the three-point line and charity stripe. How Calgary still pulled out the victory was by dominating the glass and possession battle. The Surge finished the game with 55 rebounds (plus-19), 25 of which came on the offensive end (plus-17). Calgary’s effort securing boards led to 17 second chance points (plus-13) on 13 more field goal attempts than Winnipeg.

Jordy Tshimanga led the Surge on that front as he finished the game with 13 rebounds. The big man is one of the CEBL’s premier rebounders, his 6.3 per game average has him in the top 20.

Meanwhile, the defending champs are coming in on more of a down note as the Shooting Stars had a four-game win streak snapped in a 104-90 loss to the Vancouver Bandits. Scarborough’s struggles in the contest were also related to the glass battle. They took on the league’s top rebounding team and it showed, as the Shooting Stars finished minus-10 on the glass (48-38) and were minus-eight (14-6) on o-boards, which resulted in 19 second chance points for the Bandits on nine extra field goal attempts.

Beyond that, depth played a factor in the outcome as well. Scarborough’s usually stout bench was outproduced on the night as Vancouver’s second unit finished plus-17 (43-36). The Bandits had two double-digit performers while the Shooting Stars had zero. Scarborough’s best player off the bench was Danilo Djurcic who finished with eight points on 3-of-3 shooting from the field and three rebounds in 12 minutes of play.

2024 season series

Even coming off a loss, Scarborough has to feel at least some confidence entering the matchup against Calgary given it’s won their last two contests going back to 2023’s CEBL Final.

In the lone matchup of this season between the cross-conference opponents, the Shooting Stars picked up a 104-97 win. A back-and-forth contest that saw plenty of lead changes, ultimately decided by Scarborough’s offensive efficiency and bench depth.

The Shooting Stars outshot the Surge from the field, distance and free throw line – notably shooting 72 per cent inside the arc for 52 paint points. Those high quality looks at the rim largely came as a result of Scarborough’s ball movement offence, as it finished with 28 assists (plus-13).

All those dimes also meant the Shooting Stars spread the wealth when it came to scoring the ball. Eight players finished in double-figures, three of which came off the bench. Scarborough’s second unit finished plus-13 (40-27) as a result.

Despite the loss, Calgary kept things close by and often led in the game because of its dominance on the glass. The Surge finished with 42 boards (plus-14), 17 offensive rebounds (plus-13) and 18 second chance points (plus-10) as a result. Notably, Mathieu Kamba finished with a double-double (14 points, 12 rebounds) in the matchup.

– 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

Vancouver heads to Scarborough with sights set on 1st place in the West

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 14:57:53 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits (13-5) can clinch the top seed in the Western Conference and a bye to 2024 Championship Weekend with a road win over the Scarborough Shooting Stars (11-7) on Friday night.

The Shooting Stars, who are locked into second place in the East and a home date with the Ottawa BlackJacks in the Eastern Conference Play-In, will look to Friday’s game against the Bandits as a solid test against stiff competition before the playoffs begin.

The game tips off at 8 p.m. ET from Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, with live coverage available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. The game will also be televised on Game+.

Expect lots of fireworks Friday night as this matchup pits the two top scoring teams in the league against one another.

Statistically, the Bandits are coming in as the favourite as they also allow the fewest points per game, and have the best point differential in the CEBL, but this isn’t to say that the Shooting Stars can’t compete. Far from it, in fact. Scarborough is currently the hottest team in the league right now having won four straight and its solid 7-1 home record certainly gives it an advantage over the 4-4 mark that Vancouver has managed on the road.

Led by the electric Cat Barber, the defending champs are peaking at the right time, and he’s been a big part of it, averaging 25.2 points per game over the course of the Shooting Stars’ win streak.

Toronto native Koby McEwen has taken the reins as Vancouver’s leader this season, with his deadeye three-point shooting a key aspect of the Bandits’ balanced attack, but he missed last night’s game in Brampton.

Both the Shooting Stars and Bandits are locked into playoff spots. The Montreal Alliance will be hosting Championship Weekend this year and get an automatic bye to the Final Four tournament. Considering how their respective regular seasons have gone, Scarborough and Vancouver alike look to have legitimate aspirations to the Alliance in Montreal for Championship Weekend.

Key matchup

The potential of a duel between Barber and McEwen should make you excited. Both are great three-point gunners, capable of filling it up in a hurry with their marksmanship from outside. Assuming McEwen is back in action, seeing these two immensely talented guards potentially go shot-for-shot – maybe in Target Score Time – would be a real treat.

Milestone watch

● Scarborough’s Kalif Young, of Vaughan, Ont., needs 16 points to reach 500 for his career, regular season only.

● Vancouver’s Nick Ward needs 12 points to reach 900 for his career, regular season only.

● Scarborough’s Kadre Gray, of Toronto, Ont., needs 34 points to reach 900 for his career, regular season and playoffs.

● Scarborough’s Cat Barber needs four rebounds to reach 250 for his career, regular season only.

● Scarborough’s Kadre Gray, of Toronto, Ont., needs four rebounds to reach 250 for his career, regular season only.

● Scarborough’s Kalif Young, of Vaughan, Ont., needs eight rebounds to reach 500 for his career, regular season only, and 11 rebounds to match Jordan Baker as the CEBL’s all-time rebounding leader, regular season and playoffs, with 560.

● Vancouver’s Nick Ward needs three rebounds to reach 400 for his career, regular season only.

● Scarborough’s Cat Barber needs 12 assists to reach 300 for his career, regular season only.

● Scarborough’s Kadre Gray, of Toronto, Ont., needs three three-pointers made to reach 100 for his career, regular season and playoffs.

● Vancouver’s Duane Notice, of Toronto, Ont., needs five steals to reach 50 for his career, regular season and playoffs.

2024 season series

This is the second meeting between these two sides. The first one happened way back on May 26, with the Bandits emerging victorious 88-83 in Vancouver. Taze Moore had 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in the victory then.

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

Honey Badgers continue hunt for playoffs in final game against Shooting Stars

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 14:17:53 GMT

Brampton and Scarborough hold the closest rivalry in the CEBL — literally. But the GTA foes could hardly be further apart when they meet for the final time this season.

The Shooting Stars, who are locked into the Eastern Conference’s second seed, host the Honey Badgers, who are still fighting for their playoff lives, on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. Live streaming coverage is available on CEBL+ and TSN+.

Scarborough sits second in the East with a 10-7 record and has momentum on its side as it rides a three-game winning streak.

With a trio of contests still ahead to close out the regular season, the Shooting Stars’ focus is turned to fine-tuning things ahead of the playoffs and perhaps chasing individual awards.

Scarborough could once again receive the services of Nick Ongenda and Donovan Williams, who were both scheduled to return to the team Friday after competing in the NBA’s Summer League in Las Vegas.

Successfully reintegrating that duo into a team that has rolled without them could prove to be a lethal combination come playoff time.

And although he’s only played nine games and converted just one target score winner, Cat Barber could still make a late play for both the offensive and clutch player of the year awards — especially after he scored the final 24 points for his team in a win over Edmonton last week.

Two spots below Scarborough in the East standings is Brampton, which at 6-11 is battling 6-10 Ottawa for the final playoff spot in the East. Last-place Montreal will automatically play in Championship Weekend as host.

The Honey Badgers looked like they’d righted they ship after a seven-game losing streak in the middle of the season by bouncing back with wins in four of their next five contests.

But the 2022 champions have since gone backwards with three consecutive defeats, including a crucial 94-79 home loss to the BlackJacks last Wednesday.

Scarborough could prove a tough foe for Brampton, too, as the Shooting Stars score the second-most points per game while the Honey Badgers sit last overall in the category.

Brampton’s calling card has been defence — but even there, it’s exactly even with Scarborough as both clubs surrender 90.2 points per contest.

While playoff positioning is top of mind for the Honey Badgers, they could also even the season series against the rival Shooting Stars with a win on Saturday.

Player spotlight

Zane Waterman has played all 17 games for Brampton this season while leading the team by averaging 16.4 points and 5.7 rebounds.

But Waterman, the team captain, has struggled against Scarborough. In three games, he’s totalled just 28 points while committing 12 fouls, including fouling out of the Honey Badgers’ lone win.

Brampton will need its star forward to play like one down the stretch if it wants to continue into the post-season.

A bounceback performance against the Shooting Stars would certainly be a good start.

Milestone watch

● Scarborough’s Kalif Young is 16 points away from 500 for his career, including playoffs

Young is also 12 rebounds away from 500 for his career, regular season only

● Scarborough’s Kadre Gray is three three-pointers away from 100 for his career, including playoffs

● Brampton’s Prince Oduro is three blocked shots away from 50 for his career, regular season only

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

BlackJacks face Shooting Stars in potential Play-In preview

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 14:31:53 GMT

The Ottawa BlackJacks look to solidify playoff positioning as they host the Scarborough Shooting Stars at The Arena at TD Place on Thursday night.

Live coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET and fans can catch all the action on TSN, NLSE, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+, Courtside 1891 and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

As the final stretch of CEBL regular season games get underway, many matchups have the potential to be previews for what fans can expect come the postseason. And Thursday’s contest between Eastern Conference rivals Ottawa and Scarborough is no different. The Ontario squads will face off for a third and final regular season contest, and as things stand, they’re set to battle in the East Play-In once the playoffs get underway.

With a win against the BlackJacks, the Shooting Stars would clinch a postseason berth, the No. 2 spot in the conference and the right to host the East Play-In game.

Luckily for the defending champs, they’re riding a hot streak, winning two consecutive games while coming off a dominant victory against the Montréal Alliance. The Shooting Stars picked up a 91-71 victory over this year’s Championship Weekend host, led by an all-around effort.

On offence, Scarborough shot 52 per cent from the field and 36 per cent from distance while creating an abundance of open looks via 23 assists (plus-13). Five players scored in double figures, three of which came off the bench for the Shooting Stars – led by Jaden Campbell’s 16 points on 55/57/66 per cent shooting splits.

On defence, the Shooting Stars held the Alliance to 39 per cent shooting from the field and a lowly 12 per cent (3-of-24) shooting from beyond the arc while forcing 15 turnovers for 21 points (plus-nine).

Meanwhile, Ottawa also enters the matchup riding high as they too have won two games in a row. The strong play has vaulted the BlackJacks back into the East playoff picture and their most-recent victory, also against the Alliance, confirms their ability to compete with the conference.

Deng Adel made his return to the BlackJacks lineup, playing in just his third regular season contest of 2024, and made his impact felt immediately. The forward racked up 29 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block through 32 minutes of play.

It also helped that Ottawa drilled 13 triples (plus-nine) on a 40 per cent clip. A stark improvement over their usual rate of 32.6 per cent that ranks second last in the league.

2024 season series

If this year’s matchups are any indication, a potential playoff contest ought to be tightly contested. The season series is split thus far, both squads picking up convincing victories.

Scarborough struck first, grabbing a 105-91 win that was propelled by a lights out shooting display from distance. The Shooting Stars nailed 20 threes on a 44 per cent clip, many of which came of one of their 31 assists on the night.

Ottawa got its payback however by way of a 102-80 win that came courtesy of a three-headed attack by Tyrell Tate, Keevan Veinot and Isaih Moore. The trio scored 21 points apiece, accounting for over 60 per cent of the BlackJacks offence as the team shot over 50 per cent from the field and distance.

Milestone watch

Kalif Young (SSS):

- 23 points for 500 points all-time (regular season only)

Kadre Gray (SSS):

- Three three-pointers for 100 made all-time (regular season + playoffs)

Lloyd Pandi (OTT):

- Seven steals to break CEBL single-season record (43)

- 15 points for 500 points all-time (regular season + playoffs)

Tyrell Tate (OTT):

- Three three-pointers for 100 made all-time (regular season + playoffs)

– 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

Shooting Stars kick off vital 3-game stretch at home against Alliance

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 17:55:54 GMT

A three-game stretch that could define Scarborough’s season begins Tuesday.

The Shooting Stars host the Montreal Alliance at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre at 7:30 p.m. ET — the first game of three straight against the bottom three teams in the Eastern Conference. Live streaming coverage is available on CEBL+ and TSN+.

At 8-7, the Shooting Stars currently sit second in the East and must win out to have any hope of catching first-place Niagara (12-5).

And so Scarborough might be more concerned by the trailing teams, which include, in order, Ottawa (6-9), Brampton (6-10) and Montreal (4-12).

Since the Alliance have an automatic spot in Championship Weekend as hosts, one of the three other teams will miss out entirely on the post-season.

But the Shooting Stars control their fate by holding the best record among the trio.

The challenge in Scarborough will be weathering the storm until NBA Summer League ends. The Shooting Stars were among the hardest-hit teams, losing three of their four top scorers in Donovan Williams, Tevian Jones and Jackson Rowe — plus big man Nick Ongenda and even head coach Devan Blair, who’s working as a New York Knicks assistant.

In their place, leading scorer Cat Barber has risen to the occasion. Barber, who averages 22.1 points per game, scored the final 24 straight for Scarborough over Edmonton on Sunday to lead a 103-92 victory.

Montreal, meanwhile, lost its top scorer in Jordan Bowden. More importantly, though, it’s lost seven of its past eight games as it struggles to gain momentum ahead of the playoffs.

The Alliance typically engage in low-scoring affairs as they allow the second-fewest points per contest and score the third fewest.

Though Montreal’s shooting percentages hover around league-average, the team coughs up 16.6 turnovers per game, costing it extra scoring opportunities.

Tuesday marks the final game of the season between Scarborough and Montreal, who have split the previous two.

Key matchup

In the Alliance’s last game, an eight-point loss to Ottawa on Sunday, forward Chris Smith dominated with 24 points and 14 rebounds, including a seven-for-12 mark inside the arc.

Without Bowden, Montreal has leaned on Smith, its second-leading scorer (17.2 points per game) and leading rebounder (8.7 per game).

The American, who can also stretch the floor, could prove to be a handful for CEBL veteran Kalif Young, the Shooting Stars big man whose impact is most felt in the post, where he’s a prolific rebounder and blocked-shot artist.

Milestone watch

· Montreal’s Alain Louis needs nine points to reach 500 for his career, including playoffs

· Montreal’s Ahmed Hill needs two three-pointers to reach 200 for his career, including playoffs

· Scarborough’s Young needs 31 points to reach 500 for his career, regular season only

· Scarborough’s Kadre Gray needs five three-pointers to reach 100 for his career, including playoffs

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

Shooting Stars host top-seeded Stingers in cross-conference clash

Sat, 13 Jul 2024 13:26:46 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars (7-7) host the Edmonton Stingers (11-5) Saturday afternoon as both teams look to get back into the win column.

The game tips off at 2 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. MT at Toronto’s Pan Am Sports Centre, with live coverage available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+, and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

The Shooting Stars are coming off a 98-77 loss against the Niagara River Lions this past Tuesday thanks in large part due to a second quarter in which they gave up 32 points and were outscored by 15 points.

Overall, Scarborough had a tough shooting night against Niagara, posting just 26 per cent from three and 36 per cent from the field.

Despite the loss, Scarborough’s Cat Barber came to play with 16 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. Barber also made history, becoming just the second CEBL player to register 300 career assists.

The silver-lining for the Shooting Stars in an otherwise uninspired loss was their bench play that outscored its opposition 25-14.

On the other side, Edmonton looks to join Niagara as the second team to punch its ticket to the 2024 CEBL Playoffs and can do so with a win Saturday.

The Stingers, like the Shooting Stars, are also coming off a tough loss after dropping an 87-58 decision to the Calgary Surge on Tuesday.

Despite entering the game with a league-leading 92.4 points per game, Edmonton scored a franchise-low 58 points in the loss and was once again shut out in Target Score Time by its provincial rival. Only twice has a team been shut out in Target Score Time this season, and both instances were the Stingers at the hands of the Surge.

After halftime, Edmonton was able to cut Calgary’s 20-point lead down to three with a 19-2 run. However, Calgary had an answer for everything that was thrown at them and scored 11 out of the 13 points to open the fourth quarter before mustering a 9-0 run to seal the victory at the end.

Nick Hornsby led the way for the Stingers with 18 points, four assists, and three rebounds in a losing effort.

Player Spotlight

Davion Warren is poised for a bounce-back game for the Stingers. The team’s leading scorer was held to zero points against the Surge which was unusual for the 14-point-per-game player.

Warren has played 14 games for the Stingers, averaging, 4.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.6 steals to go alongside those 14 points per game. He has proved to be a reliable scoring option for the team this season and will look to get back to his usual production against the Shooting Stars.

2023 Series

These two teams faced off twice last season, with Scarborough coming out the victor both times. The Shooting Stars have never lost to the Stingers, posting a perfect 4-0 all-time record against them since entering the league in 2022.

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

Scarborough Shooting Stars x Foot Locker Collaboration

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 18:00:00 GMT

Join the Scarborough Shooting Stars at the Foot Locker located in Scarborough Town Centre on Sunday, July 21 from 2-5 p.m. for an exclusive collaboration.

Fans will have first access to the new pieces, meet players and take photos with Endssso!

Shooting Stars host River Lions in CEBL’s 400th regular season game

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 14:00:43 GMT

The top two teams in the Eastern Conference will meet Tuesday night as the Scarborough Shooting Stars (7-6) host the Niagara River Lions (9-5) in the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s 400 ^th regular season game all-time.

Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at Toronto’s Pan Am Sports Centre, with live coverage available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+, Game+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

The River Lions are rolling this season and inching closer to a coveted playoff spot, most recently posting a dominant 110-86 win against the Ottawa BlackJacks this past Saturday.

Niagara flipped the switch in the second quarter against Ottawa, going on a 13-4 run to build a double-digit lead and never look back.

Jahvon Blair led the way with 24 points, four rebounds, four assists, and four steals. He also knocked down six three-pointers on 66 per cent shooting.

The River Lions offence was firing on all cylinders in the game but it was their defensive effort that was key to the victory. They forced 18 turnovers and outscored the BlackJacks 26-6 on points from turnovers.

As for Scarbrough, the team boasts a perfect 4-0 record at home this season and are coming off a hard-fought 105-99 win against the Saskatchewan Rattlers.

The Rattlers led 78-73 heading into the fourth and were hungry to end their five-game losing streak. However, the Shooting Stars had different plans.

Donovan Williams and Cat Barber took over in the fourth to build a lead as high as 12. The team's newest addition, Aaron Best, would be the one to sink the game-winning free throw for the win.

In total, Williams had 27 points, six rebounds, and two steals for the Shooting Stars, while Barber chipped in with 25 points, three assists, and two rebounds of his own.

Player Matchup

The game will feature two of the premier guards in the CEBL going head-to-head in Blair and Barber.

Blair is averaging 17.8 points per game, 2.3 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 26 minutes of play.

Barber is averaging 20.6 points per game, 4.4 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 30 minutes of play.

Both players have proven numerous times how dangerous they can be on the court. Whether it's slashing, shooting the try ball, creating for others, or locking down on defence, they can both lead their teams to victory on any given night.

Season Matchup

Tuesday will mark the third and final matchup of the 2024 regular season between the two clubs, with each team winning a game so far. The Shooting Stars took the first contest 95-87 in Scarborough on June 1 and the River Lions rebounded with a 81-78 win in Niagara on June 19.

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

New-look Rattlers vying to end losing streak against Shooting Stars

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 18:08:14 GMT

The Saskatchewan Rattlers (5-7) will look to halt a five-game losing streak as they host the Scarborough Shooting Stars (6-6) on Friday night. Reigning CEBL MVP Teddy Allen, who recently signed with Saskatchewan, is expected to make his debut for the Rattlers.

The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. CST / 9:30 p.m. ET at Saskatchewan’s SaskTel Centre, with live coverage available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+, Game+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. It will also be televised on Game+.

The Shooting Stars also enter the game with a mini losing streak of their own having dropped each of their last two contests. In its most recent loss, Scarborough gave up an eight-point lead in Target Score Time in Brampton to fall 98-96 to the Honey Badgers on Sunday.

Cat Barber led the team in scoring with 20 points, while also adding five assists and two rebounds in the loss. He also led the team in turnovers with 11, something he’ll hope to clean up against the Rattlers.

Despite the loss, there were some positive takeaways for Scarbrough. They won the rebound battle 49-32 and outscored Brampton in the paint by a 46-34 margin.

As for the Rattlers, they are desperately seeking a win as their current losing skid puts their playoff hopes in jeopardy. They are coming off a hard-fought battle with the Stingers on Monday, in which they fell 88-81.

Emmanuel Bandoumel had a great game in the loss with 27 points, four rebounds, and three steals. As a team, the Rattlers played elite defence for most of the game, forcing 19 turnovers and scoring 18 points from those mistakes.

Reinforcements

With both teams looking to fill temporary and permanent holes on their roster created by opportunities for players like NBA Summer League and National Team callups, both the Rattlers and Shooting Stars have added some new pieces to their respective lineups.

The Shooting Stars recently signed 6-foot-4 veteran guard Aaron Best. The well-known Best was most recently playing with Trefl Sopot in the Polish Basketball league, where he averaged 12 points per game, 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 45 games played.

The Rattlers, who made a big splash by adding Allen, also brought in James Montgomery and Jeremiah Mordi.

Allen played eight games with the Winnipeg Sea Bears earlier this season, averaging a league-best 28.1 points per game with 5.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

Montgomery had a huge year with Barry University where he averaged 16.4 points, and a team-high 11.8 rebounds in 27 games.

As for Mordi, he’s played professionally for six years, playing with teams in Canada, France, Africa, and the NBA G League. The 6-foot-4 guard has a career average of 12.1 points per game, 6.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

The new faces on both squads only adds to an already intriguing cross-conference matchup.

2023 Series

In 2023, the Rattlers took both matchups between the two clubs by a combined score of 26 points with 12 and 14-point wins.

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

Shooting Stars Sign Eight-Year Veteran Aaron Best

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 16:45:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that they have signed Aaron Best. The six-foot-four guard recently played in the Polish Basketball League with the Trefl Sopot where he averaged 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 28.2 minutes per game through 45 games.

The Scarborough native will have a home court advantage for his second CEBL season. In 2022, Best won a CEBL championship with the Honey Badgers where he averaged 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists over 26.6 minutes per game through five games.

Best played five seasons in Toronto at TMU where he posted a career average of 14.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 29.3 minutes over 114 collegiate games. He made his pro debut in 2016 with BC Juventus of the Lithuanian Basketball League, and has eight years of professional experience playing in over five different leagues. Competing in 30 games with the Canadian National team since 2015, Best also brings both FIBA WorldCup and AmeriCup experience.

Best joins the Shooting Stars just over half-way through their 2024 season. Scarborough is currently 6-6 with eight games remaining including six games at home. They are back on the road at the SaskTel Centre this Friday July 5 where they tip-off against the Saskatchewan Rattlers. The team hosts the Niagara River Lions at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on Tuesday July 9. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

###

Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Communications

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Devoe Joseph’s return home to Scarborough a family affair

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 13:39:41 GMT

Devoe Joseph is typically eager to exit the building after games.

Now, it’s June 21 — his 35 ^th birthday, and the Scarborough Shooting Stars guard has already been held up by media responsibilities following a resounding victory over the Brampton Honey Badgers.

Finally, he’s able to leave the locker-room area, traverse back across the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre court, climb up the stands and open the door onto the concourse level.

He’s greeted by a group of around 25 family and friends, including his dad and CEBL championship-winning assistant coach David, his mom Connie, his sisters Chantal and Danielle and his brother, 2014 NBA Champion and ex-Raptor, Cory.

They immediately burst into song.

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy biiiiiirthday dear Devoeeee, happy birthday to you.”

David hits Devoe with a couple celebratory pats on the back as the group cheers.

For the first time in his long and winding professional basketball career, Devoe, the Pickering, Ont., native, is playing near home. Other stops on his journey have included – deep breath now – Turkey, Montenegro, Israel, Greece, Finland, Poland, Romania, Kosovo and Mongolia.

“Sometimes you just wake up and you feel blessed that you got to play basketball for so long, you had a healthy career — knock on wood — and then you get to see all these places and meet all these amazing people,” Devoe said.

“And then now, coming back to Scarborough, it's like full circle, right? This is where it started. … And even while I was playing professionally, I never really imagined playing at Scarborough. I can't tell you how happy I am for this opportunity.”

Amid all the movement, there’s been one constant: family.

While the Joseph brothers count Pickering as their hometown, they were both born at Scarborough’s Centenary Hospital.

Now, they’re reunited in the area. Cory said he’s coming to as many games as possible, and he even drove out to Niagara to see Devoe play. David has attended every single game Devoe’s played in the Eastern time zone.

“When you have kids, you've got to back them up first of all, and then when they're doing what they love, you can back them up even more,” said David, who along with Connie trained Devoe and Cory from a young age.

“I obviously love basketball too — I shouldn't say I. My whole family loves basketball. All his friends love basketball. All the friends are just like family.”

In many ways, Devoe paved the way for Cory to succeed in the NBA. Cory, two years younger, was able to learn from everything Devoe did, good and bad.

In high school, they played on the Pickering High team together and won back-to-back championships together.

Devoe’s game-winning shot in one of them has become lore.

“Just electric. We were down one, we called timeout. The whole gym was packed,” David, who was the team’s coach, recalled. “Drake was there, I mean everybody was there. [Devoe] says, I got this, I got this. We all knew he got it. And then he came out, hit the game winner, and everything else is history.”

Cory said Devoe’s attitude from playing together in high school stuck with him throughout his pro career.

“He’s got that killer mentality. So I mean, people knew when they see Pickering, it was Devoe, and then it was me on the defensive end and offence as well, but Devoe was a straight killer on that offensive end. And it was just so much fun,” Cory said.

Cory went on from Pickering High to play NCAA Division I college basketball at Texas before being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs, where he won the 2014 title, and spending time with the Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Detroit Pistons and Golden State Warriors.

The high-profile success meant Devoe soon started becoming better known as Cory’s brother – a joke Devoe even made at Cory’s wedding last summer.

“It was all fun and games. I never mind being called his brother,” Devoe said. “We get associated with each other a lot. Joseph brothers, they put us in categories, but having my family at the game, having my brother at the game, who most times when I'm not playing in the summer time, we're in two different places all the way across the world. So having these people at the game to get to see me play, it means everything to me.”

Still, Cory remains the typical younger brother. His face lights up when asked about his first time beating Devoe one-on-one.

“A lot of excitement. I'll beat up on him now,” Cory said with a grin, “but he would beat up on me and I got a lot of my toughness and my grit and that dog [in me] from him beating up on me at a young age. That's why I learned that defensive mentality because he was a hell of a scorer and a player.”

Devoe, who in his first season in the CEBL is averaging 8.6 points per game, said he considered coming to the league earlier in his career but was tied up with his wedding two summers ago and Cory’s last year.

He’s been impressed with his first taste of CEBL action.

“As long as I have free time, I would love to keep playing in this league,” Devoe said.

There’s just one more thing to tick off his career-long checklist – an on-court reunion with Cory.

“That's kind of what we talked about, you know? Like at the end of our career, playing one more time before we finish. I think that would mean a lot,” Devoe said.

In this moment, Devoe is trying to help the Shooting Stars win their second straight championship – something that would be a definite high on his self-proclaimed “roller-coaster” career.

“When you're young, when you're going through the roller-coaster, it can be emotional. But then as you get older, you kind of get the appreciation for the roller-coaster,” he said.

“You know that, OK, there's tough times, but good times are to come. And even when there's good times, I'm sure there's going to be a tough situation to come. And you just embrace it and just keep going with it.”

For Devoe Joseph and family, these certainly seem like the good times.

Honey Badgers vying to get on the board against Shooting Stars

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 17:06:02 GMT

The Brampton Honey Badgers (4-8) are hoping that the third time is the charm against the Scarborough Shooting Stars (6-5) this afternoon at 4 p.m. ET at CAA Centre.

The game will be available to stream on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+, the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. It will also be broadcast live on Game+ in Canada and on Next Level Sports & Entertainment in the United States.

Although the CEBL season has just crossed the halfway mark, Scarborough and Brampton have already met twice this year. Both games went to the Shooting Stars, who knocked off the Honey Badgers by eight points in Brampton on June 9 before earning a 13-point home victory roughly two weeks later.

Tevian Jones, who scored a combined 32 points in both victories over the Honey Badgers, has been one of Scarborough’s most efficient scorers this season. The former New Orleans Pelican is averaging a team-high 16.9 points per game in his first season as a Shooting Star.

Alongside Jones, the reigning CEBL Canadian Player of the Year, Kadre Gray, sits third in the league in assists (6.5) and is putting up just over 11 points per game.

The Shooting Stars also reinforced their backcourt since their last meeting with Brampton, welcoming back Cat Barber earlier this month. He’s averaged close to 20 points in his first three games with Scarborough this year — including a 26 point, three steal game his last time out on Thursday, a 102-80 loss at the hands of the Ottawa BlackJacks.

On the opposite site, Brampton comes into today’s contest fresh off a comeback victory over the Montréal Alliance on Friday night, marking their second win in the past three games — both victories against the Alliance. And with a pair of fresh faces on the roster. Prior to the victory on Friday, the Honey Badgers added a pair of veteran guards: Michael Okafor and Elijah Mitrou-Long.

Mitrou-Long, a former Niagara River Lion, came just shy of notching a double-double off the bench — 11 points and eight rebounds — in his first outing as a Honey Badger. Okafor was inserted into the starting lineup and provided six points and a team-high plus-12 rating while he was on the floor.

But it was someone who’s been around all year that clinched Brampton’s fourth victory of the year. Shamiel Stevenson, averaging a hair over 17 points per game on 50 per cent shooting from the field, knocked down a stepback three pointer to complete the Honey Badgers’ rally back from a 12-point halftime deficit.

“I just fed off the energy of my teammates, and the rest is history,” Stevenson said after the game.

Scarborough, who lead the CEBL in assists per game (22.5) and rank second in points (92.3), hold the edge over Brampton in many offensive categories. By comparison, the Honey Badgers slot last in the league in assists (16.3) and points (81.5) per game.

But both teams sit near the bottom of the league in rebounding, and despite having proficient guards on both rosters, the ability to control the glass may determine the outcome of this game. Scarborough hauls in roughly 35 boards per game as a team — barely surpassing the league-low 33.5 rebounds that Brampton averages. However, Scarborough held a decisive advantage on the glass in their previous meeting with the Honey Badgers, which managed to be the difference.

The Shooting Stars outrebounded the Honey Badgers 42-32, converting those boards into 22 second chance points. Brampton, meanwhile, scored only seven second chance points in the loss. And their top rebounder on the night was Prince Oduro, who had an impressive 16 point, eight rebound performance off the bench.

After tonight’s game, Scarborough will travel to Saskatchewan on Friday for the last of a three-game roadtrip. Brampton is slated to have a couple days off before hosting the Calgary Surge on Wednesday.

These two teams will meet for the fourth and final time in Scarborough on July 20.

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

Shooting Stars visit BlackJacks in nation’s capital for mid-season rematch

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 16:57:57 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars (6-4) head east to visit the Ottawa BlackJacks (2-7) for their second of three regular season matchups on Thursday night.

Live coverage from The Arena at TD Place begins at 7:30 p.m. ET, available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+, and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

After meeting two weeks prior, things have gone in opposite directions for both squads. Scarborough picked up a 15-point win against Ottawa on Jul. 13, and since then, have gone 2-1 and remain half-a-game behind Niagara for top spot in the East. Meanwhile, the BlackJacks have gone 1-2 and sit at the bottom of the conference.

The Shooting Stars have been a model of consistency so far, going an identical 3-2 through the first two quarters of the year. They do, however, enter Thursday with a bit of momentum to start their three-game road trip, having won back-to-back games that coincided with the return of their top-scorer from last season.

Cat Barber made his season debut for the defending champs on Friday, helping Scarborough pick up a 13-point win over Brampton. He and the Shooting Stars followed that up with a 92-84 win over the Alliance on Sunday, and through two games Barber is averaging 16 points and 5.5 assists.

His efficiency rates haven’t been the sharpest, shooting 42.9 per cent from the field and 33.3 per cent from distance but the guard’s castmates have more than handled things while he’s brushed off the rust.

Against the Honey Badgers, Donovan Williams stuffed the stat sheet with 28 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. And in their most-recent game against the Alliance, it was Tevian Jones who did most of the damage, finishing with a 29-point, 12-rebound double-double to go with four steals.

Thanks to said standout performances, the pair of wings now lead the Shooting Stars in average scoring per game. And when you include microwave scorers Jackson Rowe and Kadre Gray and take into account head coach Devan Blair’s movement-heavy offence, it’s no wonder Scarborough averages the most points (93.5) and assists (23.4) per game in the league.

Meanwhile, Ottawa is hoping to turn a page as they return to TD Place for a three-game stand in front of a home crowd.

It’s been tough sledding for the BlackJacks as their previous three games were against the top three records in the CEBL. And after it felt like they were trending in the right direction with a four-point loss to the River Lions and then an even tighter 92-91 defeat against the Stingers, all momentum halted against Vancouver. The BlackJacks suffered a 37-point loss to the Bandits in a game they never led in the second-largest defeat any CEBL team has suffered this season.

And to add insult to injury (or rather, injury to insult), Brandon Sampson, the team’s second-leading scorer (15 points per game) went down late in the fourth quarter and was later placed on Ottawa’s injured list. The news of Sampson’s presumed long-term absence came after the BlackJacks were already dealing with injuries to leading-scorer Isiah Moore and JaKeenan Gant.

Things may seem bleak, but there’s still plenty to be optimistic about for Ottawa given the reinforcements on the way. For starters, Deng Adel is set to make his season debut against the Shooting Stars. The 2023 All-CEBL Second teamer will immediately improve a thin frontcourt and add defensive versatility the squad has lacked while giving up the second most points per game (95.7). Last year Adel averaged 17.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and a steal in 17 games with the BlackJacks.

Meanwhile, Ottawa also adds a player Scarborough is very familiar with. The team signed forward Kyree Walker on Tuesday, likely slotting in for the now-injured Sampson. The champion last year with the Shooting Stars was a two-way player, impacting both ends of the floor. In 18 games with Scarborough in 2023, Walker averaged 12.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals. He made two appearances with the Shooting Stars this season before moving to the Ontario rival.

With nine of their final 11 games against Eastern Conference opponents, if things can break right for the BlackJacks they can easily shake up the standings. With Brampton and Montreal both at 3-8, it would take chaining together only a couple wins to jump as high as third in the East.

Previous matchup

In Scarborough’s 105-92 win against Ottawa earlier this season, it was their focus on ball-movement and perimeter play that made the difference.

The Shooting Stars racked up 31 assists (+12) as they knocked down a season-high 20 threes (+13) on a hyper-efficient 44 per cent clip. Six different players hit at least two threes, with Jones leading the way as he went 5-for-7 from downtown en route to 23 points.

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

CANADIAN ELITE BASKETBALL LEAGUE TO EXPAND REGULAR SEASON TO 24-GAME FORMAT IN 2025

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 17:15:00 GMT

CEBL teams have played 20-game schedule since league’s inception in 2019

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that the league will expand its regular season to a 24-game format in 2025, increasing from 100 to 120 total regular season games next summer. In addition, the season will start approximately one week earlier next year in early-May and end two weeks later in late-August.

The 2025 CEBL season will mark the most games played and longest timeframe of an individual season in what will be the seventh campaign in league history. With the exception of the pandemic-shortened 2020 and 2021 seasons, the CEBL has played a 20-game regular season schedule since the league’s inception in 2019. Most recently, that included 100 regular season games that were scheduled from late-May until early-August annually.

“With an expanded schedule and larger window for our games next summer, our fans will have more fan-friendly options, including more weekend games and two additional home dates to see their favourite CEBL teams and stars live in action,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “As we continue to take giant leaps forward across the business, it’s clear fans and partners want more CEBL basketball and our players deserve more opportunities to showcase their skills and to earn more. We are happy to be able to deliver all of that as we prepare for another exciting season in 2025.”

More than 50 CEBL games will be broadcast live nationally on TSN and Game+ in 2024, with an additional eight games in French on RDS . Fans can also livestream all regular season, playoff and Championship Weekend games on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Next Level Sports & Entertainment – The U.S. Home for CEBL, will pick up 40 CEBL games for its U.S. audience this season, while international streaming service, Courtside1891 , will carry 27 games for subscribers outside North America.

Ticket information for all CEBL games, including single-game tickets for 2024, can be found by visiting cebl.ca/tickets . Ticket and event information for 2024 Championship Weekend in Montreal (August 9-11) is available at cebl.ca/cw24 .

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

Media Contact:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations
Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Shooting Stars seek revenge against Alliance in second matchup of 2024

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 15:17:07 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars (5-4) host the Montreal Alliance (3-7) on Sunday night at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre in the second of three matchups between the teams this season.

The game tips off at 7 p.m. ET with live coverage available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+, and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

The Alliance look to return to form and snap their two-game losing streak. They nearly tied the CEBL record for largest Target Score Time comeback (16 points) in their last game against the Niagara River Lions.

Down 16 with the Target Score set at 97, Montreal would climb all the way back to tie the game at 95 before ultimately falling 97-95. The Alliance had no quit in them, outscoring the River Lions 33-19 in the fourth quarter, including 23-9 in Target Score Time.

Chris Smith, Ahmed Hill, and Jordan Bowden combined for 67 points. Bowden led the team in scoring with 24 points on 45 per cent shooting, while also snagging three rebounds.

The Shooting Stars are riding high after receiving their championship rings and taking a 105-92 victory against the Brampton Honey Badgers on Friday night.

Perhaps it was the championship celebration, or maybe the numerous Canadian basketball stars sitting courtside at the game, but Donovan Williams was feeling dangerous. He exploded for 28 points, eight rebounds, and three assists to help lead Scarborough to victory.

Player Spotlight

Williams has been tearing it up for Scarborough this season, with no plans of slowing down.

The guard is currently averaging 22.3 points per game, 2.5 assists, 6.3 rebounds, and shooting 50 per cent from the floor.

He’s scored 25+ points in his last two games, helping the team secure the victory in both. When he’s got it going, Scarborough is a difficult team to beat.

Recent Match Up

In the first game between the clubs this season on June 16, the Alliance defeated the Shooting Stars 93-86 behind a pair of 24-point performances from Chris Smith and Jordan Bowden.

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

Honey Badgers seek 1st win in 5 games against provincial rival Shooting Stars

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 17:30:48 GMT

It’s ring night in Scarborough.

The reigning champion Shooting Stars will receive their 2023 title bling ahead of a game against their rival Brampton Honey Badgers on Friday at 8 p.m. ET. Live broadcast coverage is available on Game+ and Next Level Sports Entertainment, while streaming coverage can be found on Game+, TSN+ and CEBL+.

But as the Shooting Stars receive shiny new toys, it’s the return of a teammate which might be the biggest story.

Cat Barber, who averaged 21.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game during Scarborough’s playoff run, is rejoining the team after finishing out his season in Portugal with a loss in the finals.

Barber, the 29-year-old American, finished last season as the CEBL’s all-time leading scorer, including playoffs, but was recently overtaken by Montreal’s Ahmed Hill.

He comes to a Scarborough team still searching for its championship form. At 4-4, the Shooting Stars sit second in a middling Eastern Conference, but they also recently reincorporated another starter from last year’s squad in forward Kalif Young.

The Honey Badgers, meanwhile, enter the game at 3-7 after snapping a seven-game losing streak by beating the Montreal Alliance on Wednesday.

Brampton credited an open team meeting following its seventh loss for turning things around and adding an extra dose of desperation to its play.

“It’s about us trying to get better every single day,” Honey Badgers head coach Sheldon Cassimy said after the victory over the Alliance. “So not being complacent, going back and seeing the things we could do better and also the things that we did well and trying to continue to do that.”

Now, suddenly, the Honey Badgers could get right back in the playoff mix with a victory over the Shooting Stars, who’ve dropped two straight after piling up four consecutive wins.

Key matchup

The return of Barber to the Shooting Stars adds yet another element of athleticism to the team.

It’ll be incumbent upon Honey Badgers guards Javonte Cooke and L.J. Thorpe to slow down Barber at the point of attack.

Brampton has allowed 82 or fewer points in each of its three wins and allows the fourth-fewest points per game overall. If the team can hold its defensive shell, it should put itself in good position to earn a road win.

Player spotlight

As Zane Waterman goes, so go the Honey Badgers. In the five games where Waterman has scored more than 21 points, Brampton is 3-1, while the club is 0-6 in all other contests.

Waterman, the Honey Badgers’ all-time games played leader, has battled foul trouble in some games, thus limiting his minutes. In the team’s last game against Scarborough, he picked up four fouls in just 15 minutes.

But when the North Carolina native stays on the court, Brampton is a completely different team.

Milestone watch

· Scarborough’s Barber needs 30 points to reach 1,000 for his career, regular season only

· Scarborough’s Young is one rebound away from 500 for his career, including playoffs

· Scarborough’s Kadre Gray is 11 assists away from 300 for his career, regular season only

Season series

The Shooting Stars won the first game between the clubs 81-73 in Brampton, but the provincial rivals square off three more times this season, including Friday night.

- 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 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 .

River Lions host Shooting Stars in School Day matinee

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 10:41:31 GMT

The Niagara River Lions (4-3) host the Scarborough Shooting Stars (4-3) Wednesday morning as both teams look to get back in the win column.

The game marks Niagara’s 2024 School Day Game and has an 11 a.m. ET tipoff at Meridian Centre. Live coverage is available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+, and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

The River Lions are coming off a close 90-86 loss against the Ottawa BlackJacks this past Saturday.

Aaryn Rai led the way for the River Lions with 24 points on 50 per cent shooting, while hitting three shots from beyond the arc, snagging 16 rebounds and dishing out two assists. Niagara also out-rebounded Ottawa 51-39 in the game, posting 22 second-chance points in a losing effort.

As for the Shooting Stars, they had their four-game winning streak snapped in a 93-86 loss to the Montreal Alliance on Sunday.

Jackson Rowe scored 19 points on 77 per cent shooting, knocked down three shots from three, pulled down four rebounds and had three assists in the loss. Tevian Jones also showed out for Scarborough, scoring 18 points, hitting four threes and grabbing three rebounds.

Key Matchup

Scarborough’s Jones and Niagara’s Jahvon Blair could be a matchup to keep an eye out for.

Jones is currently averaging 16.6 points per game, 4.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and shooting 44 per cent from the field, while Blair is sporting a similar 19 points per game, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 41 per cent average from the field.

The two guards are leading their teams in scoring and have the ability to catch fire at any moment. They can both stretch the floor, attack the paint and help create offence for their teammates.

Last Matchup

On June 1, Kadre Gray had 18 points and 10 assists to lead the Shooting Stars to a 95-87 victory over the River Lions. Blair led all scorers in the game with 22 points in a losing effort for Niagara.

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

Shamier Anderson and Stephan James named Shooting Stars Ambassadors for 2024 Season

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 13:50:04 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars are proud to welcome actors and producers Shamier Anderson and Stephan James as team ambassadors for the 2024 season.

The Scarborough natives, who both have stars on the Scarborough Walk of Fame, have starred in a number of movies and TV series. James has a Golden Globe nomination to his name and Anderson most recently starred in John Wick 4 alongside fellow Canadian Keanu Reeves. They are the co-founders of The Black Academy, an organization founded to celebrate Black talent through the Legacy Awards on CBC which won a 2024 Canadian Screen Award for Best Live Entertainment Special.

Anderson and James will be familiar faces at Shooting Stars games this season while also assisting the team in promoting community initiatives. Scarborough will be hosting The Black Academy night on Saturday, July 20 when the team takes on the Brampton Honey Badgers. This night will be focussed on promoting and supporting The Black Academy, five dollars from every ticket sold will go towards the organization.

Anderson kicked off his Ambassadorship during Scarborough’s banner night on June 1, announcing the Shooting Stars starting line-up after the team unveiled its 2023 Championship Banner. Scarborough defeated Niagara 95-87 to tip-off an exciting season at home.

About the Scarborough Shooting Stars

The Scarborough Shooting Stars is the eighth franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. In just two seasons, the Shooting Stars made back-to-back appearances in both the 2022 and 2023 CEBL championship games. They became the fastest expansion team in Canadian history to win a championship in just their second season. Scarborough coaches, players and front-office staff bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. The Shooting Stars play all of their home games at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre and are currently in their third season.

About the Black Academy

The Black Academy is a permanent, year-round Canadian organization that operates at the intersection of Black popular culture and social justice. It is dedicated to dismantling anti-Black racism 365 days a year and building lasting, systematic change. For more information visit The Black Academy

###

Media Contact

Maria Suriani - Director Communications

Scarborough Shooting Stars

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Shooting Stars visit Alliance looking for fifth consecutive win

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 15:26:11 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars head east to visit the Montréal Alliance at Verdun Auditorium on Sunday for the first of three regular season matchups between the two clubs.

Live coverage begins at 4 p.m. ET and fans can catch all the action on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+, the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices, RDS.ca and the RDS app.

For Scarborough, the matchup provides an opportunity to extend its win streak to five games – trying to be just the second team this season to do so. And for Montreal, it’s the latest attempt to win a game in front of a home crowd.

The Shooting Stars enter the day playing some of the best basketball in all of the CEBL, especially on the offensive end. The defending champs lead the league in scoring (95.7 points per game), assists per game (26.7) and three-point percentage (40.4).

Scarborough put all of that on display in their last of four-straight wins, as they took down the Ottawa BlackJacks by a score of 105-91. The Shooting Stars put up a third 100-point game (tied for most in the league) as they hit a season-high 20 threes (+13) on a 44 per cent clip, most of which came courtesy of their 31 assists (+12).

Meanwhile, this year’s Championship Weekend hosts are hoping to treat their fans to more home wins. For what it’s worth, although Montreal is 1-3 at Verdun Auditorium this season, they can take solace in the fact that both of Scarborough’s losses came on the road.

After the Alliance opened the season on a winless three-game stretch, it appeared things were trending in the right direction as they won two of their next three. But that momentum has slowed down as they enter Sunday on the heels of a 14-point loss to the Niagara River Lions.

Besides Ahmed Hill’s 19 points and Jordan Bowden’s 17 off the bench, not much went right for Montréal. They were outshot from the field, distance and the charity stripe while getting dominated inside the paint and on the glass.

Keys to victory

Paint play: The Alliance’s 42 per cent shooting from inside the arc against the River Lions was especially uncharacteristic considering they lead the league in two-point percentage per game (54.8) and are third overall for two-point makes (22.9). Montréal’s inability to attack at the basket efficiently, along with getting crushed 53-38 on the glass led to a plus-eight edge on points in the paint and plus-12 advantage on second chance points against Niagara.

If the Alliance want to pull off the upset and snap the Shooting Stars win streak, they’ll need a return to form from two-point range. Scarborough’s three-point proficiency is hard enough to keep up with, not converting on quality looks at the rim for a team that shoots just 32.2 per cent from deep, would make it all the more difficult.

Three-point shooting: Speaking of the long-ball, it remains the great equalizer for the Shooting Stars. When all else fails – like it nearly did when their 17-point lead was cut down to single digits by the BlackJacks in Target Score Time – the fact Scarborough makes a league-leading 14.7 threes a game often bails them out.

Eight different players drilled at least one triple against Ottawa, led by Tevian Jones who went 5-for-7 from beyond the arc. His final make being a game-winner that capped of a season-high 23-point performance.

If the Shooting Stars can continue their lights out play from distance, that could spell trouble for the Alliance.

2023 season series

Going back to last year, Scarborough dominated the matchup as they swept the season series 3-0. It improved the defending champs to a 4-1 all-time record against Montréal.

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

Shooting Stars look to extend win streak as they host BlackJacks

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 15:47:06 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars (3-2) welcome the Ottawa BlackJacks (1-4) to the Pan Am Sports Centre on Thursday night for the first of three regular season matchups between the Eastern Conference rivals.

Live coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET and fans can catch all the action on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

The mid-week affair will be the first time Scarborough and Ottawa are facing off since a playoff bout in the Eastern Conference Semifinal last season. The No. 2 and 3 seeds in 2023 enter Thursday on opposite ends of the conference standings so far in 2024.

Scarborough has been on an upward trend, winners of three in a row after an 0-2 start to the season. The defending champs have hit a stride and it’s led them into a tie for first place in the East.

Their most recent victory came against another Ontario rival as they handled business against the Brampton Honey Badgers, walking into the CAA Centre and coming out with an eight-point victory.

It wasn’t the prettiest offensive effort, as Scarborough put up a season-low 81 points, but they proved yet again that their playstyle can overcome even the slowest of starts.

Despite opening the game 0-12 from the field, the Shooting Stars swung momentum back in their favour largely thanks to their production from beyond the arc. Scarborough ended up hitting 13 threes in the contest (+8) on a 37 per cent clip, proving why they lead the league in three-point makes (11.3) and are second in percentage (39.3).

Outside of their proficiency from distance, a core component of Scarborough’s win streak has been the impressive play of its second unit. The Shooting Stars’ bench is averaging 36.6 points per game this season and has outscored opponents by 78 points this year.

Devoe Joseph put up a season-high 17 points off the pine in Scarborough’s victory over Brampton, leading a 40-point outing for the second unit.

On the other side, the BlackJacks are fourth in the East and are hoping to avoid their second losing streak before the mid-way point of the season. After starting 0-3, Ottawa picked up a one-point win over the Montréal Alliance in the first of a home-and-home set, before losing 104-89 on Tuesday.

The 15-point defeat was the BlackJacks’ third double-digit loss of the season as Ottawa has given up the second-most points per game (94.8) of any team in the CEBL. Much of their defensive woes have been on account of a lack of interior strength.

Without a traditional paint presence like that of Deng Adel or Zena Edosomwan (both players eventually rejoining the BlackJacks at some point this season), Ottawa has been noticeably undersized at the rim -- evidence by their bottom of the league rebounding rate (31.8 rebounds per game). The BlackJacks gave up 46 rebounds (-14) to Montréal on Tuesday, 12 of which came on the offensive end, as the Alliance put up an extra 11 shots as a result.

It wasn’t all bad for the BlackJacks however, as they got a couple of standout performances they’ll hope can repeat and manifest into a win.

For instance, Tyrrel Tate exploded for a CEBL career-high 33 points off the bench. The fifth-year guard did a bit of everything as he shot 52 per cent from the field, drilled four triples and knocked down 11-of-13 attempts from the charity stripe. It was just the second time all season Ottawa’s second unit has scored over 25 points as Tate accounted for 75 per cent of that production.

Meanwhile, Isaih Moore continued what’s been an impressive debut season in the CEBL. The forward put up his third double-double (16 points, 12 assists) through four games as he leads the BlackJacks in both points and rebounds.

Despite Ottawa’s record, Moore has had arguably one of the best individual campaign’s this year. He’s fourth in average scoring (19.8), second in rebounds (10.5), third in field goal percentage (56.6) and seventh in three-point percentage (46.2).

2023 season serie s

Last year the Eastern Conference opponents split the season series at two wins apiece. The BlackJacks won two of the three regular season contests before the Shooting Stars ultimately bounced them in the postseason with a 77-72 win.

Safe to say things will be different this time as Kadre Gray and Jackson Rowe won’t be representing the nation’s capital like they did in 2023. It’ll be the first time both are playing against the BlackJacks, their former squad, since joining the Shooting Stars in the offseason. And although it won’t be a reunion with the Ottawa faithful, there’s sure to be some bragging rights up for grabs.

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

RECORD GROWTH NUMBERS ACCELERATE AS CANADIAN ELITE BASKETBALL LEAGUE’S SIXTH SEASON TAKES FLIGHT

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 17:15:00 GMT

Attendance up 41% league wide from 2023 as digital metrics also reach new heights

The Canadian Elite Basketball League’s (CEBL) sixth season has launched the same way its fifth season ended – posting record growth numbers across the business.

The year-over-year accension from the same time frame and number of games from 2023’s opening weeks includes a 41 per cent increase in league-wide attendance numbers (70,308) and a 189 per cent spike in viewership on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor. The league’s 2,717,089 social media impressions throughout Opening Week powered by Neo Financial represented a 113 per cent increase from the same period last season.

Home opener attendance numbers were also up 31 per cent from 2023 as two of the three highest-attended CEBL games ever took place over the course of four days. The largest single-game crowd in league history tipped off the season May 21 when 12,327 CEBL fans filed into Scotiabank Saddledome to see the Calgary Surge and Edmonton Stingers. The Winnipeg Sea Bears followed that up three days later with the third largest single-game crowd ever for a CEBL game, hosting 9,116 fans May 24 in their home opener against the Scarborough Shooting Stars at Canada Life Centre. Winnipeg holds the CEBL single-game playoff attendance record of 10,580 fans (Aug. 4/23 vs. Edmonton).

Record growth highlights from the start of the 2024 CEBL season include:

Attendance

· 41% increase in total attendance over 2023

· 31% increase in home openers league-wide over 2023

· League record 12,327 fans at Calgary Surge vs. Edmonton Stingers season-opening game May 21 at Scotiabank Saddledome

· Third largest crowd ever for a CEBL game (9,116) at Winnipeg Sea Bears home opener May 24 vs. Scarborough Shooting Stars at Canada Life Centre

Livestream & Video-On-Demand

· Total CEBL+ viewership up 189% over 2023

· Video-on-demand impressions up 159% over 2023

· 652% increase in CEBL+ subscribers in May 2024 compared to May 2023

NOTE: Viewership numbers from CEBL broadcast partners (TSN, TSN+, RDS, RDS.ca, Game+, Courtside 1891 & NLSE) will be available at a later date.

Social Media

2,717,089 impressions (113% higher than opening week in 2023)
4.5% engagement rate (3x higher than industry standard for sports leagues)
4.3% overall growth
67.1% net weekly audience growth (week-over-week)

Website

· 119,207 page views (31% higher than opening week in 2023)

· 68,896 unique visitors

More than 50 CEBL games will be broadcast live nationally on TSN and Game+ this season, with an additional eight games in French on RDS . Fans can also livestream all regular season, playoff and Championship Weekend games on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Next Level Sports & Entertainment – The U.S. Home for CEBL, will pick up 40 CEBL games for its U.S. audience in 2024, while international streaming service, Courtside1891 , will carry 27 games for subscribers outside of North America.

Ticket information for all CEBL games, including single-game tickets for 2024, can be found by visiting cebl.ca/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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

Media Contact:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations
Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Honey Badgers seek 1st win in 5 games against provincial rival Shooting Stars

Sun, 09 Jun 2024 13:56:10 GMT

We’re only about one quarter of the way through the season, but the stakes already feel high.

The Scarborough Shooting Stars (2-2) have a chance to put meaningful distance between themselves and their in-province rival Brampton Honey Badgers (2-4) when the teams meet for the first time this season on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET at Brampton’s CAA Centre. Live streaming coverage is available on CEBL+ and TSN+.

While the reigning champion Shooting Stars are winners of two straight after dropping their first pair of contests of the season, the Honey Badgers have lost their last four.

Especially on home court, then, expect Brampton to come out fully energized.

In the Honey Badgers’ last game against the Rattlers, top scorer Zane Waterman and fellow starter LJ Thorpe were ejected midway through the second quarter following a scuffle with Saskatchewan’s Elijah Harkless.

But while Brampton could not close out the victory, it did respond with a clear fieriness after the melee.

“We were just trying to stay together, use it as motivation rather than look at the negative side of things. We tried to just keep fighting. Came up short, but I’m happy that we at least tried to keep fighting, didn’t give up,” said Honey Badgers swingman Shamiel Stevenson, who led the team in scoring in Waterman’s absence.

Meanwhile, the Shooting Stars haven’t played since last Saturday, when they narrowly beat the Niagara River Lions.

In that time, some championship reinforcements have come closer to making their season debut after finishing out their pro campaigns overseas.

While franchise-leading scorer Cat Barber is likely still unavailable, title-game captain Kalif Young may draw back in for Scarborough.

Young, of Toronto, played over 24 minutes per game for the Shooting Stars last season, averaging 7.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest.

His return should help a Shooting Stars squad which currently only has one player snagging more than five rebounds per game.

Through four games, Scarborough has leaned on a pair of ex-BlackJacks in Jackson Rowe, the team’s leading scorer, and Kade Gray, who is dishing 9.5 assists per game to lead the league.

Key matchup

Not only does Rowe lead the Shooting Stars in scoring at 16.8 points per game — the Toronto native also paces his team in minutes (34.3), rebounds (9.8) and steals (1.8).

A 6-foot-7 forward, Rowe has been central to Scarborough’s success on both ends of the floor.

It may be up to the Honey Badgers’ Stevenson, then, to slow him down.

Stevenson, 6-foot-6, will likely draw the first assignment on Rowe. He’ll need to use the athleticism he flashed while posterizing Rattlers forward Grant Basile on Friday to contain Rowe on the defensive end while also continuing to contribute on offence.

The American is Brampton’s second-leading scorer at 14.6 points per game, only behind Waterman’s 17.5.

Milestone watch

● Scarborough’s Young needs four points to reach 500 for his career, including playoffs

o Young is also four assists away from 100 in his regular-season career

● Scarborough’s Gray is 11 assists away from 300 for his career, including playoffs

● When Brampton’s Waterman enters the court, he will match the Honey Badgers record for games played

2023 season series

Scarborough won three of four regular-season matchups last season, then eliminated Brampton with a blowout victory in the play-in round en route to winning the championship.

- 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 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 .

Shooting Stars Host River Lions in Rematch of Eastern Conference Final

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 12:20:09 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars welcome the Niagara River Lions to the Pan Am Sports Centre for a trip down memory lane on Saturday night.

All the action tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET and fans looking to take watch can stream live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. This contest will also be televised in Canada on Game+ and NLSE in the United States.

After starting the season on a three-game road trip, the Shooting Stars will finally have their home opener on Saturday and will celebrate by raising their championship banner. And it seems fitting that after finishing the trip with a win over the Calgary Surge, the team Scarborough beat in the title game, they now return home to take on Niagara, the team they beat in the Eastern Conference Final.

In that win against the Surge, the Shooting Stars bounced back from an 0-2 start and avoided their first three-game losing streak to start a season in franchise history. It was a total team effort as eight out of nine players to check in for Scarborough hit double-digit scoring and their bench finished with 40 points (+13).

Second unit production continues to be a major strength for the Shooting Stars. Through three games, Scarborough’s bench is averaging 37 points per game, outscoring opponents by an average of 19.3 points and has put up 40-or-more points in back-to-back contests.

In the win against Calgary, it wasn’t just the fact that players off the pine were scoring a lot, it was the timeliness of their production that stood out. Hason Ward and Devoe Joseph each scored 10 of their 14 and 13 points, respectively, in the second quarter as they gave the Shooting Stars their first significant lead. Meanwhile, Jaden Campbell scored eight of his 13 points off the bench in the fourth quarter to help seal Scarborough’s first victory of the season.

On the other side, Niagara also bounced back following a shaky start of their own. The River Lions opened their year by losing the first game of a home-and-home set against Brampton before responded with a commanding 43-point win over the Honey Badgers on Thursday.

And it may be an oversimplification, but Niagara’s biggest adjustments were hitting more shots and being sharper defensively. The River Lions scored 36 more points in their win compared to last week’s seven-point loss and that’s not a surprise considering they shot nearly 25 and 30 per cent better from the field and distance.

Defensively, the River Lions didn’t allow Zane Waterman and L.J. Thorpe to combine for 51 points and outscore their entire starting lineup for a second consecutive game. Granted Thorpe was out for the rematch, but Niagara still looked impressive stifling Waterman to just seven points on 0-for-4 shooting.

Key matchup

This game will be especially unique for one player in particular, Elijah Lufile. He’ll be taking on his old squad for the first time since winning a title last season and then subsequently joining the team he helped eliminate.

The Milton, Ont. native’s offensive numbers may not pop out as he’s averaged just two points in his 15.5 minutes per game, but his impact has still been felt. His eight rebounds on average are 10th in the CEBL as he’s spearheaded the league’s most productive team on the glass.

Matched up against Lufile on Saturday will be who Scarborough signed to replace him, Hason Ward. The American import has been impressive in his own right through his first three games in the CEBL, immediately establishing himself as an elite rim protector.

Ward is averaging a league-best 3.3 blocks a game to go along with his 10.7 points per game as he’s slotted in as the Shooting Stars de facto big man.

So, in a game chalked full of guard depth and wing talent, make sure to keep an eye on the battle that’ll be taking place inside the paint.

2023 season series

Going back to last year, Niagara won both regular season contests before Scarborough ultimately got the last laugh and bounced them from the playoffs in the Eastern Conference Final.

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

Surge Host Shooting Stars in Rematch of 2023 Championship Final

Wed, 29 May 2024 14:26:52 GMT

Less than a year removed from their clash for a CEBL title, the Calgary Surge (0-1) and Scarborough Shooting Stars (0-2) face-off in a rematch at WinSport Event Centre on Wednesday night.

Live coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. local / 9:00 p.m. ET on TSN in Canada and NLSE in the United States. Fans looking to take in the action can also stream the game on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+, Courtside 1891 and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

Heading into the game, both squads are still in search of their first win of the year -- a stark difference from 2023 when both Scarborough and Calgary each won their season opening contests.

The Surge enter the night following a 97-79 loss to the Edmonton Stingers in which they got thoroughly outpaced. The Stingers made it a point of emphasis to up the tempo every chance they could and were helped by the fact that Calgary also gave the ball away 23 times (most turnovers in a single game this season). The end result was 60 points in the paint (+26) for Edmonton as they carved out a lop-sided victory.

If the Surge are going to pick up win No. 1 of the season against the Shooting Stars, they’ll need to start by applying more resistance at the rim. Thankfully for Calgary fans, that inside presence may have just arrived in the form of Troy Baxter Jr., the team’s latest addition.

The 6-foot-9 forward, signed on Tuesday, brings 71 games of NBA G League experience and is coming off a season with the Manawatu Jets of New Zealand’s NBL where he averaged 17.4 points, five rebounds and a steal through eight games. His combination of length and athleticism makes Baxter Jr. a versatile option that can provide the Surge a spark inside and out.

Meanwhile, the defending champions are coming off two winnable games they ultimately let slip away. In their most recent defeat, Scarborough led by as many as 13 points in the third quarter before losing 88-83 to the Vancouver Bandits.

Similar to the Surge’s previous game, the Shooting Stars lost the battle at the rim, and it eventually cost them. Despite hitting eight more threes than Vancouver, Scarborough got thoroughly outworked in the paint as they made 10 less two-pointers and were -16 on points in the paint.

Which, given the Shooting Stars affinity for perimeter play (top-three in three-point attempts, makes and percentage), wasn’t a surprise but did play a role in the Bandits comeback. Vancouver’s aggression earned 21 free throw attempts to Scarborough’s seven and the 11 extra points they scored as a result proved to be a tipping point in the outcome.

Also, like Calgary, turnovers have been an issue for the Shooting Stars in their back-to-back losses. Scarborough leads the league with 15.5 turnovers amongst all teams to have played at least two games and against Vancouver their three giveaways in Target Score Time wasted what could’ve been a solid first win.

Key matchup

This contest will feature a matchup between two of the league’s top wing players in Justin Lewis and Jackson Rowe facing off.

In Calgary’s only game so far, and his CEBL debut, Lewis led the way with an impressive 16 points on shooting splits of 62/66/80 per cent to go with his eight rebounds.

Not to be outdone, Rowe’s been Scarborough’s leading scorer in both of their contests so far. The 2023 CEBL All-Canadian is averaging 18.5 points, 10 rebounds, 1.5 steals and a block through two games. Against Vancouver Rowe put up a game high 20 points as part of a second consecutive double-double.

Both have shown they can score at a high rate of efficiency and are willing to shoulder most of the offensive load for their squad. Now it’s time for one of them to turn translate their individual production into a team victory.

2023 season series

Last year, Scarborough had Calgary’s number through their two matchups. The Shooting Starts won both contests and did so pretty handily, winning by an average margin of 13 points. However, 2023’s results between the cross-conference opponents holds little bearing on Wednesday’s affair considering Scarborough will be without the services of Cat Barber.

The 2023 All-CEBL first teamer found plenty of success against the Surge as he led both games in scoring with 27 points in their lone regular season contest and 23 points in the Championship Final. Barber’s 25 points per game against Calgary were the second most he averaged again any opponent in 2023.

Barber is currently wrapping up his season with FC Porto of the Portugal-Liga Betclic League.

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

Bandits host Shooting Stars in Season’s First West Coast Matinee

Sun, 26 May 2024 13:23:39 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits (1-0) welcome the Shooting Stars (0-1) to the Langley Events Centre on Sunday – the site of Scarborough’s first title last season – with action set for 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. local.

Fans can stream the action live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+, Courtside 1891 (outside of North America) and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. The game will also be available on Game+ in Canada and NLSE in the United States.

It’ll be the first of two matchups between Vancouver and Scarborough this season, their next contest not taking place until the end of June. Between now and then, there’ll be plenty to figure out for both squads, but what we do know is they are coming off very different season-opening outcomes.

Vancouver enters Sunday on the heels of an impressive 20-point victory over the Montréal Alliance that saw their offseason additions propel them to the lop-sided win. Koby McEwen, who spent the last two seasons as a Brampton Honey Badger, led the way with 22 points, six rebounds and four assists. Meanwhile, import acquisitions Zach Copeland and Tazé Moore chipped in with 19 and 17 points, respectively, in their CEBL debuts.

Meanwhile, Scarborough makes their way into the matinee off the emotional letdown of a 109-106 loss to the Winnipeg Sea Bears in a game they let slip away. Not only did the Shooting Stars convert better from the field, three-point distance and the free throw line on Friday, they had two opportunities to secure the win from the charity stripe.

Jackson Rowe, who put up 17 points and 10 rebounds in his debut for the Shooting Stars, got fouled needing to sink just one free throw for the victory and went on to miss both. Winnipeg went on to grab Rowe’s second miss and drill a game-winning triple.

Despite getting solid performances from multiple debutants like Tevian Jones who finished a team-high 18 points and nine rebounds, Kadre Gray who added 17 points off the bench or Shamar Givance who chipped in with a near-double-double of 10 points and nine assists, the Shooting Stars ultimately started their title-defence season with a heartbreaking loss.

By the Numbers

Turnovers: It wasn’t just Scarborough’s late game execution that cost them it was their multiple unforced errors that kept the game closer than it needed to be. The defending champs turned the ball over 14 times, eight more than the Sea Bears and gave up 17 costly points off those freebies.

Three-point shooting: Both teams made it clear through their opening games that they like to shoot from beyond-the-arc as two of the three teams to attempt make 10-or-more threes through one game played and attempt over 30. As far as efficiency goes, Scarborough holds the edge with 15 makes (the most by a team a single game this season) on a league leading 38.5 per cent clip.

Key matchup

Both squads have the talent and depth on the perimeter to keep up with each other, which is why the real X-factor matchup will be a battle in the paint between Nick Ward and Hason Ward (no relation).

Nick is a known commodity in the CEBL, a 2021 All-CEBL first team member and one of the most productive offensive bigs the league has to offer. In Vancouver’s win against Montréal, the American may not have been a focal point as they acclimated the new guys, but he still finished with an impressive 17 points on 55 per cent shooting, six rebounds and a block.

Meanwhile, Hason was equally impactful in his debut. His 12 points may not match up to Nick’s offensive production, but the 23-year-old still went 6-for-7 from the field while imposing his will on defence. Not only did Hason rack up seven blocks, tying the second-most in a single game all-time, he limited former first round NBA draft pick Byron Mullens to seven points on 1-for-8 shooting.

A battle between offensive hub Nick and defensive anchor Hason is one fans will surely want to keep their eyes on.

2023 season series

The cross-conference opponents matched up just once last season, with the Bandits playing spoiler to the eventual champions, beating the Shooting Stars 82-79. Ward was instrumental in the victory, leading all players with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

New-look Shooting Stars open championship defence on road against Sea Bears

Fri, 24 May 2024 14:08:40 GMT

When the defending champion Scarborough Shooting Stars open their season on Friday, little besides the team jerseys will be familiar.

Just two players who won the 2023 CEBL title are returning to the team to begin its trophy defence against the Winnipeg Sea Bears at 7:30 p.m. CT / 8:30 p.m. ET at Canada Life Centre. Broadcast coverage is available on TSN in Canada and NLSE in the U.S., while you can catch a live stream of the game on CEBL+, TSN+ and Courtside 1891 outside North America.

Kyree Walker, a 6-foot-6 American forward and Danilo Djuricic, a forward from Brampton, Ont. will be counted upon to hold the fort down until they’re rejoined by fellow champions Cat Barber, the CEBL’s all-time leading scorer, and Toronto forward Kalif Young, upon the conclusion of their overseas pro league.

There’s even a change behind the bench, as head coach Chris Exilus was promoted into the front office and replaced by Devan Blair, the head coach of the Barbados national team and associate head coach with the G League’s Westchester Knicks.

In the meantime, a pair of ex-BlackJacks in 2023 Canadian Player of the Year Kadre Gray and fellow all-Canadian Jackson Rowe joined Scarborough in the off-season in the push to help the Shooting Stars join the Edmonton Stingers as franchises with multiple titles.

But Scarborough’s first test is a tough one on the road against Winnipeg, which should be hungry for a win after dropping its season opener 94-86 against the rival Saskatchewan Rattlers.

The Sea Bears enter with chemistry on their side as coach Mike Taylor and reigning MVP Teddy Allen are back from a successful inaugural 2023 season, which saw the team place second in the Western Conference at 12-8 before falling in the play-in round.

Against Saskatchewan, Allen picked right back up where he left off last season, going off for his third career 40-point game while keeping the Sea Bears afloat deep into Target Score Time. But both he and Taylor would have preferred a victory.

“We’re excited about the home opener. You’ve got the defending champs coming in … great home city in Winnipeg so we’re looking forward to that. But we’ll try to learn from this game,” Taylor said following the loss to Saskatchewan.

Winnipeg also saw successful CEBL debuts by NBA imports Byron Mullens and Darius Days, who combined for 22 points and 17 rebounds as the starting frontcourt.

Key matchup

In the teams’ lone meeting last season, Allen went off for 40 points in 40 minutes. Even though many of the players are different, the MVP should be feeling good seeing the name Scarborough on his opponents’ chests once again.

It’ll be important, then, for someone on the Shooting Stars to step up defensively and create some resistance against Allen. It’s still too early to see who coach Blair envisions in that role, but his answer will go a long way to determining Scarborough’s success this season.

Milestone watch

● Winnipeg’s Alex Campbell, of Brampton, is six points away from 1,000 for his career, including playoffs

● Winnipeg’s Chad Posthumus needs 16 rebounds to reach 400 for his career, regular season only

● Winnipeg’s Teddy Allen is five assists away from reaching 100 for his career, including playoffs

2023 season series

Winnipeg beat Scarborough 98-93 in the teams’ only ever matchup on June 2 last season.

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

EMI PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS BECOME THE OFFICIAL PROMOTIONAL PARTNER OF CEBL

Thu, 23 May 2024 17:04:25 GMT

New multi-year sponsorship agreement to provide fans, coaches, and players with premium custom and promotional apparel and products

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that EMI Promotional Products (EMI) has been named the Official Promotional Partner of the CEBL through a new National sponsorship that encompasses the league and its 10 teams. This partnership enables EMI to showcase its capabilities and commitment to quality and innovation in the promotional products and apparel space.

“EMI has a great reputation for providing premium products to companies across the country and around the world,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “We look forward to working with them to create exciting promotional items for our fans, staff, players and coaches in 2024.”

EMI aims to elevate the fan experience by introducing high-quality, custom promotional products that fans can cherish and utilize beyond the games. This partnership signifies an innovative approach to sports marketing, emphasizing the creation of a deeper connection between the sport and its fans.

“In our commitment to elevating fan experiences and fostering deeper connections, we at EMI are thrilled to embark on this journey with the CEBL as their Official Promotional Partner,” said EMI President, Mark Shields. “This partnership not only reflects our dedication to providing premium products but also signifies our shared passion for basketball and community engagement. Together, we look forward to igniting the excitement of the game and creating memorable moments for fans nationwide.”

This collaboration with the CEBL furthers EMI's position as a Canadian leader for custom printed t-shirts. As the partnership unfolds, fans can look forward to exciting promotions, exclusive merchandise, and unique fan engagement opportunities that bring them closer to the game they love. First up are 10,000 custom printed t-shirts that will be distributed to fans at the season home opener for our Ontario based teams.

- 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 10 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. 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 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 & YouTube .

About EMI Promotional Products

EMI is a full-service advertising specialties company offering a wide range of promotional items to promote companies and assist with marketing objectives with quality programs like corporate recognition programs, premiums and incentives sales, trade show programs, safety programs service awards, employee recognition, product introductions, business gifts, sport tournaments, company outings, thank you programs, e-commerce services: online stores and fulfillment services and more! EMI helps find cost-effective ways to market and promote businesses with custom promotional items that speak directly to customers and clients. For more information, please visit www.emipromotionalproducts.com .

Media Contact:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations
Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

BETVICTOR RETURNS AS OFFICIAL SPORTS BETTING PARTNER OF THE CEBL

Fri, 17 May 2024 17:00:01 GMT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that BetVictor will return as the Official Sports Betting Partner of the league for its upcoming 2024 season. The relaunch of the partnership between the CEBL and BetVictor will include a more integrated betting experience for CEBL fans across its media platforms, including a new weekly CEBL betting show launching this week across CEBL+ and the league’s social media channels.

BetVictor is a licensed and regulated online gaming operator in Ontario and is the official online sportsbook for CEBL fans looking to wager on games this season. In parallel with this announcement, BetVictor has launched outright winner odds for the 2024 CEBL Championship:

“Over the past year, our partnership with BetVictor has not only delivered unique and entertaining engagement options and experiences for our fans, but also enhanced our CEBL brand on a global scale,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “We look forward to building on that and providing even more personalized and innovative sports betting experiences for basketball fans and fans of the CEBL through BetVictor in 2024.”

As part of this partnership, BetVictor will continue as the presenting partner of CEBL+ and through it deliver Canadians free streaming access to all of its live broadcasts during the 2024 CEBL season.

“We’re thrilled to renew our partnership with the CEBL for the upcoming season and look forward to bringing more exciting content and engagement opportunities to its growing fanbase,” said Brent Almeida, Chief Commercial Officer at BVGroup, the global operator whose flagship brand is BetVictor. “2023 was a record-breaking year for the CEBL in terms of attendance and viewership and similarly, more Canadians than ever made BetVictor their choice for a safe and responsible betting experience. This news underscores our commitment to supporting Canadian basketball and engaging with passionate fans of the sport and we are proud to be a part of the CEBL’s impressive growth!”

The 2024 CEBL season tips off Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. local / 9 p.m. ET when the Calgary Surge host provincial rival the Edmonton Stingers in a nationally televised (TSN) game at Scotiabank Saddledome. 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 .

More than 50 CEBL games will be broadcast live nationally on TSN and Game+ this season. Fans can also livestream all regular season, playoff and Championship Weekend games on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

- 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 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 .

Media Contact:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations
Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

NEXT LEVEL SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT BECOMES U.S. HOME FOR CEBL

Thu, 16 May 2024 17:15:00 GMT

Innovative content platform to broadcast 40 CEBL games in the U.S. in 2024

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and Next Level Sports & Entertainment (NLSE) announced Thursday a partnership that will see the innovative content platform and premier provider of live sports and entertainment become the ‘U.S. Home for CEBL’ in 2024.

This season, NLSE will broadcast 40 live CEBL games across the United States and again serve as home to CEBL’s feature programming in the U.S. including game highlights, player features, documentaries, and more. The partnership was orchestrated by ThePostGame, a U.S.-based sports consultancy and content studio, which continues to work with the CEBL on media rights and betting strategies.

NLSE’s CEBL coverage tips off with the first game of the 2024 season on Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. MT / 9 p.m. ET when the Calgary Surge host provincial rival the Edmonton Stingers at Scotiabank Saddledome.

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 . More than 50 CEBL games will be broadcast live nationally on TSN and Game+ this season. Fans can also livestream all regular season, playoff and Championship Weekend games on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

- 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 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 .

About Next Level Sports & Entertainment

A Next Level Sports & Entertainment is an innovative content platform and premier provider of live sports and entertainment. As a global sports network, we feature innovative and unique programming that appeals to sports fanatics in all markets. We build technologies that empower our programming, including international professional basketball, elite-level lacrosse, and other live college and professional sports. We offer an integrated cable and digital platform that enables unique insight, analysis, and documentaries. Next Level showcases stories and achievements that promote athletes, teams, sports, programs, and communities. For more information, please visit nlse.com .

Media Contacts:
Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations
Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Lu Foster – Digital Marketing Director

Next Level Sports & Entertainment

lindsey.foster@nlse.com

BOOSTER JUICE BECOMES OFFICIAL SMOOTHIE OF THE CEBL

Thu, 16 May 2024 16:03:34 GMT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and Booster Juice, Canada's original juice and smoothie bar, announced Thursday a partnership naming Booster Juice as the Official Smoothie of the CEBL for the upcoming 2024 season.

Booster Juice, a partner and supporter of the CEBL at 2023 Championship Weekend in Vancouver, will now engage in a league-wide, season-long campaign across all CEBL markets. This partnership further builds on Booster Juice's ongoing commitment to creating healthy and vibrant communities across Canada, and officially aligns two truly Canadian brands.

As part of this national partnership, Booster Juice will promote its delicious, nutritious smoothies that are perfectly suited for an active lifestyle by aligning with elite CEBL performances as the presenting partner of the Player of the Game on all 107 CEBL broadcasts during the 2024 season.

“We are proud to expand our partnership with Booster Juice in 2024 as they continue to support the CEBL and basketball in Canada,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “Their vision and commitment to promoting healthy and active lifestyles in our communities across the country aligns perfectly with ours, and we’re pleased to be working with them in an increased capacity this season.”

“The CEBL has been growing tremendously and fills that need for competitive basketball in Canada, and we are proud to be a part of it as the Official Smoothie of the CEBL,” said Booster Juice President and CEO, Dale Wishewan. “We hope with this partnership we can help fuel their continued mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees.”

- 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 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 .

About Booster Juice

In 1999, Booster Juice opened its first store in Sherwood Park, Alberta. The response was enormous. Since then, Booster Juice has taken off and now, approaching their 25 ^th Anniversary, they continue to satisfy millions of smoothie lovers with over 450 locations across Canada. Booster Juice stays on the move with flexible opportunities for franchise partners and innovative new premium products and unique ingredients from around the world. Visit www.boosterjuice.com for more on their smoothies, juices, shots, and food items. You can also follow them on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , Facebook .

Media Contacts:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations
Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Jimmy Tran – National Director of Marketing

Booster Juice

marketing@boosterjuice.com

Scarborough Shooting Stars Open Training Camp Wednesday

Tue, 14 May 2024 18:30:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) look to begin another championship season Wednesday as they open training camp at Royal Crown Academic School in Scarborough.

The Shooting Stars training camp roster includes six players with previous CEBL experience, four of whom played for Scarborough last season. 2023 Canadian Player of the Year, Kadre Gray and 2023 CEBL All-Canadian Jackson Rowe will join CEBL champions Danilo Djuricic and Kyree Walker on the Shooting Stars roster. Rejoining them at a later date is the CEBL all-time leading scorer Cat Barber, and veteran Kalif Young, who are currently completing their seasons overseas.

Scarborough made a splash in free agency with the signings of fan favourites Devoe Joseph and Nick Lewis. The pair, both from the Scarborough region, have a combined 23 years of pro experience. This season will mark the first time Joseph and Lewis have played at home since high school.

American guards Donovan Williams and Tevian Jones bring additional NBA and G League experience to Scarborough’s roster. Williams played 2 NBA games for the Atlanta Hawks and 4 games during NBA Summer League for the Washington Wizards in 2023. He recently finished a 17.2 point per game season for Santa Cruz of the NBA G League. Jones competed in last year’s NBA Summer League for the New Orleans Pelicans and played 50 games this season for their G League affiliate the Birmingham Squadron. Joining them as an international non-American import is Barbados born forward, Hason Ward, who will make his professional debut with the Shooting Stars this summer.

Rounding out the training camp roster are Brampton guards Shamar Givance, Jaden Campbell and CEBL Draft pick Koat Thomas. Givance played in Slovakia this season in his first as a pro. Samford University alum, Campbell, will step on the court as a pro for the first time with Scarborough. Thomas joins the CEBL as a draft pick after one season at St. Francis Xavier University.

Coming off a historic 2023 season, the reigning CEBL champions will tip-off 2024 at the Canada Life Centre on May 24 against the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The team hosts the Niagara River Lions at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on June 1 for their home opener and championship banner drop. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

About the CEBL

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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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

(I) – International

(R)- Rookie

(D) – 2024 CEBL Draft Pick

* Will be joining team at a later date

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Donovan Williams

Tue, 14 May 2024 14:27:14 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that they have signed Donovan Williams. The six-foot-six guard has three years of pro experience playing in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks, NBA Summer League and NBA G League, averaging 14.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 26.7 minutes per game in 111 games of his pro career.

Williams averaged 17.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists over 50 games last season with the Santa Cruz Warriors. The versatile guard recorded a double-double performance on November 21 against the SLC Stars, with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Williams started his collegiate career at the University of Texas then transferred to the University of Nevada for his junior year before declaring for the 2022 draft. He entered college as a four-star prospect ranked No. 61 overall in the country by Rivals and was selected to the 2021 Academic All-Big 12 Second Team in his sophomore year at Texas.

Williams is the tenth addition to the Scarborough Shooting Stars joining 2024 signees Tevian Jones, Shamar Givance, Devoe Joseph, Nick Lewis, Hason Ward, Jaden Campbell, 2023 CEBL All-Canadians Kadre Gray and Jackson Rowe, and 2024 CEBL Draft Pick Koat Thomas. The Shooting Stars return four players from last year’s championship team including the CEBL all-time leading scorer Cat Barber, Kalif Young, Danilo Djuricic and Kyree Walker.

The reigning CEBL Champions open training camp tomorrow. Their season begins on the road at the Canada Life Centre on May 24 where they tip-off against the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The team hosts the Niagara River Lions at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on June 1 for their home opener and championship banner drop. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

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 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 .

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Communications

NEO FINANCIAL BECOMES FIRST FINANCIAL PARTNER OF THE CEBL WITH AN INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP

Mon, 13 May 2024 17:15:00 GMT

Neo Financial to launch innovative new CEBL Cashback Program for all Neo cardholders

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday a landmark national partnership with Canadian fintech leader, Neo Financial (Neo), to become the first official financial partner in the league’s history.

Neo is building the future of financial services for Canadians, and as a part of this season-long partnership with CEBL, Neo cardholders will get cashback on CEBL purchases. Additionally, Neo will become the presenting partner of the CEBL’s Opening Week Tip-Off including the first two nationally broadcast CEBL games May 21 and May 24 on TSN.

Neo offers its customers a modern financial experience, simplifying finances through reimagined spending, savings, investing, and mortgages on an easy-to-use platform. The CEBL Cashback Program will allow any Neo card customer to access cashback on their purchase of CEBL tickets and select CEBL merchandise by using their Neo card of choice.

“We are very proud to add Neo Financial to our CEBL family through a ground-breaking partnership as the first official financial partner in league history. This partnership brings together two emerging Canadian disruptor brands that want to engage and support the communities we both operate in,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “Collectively we are invested in one another and are committed to elevating both brands to provide fans and clients access to Neo Financials’ innovative financial tools and CEBL experiences that align with that shared vision.”

In addition to the launch of the CEBL Cashback Program, Neo wants to recognize the real MVPs, our CEBL fans across the country. The Neo Fan MVP campaign will allow CEBL fans across Canada to show their fanaticism by entering to win prizes throughout the season, including the Grand Prize of a VIP package to attend the CEBL Championship Weekend in Montreal.

“We’re thrilled to be the official financial partner of the CEBL,” said Andrew Chau, Co-Founder and CEO at Neo Financial. “At Neo, we’re excited to grow alongside one of Canada’s fastest growing sports leagues. Through this partnership with the CEBL, we’ll be able to bring better financial experiences to more Canadians.”

The 2024 CEBL season tips off Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. local / 9 p.m. ET when the Calgary Surge host provincial rival the Edmonton Stingers in a nationally televised (TSN) game at the Saddledome. 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 .

To learn more about the CEBL Cashback Program: get.neofinancial.com/cebl

- 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 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 .

About Neo Financial

Neo Financial is a technology company simplifying finances through reimagined spending, savings, investing, and mortgages. Founded in 2019 by the co-founders of SkipTheDishes, Neo has raised more than $299 million in funding and has been recognized as one the top tech startups in Canada by LinkedIn. Neo is headquartered in Calgary and Winnipeg, and is backed by top-tier investors across North America. Through partnerships with leading financial institutions, Neo provides members with a safe and secure way to spend ( Neo Credit ), save ( Neo Money™ ), invest ( Neo Invest™ ), and get a mortgage ( Neo Mortgage ). Neo for Business powers financial solutions for Tim Hortons, Cathay Pacific, Hudson’s Bay, and over 12,000 other partners across the country. To learn more, visit neofinancial.com .

Media Contacts:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations
Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Neo Financial

media@neofinancial.com

Disclaimers:

Neo Credit and Neo Secured Credit cards are issued by ATB Financial pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated.

The JA Money card is a prepaid Mastercard® issued by Neo Financial pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. The JA Money card is powered by the Neo Everyday account, which is provided by Peoples Bank of Canada.

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign G League Guard Tevian Jones

Mon, 13 May 2024 16:30:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that they have signed 6-foot-7 guard Tevian Jones.

Jones played in five games for the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2023 NBA Summer League, leading the team with 16 points in a win over the Phoenix Suns on July 12. After signing a training camp roster with the Pelicans, he was allocated to their G League affiliate the Birmingham Squadron where he averaged 7.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 19.3 minutes per game through 50 games.

The Arizona native played two seasons at the University of Illinois before transferring to Southern Utah University where he finished his collegiate career. During his senior season, he led his team in scoring and ranked fourth in the WAC with 17.8 points per game. He also averaged 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists while starting all 36 games for Southern Utah and was named to the 2022-23 WAC First-Team All Conference.

Jones is the ninth addition to the Shooting Stars joining 2024 signees Shamar Givance, Devoe Joseph, Nick Lewis, Hason Ward, Jaden Campbell, 2023 CEBL All-Canadians Kadre Gray and Jackson Rowe, and 2024 CEBL Draft Pick Koat Thomas. The Shooting Stars return four players from last year’s championship team including the CEBL all-time leading scorer Cat Barber, Kalif Young, Danilo Djuricic and Kyree Walker..

The reigning CEBL Champions open training camp on May 15. Their season begins on the road at the Canada Life Centre on May 24 where they tip-off against the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The team hosts the Niagara River Lions at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on June 1 for their home opener and championship banner drop. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

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 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 .

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

KAL TIRE BECOMES OFFICIAL TIRE EXPERT OF THE CEBL

Fri, 10 May 2024 17:15:04 GMT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday a multi-year national partnership naming Kal Tire as the Official Tire Expert of the CEBL and its 10 member clubs.

The partnership unites Canada’s largest professional sports league and one of Canada’s largest independent tire service dealers. With over 260 Kal Tire stores across Canada, this landmark partnership will see Kal Tire expand its existing partnerships with the Vancouver Bandits, Edmonton Stingers and Brampton Honey Badgers to now include the entire CEBL and will provide basketball fans nationwide with access to exclusive Kal Tire offers and promotions by attending games during the 2024 season. As part of the agreement, Kal Tire will leverage the marketing rights and intellectual property of the CEBL and its teams.

“Kal Tire is one of Canada's leading automotive brands and has been a trusted source for retail and service for tires for over 70 years,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “They have a long-standing tradition of supporting Canadian sports and deep roots in the communities in which they operate across the country. We look forward to collaborating with them and their expanded commitment to the CEBL and Canadian basketball in 2024.”

“Kal Tire is pleased to support the CEBL and basketball enthusiasts from across Canada,” said Jamie Shillingford, marketing manager stores, Kal Tire. “Canadians from coast-to-coast can now cheer their favourite CEBL team and know that Kal Tire is there to help them drive to and from each and every game safely.”

- 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 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 .

About Kal Tire

Kal Tire is one of Canada's largest independent tire dealers and one of North America's largest commercial tire dealers. Kal Tire's Mining Tire Group is an international leader in mining tire service and supply, servicing more than 150 mine sites across five continents. The company has warehouse facilities across Canada servicing more than 260 Kal Tire retail and commercial stores. Kal Tire owns and operates 11 truck tire retread facilities across Canada, plus six earthmover retreading facilities located in Canada, the United Kingdom, Chile, Ghana and Mexico. The company employs more than 6,500 team members. For more information, please visit Kaltire.com .

Media Contact:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations
Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Guard Shamar Givance Signs with Shooting Stars

Fri, 10 May 2024 16:30:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that they have signed Brampton guard Shamar Givance. Givance averaged 19.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.6 steals in his first year as a pro through 34 games for Lucenec of the Slovakia-NIKE SBL. The playmaker posted seven double-double games in points and assists including a season-high 14 assists on 21 points this past November.

The 5-foot-11 guard played his collegiate career at University of Evansville before transferring to the University of Texas at El Paso for his graduate year. During his senior year with the Aces, Givance reached the 1000-point mark in his final home game becoming the 52nd player in program history to do so. He averaged 11 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.9 steals in 33.5 minutes through 32 games during his last year at UTEP, ranking eighth in school history with 62 steals on the season and leading his team in assists.

Givance is the ninth new addition to the Shooting Stars joining 2024 signees Devoe Joseph, Nick Lewis, Hason Ward, Jaden Campbell, 2023 CEBL All-Canadians Kadre Gray and Jackson Rowe, and 2024 CEBL Draft Picks Koat Thomas and Davante Hackett. The Shooting Stars return four players from last year’s championship team including the CEBL all-time leading scorer Cat Barber, Kalif Young, Danilo Djuricic and Kyree Walker..

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 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 .

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

2024 CEBL+ BROADCAST TEAMS ANNOUNCED

Thu, 09 May 2024 17:15:00 GMT

Sixth season of CEBL action tips off May 21 at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on TSN

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday the local broadcast teams that will deliver all the excitement of Canada’s professional basketball league to viewers across the country on the league’s OTT streaming platform, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. The lineup covering all livestream games consists of more than 35 media personalities across all 10 of the league’s markets.

The 2024 CEBL season tips off Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. MT / 9 p.m. ET when the Calgary Surge host provincial rival the Edmonton Stingers at Scotiabank Saddledome. In addition to the CEBL on TSN broadcast team announced Wednesday, the following is the full CEBL+ broadcast lineup in 2024:

2024 CEBL+ BROADCAST TEAMS

SCARBOROUGH:

Rod Black

Warren Ward

Warren Ward, a seasoned broadcaster and former professional athlete, spent six years on the court before transitioning to broadcasting. Currently working with the Toronto Raptors, Raptors 905, and Scarborough Shooting Stars, Ward seamlessly merged his athletic prowess with his passion for communication. Now in his third season with Scarborough, he continues to captivate audiences with his insightful commentary and dedication to the game. Ward’s dynamic career trajectory showcases a commitment to excellence both on and off the court.

Danielle Bain

Danielle Bain is a sports broadcaster from Mississauga who began her career as a video journalist in Thunder Bay. Transitioning to Ottawa, Bain covered local sports and breaking news on television and radio, honing her skills as a reporter. Finally, she made her return to Toronto, where she currently works as the rinkside reporter for the Toronto Marlies, content host for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Digital Storyteller for Women's Para Hockey of Canada. Now in her second season with the CEBL, Bain can’t wait to bring her skills and enthusiasm to the basketball court this summer before heading overseas to cover the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

BRAMPTON / NIAGARA:

Matt Bonomi

Matt Bonomi returns for his second season as a play-by-play commentator in the CEBL. As a fan of the sport, Bonomi has called over 200 Canadian University basketball games as the voice of the Brock Badgers. In 2020, he earned the inaugural OUA Broadcaster of the Year Award. In addition, Bonomi was on the call for the 2023 CCAA Women’s Canadian College Basketball Championships and two windows of the 2023 FIBA Basketball Champions League of Americas, featuring the 2022 CEBL champion Honey Badgers. Bonomi is a 2019 graduate of Brock University (Sport Management), and a 2022 graduate from the Ontario College of Sports Media.

Joe Raso

Joe Raso, Sr. Director, Basketball Operations for the CEBL, returns for his sixth year on the league’s broadcast staff. Raso has been involved in all levels of basketball for more than 35 years. He is the all-time winningest head coach in McMaster University history, where he coached his teams to four OUA championships and four silver medals at the CIS (now U SPORTS) National Championships. Raso has also worked on the international level as the Head Scout for the Canadian Men’s National Team and was an assistant coach with the program for four years. Raso has experience as a TV analyst for the CEBL, FIBA, CBC, Sportsnet and TSN.

Sean Woodley

Sean Woodley is the longtime host of the daily Locked On Raptors podcast, and has worked as a studio

personality and play-by-play voice for the CEBL since the league's inception. Woodley has also worked as a host at TSN 1150 Radio, was a credentialed member of the Raptors' media corps from 2015-2022, and coaches youth basketball in Hamilton.

Andrew Damelin

Andrew Damelin enters his fourth season covering the CEBL. The Raptors Republic reporter creates highlights for SportsCentre and updates for TSN 1050 Toronto, and has hosted “The Honey Drop” podcast covering the Brampton Honey Badgers franchise since 2021. He's 6-foot-5, loves his wife, kids, eggs benedict and nifty post moves. His playing days may be over, but his passion for the grassroots game has never been stronger.

Dhanung Bulsara

Dhanung Bulsara, commonly known as ‘D', enters his fourth season with the CEBL as a sideline reporter. For the past three seasons, Bulsara has patrolled the sidelines covering home games for the Guelph Nighthawks (2021, 2022), Brampton Honey Badgers and Niagara River Lions. Last season saw him draw his first of multiple assignments on TSN, covering nationally televised games for the league. This past summer also saw Bulsara make his debut as the in-game host for the Toronto Blue Jays. He has previous experience as the Raptors 905 in-game host, spending two seasons with the team.

Esfandiar Baraheni

Esfandiar Baraheni has been a basketball reporter, writer and producer for over five years, working with publications like TheScore, Bleacher Report, TSN, Spotify, and Raptors Republic — specializing in covering the Toronto Raptors and the rest of the NBA.

Kyle Parkinson

Kyle Parkinson is a communicator with a passion for interviewing, creating exciting content and having an enthusiastic eye for attention to detail and critical analysis. Parkinson is a self-starter who is goal-oriented, active on social media and able to report stories and create content. From being an on-screen talent with Sportsnet, he has covered numerous live major sporting events in pursuit of his passion for sports media and eagerness to grow in this industry.

CALGARY:

Mitch Peacock

The voice of Calgary Surge games in their inaugural season, Mitch Peacock enters his second CEBL campaign fresh from regular duty calling the German Basketball Bundesliga’s World Feed. The versatile announcer also recently completed a season doing Swedish Hockey League and Champions Hockey League games for global audiences, and last fall worked international soccer matches for CONCACAF. Peacock has done network play-by-play for five Olympic Games, hosted FIFA World Cup coverage, and worked as a rinkside reporter on Hockey Night in Canada. His other credits include anchor on the FOX Soccer Report and host of Calgary Flames Radio.

Jamaine Cummings

As a student of the game, Jamaine Cummings is prepared to bring his unique analysis style to the Calgary Surge broadcast for a second season. Some of his past broadcast credits include the 2024 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Men’s Final 4 Championship,2023 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s National Championship, 2023 Western Canadian Baseball League Championship and the 2023 ACAC Men’s Provincial Championship. Cummings also played basketball at St. Marys' in Calgary and for Basketball Alberta. With a passion for both basketball and broadcasting, he is excited and honoured to once again, combine the two, to help showcase the CEBL's elite talent to the entire nation.

Cami Kepke

Cami Kepke returns to the sidelines for the Calgary Surge’s second season. Kepke brings eight years of award-winning television sports experience to the court, including coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, 2023 and 2018 Heritage Classics, the Grey Cup and the Basketball Champions League Americas’ Calgary event. She has roved the sidelines for the Surge’s inaugural season, the 2023 Canada West Women’s Basketball Championship, the 2022 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship, and University of Calgary Dinos Football games. Kepke looks forward to bringing fans inside the game and sharing the stories of the coaches, athletes and staff who make every electric CEBL season possible.

EDMONTON:

Doug McLean

With over 20 years of national and international broadcast experience, lifelong Edmontonian Doug McLean returns for his fifth season calling Edmonton Stingers games. Currently the colour commentator for University of Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas basketball, McLean also recently called the 2024 U SPORTS Women’s Final 8. Internationally, he has broadcast Team USA basketball at the FISU World University Games while also calling FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying events and FIBA 3x3. Additionally, McLean has called hockey at four FISU World University Games, does colour commentary of university football across the Canada West Conference, and did colour on two Edmonton Elks CFL broadcasts in 2023.

Paul Sir

Paul Sir has spent his life intensely immersed in the game of basketball. As a player, Sir is a member of the Iowa High School Basketball and Winona State University Halls of Fame while also played professionally in Europe. He has coached at all levels and recently retired after being the Executive Director of the Alberta Basketball Association for 16 years. Sir has been the driving force for developing 3x3 in Canada. He led the efforts to make Edmonton the home of the Canada Basketball Women's Olympic Team. Sir is the host of 'The Basketball Show' on Sports 1440 radio in Edmonton and has done the colour commentary for the Edmonton Stingers since the club's inception.

Emma Foose

Emma Foose joins the Edmonton Stingers in her first year as a sideline reporter in the CEBL. Foose comes from a diverse sports background both behind the scenes and in the action. Growing up playing competitive hockey, she has been involved with sports as long as she can remember. From aiding game-day operations with the Edmonton Elks to coaching a U15 AA hockey team, Foose is excited to branch out into the world of basketball. She is currently enrolled in the Radio and Television program at NAIT and has a passion for storytelling.

Ethan Ready

Ethan Ready is a graduate from Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario. Born and raised in Woodstock, Ontario, Ready moved to Northern BC in 2019, working as a broadcaster and most recently doing play-by-play for both hockey and football. His work experience includes time spent covering the CFL, CJFL, NHL, WHL, and U SPORTS basketball, soccer and volleyball. Ready is excited to be a part of the Stingers' broadcast team for the 2024 CEBL season.

MONTREAL:

Moe Khan

Moe Khan is entering his third year as the play-by-play voice of the Montreal Alliance in the CEBL. Khan has called games in the CCAA, NCAA, and U SPORTS levels across multiple varsity sports. This year, with Montreal hosting Championship Weekend, he believes the city is ready to showcase to Canada why it is a basketball city and looks forward to working with his colleagues Dwight Walton and Gabriela Hebert to produce top quality broadcasts.

Dwight Walton

Dwight Walton is a former member of the Canadian National Team from 1986-1995. Walton played professionally in Israel and Switzerland from 1994-2004, including four years in Israel and six years in Switzerland. The basketball analyst and colour commentator was also an assistant coach for the men’s program at Concordia University in Montreal and served as General Manager for the Los Angeles Ignite of The Basketball League.

Gabriela Hébert

After playing U SPORTS basketball with McGill University where she was part of five provincial championships and helped lay the foundations for the eventual Bronze Baby winning Martlets, Gabriela Hébert started getting involved in broadcasts. She participated as an analyst for different provincial and national women’s basketball championships in the last few years. Hébert is also the season analyst for the women’s basketball team at McGill University. You can also catch her new podcast, “The Corner Girl” launching this summer as she will discuss the world of women’s sports, including basketball, through stories and news to inspire the new generation of athletes. In 2024, Hébert will serve her third season as sideline reporter for Montreal Alliance home games.

OTTAWA:

AJ Jakubec

AJ Jakubec is a 27-year sports broadcasting veteran who has been at TSN 1200 Ottawa for 18 years after stops throughout British Columbia and his native Edmonton. Jakubec’s first basketball call was as the voice of the Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas from 2001-03. In Ottawa, he has brought the action to viewers and listeners during numerous Carleton Ravens and Ottawa Gee-Gees games, including the annual Capital Hoops Classic and multiple U SPORTS Championships. Jakubec’s local play-by-play experience includes work with the Ottawa REDBLACKS, Ottawa 67’s, Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oil Kings, Atlético Ottawa, and Ottawa Fury FC, in addition to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Elias El-Zein

As a seasoned broadcaster, Elias El-Zein captivates audiences with a compelling blend of charisma, wit, and insightful commentary. With a knack for engaging storytelling, El-Zein has carved a niche in the broadcasting world, delivering news, analysis, and entertainment with professionalism and flair. His dynamic on-air presence and a deep understanding of the game of basketball ensures an enriching experience for listeners/viewers. Whether behind the mic or in front of the camera, El-Zein brings passion and expertise to every broadcast.

Wumi Agunbiade

Pro-player turned coach, Wumi Agunbiade, is a Canadian basketball figure known for bridging her experience of the game with her passion for the community. From Pickering, ON, Agunbiade fell in love with basketball before she could walk and has since been on a mission to uplift others through the sport. She is the Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Queen’s University and the Founder of Hoopers Loop, an organization geared towards the development of female-identifying student-athletes. From playing in the NCAA and professionally in Europe, to coaching with the Raptors 905 and the Guelph Nighthawks (Calgary Surge), Agunbiade offers a unique perspective of the game.

Fabienne Blizzard

Fabienne Blizzard played basketball and graduated from the University of Ottawa. As a point guard, Blizzard was awarded Rookie of the Year, MVP, Best Defensive Player, OUA All-Star, Athlete of the Year and was inducted into the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees Hall of Fame. She has had the pleasure of coaching at every level in basketball (Grassroots, Club, University, College, Regional, Provincial, National and Professional) and has also had the opportunity to assist and coach with the NBA Basketball Without Boarders, Senegal SEED Forum and NBA Academy guest coach.

Jackie Perez

Jackie Perez is excited to join the Ottawa BlackJacks broadcast team for her first season as a CEBL sideline reporter. Born in Manila, Philippines and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, Perez spent three seasons as the in-game host for the Toronto Argonauts Football Club. She began her television career as a video journalist for CTV News Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. In 2018, she made the move to Regina as CTV Morning Live's on location reporter. This led to a role at CityNews Calgary as an anchor and video journalist. Perez is currently a television broadcaster with CTV News Ottawa contributing content to television, radio and digital platforms.

SASKATCHEWAN:

Simon Hiatt

Simon Hiatt has been the play-by-play voice of the Saskatchewan Rattlers since their inaugural season and called the first-ever CEBL championship game in 2019. Hiatt has worked in local television in Saskatoon for 25 years and was also the play-by-play voice for the University of Saskatchewan women’s and men’s basketball teams for over a decade. He has also been a newspaper columnist and public address announcer and is an award-winning filmmaker. Hiatt lives in Saskatoon with his wife Joy, a cantankerous old cat named Wrigley and an unruly puppy named Lucy.

Amy Prokop

Amy Prokop enters her second season as a colour analyst in the CEBL with the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Born and raised in Saskatoon, Prokop had an accomplished career as a point guard with the University of Saskatchewan women’s basketball program (2004-09) and helped them earn their first Canada West championship banner in 2005. She sits third all-time in Huskie assists and fifth in steals. Leaning into her multi-sport background, Prokop is now in her 10 ^th year as an assistant coach with Huskie Women’s Soccer and is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in sport in her community.

Heather Morrison

Heather Morrison, a member of the CEBL’s Saskatchewan Rattlers broadcast team, is a broadcaster and public speaking coach from Saskatoon. This is Morrison’s fourth season with the CEBL. She is the founder and president of Deliver Your Best public speaking coaching. Morrison has also handled sideline coverage for Canada West Football and spent three years as an associate producer with CBC Saskatchewan, where she also hosted radio programs and was a television weather reporter. Last season Morrison had the honour of covering the CEBL's Western Conference Finals and Championship Weekend.

Ryan Flaherty

After more than a decade in TV news primarily as a sports anchor and reporter, Ryan Flaherty became a freelance broadcaster in 2021. This is his third season as a member of the Rattlers broadcast team and when he’s not calling games he serves as the team’s PA announcer. Flaherty’s play-by-play work includes two seasons as the voice of the National Lacrosse League’s Saskatchewan Rush, six years of Saskatchewan Huskies basketball, hockey and soccer, Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League games, and he’s currently in his sixth season as the voice of Saskatchewan SWAT Jr. Lacrosse. He also works as a sideline reporter covering Canada West football.

VANCOUVER:

Cheryl Jean-Paul

Joining Trinity Western University as the head coach of their women’s program in 2010, Cheryl Jean-Paul has built the Spartans into a perennial playoff contender. Internationally, she led Canada’s Cadette Women to a top four finish at the U17 Championships in 2022. Jean-Paul, a Winnipeg native who played for the Bisons and has officiated at the university level, is a Chartered Professional Coach, obtained her Advanced Coaching Diploma and has a master’s in leadership. CJP’s 22 years of coaching has included the CanWest Coach of the Year award, and is currently Basketball BC’s High Performance head coach, most recently joining Howard Tsumura as analyst for the BC High School Championships.

James Cybulski

An award-winning broadcaster who has worked nationally for Sportsnet, TSN, and TheScore, James Cybulski has covered several major sporting events around the world, ranging from the Olympics, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, World Series, and several others. A versatile talent, Cybulski has worked as a reporter and host in television, and also a talk show host on radio in both Toronto and Vancouver. He is currently the play-by-play voice for the iconic NHL video game franchise from EA Sports. When James isn’t behind a microphone, he is busy spending time with his family, helping coach his daughters in soccer, ringette, and softball.

Virgil Hill

Virgil Hill is a former Vancouver Bandits assistant coach from the inaugural season, and former U SPORTS and NCAA head coach at Laurentian University and Simon Fraser University, respectively. A two-sport university athlete in football and basketball, Hill was a team captain at SFU and was coached by former national team coach and present Sacramento Kings assistant coach Jay Triano. His resume also includes serving as an assistant coach of the national student team that captured a bronze medal in the 2003 World University Games, and Head Coach of the BC U-19 provincial team that won gold in 1998.

Chris Wiggins

Chris Wiggins transitions to a sideline reporter with the Vancouver Bandits in 2024 after two seasons as the team’s in-game host. Wiggins carries over 10 years of morning radio and television experience, along with a variety of emcee and PA announcing roles with the OHL, AHL and NBLC. He is also a two-time Ontario basketball provincial champion and a graduate of the Broadcasting Program at Niagara College where he played a season with the Knights.

WINNIPEG:

Christian Aumell

After a mediocre high school basketball career, Aumell turned his attention to the microphone where he called games for well over a decade. He served as the play-by-play voice of the Western Mustangs before moving to Winnipeg where he has called games for the University of Winnipeg Wesmen since 2016 and has been the voice of the Sea Bears since their inaugural game. In his day job, Aumell hosts the CJOB Sports Show, covering the Winnipeg sports scene on a nightly basis.

Dave Crook

Dave Crook returns for his second season working for the CEBL in Winnipeg. Crook has a long connection in Canada having worked for over 40 years in the U SPORTS system including 27 years as a head coach. He also enjoyed a decade-long career coaching with the Canadian National team program. His time with Canada included the highlights of being named Head Coach of the Canadian junior team in 2002. In 2004, Crook led the Men’s Young team to be the first Canadian age group team to ever qualify for a World Championship. The following year, the team knocked off the US in the quarter finals (Canada’s first win over the US at a FIBA event) and then went on to defeat the reigning World Champions Australia to capture the bronze medal. Crook recently retired from his position as Athletic Director at the University of Winnipeg.

Joey Slattery

Joey Slattery enters his second season as the CEBL sideline reporter in Winnipeg where he also co-hosts the Target Score Weekly podcast focusing on the Sea Bears and CEBL. Slattery is a veteran journalist having served as a reporter and anchor in both news and sports, as well as hosting TV morning shows in Northern Ontario, Regina, Edmonton and Winnipeg for more than a decade. Now narrowing his focus on basketball, he is excited to be back patrolling the CEBL sidelines and bringing you closer to the action in 2024.

Kurt Black

Kurt Black enters his first season as a CEBL sideline reporter in Winnipeg in 2024. Black is currently a Video Journalist at CityNews Winnipeg after two and a half years as a reporter and anchor at Thunder Bay News (TBN). He recently studied radio and television broadcasting at the College of Sports Media and Niagara College.

- 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 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 .

Media Contact:
Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations
Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Devoe Joseph

Thu, 09 May 2024 16:30:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that they have signed Devoe Joseph. The Pickering High School alum played this past season for BCH Garid of the Mongolian Basketball League where he averaged 18.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 26.8 minutes per game through 20 games.

The six-foot-four guard has 11 years of professional and international experience. In 2013, Joseph suited up for Canada during the FIBA Americas scoring eight points and grabbing five rebounds in 40 minutes over three games. He has played professionally in 14 countries including top leagues in Spain, France, Greece, Poland, Turkey and Israel; and has a career average 13.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1 steal in 26.2 minutes over 360 games.

Joseph played three seasons at the University of Minnesota before transferring to Oregon for his senior year. He averaged 16.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.4 steals in 35.3 minutes per game for the Ducks over 25 games. This signing marks his first time playing back in Canada since high school.

The Shooting Stars return four players from last year’s championship team including the CEBL all-time leading scorer Cat Barber, Kalif Young, Danilo Djuricic and Kyree Walker. Joseph joins new additions Nick Lewis, Hason Ward, Jaden Campbell, Jackson Rowe, Kadre Gray and 2024 CEBL draft picks Koat Thomas and Davante Hackett on the Shooting Stars 2024 roster.

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 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 .

###

Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

2024 CEBL ON TSN BROADCAST TEAM ANNOUNCED

Wed, 08 May 2024 17:15:00 GMT

Sixth season of CEBL action tips off May 21 at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on TSN

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday its 2024 CEBL on TSN broadcast team that will cover the 20 nationally televised games announced in March, beginning with the first game of the season Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. MT / 9 p.m. ET when the Calgary Surge host provincial rival the Edmonton Stingers at Scotiabank Saddledome.

A crew that again includes current and former NBA broadcasters like the legendary Chuck Swirsky (Chicago Bulls), Rod Black (original Raptors television play-by-play broadcaster), Amy Audibert (Miami Heat), Paul Jones (Toronto Raptors) and Nikki Reyes (Raptors sideline reporter for TSN) will be joined by three-time NBA Champion and Chicago Bulls radio colour commentator Bill Wennington, and head coach of the Windsor Lancers women's basketball program and former general manager and head coach of the Hamilton Honey Badgers (now Brampton Honey Badgers), Chantal Vallée.

CBC host Heather Morrison (Saskatchewan Rattlers), and Joe Raso and Dhanung Balsara of CEBL+ also return to the CEBL on TSN broadcast team in 2024, while CEBL+ sideline reporter Esfandiar Baraheni joins the crew for the first time.

2024 CEBL ON TSN BROADCAST TEAM

Chuck Swirsky – Play-By-Play

Chuck Swirsky has served as the radio play-by-play voice of the Chicago Bulls for the past 16 seasons following 10 years in that capacity with the Toronto Raptors (1998-99 to 2007-08). He has broadcast more than 2,100 NBA games. Swirsky's association with Chicago sports started in 1979 with his WCFL AM 1000 talk show and has also included broadcasting Chicago White Sox games. He was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 and into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the WGN Radio Walk of Fame in 2018. Swirsky has called play-by-play for University of Michigan basketball and football. Swirsky grew up in Bellevue, Washington and gained his Canadian citizenship in January 2008.

Rod Black – Play-By-Play

Amy Audibert – Analyst

Returning to the CEBL for her fifth season, Niagara Falls native Amy Audibert is currently serving as an analyst on the Miami Heat radio/TV broadcast team. Prior to her South Florida appointment, Audibert was the courtside reporter/analyst for Sportsnet's national coverage of the Toronto Raptors. Amy proudly was the studio analyst for the NBA's first-ever all-female broadcast, which was aired on TSN. Audibert’s on-air experience encompasses calling basketball games for many networks and many leagues, including, the WNBA, the NBA G- League, FIBA, NCAA Men's and Women’s college hoops.

Paul Jones – Analyst

Paul Jones is Canadian sportscaster who has served as a play-by-play and colour analyst for Toronto Raptors radio broadcasts since the team’s inaugural season in 1995. He appears on the weekly basketball show Hoops on Raptors NBA TV and is a co-host on the show Double Dribble. Jones has also served as studio analyst and sideline reporter for the Raptors and the Canadian Senior Men’s National team on TSN, CTV, and Rogers Sportsnet.

Joe Raso – Analyst

Chantal Vallée – Analyst

Chantal Vallée is the current head coach of the Windsor Lancers women's basketball program and a former general manager and head coach of the Hamilton Honey Badgers (now Brampton Honey Badgers) – the first woman to hold those roles simultaneously for a men's professional basketball team. Since 2005, the Montreal, Quebec native has built one of the top women's basketball programs in the country at the University of Windsor, a tenure that includes 10 consecutive trips to the OUA final four while earning nine straight OUA medals following the 2016-17 season, and capturing five consecutive CIS (now U SPORTS) national titles in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. Vallée has also contributed as a colour commentator for basketball on prominent Canadian broadcasting channels, including CBC, CTV, Sportsnet, TSN, and RDS. Her broadcasting resume includes significant sporting events such as the 2012, 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2019 NBA Playoffs.

Bill Wennington – Analyst

Bill Wennington recently completed his 21 ^st season as colour commentator for all Chicago Bulls radio broadcasts, partnering with Chuck Swirsky to broadcast Bulls games on WSCR 670 AM and the Bulls Radio Network. He was also a sideline reporter for FOX SportsNet Chicago during the 2002-03 season. A 13-year veteran of the NBA, Wennington spent six seasons with the Bulls (1993-94 through 1998-99), which included three World Championships. The native of Montreal was also a member of the 1984 and 1992 Canadian Olympic Teams and was recently inducted into the Quebec Basketball Hall of Fame and the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame. He played his college basketball at St. John’s University and was inducted into the school’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

Heather Morrison – Sideline Reporter

Heather Morrison, a member of the CEBL’s Saskatchewan Rattlers broadcast team, is a broadcaster and public speaking coach from Saskatoon. This is Morrison’s fourth season with the CEBL. She is the founder and president of Deliver Your Best public speaking coaching. She has also handled sideline coverage for Canada West Football and spent three years as an associate producer with CBC Saskatchewan, where she also hosted radio programs and was a television weather reporter. Last season Morrison had the honour of covering the CEBL's Western Conference Finals and Championship Weekend.

Nikki Reyes – Sideline Reporter

Nikki Reyes is an anchor for TSN’s SportsCentre and a sideline reporter for Toronto Raptors coverage on TSN. She was also an Anchor/Reporter on Sportsnet in Toronto and at NESN in Boston covering the Celtics, Bruins and Patriots.

Dhanung Bulsara – Sideline Reporter

Esfandiar Baraheni – Sideline Reporter

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 . More than 50 CEBL games will be broadcast live nationally on TSN and Game+ this season. Fans can also livestream all regular season, playoff and Championship Weekend games on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, and the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Nicholas Lewis

Wed, 08 May 2024 16:30:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that they have signed Nicholas Lewis. The Scarborough native played this season for Manchester of the British Basketball League where he averaged 15.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.7 steals in 30 minutes per game through 36 games.

The 6-foot-3 guard is a nine year pro with a career average 11.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 24.1 minutes per game over 288 games. A British Basketball League vet, Lewis played the majority of his career for Sheffield before he signed with Manchester for the 2022-23 season. Over the past two seasons, Lewis played in 5 BBL-Cup games for Manchester averaging 13 points, 3 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 31.2 minutes per game.

The Shooting Stars return four players from last year’s championship team including the CEBL all-time leading scorer Cat Barber, Kalif Young, Danilo Djuricic and Kyree Walker. Lewis joins new additions Hason Ward, Jaden Campbell, Jackson Rowe, Kadre Gray and 2024 CEBL draft picks Koat Thomas and Davante Hackett on the Shooting Stars 2024 roster.

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 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 .

###

Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

ELECTROLIT® BECOMES OFFICIAL HYDRATION PARTNER OF THE CEBL AND PRESENTING PARTNER OF CEBL TRAINING CAMPS

Tue, 07 May 2024 17:30:00 GMT

New national partnership aims to keep CEBL players hydrated and at peak performance on and off the court

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and Electrolit unveiled Tuesday a multi-year partnership that establishes Electrolit® as the Official Hydration Partner of the CEBL and its 10 member clubs.

Electrolit's role as the Official Hydration Partner of the CEBL ensures all 10 CEBL teams have access to premium hydration products, reflecting the league's dedication to player health and peak performance. Electrolit’s scientific formula, great taste and variety of flavors will provide an essential resource for athletes and coaches, ensuring they are hydrated and ready to compete and the highest level.

“Our partnership with Electrolit is a testament to our shared commitment to excellence and elite athletic performance both on and off the court,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “Hydration plays a vital role in performance, injury prevention and recovery for all athletes competing at any level. By integrating high-quality hydration solutions league-wide, we're able to offer our players a premium hydration solution that will allow them to consistently perform at their peak.”

As part of this partnership, Electrolit becomes the presenting partner of all CEBL training camps where players will get their first sample of Electrolit products. 2024 CEBL Training Camps, presented by Electrolit, open across the league in mid-May.

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 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 .

About Electrolit®

Electrolit manufactures a scientifically formulated premium hydration beverage that replenishes the body after physical activity, intense heat, or a night of partying. Founded in Mexico in 1950, since, Electrolit has become revered by athletes & partygoers alike as a recovery drink. Formulated with magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium glucose, and sodium lactate plus six ions for electrolyte absorption, Electrolit aids in the recovery of the hydro electrolytic imbalance, fulfilling metabolic and hydration needs. Electrolit is currently offered in national grocery, convenience, and online channels across the country, including Circle K, 7-Eleven, Amazon, and more. Electrolit is manufactured and owned by PISA® Farmacéutica, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Mexico and Latin America. For more information, please visit Electrolit.ca .

Media Contacts:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations
Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign 2023 CEBL Canadian Player of the Year Kadre Gray

Tue, 07 May 2024 16:30:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that they have signed the 2023 CEBL Canadian Player of the Year, Kadre Gray. Gray averaged 16.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 32.5 minutes per game for Ottawa last season. He led the CEBL regular season in assists per game and was also named to the 2023 CEBL All-Canadian team.

The Toronto native is currently playing for GTK in the Poland-OBL where he is averaging a team high 9 assists per game in addition to 15.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 33.2 minutes per game through 28 games. Gray posted nine double-double games in points and assists this season and recorded a triple-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists on April 20 vs. Sokol.

The Laurentian graduate is one of the most decorated players in Canadian university basketball history. He captured 10 major awards over his four years with the Voyageurs including 2017-18 U SPORTS Athlete of the Year, 2017-18 and 2018-19 U SPORTS Men’s Basketball Player of the Year, U SPORTS Top 8 Academic All-Canadian award, three consecutive OUA Player of the Year selections and 2016-17 OUA and U SPORTS Rookie of the Year.

Gray joins his 2023 teammate Jackson Rowe on Scarborough’s roster this season. Other new faces include Hason Ward, Jaden Campbell and 2024 CEBL Draft picks Koat Thomas and Davante Hackett. The Shooting Stars return four players from last year’s championship team including the CEBL all-time leading scorer Cat Barber, Kalif Young, Danilo Djuricic and Kyree Walker.

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 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 .

###

Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shootings Stars Sign Jaden Campbell

Mon, 06 May 2024 16:30:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that they have signed Brampton native Jaden Campbell.

The 6-foot-5 guard played two seasons at Florida SouthWestern State College before transferring to Samford University. Campbell averaged 11.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 22.5 minutes per game through 32 games for the Bulldogs last season.

Campbell joins new faces Hason Ward, Jackson Rowe and 2024 CEBL Draft picks Koat Thomas and Davante Hackett on Scarborough’s 2024 roster. 2023 CEBL champions Cat Barber, Kalif Young, Danilo Djuricic and Kyree Walker also re-signed with the Shooting Stars.

The reigning CEBL Champions open training camp May 15. They begin their season on the road at Canada Life Centre on May 24 where they will tip-off against the Winnipeg Sea Bars. The team hosts the Niagara River Lions at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on June 1 for their home opener and championship banner drop. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

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 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 .

###

Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Communications

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

GAME+ TO BROADCAST 33 LIVE CEBL GAMES IN 2024

Mon, 06 May 2024 16:04:04 GMT

Canada’s largest pro sports league added to leading North American sports channel’s live programming this summer

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and global multi-platform media company, Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc., announced Friday an agreement that will bring complete coverage of 33 live regular season CEBL games in 2024 to viewers throughout Canada on Game+.

Available across North America on cable, IPTV, satellite and subscription streaming services including FUBO, Game+ airs programming ranging from live sports and sports entertainment to fantasy sports, sports betting, Esports, and other fast-paced, action-adventure driven programming.

Game+ coverage of the CEBL tips off on the second night of the 2024 regular season schedule (Wednesday, May 22) at 9:30 p.m. ET when the Winnipeg Sea Bears take on the Saskatchewan Rattlers at SaskTel Centre. With at least one live CEBL game every week this summer, Game+ coverage spans until the final night of the league’s regular season on Monday, July 29.

The full 33-game Game+ CEBL broadcast schedule in 2024 is as follows:

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 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 .

About Game+

Game+ ( gameplusnetwork.com ) airs programming ranging from live sports and sports entertainment to fantasy sports, sports betting, Esports and other fast-paced, action-adventure driven content. The channel is available across North America on cable, IPTV, satellite systems and subscription streaming services, including FUBO. Game+ is a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp ., a leading global multi-platform media company. For more information, visit gameplusnetwork.com and @GamePlusNetwork on X.

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.

Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. is a global multi-platform media company with offices and studios in Toronto, Los Angeles, Denver, Nashville, New York, Kansas City, and Cleveland. Anthem's portfolio includes AXS TV , a leading television, streaming digital and social music and entertainment brand; global film distribution company Gravitas Ventures ; Fight Network , the world's premier combat sports channel with broadcast distribution across 10+ countries and available globally through multiple OTT platforms; TNA Wrestling , one of the world's leading wrestling organizations; Invicta Fighting Championships , the world’s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion; Game+ , the leader in sports entertainment and live sports; GameTV , the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; and HDNet Movies , which features theatrically released films and documentaries. For more information, visit anthemse.com .

Media Contacts:
Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations
Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

Cindy Ronzoni

Anthem Sports & Entertainment

cronzoni@anthemse.com

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Jackson Rowe

Fri, 03 May 2024 16:30:02 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that they have signed Jackson Rowe. The 6-foot-7 forward recently played for Santa Cruz of the NBA G League where he averaged 12.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.2 steals in 30 minutes per game through 49 games.

The Toronto native is no stranger to the CEBL. Rowe played the past two seasons in Ottawa where he averaged 12.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 26.8 minutes per game over 31 games for the BlackJacks. He was named to the CEBL All-Canadian team in 2023.

Rowe played four seasons at CS Fullerton where he posted a career average 12.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1 block and 0.8 steals in 30.4 minutes per game over 111 games. He was named Big West Conference Freshman of the Year in 2017. He was named an All-Big West Honourable Mention honoree in 2018 and 2019. He finished his time with the Titans second all-time in career rebounds (811) and second all-time in career blocks (113) and was named a second-team All-Big West Honoree.

Scarborough begins training camp May 15. Rowe and Hason Ward join 2023 champions Cat Barber, Kalif Young, Danilo Djuricic and Kyree Walker on the Shooting Stars 2024 roster. The reigning CEBL Champions play their first game of the season on May 24 at the Canada Life Centre where they will take on the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The team welcomes the Niagara River Lions to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on June 1 for their home opener and championship banner drop. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

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 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 .

###

Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Communications

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

LOTTO MAX AND PROLINE BECOME OFFICIAL PARTNERS OF CEBL

Thu, 02 May 2024 21:05:43 GMT

New sponsorship agreement to elevate CEBL fan experience across Ontario

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) unveiled a new sponsorship agreement Thursday with the CEBL and its four Ontario-based teams, naming LOTTO MAX as the Official Lottery and PROLINE as the Official Retail Sportsbook. LOTTO MAX also becomes the new presenting partner of the CEBL’s Eastern Conference and Eastern Conference Playoffs.

The sponsorship marks a significant collaboration that promises to enhance the fan experience in the CEBL like never before, focusing on fan-centric promotions that will boost engagement and excitement around CEBL games, both in-arena and across broadcast platforms.

“Our sponsorship agreement with LOTTO MAX and PROLINE is a testament to our dedication to providing our fans with unparalleled money-can’t-buy experiences, while elevating the profile of the CEBL across Ontario and beyond,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “This collaboration heralds a new era of basketball fanaticism, promising CEBL fans across Ontario the opportunity to dream bigger in a season filled with more excitement, engagement and unforgettable memories.”

Tipping off at the home openers for the Scarborough Shooting Stars, Brampton Honey Badgers, Niagara River Lions and Ottawa BlackJacks, each fan in attendance will receive a limited-edition team t-shirt. During the season, ticket holders will be automatically entered into a draw* for a chance to win an exclusive trip to the 2024 CEBL Championship Weekend in Montreal, courtesy of LOTTO MAX. This marquee promotion is set to run throughout the season, offering fans continued opportunities to win unique prizes and unforgettable experiences.

Additionally, PROLINE retail customers will have access to exclusive offerings, further solidifying this partnership's commitment to delivering exceptional value and excitement to basketball enthusiasts across Ontario.

“By teaming up with the CEBL through LOTTO MAX and PROLINE, OLG aims to create memorable moments that resonate with fans and bring excitement to the stands,” says Nancy Kennedy, OLG’s Chief Lottery and Customer Officer. “As a proud supporter of all kinds of sports in Ontario, we look forward to finding new ways to enrich the fan experience at CEBL games and celebrate the joy of sport.”

More than 40 CEBL games will be broadcast live nationally on TSN and Game+ this season. Fans can also livestream all regular season, playoff and Championship Weekend games on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

*Must be an Ontario resident and 18+ at the time of participation for entry.

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 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 .

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 $59 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.

Media Contacts:

Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations
Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

OLG Media Relations

1-888-946-6716

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Non-American Import Hason Ward

Thu, 02 May 2024 16:30:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that they have signed Bajan born Hason Ward.

The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 4.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 12.3 minutes per game over 51 games and two seasons with the Iowa State Cyclones. Prior to transferring to Iowa in 2022, Ward played three seasons at Virginia Commonwealth University. During his sophomore year, he ranked second in the Atlantic-10 and 21 nationally in blocked shots per game. He was also named to the 2020-21 Atlantic-10 Conference All-Defensive Team.

The St. Thomas native is Scarborough’s fifth player signing of the season. The Shooting Stars welcomed back 2023 champions Cat Barber, Kalif Young, Danilo Djuricic and Kyree Walker earlier this off-season.

The reigning CEBL Champions open their season on May 24 at the Canada Life Centre where they will take on the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The team hosts the Niagara River Lions at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on June 1 for their home opener and championship banner drop. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

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 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 .

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Communications

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Kyree Walker

Wed, 01 May 2024 16:45:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that they have re-signed American Kyree Walker. The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 12.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 25.8 minutes per game over 18 games for Scarborough last season.

Walker, a high school phenom, decided to forego collegiate basketball and signed a training camp roster with the Washington Wizards of the NBA in 2021. He played that season for their G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go, where he averaged 7.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game over 37 games.

The Atlanta native most recently played for Apes of the Mongolia-MBL averaging 21.5 points, 5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2 steals in 19.5 minutes per game. He becomes the fourth returning player from Scarborough’s 2023 championship team; joining CEBL all-time leading scorer Cat Barber and forwards Kalif Young and Danilo Djuricic on this year’s roster.

The Shooting Stars open Training Camp May 15. The reigning CEBL Champions play their first game of the season on May 24 at the Canada Life Centre where they will take on the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The team welcomes the Niagara River Lions to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on June 1 for their home opener and championship banner drop. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

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 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 .

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Djuricic for 2024 Season

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 16:30:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that they have re-signed Danilo Djuricic. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 4.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 15.8 minutes per game through 8 games with the Shooting Stars last season.

This is the Toronto native’s third year playing professionally. He played two seasons for Brno of the Czech Republic (2021/22 and 2022/23) and Scarborough’s first two seasons in the league posting a career average 6.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 17.5 minutes per game over 85 games.

Djuricic rejoins CEBL All-Time Leading Scorer Cat Barber and forward Kalif Young on Scarborough’s 2024 roster. The reigning CEBL Champions open their season on May 24 at the Canada Life Centre where they will take on the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The team welcomes the Niagara River Lions to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on June 1 for their home opener and championship banner drop. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

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 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 .

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Communications

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Young for 2024 Season

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 16:45:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that they have re-signed forward Kalif Young. The 6-foot-9 forward becomes the team’s second re-signing of the season, joining point guard Cat Barber on the Shooting Stars 2024 roster.

The Toronto native averaged 8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1 block and 1.3 steals in 26 minutes per game through 24 games with the Shooting Stars last season. Young’s 11 points, 11 rebound performance assisted the Shooting Stars in defeating Niagara in last year’s CEBL semi-finals en route to their 2023 CEBL Championship.

The Providence College graduate played this past season for Anwil of the Polish OBL where he averaged 6.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 blocks in 23 games. Anwil also competed in the Europe Cup where Young averaged 6.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.7 steals in 6 games.

The reigning CEBL Champions open their season on May 24 at the Canada Life Centre where they will take on the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The team welcomes the Niagara River Lions to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on June 1 for their home opener and championship banner drop. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

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 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 .

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Communications

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign CEBL All-Time Leading Scorer Cat Barber

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 16:45:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that they have re-signed 6’2” point guard, Cat Barber. The 2023 All-CEBL First Team Star averaged 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 33.3 minutes per game for Scarborough last season. Barber finished the 2023 CEBL season as the league’s all-time leading scorer with 1108 CEBL career points.

The Virginia native averages 16.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1 steal in 29.6 minutes per game over 354 professional games. He is currently playing for FC Porto of the Portugal-Liga Betclic League where he is leading his team in points (16.5) and assists (4.5) per game through 20 games. Barber averaged 17 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.5 minutes per game through 15 games for FC Porto in the 2023-24 Europe Cup.

The eight-year pro has played in top leagues across seven countries, including for teams in the FIBA Europe Cup and NBA G-League. Most notably, Barber signed a 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks in December 2021 registering 3 rebounds and 3 assists in 13 minutes through 3 games in the NBA.

The NC State alum ranks 17 in Wolfpack history with 1516 career points and 8 in school history with 403 assists. In his junior and final year, Barber led the ACC with 28.7 minutes per game as well as eight games of at least 30 points. He set an NC State record with 237 made free throws. He was voted ACC Player of the Week three times, 2016 First Team All-ACC by media and coaches and NABC All-District First Team.

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 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 .

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Name Devan Blair Head Coach

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 14:45:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that Devan Blair has been named the second head coach in team history. Blair succeeds 2023 CEBL Champion Chris Exilus who led the Shooting Stars to the CEBL’s Championship Game in back-to-back seasons. Exilus was promoted earlier this year to Vice President and Senior Advisor.

Blair is the current Head Coach of the Barbados Men’s National Team as well as the Associate Head Coach of the Westchester Knicks, the official NBA G League affiliate of the New York Knicks. Prior to his position with Westchester, he spent six years with the Houston Rockets organization as their Video Coordinator and Offensive Strategist from 2015-2020 while also acting as assistant coach of their G League affiliate the Rio Grand Valley Vipers from 2019-2020. During the 2021-22 season, Blair was named assistant coach of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, affiliate of the Indiana Pacers.

“I think the CEBL is a tremendous league that has grown exponentially since its inception. I’m excited to be a part of a league that the rest of the world is beginning to realize contains very high level players and amazing support throughout the country,” noted Blair on joining the CEBL. “I’m beyond excited to have the opportunity to coach the Shooting Stars. Scarborough is an elite organization with top caliber staff that have had unmatched success in their short history. I can’t wait to attack each day with my coaches and players as we aim to repeat as champions in front of the best fans in the league”.

Blair is a graduate of Indiana University Bloomington where he earned a Bachelor of Science (BS), Sport Marketing and Management while acting as team manager for the women and men’s basketball teams.

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Communications

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Promote Chris Exilus to Vice President and Senior Advisor

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 14:18:05 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that Chris Exilus has been promoted to Vice President and Senior Advisor. Exilus, a 2023 CEBL Champion, led the Shooting Stars to the CEBL’s Championship Game in back-to-back seasons.

“I am very excited about my new promotion into this role,” said Exilus. “As our franchise continues to evolve, the growth opportunity and platform to use all of my abilities is what I am looking forward to the most. This season is going to be great, we can’t wait to get started”.

The Shooting Stars open their season on May 24 at the Canada Life Centre where they will take on the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The team welcomes the Niagara River Lions to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on June 1 for their home opener and championship banner drop. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Communications

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Shooting Stars Select Christie, Thomas and Hackett in the 2024 CEBL Draft

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 16:45:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars have selected Dalhousie guard and U SPORTS First-Team All Canadian Malcolm Christie in the first round of the 2024 CEBL Draft. Scarborough drafted AUS Rookie of the Year Koat Thomas out of St. Francis Xavier in the second round and Brock University freshman Davanté Hackett in the third round.

This will be Christie’s second season with the Shooting Stars as the Fredericton native signed a developmental contract as a free agent with the team last summer. Christie boasted a great Junior year at Dalhousie averaging 23.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3 assists in 33.7 minutes per game through 23 games. He set a school record for most points scored in a game (51) and a new AUS record for most 3-point shots made in a season (79). Christie was named the 2023-24 AUS Most Valuable Player, AUS First Team All-Star, AUS Tournament All-Star and AUS Tournament MVP. He was also a 2023-24 U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian.

Waterloo guard, Koat Thomas was Scarborough’s second round pick. The St.FX guard averaged 8.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 25.8 minutes per game through 16 games. Thomas posted his first career triple-double against Acadia on January 31 with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He was named 2024 AUS Rookie of the Year and to the U SPORTS All-Rookie Team.

With their third pick, Scarborough drafted Brock University guard Davanté Hackett. The Brampton native played 23 games for the Badgers, averaging 4.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 15.9 minutes per game.

The defending CEBL Champions will open their 2024 season Friday, May 24 at the Canada Life Centre against the Winnipeg Sea Bears. Scarborough welcomes the Niagara River Lions to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for their first home game on June 1 where they will drop their Championship Banner. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Communications

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

New CEBL Draft Format Unveiled for 2024

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 17:15:00 GMT

Three-round draft in April will select 30 eligible players from U SPORTS, CCAA programs

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that beginning in 2024, the newly rebranded and expanded ‘CEBL Draft’ will serve as the league’s annual entry draft for eligible Canadian U SPORTS and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) student-athletes. Results of the 2024 CEBL Draft will be announced Thursday, April 11.

The CEBL’s amendments to its roster composition rules in 2024 adds CCAA athletes alongside U SPORTS athletes as eligible developmental players (recognized Canadians with experience as a student-athlete with remaining eligibility). CEBL teams are incentivized to have developmental players on their active roster as up to a maximum of three will not count against a club’s per game active roster salary cap.

The first opportunity for a developmental player to join a CEBL team is via the 2024 CEBL Draft. Beginning this year, the CEBL Draft will expand to three rounds with each club making three selections total (one in each round) of either returning or graduating Canadian post-secondary players. In total, 30 eligible players will be selected. The priority of selection in round one will be in the reverse order of how each team finished the 2023 regular season, and the following rounds will revert to a ‘snake format’ in reverse order of the previous round.

All developmental players will become free agents at the conclusion of the CEBL season and can maintain eligibility to be selected in the 2025 CEBL Draft and/or sign with a CEBL club and re-enter the league as a developmental player next season.

“Expanding the pool of eligible players for our CEBL Draft to include CCAA talent in addition to U SPORTS ensures that every Canadian post-secondary student-athlete playing basketball across the country has an equal opportunity to be drafted into the CEBL,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “The rising level of basketball talent in Canada is undeniable, and our partnerships with U SPORTS and CCAA will continue to provide opportunities for student-athletes nationwide.”

The 2024 CEBL season tips off Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. local / 9 p.m. ET when the Calgary Surge host provincial rival the Edmonton Stingers at Scotiabank Saddledome. Season tickets and flex packs are now available league wide with priority seating access and preferred pricing. Ticket information for all CEBL games can be found by visiting cebl.ca/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 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 .

About U SPORTS

U SPORTS is the national brand for university sports in Canada. Every year, over 15,500 student-athletes and 700 coaches vie for 21 national championships in 12 different sports. U SPORTS also provides high performance international opportunities at FISU Winter and Summer World University Games, World University Championships, University World Cups and various educational initiatives.

U SPORTS works in collaboration with 57 members and four conferences as well as the Canadian sport system and Corporate Canada on the growth and delivery of university sport to student-athletes across the country.

About Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association

The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association is the national governing body for organized sports at the collegiate level in Canada. The CCAA enriches the academic experiences of student-athletes by providing leadership, programs and services that foster development through high-level competitive opportunities in intercollegiate sport. CCAA student-athletes compete in seven sports at 10 CCAA national championships, each hosted by one of the 98 CCAA member institutions (colleges, universities, technical institutes and cégeps) located in nine provinces. In addition to governing the national championships, the CCAA also provides national awards and recognition to CCAA student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors and member institutions. For more information, please visit ccaa.ca

Media Contacts:
Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations
Canadian Elite Basketball League

(905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca

John Bower – Director, Marketing and Communications

U SPORTS

780-667-5646 | jbower@usports.ca

Nancy Paquette, Manager, Communications and Events
Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association
(613) 363-3133 | nancy@ccaa.ca

2024 CEBL ON TSN BROADCAST SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 18:04:59 GMT

TSN coverage features 20 nationally televised games including CEBL playoffs and CW24, with every game of the 2024 CEBL season available on TSN+

The Canadian Elites Basketball League (CEBL) and TSN, Canada's Sports Leader, announced Wednesday the 2024 CEBL on TSN broadcast schedule that includes live coverage of 20 nationally televised games, culminating with all playoff and Championship Weekend games in August.

TSN's CEBL coverage tips off with the first game of the 2024 season on Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. MT / 9 p.m. ET when the Calgary Surge host provincial rival the Edmonton Stingers at Scotiabank Saddledome. Both games of the Canada Day doubleheader on Monday, July 1 will be featured on TSN, including the Saskatchewan Rattlers visiting the Stingers at Edmonton EXPO Centre at 4 p.m. MT / 6 p.m. ET, followed by the Niagara River Lions travelling to Vancouver to take on the Bandits at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET at Langley Events Centre.

In total, TSN will broadcast 13 CEBL regular season games, and all playoff and 2024 Championship Weekend games on TSN's national television feeds. In addition, all 107 CEBL games in 2024 will be streamed live on TSN+, the network's stand-alone digital streaming service. French-language coverage of select Montreal Alliance games on RDS will be announced at a later date.

Scarborough Shooting Stars Announce 2024 Season Schedule

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 18:00:00 GMT

The reigning CEBL champions will begin their title defense May 24 in Winnipeg

The Scarborough Shootings Stars announced its 2024 CEBL regular season schedule Tuesday. The reigning league champions tip off their third season Friday, May 24 vs. the Winnipeg Sea Bears at Canada Life Centre at 8:30 p.m. ET. The 20-game season consists of 10 home and 10 away games with the Shooting Stars playing 13 games verse eastern conference teams and seven games against teams from the west.

Scarborough opens their season on a three-game west coast trip that ends in Calgary for what will be a rematch of last year’s championship final verse the Surge on Wednesday, May 29 at 9 p.m. ET. The Shooting Stars will return to Scarborough to host their home opener and championship celebration on June 1 at 7 p.m. ET against the Niagara River Lions at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.

The Shooting Stars will host 4 home games in June and 6 home games in July. They will play conference rivals Brampton Honey Badgers four times and match up against in-conference teams Montreal Alliance, Ottawa BlackJacks and Niagara River Lions three times each. Scarborough will have home-and-home games against west conference teams Calgary and Vancouver, but will only encounter Winnipeg, the Saskatchewan Rattlers and Edmonton Stingers once during the regular season.

The CEBL season accumulates at the 2024 Championship Weekend (CW24) in Monreal from August 9-11. Host Montreal Alliance along with the top-ranked team from the Western Conference, will automatically be seeded into the Conference Finals at Championship Weekend. The full playoff schedule, including the Play-In and Conference Semifinal games, will be announced at a later date.

The 2024 broadcast schedule with all nationally televised games on TSN will be announced later this spring. All games including playoffs, will be streamed live on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ Powered by BetVictor, on CEBL mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices), and on TSN+.

The Scarborough Shooting Stars will begin announcing their 2024 roster in the weeks leading up to the start of their May training camp. Ticket information for Shooting Stars home games is available at scarboroughshootingstars.ca/tickets More information about the Scarborough Shooting Stars is available at scarboroughshootingstars.ca as well as on Instagram (@scarboroughshootingstars), Twitter (@sss_cebl) and 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 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 .

Shooting Stars capture first title in franchise history with 82-70 win over Surge

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 03:37:56 GMT

Isiaha Mike’s near triple-double performance for the Scarborough Shooting Stars led the team to its first ever CEBL championship in an 82-70 win against the Calgary Surge.

The Scarborough, Ontario, native showed out for his hometown as he put up 22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and five steals. Not only did his all-around performance bring a title to his hometown, but it also earned Mike the honour of final’s Most Valuable Player.

“It’s been a rollercoaster ride,” said Mike after the game. “We’ve been resilient through it all, be it roster changes or injuries…whatever it took for us to get to this point, and I’m thankful.”

His supporting cast in this one unsurprisingly included Cat Barber, the team’s leading scorer all season. The guard led the game with 23 points to go along with his two rebounds and five assists, which were huge considering Barber and Mike combined to score over 50 per cent of the team’s points on the night.

They were joined by Kyree Walker who stepped up with his 17 points and four rebounds, and Gedi Juozapaitis who added 11 points off the bench.

“There are so many people connected to this win,” said Shooting Stars head coach Chris Exilus. “That’s what makes it so special. We were prepared…we didn’t care who scored and who made plays, we just knew we had to make plays.”

On the other side, Jordy Tshimanga led the way for Calgary by way of a 15-point, 15-rebound, double-double. Stef Smith also did what he could with his 14 points and five assists, but the guard, like the rest of his team struggled holding onto the ball as he committed a game-high five turnovers. Meanwhile Terry Henderson Jr. notched a season-high 11 points in the loss, scoring six of those points in the fourth quarter.

“It’s been a family,” Tshimanga said on his team as he reflected on the season post-game. “We went through ups and downs, and eventually we got better, and it led us here todays. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get it done but I’m proud of the core.”

The Surge threw the first punch in tonight’s heavy weight showdown as they took an early 15-5 lead thanks to the strong play of Tshimanga. Coming into the contest, there were questions surrounding the forward and if he could fill the role of the absent Simi Shittu. Tshimanga had to make up for the loss of the team’s leader and CEBL’s best rebounder, and it was safe to say the forward erased any uncertainty with his 10 points and five rebounds in the first.

Fortunately for Scarborough fans, the team found a response and it was through the play of their own big man. Mike scored seven points in the frame, which led an 11-4 run to end the quarter and cut Calgary’s margin to 19-16 headed into the second.

Momentum for the Shooting Stars didn’t end there as they opened the next frame by scoring 10 unanswered points thanks to the Surge’s carelessness with the ball. Calgary struggled with turning the ball over all season, ranked second in the CEBL with 15.8 giveaways a night, and their lack of ball security caused them problems throughout that Scarborough run. The Surge finished the half with eight turnovers, which led to 15 points for the Shooting Stars and a 41-32 lead at halftime.

After a strong first quarter Tshimanga was held scoreless in the second while Mike continued to do a bit of everything for Scarborough with his game-high 12 points, six rebounds, and four assists at the break.

After letting Mike do most of the damage offensively through the first two quarters, Barber got into the mix in the third. He scored seven points in the frame, which matched Mike’s 17 points through three and helped the Shooting Stars maintain a nine-point lead, up 60-51 headed into the fourth.

Despite being up, Scarborough struggled shooting the ball from beyond the arch all night, as they made just four of their 16 attempts through three quarters. Fortunately for Shooting Stars fans, the team found their stroke in the fourth as they knocked down three consecutive triples to put the squad up by 15 points at the 5:24 mark of the frame.

One of those threes was knocked down by Juozapaitis, putting him up to 11 points and made it back-to-back games hitting double-digit scoring, his first time doing so all season.

The import out of Lithuania had averaged just 3.3 points per game this year and played just 10 minutes through Scarborough’s first two playoff games. Despite that, he showed out for the Shooting Stars, going nearly 60 per cent from distance over the team’s final two games. Juozapaitis scored all but one of Scarborough’s points off the bench as he helped the team mount a 12-0 run that gave the Shooting Stars a 72-57 lead headed into Target Score Time.

As daunting as a 15-point deficit may have felt for the Surge, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility for the squad. Calgary set a CEBL record earlier this season when they completed a 16-point comeback in target time against the Edmonton Stingers, a feat they hoped to accomplish once again.

Calgary’s odds looked even better when the team knocked down three straight shots from beyond the arch – two by Henderson Jr. – and cut Scarborough’s lead down to single digits. Like the Shooting Stars, the Surge struggled mightily from distance all night, making just three triples on 11.5 per cent shooting to that point, but found their rhythm when the team needed it most.

Unfortunately for fans of the Surge that was as close as their team got as the duo of Barber and Walker took over and led an 8-2 run that secured the Shooting Stars their first championship in franchise history. Fittingly, the team’s leading scorer all season, Barber, put an end to the contest with a strong drive down the left side, finished with a layup, 82-70 the final.

Scarborough won the game by 12 points despite making just two more shots from the field and one more three-pointer, and it was thanks to their stingy defence. They held Calgary to 38 per cent shooting from the field and 20 per cent from beyond the arch while limiting them to just 70 points. No team this post-season scored more than 74 points against the Shooting Stars as they held opponents to just 71.8 points per game.

After the game coach Exilus had one final message for fans back in Scarborough.

“I want to thank everyone back home,” Exilus said. “This is Scarborough…and I think I want more.”

All games are available on TSN+ and CEBL + powered by BetVictor . Recap written by Zulfi Sheikh (@zulfi_sheikh).

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball. The CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

Scarborough Shooting Stars and Calgary Surge face-off in CEBL Championship Final

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 15:15:47 GMT

In what’ll be the final game of the 2023 CEBL season, the Scarborough Shooting Stars (-167) and Calgary Surge (+120) go head-to-head for the championship. The contest will tip-off at 4:00 pm local/7:00 pm ET from the Langley Events Centre on Sunday night.

The game will be nationally televised on TSN 3 and also available for streaming live on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , and on the CEBL Mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

Scarborough make it back to the final for the second consecutive season, this time looking to come out victorious, after losing to the Brampton (then Hamilton) Honey Badgers in the championship game a year ago. Meanwhile, the Surge (formerly the Guelph Nighthawks) will be playing in the final for the first time in franchise history, as both teams try to win their first CEBL title.

It will be the second contest between the Eastern and Western Conference champions this season, and first since Scarborough picked up a 79-65 win. It was a convincing victory for the Shooting Stars in a contest where they never trailed after the six-minute mark of the second quarter.

Despite Scarborough missing 11 free throws on the night, they were still able to manage a 14-point win thanks to their dominance on the interior. Scarborough shot 60 per cent from inside the arch compared to Calgary’s 42 per cent, earning the team a +12 edge on points inside the paint as a result. The Shooting Stars didn’t just make their presence felt inside by scoring the ball, they also managed to outwork the Surge on the glass, as they ended the game with a +9 advantage on rebounds.

However, if Scarborough hope to replicate that performance and be crowned champions of the CEBL, they’ll need new players to step up. The likes of David Walker who put up 15 points while going a perfect 6-6 from two-point range, or Thomas Kennedy, who notched an 18-point, 13-rebound, double-double won’t be with the team this time around.

Fortunately for Shooting Stars’ fans, their current role players have stepped up one-by-one during their post-season run. In their play-in win versus the Honey Badgers, Kyree Walker led the way with a season-high 25 points, only to be followed-up by Isiaha Mike who tallied a season-high 24-points of his own in the conference semi-finals victory against the Ottawa BlackJacks.

In their latest 74-71 win against the Niagara River Lions, it was Gedi Juozapaitis that put his stamp on the team’s run to the final with a season-high 13 points off the bench. The guard knocked down four of Scarborough’s six triples on the night in his 15 minutes of action, helping the team clinch the East in the process. Other contributors included Kalif Young who had a double-double by way of 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Cat Barber who led the way with 15 points, six rebounds, and two steals.

Barber continues to be the team’s top scorer (20.1 PPG) and is someone fans should keep an eye on as he found success the last time the Shooting Stars and Surge faced off. In that previous victory for his team, the guard put up a game-high 27 points, four assists, and four steals, and if Scarborough is going to make up for last year’s final loss, a big performance from Barber could go a long way.

Scarborough aren’t the only team with a dynamic guard leading the way for them however, as Calgary’s Stef Smith has been doing the same for his team. The Ajax, Ontario, native has picked up his game this post-season, averaging 20 points per game, most recently notching a season-high 25 points and eight rebounds in the Surge’s 77-75 win over the Vancouver Bandits.

Smith also found success against Scarborough as he was the team’s second-best scorer in that lone matchup earlier this year. Despite the loss, the guard put up 17 points and six assists and was one of just two players to post a plus-minus rating of 10 or higher for Calgary.

The other Surge player to do so was Simi Shittu, who led the team that night with team-high 21 points and 12 rebounds. He won’t be available this time around so fans should hope for a big game from Jordy Tshimanga, who’s taken over the starting spot. Calgary will surely miss the presence of the league’s best rebounder, but Tshimanga has been filling in admirably.

His offensive production may not jump out like Shittu’s, but the forward has averaged nine boards these playoffs, and is coming off a 10-rebound game in the team’s conference clinching victory. Tshimanga’s double-digit rebounds led a Surge unit that outrebounded the league’s best rebounding team in Vancouver, on both the offensive and defensive glass. The Western Conference champions will hope he can help them to one more victory and end the team’s inaugural season in Calgary with a title.

Full list of betting props available on BetVictor . Preview written by Zulfi Sheikh (@zulfi_sheikh).

Scarborough advances to second straight championship, ousting Niagara 74-71

Sat, 12 Aug 2023 18:32:51 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars are headed to back-to-back CEBL Championship games after knocking off the top-ranked Niagara River Lions 74-71 at Langley Events Centre on Friday.

Cat Barber powered the Shooting Stars to victory with a team-high 15 points on 5-16 shooting to go along with six rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Scarborough locked down defensively, holding the highest scoring offence in the CEBL to 71 points – their third consecutive game with a points against in the 70s. Niagara shot 39 per cent from the field while tallying 19 turnovers that led to 28 points.

The Shooting Stars also dominated the paint, outscoring the River Lions 44-16 and snagging 20 offensive rebounds.

“It’s effort. Those are all effort plays. Those are plays that show how much the team wants to win,” Scarborough head coach Chris Exilus said. “Plays that are not always on the stat sheet…what you saw was was a resilient group that played together. On this team, nobody cares who makes the play.”

The Shooting Stars had four players reach double-digits in the win. Gedi Juozapaitis was scorching hot from the corners throughout the game, hitting four threes on his way to 13 points. Isiaha Mike chipped in 12 points, including six in target score time despite going 4-11 from the field.

Big man Kalif Young was also a dominant force in the paint for Scarborough. He secured a double-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and one block.

“I just think we’ve really bought into our system,” Young said. “You don’t win in those big moments and win championships without locking down on defence and focusing in on players. I think our biggest thing was focusing on a really good player in Khalil Ahmad today.”

Ahmad was named 2023 CEBL Clutch Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and received an All-CEBL First Team nod on Wednesday. However, he was held to eight points on 2-8 shooting from the field on Friday night.

“I don't think [Ahmad] was aggressive enough and I think there was a little bit of time where he got frustrated with the wrong things and how physical they were being,” Niagara head coach Victor Raso said.

Meanwhile, Jahvon Blair netted a game-high 20 points for the River Lions on 7-17 shooting and four threes. Edward Ekiyor produced inside with 15 points and six rebounds.

It’s now the second consecutive year the Shooting Stars eliminate the River Lions during Championship Weekend.

“We were just fighting ourselves offensively and not really sticking to the plan. But even with that being said, we had a chance down the stretch,” Raso said. “I didn't think we were aggressive enough, early enough. Offensively, that was probably the biggest thing.”

After almost two weeks of rest, the River Lions were cold to start the game. Niagara didn’t connect on a field goal for the opening five minutes of action but got to the free throw line. The River Lions sent multiple defenders at Barber, but he was able to get out in transition with a steal and score before slicing through the defence for a layup.

Niagara came out of the TV timeout hot. Blair dialed long distance twice and Antonio Davis Jr. finished through contact to complete the hoop and the harm. However, Scarborough was active on the offensive glass with putbacks from Kyree Walker and Young. Patrick Whelan came off the bench towards the end of the quarter to drill a three and give the River Lions a 20-14 lead after 10 minutes.

At the start of the second quarter, the River Lions climbed to their largest lead of the night at 12 points with a 6-0 run. However, Juozapaitis buried back-to-back corner threes for Scarborough to end the run and force a Raso timeout.

Out of the team talk, Young made an impact in the paint with an outstanding sequence of plays. He blocked Ekiyor at the rim to force a shot clock violation, completed an and-one, grabbed a rebound and finished a reverse layup to cap off an 11-0 Scarborough run.

The Shooting Stars stayed hot and achieved their first lead of the quarter with a two-handed slam from Mike. After a 21-3 run from Scarborough, Kimbal Mackenzie hit a timely three to take the River Lions into halftime down 35-32.

In the first two quarters, turnovers held back the Niagara offence. They gave the ball up 12 times, leading to 15 points for the Shooting Stars. However, Scarborough struggled from long range going 3-19 for 15 per cent in the first half. Blair led all scorers with 11 points at halftime while Juozapaitis scored 10.

To start the second half, Scarborough and Niagara traded blows. Blair continued to have the hot hand and helped keep the River Lions close as the Shooting Stars maintained the lead. Juozapaitis buried another corner three to cap off a 7-0 run for Scarborough but TJ Lall beat the buzzer with a corner triple of his own to cut the deficit to 53-47 after three.

After a scoreless third quarter, Barber got going in the final frame. He scored six points early in the fourth to extend Scarborough’s lead to 10 points. However, Niagara went on a timely run before target score time.

Ahmad got his first hoop of the game with a clutch and-one. Ekiyor feasted in the paint before Lall drilled a three from the corner to cap off a 14-2 run and give Niagara a 65-63 lead with a target of 74.

The Shooting Stars quickly clapped back at the start of target time. Walker spun and finished a tough layup while draped by a defender before Mike found mesh from the right wing. Another contact layup from Walker pushed Scarborough four points away from victory.

However, Ahmad hit a clutch three to narrow the gap. The River Lions trapped full court and forced a turnover that led to a game-tying Davis layup. But another bucket from Mike put the Shooting Stars two points away from a win.

An unsportsmanlike foul in transition by Lall was reviewed and confirmed by officials. Mike went to the line for Scarborough with a chance to send them to the championship but missed the first. After Mike made the second, Lall came up with a steal and went to the line himself, hitting one and intentionally missing the second.

An offensive rebound on ensuing possession for Scarborough helped put Barber on the free throw line. He rattled in the game-winning free throw to book the Shooting Stars a trip to the CEBL Championship game on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.

All games are available for streaming on TSN, TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

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 per cent of its 2022 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. 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 .

CEBL Championship Weekend tips off with matchup between River Lions and Shooting Stars in Eastern Conference Final

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 16:26:13 GMT

Tonight in Vancouver, the Scarborough Shooting Stars (+140) will look to secure a spot in back-to-back CEBL championship games as the Niagara River Lions (-200) seek revenge for last year’s elimination.

The Eastern Conference Final will tip off CEBL Championship Weekend at Langley Events Centre on Friday at 8 p.m. ET.

The game will be live on TSN and available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

During the 2022 Championship Weekend in Ottawa, Scarborough eliminated Niagara with a 93-81 victory before falling to the Hamilton Honey Badgers in the title game.

River Lions’ head coach Victor Raso and Shooting Stars' head coach Chris Exilus both helmed last year’s squads as well.

“My expectations are to win,” Raso said. “I think that's all of our expectations. To do that, we need to play within ourselves for 40 minutes. So we need to play as hard as we possibly can. We have a base of fundamentals that really developed over the course of the season and we just need to do that hard for 40 minutes and play through mistakes, play with the ups and downs.”

Exilus also has high hopes for Championship Weekend after the Shooting Stars sparkled last weekend in the Play-In with a 98-74 defeat of the Honey Badgers and the Eastern Conference Semi-Final with a 77-72 win over the BlackJacks.

“I expect our team to be at their best. We’re very excited to play in this semifinal game. Our aspirations and goals are always championships and this is another step in that journey,” Exilus said.

To earn a win on Friday, Exilus says it’s important to play team basketball as they have been for the better part of the season.

However, neither coach is losing sight of the headliners for Friday’s playoff tilt. Scarborough point guard Cat Barber and Niagara point guard Khalil Ahmad each earned First Team honours at the CEBL Awards on Wednesday night.

After winning league MVP in 2022, Ahmad had another terrific campaign this summer. He averaged 19.6 points, 6.1 assists and 2.4 steals during 16 regular season games. His active hands on defence and reliable performances in crunch time helped him win both Clutch Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year at awards night as well.

Meanwhile, Barber has balled out in both the regular season and the playoffs. He averages 20.4 points, 4.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals entering Championship Weekend. In the Play-In against Brampton, Barber posted single-game CEBL playoff records for both points and threes before newly-minted MVP Teddy Allen broke the points record later the same night.

Exilus says the matchup between Barber and Ahmad on Friday is key. Niagara won two of three games against Scarborough this season with varying degrees of success in guarding Barber. In their wins, they held him to 13 points and one point respectively, before Barber followed it up with 28 points in the last meeting that the Shooting Stars won.

“You always need to have bodies in front of [Barber] in transition,” Raso said. “We're gonna force him to go weak and we're gonna try to get the ball out of his hands every time there's a ball screen and really attack him when he's on defence.”

Both teams also feature strong supporting casts that they will rely on to contribute. Scarborough’s Isiaha Mike scored a game-high 24 points against Ottawa to help them to victory last Sunday while Kyree Walker stepped up with 25 points on 10-13 shooting against Brampton. Big man Kalif Young anchors the paint for the Shooting Stars with elite shot-blocking and rebounding while sharpshooter Kassius Robertson is a threat from the perimeter.

“Many of our players have done a good job throughout different parts of the game and that's helped us. We're gonna need everybody. Everybody has to do a good job of staying locked in,” Exilus said.

On the other side, Niagara boasts the highest-scoring offence in the CEBL. They lead the league in points per game at 91.7 while finishing top-three in field goal percentage, three-point percentage and assists per game.

Sharpshooter Jahvon Blair has proven to be a great fit beside Ahmad in the River Lions’ backcourt this season, averaging 15 points on 44 per cent shooting from long range. Edward Ekiyor has come off the bench to make an impact, while Antonio Davis Jr. has also been a consistent offensive presence.

“I think both teams are really good in transition, so the game will be fast,” Raso said. “I think the team who can slow the other down the most and make them play in the half court [will have success] – that's definitely what we want to do to them. But it’ll be physical. It will definitely be physical.”

Raso expects the Shooting Stars to have a plan defensively, especially for Ahmad.

“I know they'll be organized on transition defence and emphasizing it because that's what they've done in the past but they will have a plan. And we're gonna have to be able to counter it,” Raso said.

Defence has been crucial in Scarborough’s pair of playoff victories so far. They proved they could shoot the lights out against the Honey Badgers but also win a defensive battle against Ottawa.

“I think we've had some real key defensive stops [this playoffs],” Exilus said. “Everything starts for us with defence. So we want to continue to buckle down and get stops. That kind of pushes everything and helps our transition offence. I want to continue on that same page and make sure we're defending at a high level.”

Niagara will enter Championship Weekend well-rested after winning the Eastern Conference with a league-best 13-7 record. Meanwhile, the Shooting Stars have played four games since the River Lions last hit the court.

“It's an advantage because you get to win your way here and then it's a disadvantage because you haven't played against an opponent in 12 or 13 days,” Raso said. “The disadvantage, I guess, is if you're not prepared to play right off the bat – it [could] take you a quarter or however long it takes. But I think we'll be alright.”

Raso says Scarborough is talented and will have their wins throughout the course of the game, but if Niagara plays hard for 40 minutes, then he expects to win. Meanwhile, Exilus is also not underestimating the opponent but has championship aspirations.

“They're a really good team – well balanced and I think they play really hard. We expect a really good game,” Exilus said.

The winner of Friday’s conference final books a trip to the CEBL Championship on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.

All games are available for streaming on TSN, TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

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 per cent of its 2022 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. 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 .

BlackJacks and Shooting Stars grapple for spot in Eastern Conference Final

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 20:24:11 GMT

A trip to CEBL Championship Weekend is on the line on Sunday night in the Eastern Conference Semi-Final between the two-seed Ottawa BlackJacks (-175) and three-seed Scarborough Shooting Stars (+125), slated for 7 p.m. ET at TD Place.

The game will be live on TSN and available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

Ottawa holds a 2-1 advantage in the three previous meetings between the two teams this season.

The BlackJacks won the first game on opening weekend 93-82 but the Shooting Stars bounced back on their home court with an 85-83 victory. On July 14, Ottawa defeated Scarborough 88-79 at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre to pick up their eighth straight win.

However, that was the BlackJacks’ last win of the regular season. Ottawa faltered to close the campaign with three consecutive losses after their eight-game win streak.

The BlackJacks wrapped up their season with a narrow one-point loss to Vancouver, the Championship Weekend hosts. However, Ottawa still boasts one of the best offences in the league.

The team is the most efficient at shooting the ball in the CEBL at 47 per cent from the field and 38.7 per cent from three. Ottawa ranks third in points per game at 88.4 and dishes more assists on average than any other team in the league.

Headlining the BlackJacks’ attack is the do-it-all duo of Kadre Gray and Deng Adel.

Adel is coming off a 28-point performance against the Bandits and ranks in the CEBL’s top 10 in points per game, defensive rebounds per game and assists per game. He averages 17.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 0.8 blocks and 1 steal on 49 per cent shooting from the floor, 38 per cent from three and 75 per cent at the line.

Meanwhile, Gray has been one of the league’s best facilitators this summer. The Canadian point guard averages 16.2 points per game on an efficient 50-43-81 shooting split to go along with a league-best 6.3 assists and 1.3 steals.

However, the BlackJacks will be without Jackson Rowe for Sunday’s contest. He was a key contributor during Ottawa’s eight-game win streak. In 18 games played, Rowe averaged 15.3 points and 6.6 rebounds on 50 per cent shooting from the floor and 42 per cent from three.

Both the BlackJacks and Shooting Stars could be without other key players due to Canada’s FIBA World Cup training camp. Ottawa’s Thomas Scrubb and Scarborough’s Kassius Robertson are both competing for roster spots on the national team as cuts are possible in the coming days.

The Shooting Stars succeeded despite the absence of Robertson on Friday night. After a tight start against defending champion Brampton in the Eastern Play-In, Scarborough seized control in the second half to defeat the Honey Badgers 98-74.

Cat Barber was spectacular in the clash and earned a CEBL playoff record for points with 32 and threes with seven. His single-game points record didn’t last long with Winnipeg’s Teddy Allen dropping 35 later that night.

In three meetings with Ottawa this year, Barber had mixed results. He scored 30 points in the first game before Ottawa was able to limit him to 13 points on 5-13 shooting from the field, 0-4 from three and six turnovers in the following game. In the final meeting of the regular season, Barber had 10 points on 4-11 shooting from the field and was 0-1 from three.

Ottawa head coach James Derouin says the plan against Barber is to make him work. The BlackJacks will look to get the ball out of his hands, bring double teams, make him give it up and work to get it back.

“That's probably everybody's gameplan [against] Scarborough. We've had some success with that in the first few games, but…a fourth game is gonna be a challenge for sure,” Derouin said.

Barber has been spectacular this summer. He was fourth in the league in points per game after the regular season with 20 while also ranking top-10 in steals and assists.

The Shooting Stars feature a strong supporting cast as well. Scarborough’s starting five of Barber, Kyree Walker, Isiaha Mike, Kalif Young and Zeke Moore played most of Friday’s game against the Honey Badgers.

Walker was incredible, dropping 25 points on 10-13 shooting. He had success against Ottawa in the last two matchups as well, scoring 17 and 16 points respectively. It will be the first time the BlackJacks face Mike this season after he notched 15 points, nine rebounds and three steals on Friday. Joining the team late, he averaged 15.7 points and 6.5 rebounds in the regular season.

“They're obviously loaded with talent,” Derouin said. “We haven't had to play against Mike yet — obviously a huge addition to the team. Obviously, Barber [had] another year as an MVP candidate. Also just watching Walker and his growth throughout the season – he was spectacular last night. So they just got firepower and we're gonna have our hands full trying to stop [them].”

The interior matchup of Kalif Young and BlackJacks’ big man Zena Edosomwan is also likely to be important to Sunday’s result. Both Young and Edosomwan finished among the CEBL’s top 10 shot-blockers and rebounders this season while shooting efficiently from the field. Young also showcased his ability as a passer in the play-in, handing out 10 assists.

Barber expects a tight matchup and a tough game, but he believes the Shooting Stars can get the job done.

“Those guys stay consistent,” Barber said of Ottawa. “They never go away. They creep up on you. So [we] just got to stay consistent, rebound and run.”

Meanwhile, Derouin hopes that the BlackJacks can return to their winning ways.

“We really want to get back to playing the style that we want to play,” Derouin said. “I don't think it's a secret [that] we want to draw and kick out for threes …we want to get [our shooters] going from three and get back in that nice rhythm.”

The winner of Sunday’s game books a trip to Vancouver for CEBL Championship Weekend for the Eastern Conference Final at 8 p.m. ET on Friday (Aug. 11).

All games are available for streaming on TSN, TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

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 per cent of its 2022 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. 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 .

CEBL playoffs open with championship rematch between Shooting Stars and Honey Badgers

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 13:49:39 GMT

The 2023 CEBL Playoffs will open the same way the 2022 Playoffs ended: with a meeting between the Scarborough Shooting Stars (-125) and Brampton Honey Badgers (-110).

The Honey Badgers broke the hearts of the Shooting Stars last summer in a thrilling season finale. However, Scarborough enters the Eastern Conference Play-In on Friday with home-court advantage at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre at 7 p.m.

The game will be live on TSN and available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

Brampton and Scarborough have grown familiar with each other as the 2023 season progressed – the Shooting Stars hold a 3-1 advantage in four games this summer. Both teams played two of their final three games of the regular season against each other, including the regular season finale on Monday (July 31).

The Shooting Stars closed out the season with a 97-90 win over the Honey Badgers at home, snapping a two-game losing streak. Entering the game, the play-in matchup between the two teams was a known quantity with both playoff spots and seeding clinched.

Zeke Moore, Kyree Walker and Elijah Lufile powered the Shooting Stars to victory in the contest while Zane Waterman led the Honey Badgers with 20 points and 11 rebounds in defeat.

Brampton picked up their lone win over Scarborough last Wednesday (July 26) — a result that also secured a playoff berth. Shamiel Stevenson had a monster outing for the Honey Badgers in a 103-86 rout of the rival Shooting Stars. A late acquisition this season, Stevenson tallied 28 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five blocks in the team’s most important game of the season to that point.

Following the win, Brampton was locked in as the four seed. The Honey Badgers featured the supporting cast more in the final two games of the season, losing to the first-place Niagara River Lions before falling to the Shooting Stars and finishing at 8-12.

However, the defending champions will head into the postseason shorthanded. Brampton’s big three of Christian Vital, Koby McEwen and Jeremiah Tilmon Jr. will all miss the play-in against 11-9 Scarborough. Vital is off to join his other team in Poland, McEwen is unavailable and Tilmon will miss another game with a lower body injury.

The trio leaves a large void to fill on both ends of the court. Vital finished fifth in the CEBL in points per game with 19.7 while averaging 5.3 rebounds, 4 assists and 2.4 steals. McEwen led the league in total assists while producing 13.7 points per game, while Tilmon emerged as an elite rim protector and offensive force. The big man averaged 10.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks on 61 per cent shooting from the field.

The supporting cast for the Honey Badgers will have to become leads to repeat as champions. The aforementioned Stevenson and Waterman are candidates to step up. Both gave Scarborough problems in previous matchups and Waterman has been a consistent scorer and rebounder throughout the summer. The stretch forward averages 12.8 points on 44 per cent shooting from the field and 38 per cent from three while ranking 10th in the CEBL in rebounds per game at 7.2.

Meanwhile, Prince Oduro serves as a worthy replacement for Tilmon in the paint. He serves as an elite rim-protector in his own right, ranking fifth in the league in blocks per game while averaging 8.4 points and 6.8 rebounds on 52 per cent shooting.

Brampton also signed MJ Walker for the final stretch. The former Vancouver Bandit suited up for the Honey Badgers for the first time this season on Monday, dropping 18 points on Scarborough. He averaged double-digits in eight games with the Bandits this summer. Additionally, Cody John and Tyrell Green are capable options off the bench for Brampton.

Overall, the Honey Badgers were middle-of-the-pack in most statistical categories in 2023. Brampton shot 43.7 per cent from the field (fourth), 32.4 per cent from three (sixth) and 72 per cent from the line (sixth) on their way to 84.9 points per game (seventh). They were top-three in the league in blocks per game — thanks to the duo of Oduro and Tilmon — along with free throw attempts.

However, the Honey Badgers could have trouble getting to the charity stripe against a disciplined Scarborough defence that fouled at the second-lowest rate this summer. On offence, the Shooting Stars struggled to stay efficient overall this season, shooting 43.9 per cent from the floor (sixth), 30.9 per cent from three (ninth) and 65.1 per cent from the line (10th).

But the squad made up for it in different areas. Scarborough finished fifth in points per game and led the league in field goal attempts and makes. They feasted inside the arc, finishing more two-pointers than any other team. They gained extra possessions through elite offensive rebounding and forcing steals.

Big man Kalif Young finished second in the CEBL in offensive rebounds and gave the Honey Badgers problems throughout the first three games of the season. He wrapped up the 2023 campaign in the league’s top 10 in field goal percentage, rebounds per game and blocks per game.

Despite Young’s paint presence, the focus of Brampton head coach Antoine Broxsie’s game plan will likely be MVP candidate Cat Barber. The Scarborough guard was fourth in the league in points per game with 20 while also ranking top-10 in steals and assists. Barber reached a massive milestone last Sunday by becoming the second player in CEBL history to reach 1,000 points – the same weekend former teammate Ahmed Hill became the first. Hill and Barber are now tied as the league’s all-time leading scorers with 1,022 points.

The Shooting Stars possess other areas of attack as well. In six games with the squad this season, Isiaha Mike is averaging 15.7 points and 6.5 rebounds. Walker, Moore and Kassius Robertson all average double-figures for the squad and are threats to go off offensively. While Robertson is still on the roster, he’s also participating in the Canadian national team camp.

In their second home playoff game in franchise history, the Shooting Stars will look to avenge last year’s championship loss to the Honey Badgers. The winner books a trip to Ottawa on Sunday for the Eastern Conference sem-final at 7 p.m. ET at TD Place.

All games are available for streaming on TSN, TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

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 per cent of its 2022 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. 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 .

Brampton Honey Badgers looking for back-to-back wins against the Scarborough Shooting

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 14:43:14 GMT

For the second time in three days, the Brampton Honey Badgers (8-10) (-113) and Scarborough Shooting Stars (10-8) (-121) face-off, and this time it’ll be from the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, with tip-off set for 7:30 pm ET on Friday.

The game will be available for streaming live on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

This will be the fourth and final regular season contest between the Eastern Conference rivals, with their most recent head-to-head having taken place on Wednesday.

Not only did the convincing 103-86 win give the Honey Badgers their first win against the Shooting Stars this year, it also clinched their spot in the 2023 CEBL playoffs. It was a decisive third quarter run that ended up determining that game, as Brampton outscored Scarborough by 18 points in the frame on route to their second consecutive win.

The 103 points by the Honey Badgers were the most they’ve put up in a game all season, and the scoring outburst wasn’t a surprise considering six different Brampton players scored in double figures. Their top scorer on the night was Shamiel Stevenson who finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, in just his fifth game with the squad.

The guard breezed past his previous season-high mark of eight points while also tallying his first double-double performance and was also a major contributor to that game-changing third quarter as he scored 11 points in the frame, shooting 5-6 along the way.

His importance can’t be understated, at least if you ask his head coach Antoine Broxsie, who thinks Stevenson’s addition has been one of the difference makers for the squad as of late.

“One of the keys [for our recent success] is Shamiel,” Broxsie said after Brampton’s third win in five games. “He’s a bowling ball, he goes down-hill, and is tough to stop. He causes a lot of mismatch problems because of how big he is and what he can do around the basket.”

On the other side, Scarborough saw their three-game win streak snapped as a result of the blowout loss, their first defeat since clinching a playoff spot of their own just under a week ago.

Aside from their struggles guarding Stevenson, a notable factor in the loss was their lack of distance shooting on the night. The Shooting Stars entered last game averaging 31 per cent from beyond the arc, making about eight a game, but they only knocked down two triples on Wednesday, while doing so on a lowly 10 per cent clip. Brampton ended up draining six more threes than Scarborough on the night, and the 18-point difference from long-balls ended up playing a role in the wide margin of victory.

Despite the loss, there were positives for Scarborough coming out of the game. All five starters scored in double figures and Kyree Walker led the way with a season-high 19 points to go with two steals and two blocks. Fans of the Shooting Stars were pleased to see the forward have a bounce back performance, his first double-digit outing in four games.

Had it not been for that third quarter run, the strong play of the starting unit might’ve been enough for the Shooting Stars to have left the CAA Centre with a win. Scarborough actually held the edge for total points through the other three quarters of the night and should look to try and replicate those minutes of play as they aim for a full 40-minute performance on Friday night.

In terms of playoff implications, with both teams having punched their tickets to the post-season this game won’t secure any team’s spot but can impact seeding. Brampton is locked into fourth place in the East, but a win for Scarborough could help their chances of jumping to second, or even first in the conference when it’s all said and done.

With just a game between the Shooting Stars in third and the top-seeded Niagara River Lions in first, there’s all kinds of scenarios still possible before the regular season’s conclusion.

Full conference standings can be found here .

Honey Badgers look to secure playoff berth in matchup against Shooting Stars

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 14:01:29 GMT

In a rematch of the 2022 Championship Weekend finals, the Brampton Honey Badgers (-188) host the Scarborough Shooting Stars (+135) from the CAA Centre at 8:00 pm ET in Wednesday night CEBL action.

The game will be nationally televised live on TSN 5 for TSN’s CEBL game of the week and will also be available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

This’ll be the third of four regular season matchups between last year’s finalists, with the two squads set to face-off in back-to-back games. Brampton could punch their ticket to the post-season with a victory tonight, and if they’re going to, they’ll need to find a way to respond to a Scarborough team that currently leads 2-0 in the season series.

Fans of the team should hope for a big performance from Christian Vital as a potential answer for the Honey Badgers struggles against their Eastern Conference rival. The team’s leading scorer played in their first game against Scarborough and caused all kinds of issues as he put up 36 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists. Vital led the team in all three categories that night as he helped Brampton erase a double-digit deficit despite taking a narrow 80-78 loss.

In the second game where Vital didn’t play, the Honey Badgers struggled mightily on the offensive end. The team shot 39 per cent from the field, taking a 93-73 loss, and their top scorer in the game put up just 15 points. More than his scoring, the guard’s presence handling the ball was missed as without him the team committed 23 turnovers. As one of the leaders of the team, Vital will likely be looked upon in this game to help sure up some of those lapses that cost the Honey Badgers last time.

A good place to start is by trying to build off their latest victory against the Montréal Alliance this past Sunday. Brampton took a convincing win, not only bringing them back into the win column, but also propelling them over Montréal in the Eastern Conference standings.

The 89-69 victory brought the Honey Badgers back into a play-in position as the regular season nears its conclusion, and it was mostly thanks to their defense. Despite ranking in the bottom-half of the league in terms of defensive efficiency (85.5 OPPG), they held the Alliance to their third-lowest scoring game of the year.

Montréal shot 33 per cent from the field and 28 per cent from distance as Brampton forced 17 turnovers along the way. Ending the game +9 on points off takeways, most of those opportunities came as a result of their nine steals. It was Vital who led the way as he grabbed five steals on his own, pairing with his team-leading 27 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

The guard is currently second in the league when it comes to steals per game (2.4 STPG), an attribute he’ll hope to make the most of against a Scarborough team that remains one of the most disciplined in the CEBL, committing just 13.1 turnovers on average.

Speaking of the Shooting Stars, they’re currently the hottest team in the league, coming into the night riding a three-game win streak. Their latest victory also came against the Alliance as they took care of business in the 103-93 final, and clinched their spot in the playoffs as a result.

Scarborough’s catalyst for victory was the stellar play of Kassius Robertson. The guard put up a season-high 27 points, doing most of his damage from beyond the arch as he knocked down seven triples on a 58 per cent clip. He led a Shooting Stars team that drained 12 three-balls on the night. During their win streak, an uptick in scoring from distance has seemed to play a noticeable role.

In their three consecutive victories, Scarborough has made an average of 11 threes a game, three more than usual, and converted at a 38 per cent rate versus their season mark of 31 per cent. Heading into the post-season seems like an opportune time to get into a hot-shooting streak, and fans of the Shooting Stars will hope they can keep it up moving forward.

Another player to keep an eye on for Scarborough is Cat Barber. The squad’s scoring leader has found success in their two victories against Brampton, averaging 23 points and six assists against the defending champions this year. He’s also been on a clutch streak as of late, hitting two game-winners in the Shooting Stars last three victories. Those weren’t his only game-ending shots, as he also hit the dagger against Brampton in their blowout victory, so it goes without saying, don’t be surprised if the ball is in hands a lot as this game winds down.

In terms of playoff implications, with Scarborough having clinched a spot in the post-season they’re mostly looking to nail down what position they’ll be in. Currently the third seed in the East, a win would put the Shooting Stars into a tie with Niagara for second, while holding the edge in terms of games remaining to try and leap over the River Lions at the end.

There’s much more at stake for the Honey Badgers as a win would mean clinching the fourth and final playoff spot in the conference. Currently one game ahead of the Alliance, a victory against the Shooting Stars would secure their spot and essentially eliminate Montréal from playoff contention.

Full conference standings can be found here .

Alliance hoping to punch back against Shooting stars in second game of home-and-home set

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 16:17:06 GMT

After going head-to-head two days ago in Montréal, the series moves to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre where the Scarborough Shooting Stars (-167) will play host to the Alliance (+120), tipping off at 8:00pm ET on Friday night.

The game will be available for streaming live on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

It’ll be the third and final regular season matchup between the two squads as they head into the final stretch of the 2023 campaign. The Shooting Stars will be looking for their first inter-conference sweep of the season as they head into tonight leading 2-0 against the Alliance.

Taking a dominant 104-72 win back in June – largely due to a red-hot 51 per cent shooting night from three – Scarborough followed it up, by taking a narrow 83-80 victory on Wednesday. They made nine more triples than Montréal did in their first contest but returned back to earth in their latest bout as the Shooting Stars drilled just seven on a 31 per cent clip.

However, they did make the most important three-ball of the night when Cat Barber hit a dagger from deep to end the contest.

Despite their struggles from distance, the Shooting Stars still found a way to come out on top, making it back-to-back wins heading into tonight. It was mainly because of their dominance on the class that the team was able to sneak out a victory. They grabbed 53 boards on the night, 10 more than the Alliance on the offensive end, subsequently earning themselves a +12 edge on second chance points.

Four different players on Scarborough had eight or more rebounds on the night, led by Chaundee Brown Jr. who had nine in his debut with the team.

Rebounding wasn’t the only area in which the big man impressed, as he also put up a game-high 32 points in his first outing with the Shooting Stars. He shot over 50 per cent from the field and distance, so it goes without saying that the forward made a positive impression, and fans will be hoping he can replicate that impressive performance, on Friday night.

On the other side, Montréal have now lost three of their last five games, barely holding onto their play-in spot in the Eastern Conference over the defending champion Brampton Honey Badgers.

If the Alliance are going to get over the hump against this Scarborough team, and create some separation in their post-season push, they’re going to need another reliable contributor outside of Trevon Graham. Through two games the forward has averaged a stellar 20 points and 15 rebounds but hasn’t received much consistent support.

The team’s points per game leader Ahmed Hill (19.8 PPG), put up just six points in the first head-to-head against Scarborough, and despite following that up with 18 points in their most-recent matchup, he still shot an inefficient 38 per cent from the field while committing five turnovers.

Fans of Montréal will also be hoping they can get the Nathan Cayo performance from two days ago, where he put up 21 points, and not the one from June where the big man put up a single point on 0-8 shooting.

Montréal rely heavily on the trio of Graham, Hill, and Cayo who currently account for nearly 70 per cent of the team’s scoring production. Needless to say, they’ll need all three guys to step up on the same night, or have some of their bench players join them to give themselves the best shot at coming out on top in this one.

With both teams having less than four games remaining in their regular season, the inter-conference rivals can make some major playoff strides with a win. For Scarborough, a victory could help them vault over the Niagara River Lions, who they’re currently tied with at second in the East, and who’ll also be playing on Friday night.

Meanwhile, with just half a game separating the Alliance over the Honey Badgers, every win is going to be vital for the team as they try to secure their first playoff berth in franchise history.

River Lions pursue fifth straight win in clash with Shooting Stars

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 14:57:54 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars (+105) host the Niagara River Lions (-143) on Sunday at 7 p.m at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre in a game rife with playoff implications.

The game will be available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

Niagara and Scarborough are grappling for control of second place in the Eastern Conference as they chase the first-place Ottawa BlackJacks for a chance at a bye to CEBL Championship Weekend in August.

The Shooting Stars are coming into the third and final meeting of the regular season with Niagara on a two-game losing streak. After they were defeated by Niagara last weekend, they lost 88-79 to the streaking BlackJacks on Friday night (July 14). Scarborough is 7-7 on the season with a 1.5-game advantage over both Montreal in fourth and Brampton in fifth — each with 6-9 records.

Meanwhile, the River Lions enter Sunday’s contest on a four-game winning streak. They sit in second place in the Eastern Conference, 1.5 games ahead of the third-place Shooting Stars. Niagara boasts a 9-6 record with five games remaining in the season — all against Eastern Conference teams. That includes an important home-and-home against the red-hot BlackJacks starting on Thursday (July 20).

With a win over Scarborough last Sunday and another in June, the River Lions hold the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Shooting Stars should the teams end the season with identical records.

Last Sunday, a dominant fourth quarter from the River Lions led them to a 98-89 victory over the Shooting Stars. Khalil Ahmad netted a game-high 31 points and eight assists to steer Niagara’s offence, while EJ Onu added 15 points, seven rebounds and a block. David Muenkat tallied a team-high 21 points for Scarborough to go along with nine rebounds while Kyree Walker stepped up with 17 points and four steals.

Shooting Stars’ guard Cat Barber had a game to forget last Sunday. He finished 0-10 from the field with just one point in almost 30 minutes of action. On Friday night against Ottawa, Barber followed up the one-point performance with 10 points on 4-11 shooting with four assists and four turnovers.

He’ll look to return to form in a crucial game tonight. Barber ranks third in the CEBL in points per game at 21, ninth in assists and third in steals. He’s emerged as an MVP candidate through almost three-quarters of the season but will have the reigning MVP Khalil Ahmad to contend with on Sunday.

Ahmad has been outstanding in 2023 for the River Lions. He’s just outside the top five in points per game at 18.8, fourth in assists at 5.8 and first in steals at 2.7. The River Lions also feature the league leader in blocks with Onu, the reigning CEBL Defensive Player of the Year.

In addition to defensive playmakers, the River Lions also flaunt the highest-scoring offence in the CEBL this season. Niagara leads the league in points per game at 92.2, two-point percentage at 52 and free throws made at 17, while ranking top-five in field goal percentage, three-point percentage and assists.

Jahvon Blair is a major part of Niagara’s attack, forming one of the best backcourt duos in the league with Ahmad. The Canadian guard is averaging 15.1 points on 39.8 per cent shooting from the field and 46 per cent from three. He’s started every game this season for the River Lions along with Lloyd Pandi and Antonio Davis Jr.

On the other side, Scarborough’s defence has been among the toughest in the CEBL this season. They’re third in points against (low to high) at 85.3 – just a tenth of a point more than their sixth-ranked 85.2 points per game. Despite a point differential of just -1 this season, the majority of the Shooting Stars’ games haven’t been close. In 14 games so far, they’ve had five games decided by five points or less, seven by 10 points or more and their last two losses by nine points.

Outside of Barber, the Shooting Stars rely on a variety of players to contribute. In eight games with the team, Kyree Walker is averaging 13.9 points to go along with 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 steals. David Walker averages just over 10 points as well, while Kassius Robertson, David Muenkat and Kalif Young round out a capable supporting cast.

Following Sunday’s game, the Shooting Stars face the Alliance in a home-and-home. The first matchup is slated for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Verdun Auditorium.

Meanwhile, the River Lions have a crucial home-and-home on the horizon against Ottawa, starting with a visit to TD Place on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

All games are available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

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 per cent of its 2022 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. 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 .

Ottawa BlackJacks look to keep win streak alive in matchup with Scarborough Shooting Stars

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 14:04:49 GMT

The league-leading Ottawa BlackJacks (-120) finish up a four-game road trip as they visit the Scarborough Shooting Stars (-113) in an Eastern Conference showdown on Friday at 7:30 pm ET from the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.

It will be available for streaming live on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

This will be the third and final matchup between Ottawa (11-5) and Scarborough (7-6) in the regular season, as the two teams have split the series one a piece so far. In their first matchup back in May, it was the BlackJacks who came out on top with a 93-82 win that saw the squad shoot a scorching 60 per cent from distance for a total of 17 triples.

Michael Flowers led the way with six triples drained in a 22-point night, while five other players dropped at least one three-ball as well.

In their second matchup in late June, the league’s best three-point shooting team (39.4 per cent) had one of their worst performances from beyond the arch all season. Ottawa shot 21 per cent from three, making only six on the night and subsequently taking an 85-83 loss.

However, most fans probably don’t remember the lack of triples in that game, instead remembering the highlight-reel finish. Despite the BlackJacks leading for a majority of the game, the Shooting Stars clawed back in the second half before Thomas Kennedy ended the contest by throwing down one of the best dunks of the season, over Kadre Gray.

The Defensive Player of the Year candidate played a pivotal role down the stretch by guarding MVP-hopeful Deng Adel as Scarborough overcame an eight-point deficit throughout Target Time. Kennedy helped force four turnovers by Adel in the Target Score period, none more important than the final steal that led to his breakaway jam. The forward also ended the night with a double-double by way of his 18 points and 10 rebounds.

However, that loss seemingly helped spark Ottawa’s best run all year. Since then, they’ve lost just one game and then gone on a franchise record seven-game win streak. The team has transformed into a powerhouse on both ends of the ball as they’re now a top-three scoring team (88.8 PPG) and are fifth in terms of points allowed (85.3 OPPG).

During that span the BlackJacks have remained the CEBL’s most efficient offense as they lead the league in both field goal (47.2) and three-point percentage (39.4).

In their most recent win, Ottawa knocked down another Eastern Conference rival by way of an 88-82 score over the Brampton Honey Badgers. What was most impressive about the victory wasn’t their lethal offence that shot 48 per cent from the field and 44 per cent from downtown. It was their defence, that grabbed 10 steals as part of 19 turnovers they forced, as the squad finished +9 on points off giveaways.

Adel had three of those steals himself to go with his game-high 21 points. The big man has been on a tear as of late, scoring over 20 points in three of his last five games as he’s pushed himself right into the discussion for the CEBL’s Most Valuable Player. Fans should keep an eye on Adel in this one as he looks to get some payback against the Shooting Stars after how the last game ended. If the big man can put up another show stopping performance and exact some revenge against Kennedy, it could go a long way for his MVP case.

On the other side, Scarborough has played five games since their last matchup with Ottawa and have looked relatively impressive going 3-2, helping them keep a playoff seat as they comfortably hold third place in the East. However, they did themselves no favours in terms of trying to get any higher as they took a 98-89 loss to the second-place Niagara River Lions last Sunday, to end a four-game road trip.

The most notable thing from that contest was Scarborough’s star Cat Barber being held to just one point as he went 0-10 from the field. The guard averages 21.9 points per game, so to see him struggle that much, came as a surprise to most Shooting Stars fans. It didn’t help that his counterpart on the night Khalil Ahmad dropped a season-high 31 points.

Even with the tough outing, there are things to be optimistic about for Scarborough heading into this matchup. They entered their previous contest as the league’s weakest team from distance (29 per cent) but looked impressive from beyond the arch, knocking down 11 triples on a 37 per cent clip.

They also found multiple contributors despite Barber’s struggles on the night. The Shooting Stars had five different players hit double-digit scoring as David Muenkat led the way with a season-high 21 points and nine rebounds in 25 minutes of action.

Scarborough fans should also have faith in a bounce back game from Barber, as the likelihood of him having another outing like that is quite low. The one-point performance was just his first time all season scoring under double figures and only his third scoring output of less than 20 points. Through two games against Ottawa the guard is averaging 21.5 points on 43.2 per cent shooting.

In terms of seeding implications, a victory for the BlackJacks would help extend their lead atop the East, but more importantly, it would clinch a berth into this year’s CEBL Playoffs, making them the first team to do so. Meanwhile the Shooting Stars, if they want to move up any higher in the standings, could start by getting back in the win column and cutting the River Lions edge by half a game.

EDMONTON STINGERS LOOK FOR REVENGE AGAINST SCARBOROUGH SHOOTING STARS

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 14:20:39 GMT

The Edmonton Stingers (5-5) (-188) will look to avenge a loss earlier this month to the Scarborough Shooting Stars (6-5) (+135), fresh off defeating the Calgary Surge last night, at the Expo Centre at 7:30 pm local/9:30 pm ET.

The game will also be available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

Scarborough squeaked out an 88-83 win over Edmonton just one week ago. Cat Barber recorded a game-high 34 points and 5 rebounds in the win.

Since that matchup, Scarborough has split a pair of games on the road and have gone cold from beyond the arch.

The Shooting Stars have shot a combined 5-45 from deep in their last two games. But they have been able to compensate for the poor shooting by dominating inside the paint.

After dropping the opener of their road trip in Saskatchewan on Sunday, Scarborough scored 56 points inside the paint last night in a 14-point win over the Calgary Surge. They also had three big men record eight rebounds or more.

Barber, once again, led all scorers with 27 points and set up Thomas Kennedy for the game-winning basket in target score time. Kennedy finished with a 18 point, 13 rebound double-double off the bench.

With the win, Scarborough moved into a tie with Ottawa for first place in the eastern conference.

On the flip side, despite dropping their last game to Montréal on June 25, Edmonton comes into tonight as winners of four of their past six games—a hot streak that has vaulted them into third place in the western conference and only two games out of first.

Although Edmonton has relied on balanced scoring from their starters and the bench all season—with seven players averaging 8 points or more per game—Nick Hornsby has done a little bit of everything for the Stingers.

The Irvine, California native, who is second on the team in points per game (13.3), ranks in the top 10 in five separate stat categories including assists (4.9) and defensive rebounds (6) per game.

Forward Brody Clarke is nearly hovering around a double-double through 10 games this season, as the Toronto product has racked up 14.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game through the first half of the season. Aher Uguak has also racked up a team-high 1.7 steals through seven games on the campaign.

Although Scarborough has shot poor for three recently, tonight’s game will see two teams that are eager to get jump shots up early and often.

Edmonton and Scarborough both like to shoot more than any other two teams in the CEBL.

The Stingers are averaging 78 field goal attempts per game, which ranks them first in the league, while Scarborough sits in second place with 77.5 shot per contest.

Edmonton is converting 33 of those field goal attempts, and hold nearly a three point edge in points per game.

After tonight’s game, the Shooting Stars aren’t scheduled to play again until July 9, when they take on the Niagara River Lions at the Meridian Centre. The Stingers will get right back on the court for a Canada Day showdown in Vancouver against the Bandits on Saturday night.

Full broadcast schedule of CEBL Games of the Week on TSN can be found here . All games will also be streamed live internationally on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, and on the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

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 2022 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. 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 .

Scarborough Shooting Stars Continue West Road Trip in Tip-Off Against Calgary

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 16:06:12 GMT

The Calgary Surge (7-5) (-121) will look to defend home court tonight at 7:00 pm local/9:00 pm ET against the Scarborough Shooting Stars (5-5) (-111) who are in the thick of a bunched up eastern conference playoff race.

The game will also be available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

As the season moves past the halfway point, all five teams in the CEBL’s eastern conference are separated by only one game.

Scarborough, who used a four-game win streak to overcome a 1-4 start, sit in a tie for second place in the east. But they are coming off a disappointing shooting performance in a loss to the Saskatchewan Rattlers on Sunday.

In that game, the first of their three-game road trip, the Shooting Stars shot 1-26 from three point range and scored a season-low 65 points. Cat Barber, who struggled with foul trouble in the first half of that game, finished with a team-high 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals.

Kyree Walker also chipped in with 15 points and 9 boards in a losing effort.

The Atlanta, Georgia product, who previously played with the Capital City Go-Go in the NBA G League, has provided an immediate spark for Scarborough since joining the team on June 18.

In just four games, Walker has averaged 15.3 points and 5 rebounds per game. He is also averaging 1.8 steals per contest, which ranks him just behind Cat Barber (2.2) who sits third in the league in steals.

Calgary, meanwhile, returns to the WinSport Event Centre after going 1-2 on a three-game road trip last week.

After losing the first two games of that trip—to Brampton and Niagara—the Surge salvaged the trip with their first win of the season against the Vancouver Bandits.

Calgary had five players, including four starters, score 11 points or more in that game. Sean Miller-Moore, as he has been doing all year, led all Calgary scorers with 23 points and shot 61 per cent from the field. Guard Stef Smith chipped in with a 13 point, 12 assist double-double.

Smith is leading the CEBL in total assists with 64. And Simi Shittu, who recorded 7 points and 8 defensive rebounds in the win against Vancouver, is leading the league with 8.5 defensive boards per game.

Although Shittu is leading the CEBL in defensive rebounds, the difference in the game tonight may be who can collect more offensive boards—and turn those second chance opportunities into points.

Scarborough (85.5) has a slight edge on Calgary (83) in points per game this year, but has an even bigger advantage on the offensive glass.

Calgary enters tonight’s game averaging a league-low 9 offensive rebounds per game. Scarborough currently leads the league in offensive boards with nearly 14 per contest.

But the Surge will look to counter by protecting their paint. Led by Kylor Kelley’s league-leading 2.4 blocks per game, Calgary is averaging over five blocks per game—which is the most in the CEBL

This will be the first and only meeting between Calgary and Scarborough in the regular season.

After tonight’s game, Scarborough will travel to Edmonton tomorrow night to conclude their road trip. Calgary will take a one-week break before returning to game action next Wednesday against the Stingers.

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 2022 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. 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 .

SURGING SCARBOROUGH SHOOTING STARS HOST RED-HOT EDMONTON

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 14:46:54 GMT

One three-game winning streak is set to end tonight, as the Scarborough Shooting Stars (4-4) (-154) wrap up their home stand at 7:30 pm ET against the Edmonton Stingers (4-3) (+114).

The game will also be available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

After disappointing starts to the season for both teams, the Shooting Stars and Stingers are firing on all cylinders as of late.

Scarborough, who won just one of their first five games, have rebounded by winning three straight games—starting with a 104-72 blowout in Montréal against the Alliance on June 11.

After a one-week hiatus from gameplay, the Shooting Stars returned home on June 18 in a 20-point rout of the Brampton Honey Badgers. They then followed that win with a nail-biting 85-83 victory against the Ottawa BlackJacks on Tuesday night on national television.

Reigning U SPORTS Player of the Year Thomas Kennedy notched a season-high 22 points and his third double-double of the year in that game. Kennedy is averaging 10.3 points and nearly 8 rebounds per game.

A focus on defence has been a key for Scarborough in their win streak. After giving up 90 or more points in each of their four losses, the Shooting Stars held both Montréal and Brampton to under 73 points. Although Ottawa managed 83 points on Tuesday, it was still 10 points fewer than the total they gave up in each of their four losses.

Individually, guard Cat Barber ranks third in the league in points per game (22.3) and total assists on the season (41). Barber is also playing the second most average minutes per game at a hair over 33 per contest, and has made the second most three pointers in the CEBL this year (22).

On the flip side, Edmonton has rebounded from a 1-3 start by also winning their last three games.

Similarly, to Scarborough, Edmonton used a 10-day break to gain familiarly and commit to playing sound defence.

After dropping two of their first three games, the Stingers had 10 days off before returning to game action on June 10—a six-point loss to the BlackJacks. However, the Stingers then followed that up with an impressive 97-68 road victory over the Winnipeg Sea Bears, and a pair of wins over Saskatchewan and Montréal.

Edmonton has not yielded more than 74 points since that June 10 game against Ottawa.

Offensively, expect contributions from multiple figures. The Stingers have four players who are averaging 13 points or more per game—including newcomers Aher Uguak and Isiah Osborne who have scored a total of 52 points each throughout the first four games.

In tonight’s matchup, the team that can turn defensive into offence more efficiently may have the edge.

As a team, Scarborough and Edmonton rank in the top three in steals per game: The Shooting Stars rank first (9.6) and the Stingers sit in third (8.6). And both squads are coming off games where they were proficient in scoring off giveaways. Scarborough scored 25 points off turnovers on Tuesday, while Edmonton racked up 21 against the Alliance on Saturday.

The game also has big implications for the top of each conference.

With a win, Scarborough would tie Brampton atop the eastern conference standings. Meanwhile, if Edmonton is victorious, they will move to within half a game of the western conference-leading Winnipeg Sea Bears.

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 2022 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. 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 .

Scarborough Shooting Stars survive late comeback in 85-83 win over Ottawa BlackJacks

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 22:04:22 GMT

Thomas Kennedy’s 18-point double-double led the Scarborough Shooting Stars to their third consecutive win in a row and an 85-83 victory over the Ottawa BlackJacks on Tuesday night.

The forward’s season-high scoring mark and third double-double of the season helped his team get back to .500 and a four-way tie for the best record in the Eastern Conference. None of his baskets were more important than his emphatic slam over friend turned opponent Kadre Gray.

“The crowd’s playing a role [in the game-winning dunk],” Kennedy Said. “But also my man Kadre [Gray] is playing a role, that guy can hoop and get up. I knew I had to try and get higher than he can…I came out lucky and came out just a little bit higher this time.”

It was the Walker and Walker duo of Kyree and David who did the secondary scoring for the Shooting Stars on the night, with both notching 17 and 14 points respectively while each shooting over 40% from the field.

On the other side it was Deng Adel who led the way with his game-high 23 points. Despite the strong scoring night, the forward did have his fair share of struggles as he ended up with seven of his team’s 26 turnovers.

It was Kyree Walker who was especially proud of that outcome as he made it his personal goal down the stretch to limit Adel and his production.

“Deng [Adel] had 14 at half and in the locker room I told all the coaches, I got it,” Walker said. “That matchup was personal for me, I told the coaches don’t switch anymore…I’m going to lock him up and that’s what I did.”

The first quarter of this game went almost identically to how the previous matchup between these teams went down. Ottawa despite committing five turnovers in the frame, found themselves up 27-18 heading into the second. Largely due to the team’s team’s ability to push the pace and find quality baskets – just like they did in that previous win. The BlackJacks were a +7 on transition baskets while also missing just five shots in the period on a stellar 66 per cent shooting.

What was different for Ottawa this time around was who led the way – with it being Adel doing most of the damage via his eight first quarter points. The forward was yet to join the BlackJacks the last time these teams faced off and looked determine to make his presence felt in this one.

As they tend to do, the Shooting Stars kept fighting to keep things close as back-to-back Kassius Robertson triples – followed by a Danilo Djurcic splash – had the lead that was up to 13 at one point, back down to five. However, that margin didn’t budge any closer as Scarborough uncharacteristically began giving the ball away.

The league’s most disciplined team at just 11 turnovers a game, passed that number with 13 by the end of the first half, eight coming in the second frame alone. The 14 points as a result of those giveaways had the Shooting Stars down 45-37 as they went into half-time.

However, Scarborough did end the frame by giving the home crowd a jolt of optimism through an 8-2 run – punctuated by a Cat Barber floater at the buzzer.

That optimism wasn’t left unfulfilled as the Shooting Stars found their way back into the game throughout the third quarter. After trailing for almost the entirety of the frame, the team rattled off a 16-4 run to end the period up two points. It was David Walker – who after scoring just two points in the first half – took over in the third by scoring eight of his team’s final 10 points and putting them up 64-62 heading into the fourth.

“I just seen the rim open up,” David Walker said. “that’s one of my strengths. I kept attacking and going at the rim, that’s one of my strengths.”

Scarborough looked ready win their third game in a row as they began the final period on a 12-4 run led by their big man off the bench Thomas Kennedy. He scored the team’s first six baskets in the fourth, also grabbing a rebound on route to a double-double well before the end of the contest, helping his team to a 76-68 lead with Target Score Time to go.

No strangers to making comebacks of their own – already having made a double-digit comeback once this season, the BlackJacks were looking poised to do it yet again. They began the final frame on a 17-4 run to find themselves all the way back up 83-82 and just two points away from ending the game.

The teams then traded possessions back-and-forth with neither able to seal a win as a raucous Scarborough crowd watched as they stood on their feet. It was Kennedy who then told everyone it was time to go home as he picked off Adel and then rose up over Gray for the game-winning dunk, 85-83 the final.

It wasn’t just Scarborough’s ability to capitalize on turnovers (25 points off giveaways), it was also their dominance on the glass. The team came into the contest averaging just under 40 per game and finished at 48 and a +6 on the boards, while grabbing 19 on the offensive side. Unsurprisingly the team generating 20 extra possessions out of those boards and scored 16 second chance points as a result.

Neither team will have much time to revel or dwell on the results of today as both teams return to action in just two days. The BlackJacks will head home to take on the Montréal Alliance on Thursday while the Shooting Stars stay home to host the Edmonton Stingers. The Eastern Conference standings now has four teams with a 4-4 record as the race to CEBL postseason and CEBL Championship Weekend heats up.

All games are available on TSN+ and CEBL+ Powered by BetVictor.

Scarborough Shooting Stars hope to stay streaking as they face Ottawa BlackJacks

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 13:37:55 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars (-129) look to extend their win streak to three when they host the Eastern Conference leading Ottawa BlackJacks (-105) at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on Tuesday at 8:00 pm ET.

The game will be nationally televised live on TSN 1/4 as TSN’s CEBL game of the week and will also be available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , and on CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

It will be the second of three regular season matchups between the two teams, with the BlackJacks (4-3) having taken the first contest in a 93-82 victory. What ended up being a wire-to-wire victory for Ottawa, had the makings of a closer contest with all things considered.

Scarborough (3-4) forced Ottawa into a season-high 26 turnovers, scored more baskets inside, had a more productive bench, and dominated on second chance points. Even getting season-high scoring performances from Cat Barber and Kameron Chatman who put up 30 and 26 points respectively.

How did the BlackJacks still come out with the win? A likely explanation comes from their lights-out performance from beyond the arch. The team shot 60 per cent from deep, knocking down 17 triples in the process.

It may be difficult to replicate such an efficient shooting night from distance, but Ottawa currently leads the league in three-point percentage at 38.6, so they have the talent to make it happen in this rematch.

They also finished the game +11 on rebounds against a Shooting Stars team that has struggled on the defensive glass all season. Scarborough currently ranks last in defensive rebounding at 25.6 per game, and their best rebounder in Kalif Young averages just seven boards a contest. In contrast, Ottawa has two of the CEBL’s top 10 rebounders in Zena Edosomwan and Deng Adel who will look to make the most of the matchup.

Speaking of Adel, the forward was not present when these teams first faced-off as he was still finishing up his commitments overseas. The University of Louisville product is currently averaging 12.3 points, eight rebounds, and 6.3 assists and will look to bolster an offense that already found success against Scarborough last time out.

Ottawa looked strong as they went into their last fixture having won three out of four but ended up losing 93-82 to the Niagara River Lions – and snapping their perfect home record in the process. The lone bright spot was Jackson Rowe, fresh off receiving a Free Agent camp invitation from the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, the forward dropped 19 points and seven rebounds on 50 per cent shooting.

His team however struggled all around as they shot a dismal 25 per cent from three while committing 18 turnovers in the loss. After that game, BlackJacks head coach James Derouin spoke on how his team has struggled handling the ball all season (15.6 TOPG) and how they “definitely got to be tighter…against a team that good you’re not going to get away with that.”

That loss marked Ottawa’s third straight game with double-digit turnovers – the team now averages the third-most in the league and will hope to correct that as they try and get back in the win column.

On the other side the Shooting Stars are coming into the game in the midst of their first win streak this season. Scarborough handily beat the reigning champion Brampton Honey Badgers 93-73 to get their second of back-to-back wins. It was Young who led the way for Scarborough via his season-high 22 points and 11 rebounds – the forward’s first double-double of the 2023 campaign.

Another bright spot for the team was the addition of Kyree Walker who debuted with the club the same day he signed, and notched an efficient 10 points on 50 per cent shooting. He’ll be a welcomed addition to help fill the void of Jalen Harris and his 17 points per game, as the guard’s availability remains uncertain.

Similar to when they faced the BlackJacks and lost, the Shooting Stars forced more than 20 turnovers out of the Honey Badgers last Sunday, even turning them into 23 points. Unlike that loss, Scarborough was able to limit Brampton’s efficiency from the field (39 per cent), something they struggled with against Ottawa (55 per cent) the last time out.

The team has seemingly found a rhythm defensively, limiting their opponents to just 72.5 points per game during this win streak – while also leading the league with 9.4 steals a game.

A big part of that defensive identity has been the play of Thomas Kennedy, who put up two blocks and five steals in the win against the Honey Badgers. The OUA MVP will look to make an impact and continue what has already been an impressive defensive campaign. He is currently the only player in the CEBL to be in the top 10 for both average blocks and average steals – something he’ll look to continue as the Shooting Stars try and win their third straight.

Scarborough Shooting Stars and Brampton Honey Badgers Meet in Battle of Backcourts

Sun, 18 Jun 2023 14:33:20 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars (2-4) will look to climb out of the basement in the eastern conference and defeat the Brampton Honey Badgers (4-3) for the second time this season tonight at the Toronto Pan Am Centre at 7:00 pm ET.

The game will also be available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

Tonight’s game will see two of the best back courts in the CEBL go head-to-head.

The Shooting Stars—powered by 41 points from guards Cat Barber and Jalen Harris—beat the Honey Badgers 80-78 in Brampton on May 26 to begin their season.

Scarborough also overcame a double-double performance from Brampton guard Christian Vital in that game. The reigning CEBL Finals MVP dropped 36 points, shot nearly 70 per cent in the field, and secured 13 boards.

His backcourt mate Koby McEwen—who is averaging 16.6 points this season—shot a dismal 1-10 from the field in that game and scored only 3 points.

However, after dispatching the Honey Badgers on opening weekend, Scarborough would go on to lose four straight games. Defence was a major area of concern for the Shooting Stars in that skid, as they gave up more than 93 points in each of the four games.

But in their last game, exactly one week ago, Scarborough rebounded by holding the Montréal Alliance to just 72 points in a 32-point rout at the Verdun Auditorium.

The Shooting Stars’ bench outscored the Alliance’s bench 32-11, and nearly doubled their points off turnovers

(20-11).

Both Harris and Barber rank in the top 10 in the league in steals per game, and as a team, Scarborough is leading the CEBL with a little over 9 steals per contest.

Brampton comes into tonight’s road match after a disappointing performance against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on June 15.

The Honey Badgers lost 110-89, and Vital was ejected after recording two technical fouls in the third quarter.

Before the loss in Winnipeg, though, Brampton was riding high on a four-game win streak that propelled them to the top half of the eastern conference standings. Vital sits fourth in the league in scoring (21.3), while McEwen is third in the CEBL with 5.6 assists per game.

The two teams are averaging almost the exact same points per game (88 for Brampton and 87.3 for Scarborough) and are within a percentage point on average two-point field goal percentage.

But Brampton is shooting over 5 per cent better from deep, averaging 35.5 per cent as a team from three, compared to Scarborough’s 30.2 per cent.

This will be the second of four matchups in the regular season between Brampton and Scarborough.

Full broadcast schedule of CEBL Games of the Week on TSN can be found here. All games will also be streamed live internationally on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, and on the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

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 2022 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. 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.

Canadian Elite Basketball League’s brightest stars to shine in the CEBL Clash in Québec City

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 14:42:22 GMT

Best of East vs. West at the Videotron Centre on August 26, 2023

Québec City, Thursday, June 8, 2023 — The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and Gestev , a subsidiary of Quebecor Sports and Entertainment Group, announced today that the Videotron Centre will host the CEBL Clash on Saturday, August 26 . The game will be an East vs. West showdown between the league’s top players following the conclusion of the 2023 CEBL season. The CEBL features Canada’s top professional basketball teams, aside from the Toronto Raptors of the NBA.

Tickets go on presale to Videotron Centre newsletter subscribers at noon today and go on sale to the general public at noon on Friday, June 9, on gestev.com.

The teams representing each conference will include the best talent the league has to offer, among them NBA alumni such as Jalen Harris and Treveon Graham, members of the Canadian Senior Men’s National Team, NBA G Leaguers, players from top European pro leagues, and CEBL stars. The game will be broadcast live nationally on TSN, RDS.ca and CEBL+.

“Québec City is a Canadian hotbed for basketball talent, and we look forward to partnering with Gestev to bring the CEBL Clash to the city,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase our league’s biggest stars at a first-class facility like the Videotron Centre and to continue elevating the fast-growing Québécois

basketball community.”

Since the CEBL’s inaugural season in 2019, the league has featured more than 40 Québec-born players, coaches and front office staff, and added its first Québec-based franchise in 2021 with the inception of the Montréal Alliance.

“We are delighted to welcome this professional league, which has enjoyed great success in Canada’s largest cities, including Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto (Scarborough), Ottawa and Montréal,” says Martin Tremblay, Chief Operating Officer of Quebecor Sports and Entertainment Group. “Basketball is growing fast in Québec. There is definitely room in our market for this young and festive sport that brings people together and celebrates diversity. And this kind of event is a perfect fit with Gestev’s unrivalled expertise. With its focus on customer service, Gestev has been creating unique events for 30 years. The game will send a great message to young basketball players that there is a path to professional basketball in their own town.”

The League and Gestev have confirmed that they are in serious talks about bringing an expansion team to Québec City in 2024. It would play at the Videotron Centre. The CEBL Clash on August 26 will be a good opportunity to gauge public interest in pro basketball in Québec City.

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 71 percent of its 2022 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. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps last October. The 2023 CEBL season tipped off May 24 with the Brampton Honey Badgers visiting the Ottawa BlackJacks in a game that was nationally televised on TSN. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

About Gestev

Gestev is an event developer and organizer founded in 1992 that has made a name for itself in Québec and internationally. It produces, presents and promotes cultural and sporting events and brings local and international talent to audiences in its market. As a subsidiary of Quebecor Sports and Entertainment, which also includes the Videotron Centre, Baie de Beauport, Théâtre Capitole, Musicor, the Théâtre du Casino du Lac-Leamy and the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal, Gestev is able to present high quality events enhanced by the convergence opportunities offered by the Quebecor group’s scope. Red Bull Crashed Ice, the Vélirium, the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, Je Cours QC and the FIS Cross-Country World Cup are only a few of the major events produced by Gestev. Gestev also operates its own experiential marketing agency, with offices in Québec City and Montréal.

About the Videotron Centre

The Videotron Centre is a multipurpose arena that opened on September 12, 2015. Multiple configurations make it suitable for major music concerts and sporting events alike, with seating for more than 18,000 for games and more than 20,000 for concerts. The Videotron Centre is the home of the Québec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and can also host professional hockey games as it meets National Hockey League (NHL) standards.

-30 -

Gestev information

Marie-Michelle Gagné, Communications Director

mmgagne@gestev.com

Scarborough Shooting Stars visit Niagara River Lions in rematch of 2022 Championship semi-finals

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 14:40:44 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars (+118) visit the Niagara River Lions (-163) on Thursday night for CEBL action from the Meridian Centre at 7:00 pm ET.

The game will be available for streaming live on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

Looking back to last year, these teams faced-off twice in the regular season and split the series 1-1. The tiebreaker came in the playoffs where the two teams met in the Championship weekend semi-finals, one win away from competing for the title. It was the Shooting Stars who came out on top in that game, taking the 93-81 victory, ending the River Lions’ season in the process.

Fast-forward to this season and both Scarborough and Niagara head into this contest looking for just their second win so far. Despite the identical records, the one-win teams have been trending in opposite directions. Scarborough won their first game of the season but have now lost three straight, while Niagara started their campaign on a three-game skid before picking up their first win.

The Shooting Stars head into this game on the heels of a 96-84 loss to the Saskatchewan Rattlers where they never held a lead outside of the first three minutes of the game. They were outshot from the field, distance, and the free-throw line. Most notably, their three-point shooting left something to be desired as Scarborough hit only seven triples in the game on 25 per cent.

Outside of their struggles beyond the arch, it was the Shooting Stars bench production that stood out as a weakness on the night. The second unit was a -9 in the game, scoring nine points on a combined 2-14 from the field in the process. A rather uncharacteristic performance for a bench that averaged 28 points per game heading into that matchup.

The starters performed admirably for Scarborough, doing what they could to make up for that lack of additional scoring. Four of their five starters scored in double figures, with Cat Barber leading the way via his 27 points. That made it four straight games scoring 23 or more points, bumping the guard’s average to 26 points per game, ranking second in the league.

His backcourt partner Jalen Harris struggled on the night, scoring just nine points, but there was a silver lining with tertiary guard Kassius Robertson having his best performance of the season. After going scoreless in their game against the Winnipeg Sea Bears (Robertson’s 2023 debut), he bounced back by notching 17 points against the Rattlers while knocking down four triples.

If the trio of Harris, Barber, and Robertson can manage to play well on the same night, it’ll give the Shooting Stars a fighting shot in this contest. Two games ago when Robertson made his debut, Harris described their backcourt’s potential as “limitless,” once they got some chemistry. All eyes will be on said backcourt in this one, to see if they’ve figured things out.

On the other side, Niagara enters this contest beating that same Saskatchewan team that Scarborough just lost to. It was their best performance of the season by far, as the team breezed by the Rattlers in a 116-74 win. Coming out of a 42-point win, there’s not many negatives to point out for the River Lions to improve upon.

Looking at the box score, they had the edge in literally every single category. They were the better team scoring the ball, defending the ball, and on the glass.

A contributing factor in that success was the return of 2022 league MVP Khalil Ahmad. In his first game this season, the guard nearly logged a triple double by tallying 17 points, eight rebounds, and 10 assists. He was helped by Jahvon Henry-Blair and Antonio Davis Jr. as they scored 21 and 20 points respectively.

It’ll be hard for Niagara to replicate a performance that dominant, as 42-point wins aren’t a common occurrence no matter how good the team is. However, the team has shown signs that a performance like that wasn’t a total anomaly. They’ve increased their scoring output every single game, seeing an uptick in makes and field goal percentage game-over-game through the early season. If the River Lions can continue that trend in this matchup, it’ll give the team a good shot at winning their second game in a row.

All games will also be streamed live internationally on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, and on the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Full list of betting props available on BetVictor. A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball. The CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

SASKATCHEWAN RATTLERS AND SCARBOROUGH SHOOTING STARS BOTH LOOKING TO REBOUND ON SUNDAY NIGHT

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 17:18:24 GMT

The Saskatchewan Rattlers (+106) will look to salvage their two-game weekend road trip in a Sunday night matchup against the Scarborough Shooting Stars (-143) at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre at 7:00 pm ET.

The game will be available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

After dismantling the Vancouver Bandits 109-85 to open their season on May 31, the Rattlers were thumped by 42 points in a loss to the Niagara River Lions last night.

Turnovers were a major issue for Saskatchewan in the loss, as Niagara scored 33 points off 21 turnovers.

Justin Wright-Foreman was the bright spot for Saskatchewan on the night.

Wright-Foreman, a former Utah Jazz draft pick who collected 23 points and 8 assists in his CEBL debut on Wednesday, shot over 50 percent from the field and totalled 21 points in the loss.

The Shooting Stars are also coming into tonight’s contest following a loss.

Winnipeg’s Teddy Allen dropped 42 points — tying the single-game record for most points scored in a CEBL game — against his former team on Friday night, as the Sea Bears downed Scarborough 98-93 at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.

The Rattlers will be looking to contain the dynamic Scarborough backcourt of Cat Barber and Jalen Harris, who combined for nearly 50 points in Scarborough’s last loss.

Barber, who is currently tied with Brampton’s Christian Vital for the league lead in points per game at 25.7, is also second in the league in assists, tallying just over six per game. His backcourt running mate, meanwhile, is averaging over 21 points and five rebounds per game this year.

In order to match the offence of Barber and Harris, the Rattlers will need to have bounce back performances from Jermel Kennedy and Drake Jefferies. After scoring 22 and 14 points respectively in the season opener, the two starters scored just a total of five points last night and shot a combined 1-12 for the field.

Sixth man Michael Nuga has been a spark off the bench for Saskatchewan this year, as the UNLV guard has recorded 20 and 12 points in each of the Rattlers’ first two games.

This will be the first of two meetings for the Shooting Stars and Rattlers this season, as the two teams will lock horns again on June 25 in Saskatchewan.

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 2022 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. 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 .

Sea Bears survive thriller against Scarborough Shooting Stars with 98-93 win.

Sat, 03 Jun 2023 15:42:00 GMT

Teddy Allen was an offensive powerhouse against his former squad as his 42 points helped the Winnipeg Sea Bears (2-1) win 98-93 despite a furious 29-point comeback from the Scarborough Shooting Stars (1-2) on Friday night.

The guard’s first season in the CEBL a year ago was spent with the Shooting Stars where he played in seven games. It was clear that Allen was looking to show Scarborough what they were missing, and he did just that.

Allen’s 42 points tied Brandon Sampson (June 5, 2022) for the most points ever scored in a CEBL game. He was extremely vocal on his record-tying night, clapping and yelling at the crowd after what felt like every basket, ending things off with a wave goodbye as he drilled a game-winning floater.

“This is competition,” said Allen post-game. “I get riled up but that’s because I’m a competitor…I respect those guys.”

“I was a role player on this team [Scarborough] last year. On this team [Winnipeg] coach wanted to give me the keys and see what it looked like.”

What it looked like was a double-double where Allen put up an impressive 42 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, on 14-20 shooting from the field and 11-13 from the line.

E.J. Anosike did his part in the win as he notched 22 points and seven rebounds. His scoring burst was sparked by his strong start as the forward went a perfect 5-5 shooting from the field. He didn’t miss a shot till the 3:56 minute mark in the second quarter.

The pairing of Allen and Anosike practically single-handedly led Winnipeg to the win as no other players on the team scored in double figures.

On the other end, it was once again the duo of Jalen Harris and Cat Barber that did most of the scoring for Scarborough. Harris finished the night with 25 points and five rebounds, while Barber had 24 points, six rebounds, and eight assists.

“I don’t think, I know we’re the best back court in the league,” said Harris when asked what the duo was capable of. “Between me, him [Barber] and now getting Kassius [Robertson] back, it’s pretty obvious.”

“Once we build our chemistry to where we need it to be…I think it’s limitless for us.”

Harris immediately made his presence felt in his return to the team. After missing their last game as he was invited to work out for the NBA’s Utah Jazz, the guard looked to get going early in this one. He scored the first points of the game by cutting backdoor and rising up to jam down an alley-oop pass from Cat Barber. Harris scored nine of the team’s first 11 points in the quarter.

Not to be outdone, Allen scored nine points of his own in the frame on route to his historic night. The guard looked efficient early on as he went 4-5 shooting while grabbing four boards. His play helped keep things tight as the teams ended the first tied up 19-19.

Scarborough came out cold in the second as they were held scoreless until the 6:09 mark of the quarter, resulting in a 17-point lead for Winnipeg. The Shooting Stars eventually found their rhythm cutting the lead down to eight, but the Sea Bears offense proved difficult to slow down.

Specifically, Allen proved difficult to slow down. The guard caught fire in the second quarter as he scored 16 of Winnipeg’s 34 points and did so without a single miss in the frame. He finished the half with a game-high 25 points and seven rebounds on 90 per cent shooting from the field.

The Sea Bears held a commanding 53-35 as they went into the break.

The third and fourth quarter were more of the same as Winnipeg extended their lead to as high as 29 at one point. Scarborough did show some fight as they cut down the lead to 15 points via a 14-7 run mid-way through the fourth but weren’t able to get any closer than that.

Winnipeg took an 89-74 lead into Target Score Time where things got interesting quickly.

A next to improbable 19-4 run by Scarborough, punctuated by a Kalif Young slam, had things tied up at 93 and the crowd erupted as Winnipeg was forced to call a time-out. The comeback seemed all but certain for the Shooting Stars, but the Sea Bears kept their poise and locked in.

An A.J. Hess three gave Winnipeg the lead back and Scarborough, despite fighting all the way back, ran out of gas.

A Young turnover at half-court landed in the hands of Allen and he drove through the lane and tossed up an off-balance floater that ended things, 98-93 the final.

“We feel really fortunate tonight,” said Sea Bears head coach Michael Taylor. “Teddy was the difference-maker out there and it was a good team win.”

“The identity and structure are there. Teddy being the go-to guy, E.J. being important for us, and everyone doing their part. This is a game I know the guys are going to take a lot of confidence from.”

The Shooting Stars will be back in action at home on Sunday to take on the Saskatchewan Rattlers. The Winnipeg Sea Bears stay on the road and head west where they’ll take on the Vancouver Bandits on Tuesday.

All games are available on TSN+ and CEBL+ Powered by BetVictor.

Scarborough Shooting Stars Look to Beat Winnipeg in Home-Opener

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 18:14:41 GMT

In the second game of a GTA back-to-back, the Winnipeg Sea Bears take on the Scarborough Shooting Stars at 8:00 pm ET from the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on Friday night.

The game will be available for streaming live on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

As this is the inaugural season for the Sea Bears (1-1), it’ll be their first time facing-off with the Shooting Stars (1-1), and there are no previous matchups to review.

Winnipeg is coming off a 75-71 loss against the defending champion Brampton Honey Badgers. The Sea Bears led for a majority of the game, going up by as many as 10 points mid-way through the third quarter. It was a costly 13-5 run in Target Score Time given up by the team that ended up deciding things.

Guard Teddy Allen led the team in scoring with 18 points but did so on an inefficient 7-24 shooting. His struggles putting the ball through the hoop seemed to be on par with the rest of the team as Winnipeg ended the game having shot a lowly 30 per cent from the field and 24 per cent from distance.

Those offensive woes have been glaring for the Sea Bears through their first two games. The team has yet to hit double-digit makes from distance or shoot better than 36 per cent from the field. They’ve been relying on their ability to outrebound opponents and generate additional possessions. In their win versus the Vancouver Bandits they were a +6 on the offensive glass while generated 11 more second chance points.

In their loss to Brampton the team once again had the edge on the glass (+10) but couldn’t take advantage of the extra possessions by converting them into points. Winnipeg had eight more shot attempts but converted two less, ultimately costing them the game.

Scarborough comes into the matchup determined to win for more than one reason. A home-opener is always a reason to show out, but beyond that, the Shooting Stars are also coming off a 93-82 loss to the Ottawa BlackJacks they’ll be looking to bounce back from.

In that game, the team started strong as they got out to an 11-2 run. However, that lead quickly dissipated on the heels of a 17-3 run down the other end to close the first quarter. Scarborough never led again in that game as they gave up 18 three-pointers along the way, while only knocking down nine themselves. Mounting a comeback is difficult when a team gets outshot from the field, distance, and the free-throw line.

It was evident that the team was missing the production of Jalen Harris, who was in Salt Lake working out for the NBA’s Utah Jazz. His status remains unclear heading into the matchup against Winnipeg. The lead guard notched 18 points, five rebounds, and three steals in the team’s lone win thus far.

With or without the contributions of Harris, the Shooting Stars’ struggles shooting the ball have remained. Through two games this season, the team has shot 40.5 per cent from the field and 33.5 per cent from distance.

Despite that, there has been a bright spot for the club in the play of Cat Barber. So far, the guard has averaged 26.5 points, 5.5 assists, and seven rebounds, on 43 per cent shooting from the field to go with 36 per cent from deep. If you take out Barber’s numbers, the team sits at 36 per cent from the field and 20.7 per cent from three.

If the Shooting Stars are going to get back in the win column, they’re going to need the likes of captain Kalif Young and reigning U Sports MVP Thomas Kennedy to step up offensively. The duo of starting forwards have scored a combined average of nine points on 33 per cent shooting through the team’s first two games.

Onslaught of Threes Leads BlackJacks to 93-82 Win Over Shooting Stars

Wed, 31 May 2023 21:47:14 GMT

The Ottawa BlackJacks hit 18 threes at a 64 percent rate on Tuesday night to earn a decisive 93-82 victory over the Scarborough Shooting Stars at TD Place.

In a nationally televised game on TSN, the BlackJacks fell behind early but quickly stormed back and led the rest of the way. Michael Flowers connected on six threes and scored a team-high 22 points to power Ottawa to the win.

“We were the more resilient team. We came out slow but we came up [big] on the defensive end,” Flowers said.

Five BlackJacks reached double figures and six players made three-pointers in an impressive offensive effort. Maxime Boursiquot contributed 18 points and Tyrrel Tate added 10 for the BlackJacks, while Kadre Gray and Jackson Rowe each picked up double-doubles. Gray had 11 points, 11 assists and the game-winner on a goaltend, while Rowe scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

“The guys were in a nice rhythm tonight. I think they challenged a couple of our shooters, in particular Max [Boursiquot] and he answered the call,” BlackJacks’ head coach James Derouin said.

The duo of Cat Barber and Kameron Chatman carried the Shooting Stars’ offence in the absence of Jalen Harris, who was in Salt Lake City working out for the Utah Jazz. Barber scored a game-high 30 points for Scarborough on 11-23 shooting to go along with 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Chatman netted 26 points on 10-18 shooting in the loss.

Ottawa shot better from three than the field and stayed perfect at the free throw line on Tuesday night. The BlackJacks also won the rebounding battle and assisted on over 60 per cent of their field goals. However, Ottawa tallied 26 turnovers and shot 15 fewer free throws than Scarborough. The Shooting Stars finished the game at 45 per cent from the field and 35 per cent from three.

“I think it was a combination of good shooting and we were bad on a few rotations that got them comfortable,” Shooting Stars’ head coach Chris Exilus said. “At this level if you let pro players get comfortable and get into a rhythm, it's hard.”

The Shooting Stars started the game on an 11-2 run thanks to a pair of putbacks and Barber buckets. However, the Ottawa BlackJacks caught fire from three and closed the quarter on a 17-3 run to take a 22-17 lead into the second quarter.

The BlackJacks continued their stellar shooting from beyond the arc in the second and extended their lead to as much as 22 points. Flowers knocked down three of his four first-half triples in the second and showed off his incredible catch-and-shoot footwork. Scarborough cut the deficit to three at one point in the quarter, but transition offence and outside shooting led Ottawa to a 56-38 lead at halftime.

The BlackJacks were 12-17 from three at the half at 70 per cent and 60 per cent from the field. Scarborough shot well in their own right at 42 per cent from the field, but couldn’t keep pace with Ottawa. Flowers led all scorers at the half with 14 points, while Rowe and Boursiquot added 11 and 10 respectively. Chatman had a team-high 13 points for Scarborough at halftime.

Scarborough was able to force 8 turnovers in the third quarter to slowly climb back into the game. Barber commanded the Shooting Stars’ offence in the third, scoring 15 points and showing off his ability as a three-level scorer. Late in the frame, Barber intercepted an Ottawa pass and dished to David Muenkat in transition to cut the BlackJacks lead to 72-63 heading into the fourth.

Barber continued to assert himself offensively in the final quarter, but Scarborough went back and forth with Ottawa as target score time approached. A Thomas Kennedy hook shot cut the BlackJacks’ lead to 84-75 going into the TV timeout with a target score of 93.

Ottawa looked poised for a quick finish in target time with seven points from Gray free throws, a Zena Edosomwan slam and an off-dribble triple from Flowers. However, Scarborough showed some late fight and cut the deficit back to nine points before the game ended in interesting fashion. A goaltend on a Gray putback ended the game and improved Ottawa’s record to 2-1 while the Shooting Stars drop to 1-1 to start the season.

Next up for Ottawa is a matchup with the Montréal Alliance at TD Place on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, Scarborough plays Winnipeg in their home opener on Friday at 8 p.m. ET at Toronto Pan Am Sports Complex.

The games will be available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

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 per cent of its 2022 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. 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 .

Scarborough Shooting Stars Look to Stay Undefeated as they Visit Ottawa BlackJacks

Tue, 30 May 2023 15:14:31 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars (+127) head to our nation’s capital to take on the Ottawa BlackJacks (-182) on Tuesday night at TD Place Arena, 7:00 pm ET.

The game will be nationally televised live on TSN 5 as part of a double-header for TSN’s CEBL Game(s) of the Week. The Niagara River Lions will take on the Calgary Surge after the conclusion of this contest, set to tip off at 9:00 pm ET/ 7:00 pm local. The games will also be available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

In their two regular season games last season, the Shooting Stars (1-0) and BlackJacks (1-1) split the series one a piece. The first went to Scarborough in a wire-to-wire 98-81 victory. The second contest was far closer as Ottawa won 91-90 in what ended up being the second-largest Target Score Time comeback in CEBL history (14 points).

In that matchup, Ottawa was down double-digits for the majority of the game, going down as many as 16 points at one point. It was forward Tyrell Green who sparked the comeback, scoring 11 of his 15 points in the final frame, including the game-winning three.

What’s changed in the matchup this year is Green no longer being on the BlackJacks roster. What hasn’t changed is the team’s tendency to fall behind early and having to fight their way back. In both their games this season, Ottawa have gone down by double-digits at one point or another and while barely holding onto leads.

The team’s top scorer, Kadre Gray (24.5 points per game) recognizes the concerns around their play but is confident the BlackJacks have the pieces to figure things out.

“It’s never a good thing to play from behind,” said Gray following their 97-76 loss to the Montréal Alliance last Sunday. “I think we’re learning from this, just making sure we have defensive intensity from the beginning…we just have to get better one game at a time, and we have faith in our roster.”

“Adding some new guys and getting assimilated together, I think we’re in a good spot.”

Gray attributes their deficits to the team’s lack of defensive consistency, but the problem goes beyond that. If the BlackJacks are going to win this game, they’ll need strong scoring performances from names other than Gray or his backcourt partner Michael Flowers (21.5 points per game). Through two games the guards are accounting for an average of 53.8 per cent of Ottawa’s scoring production (92 of 171 points).

Elijah Pemberton was likely going to be the tertiary scorer for the BlackJacks but after leaving their first game with injury, and missing the next, the guard’s status remains unclear moving forward. Forward Zena Edosomwan, currently averaging 13.5 points and nine rebounds per game, will be looked at to take the responsibility of an increased offensive load.

Scarborough comes into this game on the heels of an impressive 80-78 win against the defending champion Brampton Honey Badgers. It was a rematch of last year’s CEBL finals, and the Shooting Stars exacted a bit of revenge with the victory. If Scarborough is looking to continue their revenge tour, the team they probably want to beat next is the one that handed them a historic come-from-behind loss.

The Shooting Stars are going to enter this contest with a potent guard pairing of their own. Cat Barber looked impressive in the team’s first game putting up 23 points, three rebounds and six assists. Jalen Harris also did his part by tallying 18 points, five rebounds, and three steals.

The tandem will be joined by forwards Kalif Young and Thomas Kennedy who looked impressive in their own way. Despite putting up a combined eight points, the two accounted for 23 of Scarborough’s 46 rebounds. Their ability to clean the glass has the potential to cause trouble for an Ottawa team that often plays smaller with wing-centric forwards.

Full broadcast schedule of CEBL games on TSN can be found here . All games will also be streamed live internationally on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, and on the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Full list of betting props available on BetVictor .

SHOOTING STARS SPOIL HONEY BADGERS CHAMPIONSHIP BANNER CEREMONY NIGHT (80 - 78)

Sat, 27 May 2023 15:57:11 GMT

The all-star backcourt of Cat Barber and Jalen Harris helped the Scarborough Shooting Stars (1-0) spoil the Brampton Honey Badgers (0-2) home opener and 2022 CEBL championship banner ceremony with an 80-78 victory on Friday night.

The Shooting Stars were efficient from behind the three point line all evening, ending the game with 11 total three pointers—six of which came from the duo of Harris and Barber.

Harris, a reigning All-CEBL First Team star, and Barber, an NC State alum, combined to score 41 points to lead the Shooting Stars on offense. Barber added six assists and three rebounds on the night, with zero turnovers.

Harris said Barber’s free agency addition in the offseason was massive for Scarborough, and believes he’ll be an impactful player for not only tonight, but the remainder of the season.

“It was big. The leadership he brings to the table, he’s a very talkative, high-energy guy,” Harris said. “He goes out there and plays hard.”

Meanwhile, on the opposing side, reigning CEBL finals MVP Christian Vital followed up his 24-point performance on Wednesday night with 36 points tonight—one point shy of Brampton’s all-time franchise record. The Honey Badgers’ team record for points is held by Xavier Rathan-Mayes, who dropped 37 in a July 2019 game.

Although he didn’t secure the points mark, Vital did amass 13 defensive rebounds, which ties a franchise record.

“I was just trying to be aggressive, coach [Antoine] Broxsie has given me a lot of faith, a lot freedom, and belief in my abilities,” Vital said after the game. “I just try to play within the offense. Make plays and help us win, whether that’s screening, getting an assist, rebounding, making free throws, whatever it is, I wanna compete and I wanna win.”

The difference in three-point shooting seemed to set the difference early on.

While the Shooting Stars made their first four three pointers on the night, ending the first half with a total of nine, Brampton shot just 4-14 from long range over the first two quarters. Scarborough led 45-34 at half-time.

However, powered by a strong second half performance by Vital and the bench—Cody John and Jahbril Price-Noel chipped in with 14 and 7 points respectively—the Honey Badgers narrowed into the lead and made it a 59-53 game after three.

Heading into Target Score Time, with Scarborough leading 71-64, Vital quickly scored two of his seven three-pointers on the night to bring Brampton within three points. But, as they did any time Brampton started to make a run, Harris and Barber responded. The duo both got to the free throw line and added three quick points to keep the Shooting Stars ahead.

Tied at 78 following a Koby McEwen jumper, Scarborough called a timeout and used a Kalif Young tip-in to secure the victory.

Scarborough is set to travel to Ottawa to face the BlackJacks (1-0) in the CEBL’s Game of the Week on Tuesday May 30. The matchup will tip-off at 7:30pm ET and be broadcasted live on TSN and CEBL+ Powered By BetVictor.

All games are also available on TSN+.

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 2022 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. 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 .

Shooting Stars Open Training Camp Thursday

Tue, 16 May 2023 17:31:03 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) look to expand on the success of their inaugural season when they open training camp this Thursday at Royal Crown Academic School.

The Shooting Stars training camp roster includes 12 players with previous CEBL experience, eight of whom played for Scarborough last season. 2020 NBA draft pick and 2022 All-CEBL First Team star Jalen Harris will once again suit up for Scarborough. Rejoining him in the back court is team Canada sharpshooter Kassius Robertson and four-time U SPORTS national champion Marcus Anderson. Familiar front court faces include CEBL vet Kalif Young, 2023 U SPORTS Defensive Player of the Year David Muenkat, Kameron Chatman, Danilo Djuricic and Aaron Rhooms.

Scarborough made a big splash in free agency with the signings of Cat Barber and Thomas Kennedy. Barber is a two-time All-CEBL Second Team star. He is one of a select few CEBL players with NBA experience after dressing for the Atlanta Hawks in December 2021. Kennedy is the CEBL’s defending U SPORTS Player of the Year. This will be his first season as a true pro after graduating from the University of Windsor where he became the Lancers all-time leading scorer. He was also named OUA and U SPORTS Male Basketball Player of the Year.

Toronto guards Daniel Mullings and Myck Kabongo signed with the Shooting Stars this past week. Both guards have CEBL experience and will bring a unique skill set to Scarborough.

Rounding out the training camp roster are four players who will look to make their professional debuts this summer. University of Richmond forward Matt Grace, and Lithuanian guard out of the University of Maine Gediminas Juozapaitis, signed their first professional contracts with the Shooting Stars last week. Last month, the Shooting Stars selected Toronto Metropolitan University guard David Walker with the 12th pick in the CEBL U SPORTS Draft. Fredericton, New Brunswick guard Malcolm Christie will also be joining the team at training camp.

After one of the most exciting finishes in CEBL championship history, the Shooting Stars look for redemption when they open their 2023 season on May 26 at the CAA Centre versus the Brampton Honey Badgers. Scarborough welcomes the Winnipeg Sea Bears to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for their first home game on June 2. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

About the CEBL

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Lithuanian Guard Gediminas Juozapaitis

Sun, 14 May 2023 16:28:29 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Sunday that they have signed Lithuanian guard, Gediminas Juozapaitis. Effective last season, the CEBL announced each team will allocate one sport on its 10-man active roster to a non-American import - international player.

"Gedi is coming off of a tremendous collegiate career and we believe he will be the best shooter in the CEBL this season,” said general manager Brady Heslip. “We anticipate that Gedi's transition to the professional game will be seamless and his size and ability to shoot the basketball will make him a major asset to us. He will be surrounded by incredible playmakers and his ability to stretch the defense will be crucial for us this summer. We look forward to welcoming Gedi to Scarborough and watching him develop into a proven professional."

Juozapaitis recently graduated from Maine where he averaged 15.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 34.4 minutes per game last season. Prior to joining the Black Bears, Juozapaitis played two seasons at Georgia Southern. He finished his time there with 346 points, 99 rebounds, 64 assists, 11 blocks and 28 steals.

The Shooting Stars begin training camp this Thursday at Royal Crown Academic School. Their 2023 season on May 26 at the CAA Centre, in a rematch of last year’s CEBL championship game versus the Brampton Honey Badgers. Scarborough welcomes the Winnipeg Sea Bears to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for their first home game on June 2. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

About the CEBL

U SPORTS. Nine players have moves 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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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Signs Guard Daniel Mullings

Sat, 13 May 2023 14:30:00 GMT

T he Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Saturday that they have signed Toronto guard Daniel Mullings. Mullings, a seven-year pro, has a career average 12.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.2 steals in 25.7 minutes per game through 233 games .

“Daniel is a veteran player in this league and he has proven that he impacts every team that he has played on,” said general manager Brady Heslip. “We are excited that he is finally able to return home and represent Scarborough on his home turf. Daniel is a swiss army knife in this league as he impacts the game in multiple ways, we expect him to have a big impact for us this season.”

Mullings, who has played all over the world, is no stranger to the CEBL. He suited up for the Niagara River Lions the past three seasons where he averaged 9.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals in 25.1 minutes per game through 41 cumulative games. The New Mexico State Aggie recently dressed for the Brampton Honey Badgers for two games during the Basketball Champions League Americas where he scored a total of seven points and grabbed 3 rebounds.

The Shooting Stars open training camp May 18 at Royal Crown Academic school in preparation for their season opener May 26 at the CAA Centre, in a rematch of last year’s CEBL championship game versus the Brampton Honey Badgers. Scarborough welcomes the Winnipeg Sea Bears to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for their first home game on June 2. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Marcus Anderson

Fri, 12 May 2023 18:00:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that they have re-signed Marcus Anderson. The 6-foot-3 guard just finished his season with Paderborn of the Germany-ProA where he averaged 6.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.7 steals in 25.2 minutes per game through 33 games.

“Marcus is a terrific defender and he has improved his offensive skill set this season in Germany,” said general manager Brady Heslip. “He has developed in winning cultures and knows what it takes to win a championship. We will look to Marcus to set the tone defensively and be the best on-ball defender in the league. We are excited to have him back and are looking for him to take a big step forward this summer."

Anderson averaged 4.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists for the Shooting Stars last season. The Carleton alum is a four time U SPORTS National Champion and was named the U SPORTS Defensive Player of the Year in two consecutive seasons (2017-18, 2018-19).

The Brampton guard becomes the Shooting Stars seventh re-signing of the season. He will join 2022 teammates Kalif Young, Jalen Harris, David Muenkat, Danilo Djuricic, Kassius Robertson and Kam Chatman on this year’s roster.

The Shooting Stars open training camp May 18 at Royal Crown Academic School in preparation for their season opener May 26 at the CAA Centre, in a rematch of last year’s CEBL championship game versus the Brampton Honey Badgers. Scarborough welcomes the Winnipeg Sea Bears to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for their first home game on June 2. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sport executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentages of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 percent of its 2022 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. Nine players have moves 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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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Shooting Stars Re-Sign Kameron Chatman

Fri, 12 May 2023 14:45:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that they have re-signed 6’8” forward Kameron Chatman. Chatman averaged 14 points, 5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1 steal in 27.7 minutes per game through 23 games for Scarborough last season.

“We are thrilled to have Kam back in Scarborough this season. He proved that he is a force in this league last year with his consistency and scoring ability,” said general manager Brady Heslip. “He is coming back to the Shooting Stars off of a successful season in Europe. Kam is familiar with our organization and we know that he is a competitor, his contributions this year will be paramount in us achieving our goals of winning a championship.”

Chatman played 48 games in the Czech Republic for Brno this season where he averaged 15.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2 assist and 1 steal in 28.1 minutes per game. He scored 10+ points in all but eight games and scored over 20 points in 13 matches.

The Detroit Mercy alum led his team in scoring (17.9), rebounding (8.3) and 3-point field goal percentage (.413) in his senior season. He registered nine double-double games in points and rebounds, good for fourth in the conference. Prior to playing for Detroit Mercy, Chatman spent two seasons at the University of Michigan.

The Shooting Stars open training camp next Thursday, May 18. Their season opens on May 26 at the CAA Centre, in a rematch of last year’s CEBL championship game versus the Brampton Honey Badgers. Scarborough welcomes the Winnipeg Sea Bears to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for their first home game on June 2. Tickets are on sale now. For more information on the team and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

About the CEBL

###

Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Forward Matt Grace

Thu, 11 May 2023 16:34:32 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that they have signed forward Matt Grace. The Hamilton native just finished his collegiate career at the University of Richmond where he averaged 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 14.1 minutes per game through 29 games in his senior year.

“We have followed Matt's collegiate career closely, and think he has a bright future as a pro,” said general manager Brady Heslip. “He improved tremendously from his freshman year up to this past season. His size, basketball IQ, and ability to shoot the ball make him a difficult matchup in his position, especially in our league. We look forward to him coming in and contributing to our team this year and ultimately, watching him develop into a high-level professional."

Scarborough opens training camp May 18 at Royal Crown Academic school in preparation for their season opener on May 26 at the CAA Centre, in a rematch of last year’s CEBL championship game versus the Brampton Honey Badgers. Scarborough welcomes the Winnipeg Sea Bears to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for their first home game on June 2. Tickets are on sale now. For more information on the team and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

About the CEBL

###

Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Shooting Stars Re-Sign Team Canada Guard Robertson

Wed, 10 May 2023 16:30:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that they have re-signed team Canada guard Kassius Robertson. The Toronto native suited up in 10 games for Canada during the 2023 World Cup qualifiers where he averaged 11.8 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1 steal in 19.2 minutes per game.

"Kassius is a proven elite scorer. He has played at the highest level all over the world and has had a major impact on every team. We are thrilled for him to be back with us in Scarborough,” said general manager Brady Heslip. “His play late last season showed how impactful having him on the floor was for us. His desire to win a championship is one of the main reasons he is back. Kassius is pound for pound the best scorer in this league and we are excited to have him with us for a whole season."

Robertson is currently playing for Obradoiro in the Spain-Liga Endesa where he is averaging 17.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 28.7 minutes per game as a starter. In five games with the Shooting Stars last season, he averaged 19 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals while helping lead the team through the playoffs to the CEBL championship game where he scored 23 points, shooting 4-6 from the field and 4-4 from beyond the arc in the team’s 90-88 loss.

About the CEBL

###

Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Djuricic for 2023 Season

Tue, 09 May 2023 16:30:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that they have re-signed Danilo Djuricic. The 6-foot-8 forward just finished his season in the Czech Republic where he averaged 9.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 22.3 minutes per game through 26 games for Brno.

"Danilo really found his stride and played big for us in the second half of last season. He is a great teammate and we have loved watching him grow into an established professional,” said general manager Brady Heslip. “Danilo had an incredible season overseas and we expect that to bolster his confidence this year as a returning player. We anticipate Danilo will have a breakout season and be a major contributor on both ends of the floor."

This is the Toronto native’s second year playing professionally. He began his career with Brno of the Czech Republic NBL where he averaged 5.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 17.8 minutes per game through 29 games. Djuricic averaged 2.6 points and 2.1 rebounds in 10.1 minutes per game for the Shooting Stars last season.

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Shooting Stars Sign U SPORTS Player of the Year Thomas Kennedy

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 17:37:35 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that they have signed Thomas Kennedy. The 2023 U SPORTS Player of the Year averaged a double-double in points (20.3) and rebounds (13.8) while adding 2.6 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 steals in 32.3 minutes per game for the Windsor Lancers this season.

"We are very excited to have Thomas signed for this season. Thomas was the U SPORTS Player of the Year this season and the confidence he built last summer was evident in his play,” said general manager Brady Heslip. “Thomas has proven himself as a U SPORTS player in this league over the past few seasons, but we are now looking to him to take a big step forward as a pro. Thomas has a basketball IQ that sets him apart and he knows how to utilize his size and skill to have a big impact on games. We expect him to be a major contributor and have a big effect in his first season in Scarborough."

This will be the Windsor native’s fourth season in the CEBL. Kennedy was drafted as a U SPORTS player in 2019, 2021 and 2022. He most recently played for the Bandits, where he averaged 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2 assists in 27.5 minutes per game and was honoured as the 2022 CEBL U SPORTS Player of the Year.

The 6-foot-9 forward recorded 18 double-double games in his final season for the Lancers this year. Kennedy was named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian, OUA Men’s Basketball MVP, OUA First Team All-Star, Windsor Lancers Most Valuable Player, Windsor Lancers Male Athlete of the Year and became the Windsor Lancers all-time leading scorer with 1594 points.

Following an impressive inaugural season, the Shooting Stars open their 2023 season on May 26 at the CAA Centre, in a rematch of last year’s CEBL championship game versus the Brampton Honey Badgers. Scarborough welcomes the Winnipeg Sea Bears to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for their first home game on June 2. Tickets are on sale now. For more information on the team and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

About the C EBL

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Shooting Stars Select Muenkat and Walker in the 2023 CEBL U SPORTS Draft

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 19:03:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars have selected St. Francis Xavier forward and U SPORTS Defensive Player of the Year David Muenkat in the first round and Toronto Metropolitan University guard David Walker in the second round of the 2023 CEBL U SPORTS Draft.

This is Muenkat’s second season as a U SPORTS player with the Shooting Stars. The Brampton native averaged 5.3 points and 3.5 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per game over 17 games with Scarborough last season, and was recognized as runner-up for the CEBL U SPORTS Player of the Year award. Muenkat had a monster year for the X-Men this season. He averaged 16.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.3 steals in 24.5 minutes per game. The national silver medalist was named AUS and USPORTS Defensive Player of the Year, AUS First Team All-Star, U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian and StFX Most Valuable Player.

"David's development has been astronomical since last summer. He led St.FX to the national championship game and the confidence he developed as a pro was evident in his play this past U SPORTS season,” said general manager Brady Heslip. “We expect David to continue to be an integral part of our team, and show how his superior athleticism and developing skill set translates into winning basketball. He can guard multiple positions and adds significant value with his ability to rebound. We are excited to have David back this season."

Toronto guard, David Walker, was Scarborough’s second round pick. He averaged 16.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 assist and 1.9 steals in 26.5 minutes per game for TMU this season. The 6-foot-4 guard scored over 20 points in 10 games and was named U SPORTS Player of the Week on March 1 after averaging 32 points in back-to-back games verse McMaster and Ottawa.

"David really impressed us with his play for TMU this past season, and we are very excited to have him as one of our U Sports players,” said Heslip. “He brings a tenacious defensive mentality, is a very skilled offensive player, and overall he is a great competitor. His size and athleticism will enable him to make an immediate impact in our league and we expect that he will develop into a major contributor. We are very excited to have him on board and look forward to his development into a pro this summer."

Following an impressive inaugural season, the Shooting Stars open their 2023 season on May 26 at the CAA Centre, in a rematch of last year’s CEBL championship game versus the Brampton Honey Badgers. Scarborough welcomes the Winnipeg Sea Bears to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for their first home game on June 2. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Shooting Stars Re-Sign 2020 NBA Draft Pick Jalen Harris

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 16:45:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that they have re-signed 6’5” guard, Jalen Harris. Harris, the Toronto Raptors 59 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, averaged 19.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 31.6 minutes per game for Scarborough last season.

"Jalen was the centrepiece of our team last season and we are thrilled to have him back,” said general manager Brady Heslip. “Jalen's physicality and skill set is at an NBA level, which he put on full display with his performance last summer. Jalen is a winner, and his competitive spirit and desire to bring a championship to Scarborough is going to be a driving force in our locker room. We expect Jalen to have another breakout season and take on a leadership position to set the winning culture that we need for our team."

The All-CEBL first team star signed to the New York Knicks training camp roster in September. He was delegated to the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League in October but missed the majority of the season due to a hand injury. While playing for the Raptors during the 2020-21 season, Harris averaged 7.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 13.1 minutes per through 13 games. He scored an NBA career high 31 points on May 14 in his hometown verse the Dallas Mavericks.

The Nevada alum averaged 21.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 31.7 minutes per game through 30 games during his final year of college. He was named to the Mountain West first team (players and coaches), named Mountain West Newcomer of the Year, NABC and USBWA all-district, Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week and three time MW Player of the Week.

About the CEBL

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Media Contac t

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign American Point Guard Barber

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 16:45:02 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that they have signed 6’2” point guard, Cat Barber. Barber becomes the team’s second player signing of the season, joining forward Kalif Young on the Shooting Stars 2023 roster.

“Cat is a tremendous point guard that brings veteran leadership and a steady presence to our team. He has a wealth of experience and has played at the highest levels all over the world, his familiarity with our league is an added bonus,” said general manager Brady Heslip. “We love his competitive fire and will look to him to establish himself as a proven leader among our group. We are expecting big things out of Cat this season and are thrilled to have him on board."

The Virginia native averages 15.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 0.9 steals in 29.2 minutes per game over 295 professional games. He most recently played for the College Park Skyhawks of the NBA G League, where he averaged 10.6 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 20.7 minutes per game through 26 games this season. In December 2021, Barber registered his first career triple-double in points (20), rebounds (10) and assists (10) for the Skyhawks before signing a 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA.

Following an impressive inaugural season, the Shooting Stars open their 2023 season on May 26 at the CAA Centre, in a rematch of last year’s CEBL championship game versus the Brampton Honey Badgers. Scarborough welcomes the Winnipeg Sea Bears to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for their first home game on June 2. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

About the CEBL

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Young for 2023 Season

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 14:30:00 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that they have re-signed team Canada forward Kalif Young. The 6-foot-9 forward led the Shooting Stars in total rebounds (139) and blocks (19) during their inaugural season where he averaged 8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2 assists in 26.7 minutes per game through 21 games.

“We are very excited to have Kalif return to Scarborough after a fantastic season in Germany,” said Shooting Stars general manager Brady Heslip. “Kalif has represented our national team incredibly well in all of his international appearances and gained valuable professional experience in the process. He brings a level of physicality and competitiveness that our team will rely on this season, and we are looking forward to him embracing a leadership role as a core returning player”.

The Providence College graduate is currently playing for Bayreuth of the Germany BBL where he is averaging 7.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1 steal in 25.1 minutes per game through 24 games. The Toronto native also suited up for team Canada last summer, where he helped his national team qualify for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Young’s best performance was against Venezuela where he scored 14 points and grabbed four boards.

Following an impressive inaugural season, the Shooting Stars open their 2023 season on May 26 at the CAA Centre, in a rematch of last year’s CEBL championship game verse the Brampton Honey Badgers. Scarborough welcomes the Winnipeg Sea Bears to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for their first home game on June 2. For more information on the team, tickets and schedule visit scarboroughshootingstars.ca

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Media Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Scarborough Opens it's CEBL Season May 26 at Brampton

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 18:00:02 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars tip off their second Canadian Elite Basketball League season Friday, May 26 at the CAA Centre in a rematch of last year’s championship final against the relocated Brampton Honey Badgers, the team announced Tuesday. The CEBL has announced a conference model of competition for its fifth season. The league’s 10 teams are divided into an Eastern and Western Conference. The Western Conference includes the Calgary Surge, Edmonton Stingers, Saskatchewan Rattlers, Vancouver Bandits and Winnipeg Sea Bears. The Scarborough Shooting Stars join the Brampton Honey Badgers, Montreal Alliance, Niagara River Lions and Ottawa BlackJacks in the Eastern Conference.

The Shooting Stars begin the season with two road games at Brampton and Ottawa. They host a home opener weekend versus Winnipeg on Friday, June 2 and Saskatchewan on Sunday, June 4 at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. Of the team’s 10 home games, Scarborough hosts four on Friday nights and four on Sunday afternoons in order to bring families high level basketball entertainment over the summer weekends.

The schedule includes three games against each Eastern Conference team with the exception of rival Honey Badgers, who the Shooting Stars will play twice at home and twice on the road. Scarborough has a home-and-home encounter with the Edmonton Stingers and Saskatchewan Rattlers but will only see Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver once during the regular season.

The 2023 Championship Weekend takes place in Vancouver from August 11-12. Host Vancouver, along with the top-ranked team from the Eastern Conference, will automatically be seeded into the semifinals hosted at Championship Weekend.

The CEBL postseason will feature play-in games between the third and fourth-ranked teams in each conference. Winners will advance to the quarterfinals and play the second-best team of their respective conferences. The fifth-ranked team in each conference will be eliminated unless Vancouver places fifth in the west in which case the fourth-ranked west team will get eliminated. Quarterfinal winners in each conference will play their respective conference teams already seeded in the semifinals. The full postseason schedule will be revealed at a later date.

Season Tickets are now on sale by visiting www.scarboroughshootingstars.ca/tickets or sending an email to info@scarboroughshootingstars.ca Single game tickets will go on sale in the spring.

The Scarborough Shooting Stars are led by coach Chris Exilus, who guided the team to the CEBL Championship game during their inaugural season. Stand-out guard Jalen Harris signed with the NBA's New York Knicks in September before joining their G League affiliate in Westchester. Kyle Alexander, JV Mukama, Kassius Robertson and Kalif Young all dressed for team Canada last summer helping them qualify for the FIBA World Cup 2023 Americas. Marcus Anderson, Kameron Chatman, Danilo Djuricic, Calvin Epistola, Isaiah Mike, Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Aaryn Rai, Alexander, Robertson and Young all signed contracts with clubs overseas. The Shooting Stars will begin to announce their 2023 roster in the weeks leading up to the start of May 18 training camp.

The CEBL’s schedule of nationally televised games will be announced at a later date. All games including playoffs will be livestreamed and archived on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on iOS and Android devices).

More information about the Scarborough Shooting Stars is available at scarboroughshootingstars.ca as well as on Instagram (@scarboroughshootingstars), Twitter (@sss_cebl) and Facebook.

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadian for Canadian with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sport executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentages of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 percent of its 2022 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. Nine players have moved the 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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M edia Contact

Maria Suriani

Director, Operations

Scarborough Shooting Stars

maria@scarboroughshootingstars.ca

Off-Season Interview with JV Mukama

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 16:11:53 GMT

Sit Down With Olu Famutimi

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 14:28:32 GMT

A New Champion: Hamilton & Scarborough Battle for CEBL Title in Nation’s Capital Holly MacKenzie • Aug 14, 2022

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 18:45:49 GMT

A New Champion: Hamilton & Scarborough Battle for CEBL Title in Nation’s Capital

Holly MacKenzie • Aug 14, 2022

The fourth season of the CEBL is set to crown a champion. After 100 regular season games in 69 days since the 2022 season tipped off, either the Hamilton Honey Badgers or the Scarborough Shooting Stars will be named CEBL Champions for the first time in either club’s respective histories.

The championship game will be played on the Ottawa BlackJacks’ home court at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Ont. The pre-game show airs live on CBC at 3:30 p.m. ET with tip-off at 4 p.m.

Hamilton booked its ticket to the finals with a 76-72 victory in a thriller against host team Ottawa on Friday, Aug. 12 behind a 16-point effort from Christian Vital and a 15-point, nine-rebound performance from Koby McEwen.

It was a comeback victory for Hamilton who trailed by eight after the opening quarter, but took a three-point lead into the fourth where back-to-back three-pointers from McEwen and Aaron Best in the Elam Ending phase held off a late push from Ottawa in the final minutes. Former University of Ottawa Gee-Gees star Caleb Agada sealed the victory on a split pair of free throws in front of his old alma mater’s crowd and head coach James Derouin.

“We've been talking the last few days about embracing the moment,” Hamilton head coach Ryan Schmidt said. “Don’t get caught up in the moment. We knew we were playing a very tough team on their home court with their fans and the game didn't go our way in a lot of ways with the whistle, I think, but [the team’s] grit and perseverance really stood out to me.”

After ousting Ottawa to advance to the championship game, Hamilton is eager for Sunday’s tip-off.

“These guys have been working for this moment since May 16th,” Schmidt said of his team. “They deserve to be in this game and we’re excited.”

Schmidt was named CEBL Coach of the Year on Wednesday at the annual CEBL Awards, while Agada was named CEBL Canadian Player of the Year.

The Shooting Stars make their Finals appearance in their inaugural CEBL season after outlasting the Niagara River Lions 93-81 behind a 22-point, eight-rebound, six-assist performance from Jalen Harris, 22 points from Kameron Chatman and 19 points from Kassius Robertson. Scarborough also bounced back from a slow start that had them trailing by double figures, 26-14, after the opening quarter to get the win.

“What we’ve done all year is focus on us,” Scarborough head coach Chris Exilus said. “Focus on making sure we’re getting better and doing the things that we need to do.”

After a three-pointer from Niagara’s EJ Onu got the River Lions within single digits, a layup from Scarborough’s Isiaha Mike brought Scarborough within two points of their Elam Ending target and an offensive rebound and layup from Chatman after a miss from Harris sealed the win.

“My teammates played great,” Harris said. “You can go down the list of guys from Kass, to Kam, to Danilo [Djurcic], everybody. It was a team effort. They make my job easier, so I just try to do whatever I can in my power to affect the game.”

Harris averaged 20.4 points per game this season, but he’s not afraid to get involved in other ways, too.

"Just doing whatever it takes to win,” He said of his performance in Friday’s victory. “That’s what we talked about before the game, that was my mindset coming into this weekend, into every game, whatever it takes. If I have to score 30, if I need 15 rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, whatever it is, I’m trying to do it.”

While the Honey Badgers finished the regular season a league-best 14-6, the Shooting Stars knocked out second-place finisher Niagara (13-7) after finishing third in the league with a 12-8 record in their first season.

The teams had three regular-season meetings, with Hamilton winning two of the three, including Scarborough’s home opener. In the second meeting between the two, Scarborough came back to win in Elam time with a 75-72 victory behind a 21-point effort from Chatman who hit the game-winning bucket. Harris had 19 points in the win, while Hamilton was led by Vital’s 22 points in the loss.

The most recent meeting between the two saw Hamilton notch an 84-70 victory over Scarborough at home on July 15 as McEwen poured in 27 points on 10-of-14 field goal shooting to lead the way. In a game where Scarborough’s starters were struggling and leading scorer Harris played just nine minutes, reserve David Muenkat came off the bench to lead the team in the loss with 18 points.

In addition to crowning a champion, the final will also be the 250th CEBL game to be played. Viewers can watch the game live on CBC national television as well as CBC Gem, CBC Sports, CEBL+ and NXT Level Sports in the U.S.

Scarborough oust Niagara 93-81 and advance to CEBL Championship Final

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 18:43:10 GMT

Scarborough oust Niagara 93-81 and advance to CEBL Championship Final

Dillion White • Aug 12, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars move on to the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) final in their inaugural season after defeating the Niagara River Lions 93-81 on Friday in Ottawa. A fourth quarter run saw the third-seed team knock out the River Lions at TD Place Arena to tip-off Championship Weekend .

The Shooting Stars await the winner of the second semifinal between the Hamilton Honey Badgers and Championship Weekend host Ottawa BlackJacks for their opponent in Sunday’s final. They enter the game as winners of six of their past seven games.

“What we’ve done all year is focus on us and making sure we’re getting better,” Scarborough head coach Chris Exilus said. “We’ll watch the film and be ready for Sunday.”

Scarborough guard Jalen Harris powered the team to victory on Friday with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Kameron Chatman was clutch off the bench for the Shooting Stars and netted 22 points, including 13 points in the fourth and the Elam ender. Kassius Robertson also cashed in on some big shots for Scarborough and finished with 19 points on 7-12 shooting from the field and 4-7 from three. Danilo Djurcic and Isiaha Mike rounded out the Shooting Stars’ attack with 11 point and 10 points respectively.

“In the first half we did a good job on [Harris and Robertson],” Niagara head coach Victor Raso said. “If you allow that type of talent to feel good about themselves or feel like they have a chance, then they can really hurt you.”

Defensive Player of the Year E.J. Onu continued his strong playoff run for Niagara despite the loss. He scored a game-high 26 points on 8-10 shooting from the field and a perfect 5-5 from three to go along with 2 blocks. The new league MVP Khalil Ahmad also played well in a losing effort for the River Lions. Ahmad put up 23 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists on 6-18 shooting from the field, 2-4 from three and 9-14 from the free throw line.

The River Lions were held to 38 per cent from the field on Friday and finished at 60 per cent from the charity stripe with 10 misses. After a strong start to the game, Niagara lost the final three quarters by a combined 24 points. The supporting cast for Scarborough stepped up in the semifinal, and dropped 36 bench points to Niagara’s 13.

“It was a team effort,” Exilus said. “We stuck to the game plan in the huddles, made sure we had a good temperament and made sure we were on the same page. As the game went on, you could see the tide change.”

The first quarter saw the River Lions get off to a strong start both offensively and defensively. Khalil Ahmad opened the game with Niagara’s first seven points and led them to a 14-4 run to start. Ahmad also showed off his playmaking ability and found EJ Onu for an alley-pop on the fastbreak to extend the River Lions’ lead to 14 points. Elijah Mitrou-Long capped off an incredible opening frame for Niagara with a buzzer-beating trifecta off the dribble to give them a 26-13 lead heading into the second.

Mitrou-Long opened the second with an easy transition layup, but it was Niagara’s lone field goal in almost eight minutes of action to start the quarter. The Shooting Stars locked down defensively and went on a 16-4 run to get themselves back into the game. A slashing lefty layup from Jalen Harris tied the game late in the first half for the first time since the opening tip. However, Ahmad connected on a floater for his first bucket of the quarter and gave the River Lions a narrow 35-33 lead heading into the locker room.

After a 1-8 start from beyond the arc, Scarborough hit 3-9 from three in the second quarter to help them back into the game. Both teams shot below 40 per cent from the field in the opening 20 minutes—Niagara shot 38 per cent and Scarborough shot 34 per cent. Ahmad led all scorers at half with 10 points, while Danilo Djuricic led the way for the Shooting Stars with 8 points.

Harris buried a triple to open the third quarter that gave the Shooting Stars their first lead of the game. The former Toronto Raptor continued to dominate for Scarborough—he scored on a jumper, a scoop layup, a floater and a free throw on his way to 10 third quarter points before hitting the bench until the fourth.

The Shooting Stars and River Lions exchanged blows throughout the third quarter. Seven consecutive points from E.J. Onu gave Niagara their largest lead of the frame but back-to-back threes from Kassius Robertson regained the lead for Scarborough. The third quarter featured eight lead changes and two ties, but a catch-and-shoot jumper from Kameron Chatman gave the Shooting Stars a 60-56 lead heading into the final frame.

A two-handed jam from Jalen Harris opened the quarter but his fellow star Khalil Ahmad answered immediately with a three. However, the game took a turn from there. Chatman and Robertson caught fire in the fourth for the Shooting Stars. They helped break the game open for Scarborough and led them to an 83-66 lead heading into the Elam Ending with a target score of 92.

The River Lions fought back during Elam time and cut the deficit back to single digits but it proved too large. Robertson, Kyle Alexander and Isiaha Mike all scored for Scarborough in Elam time but a lefty euro step layup and a putback tip in from Kameron Chatman closed out the game.

The CEBL’s fourth season began May 25 and ended August 1. A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL is the largest pro sports league in the country with 10 teams located in six provinces. It has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

Niagara River Lions and Scarborough Shooting Stars seek spot in Final in Championship Weekend Opener

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 21:00:57 GMT

Niagara River Lions and Scarborough Shooting Stars seek spot in Final in Championship Weekend Opener

Dillion White • Aug 12, 2022

The Niagara River Lions and Scarborough Shooting Stars tip-off Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Championship Weekend at TD Place Arena with a semifinal matchup at 4 p.m. ET on cbcsports.ca, CBC Gem and CEBL+. It is the first of two semifinals on Friday night, with the first-place Hamilton Honey Badgers facing the host Ottawa BlackJacks at 7 p.m ET.

Led by recently announced Most Valuable Player Khalil Ahmad, the River Lions enter the game as the two-seed while the Shooting Stars enter as the three-seed. Both teams earned byes to the quarterfinals last weekend and emerged victorious. Scarborough defeated the Saskatchewan Rattlers 108-96 while Niagara knocked off the Guelph Nighthawks 99-78.

E.J. Onu’s 28 points, six rebounds and three blocks powered the River Lions past the Nighthawks in last Sunday’s semifinal. Ahmad was largely kept in check by the Nighthawks’ defence, scoring 14 points on 4-10 shooting to go along with two assists and two turnovers.

The supporting cast balled out for Niagara in the win. Daniel Walden-Mullings added a 14 point, 11 rebound double-double, Elijah Mitrou-Long scored 11 points off the bench and Jaylen Babb-Harrison netted 11 points, including the Elam game-winner. The River Lions controlled the paint, outrebounding the Nighthawks 42-31 and winning the points in the paint battle 40-26.

Meanwhile, the Shooting Stars set a playoff record for points in their 108-96 victory over the Saskatchewan Rattlers last weekend. Despite an outstanding triple-double performance from Saskatchewan’s MVP runner-up Tony Carr, Scarborough pulled through thanks to 24-point outings from Kassius Robertson and Jalen Harris.

The Shooting Stars beat the Rattlers at their own game, hitting 16 threes on 44 per cent shooting, including six made long bombs from Robertson. Saskatchewan shot just 27 per cent from beyond the arc. Teddy Allen added 18 points and seven rebounds in the winning effort. Scarborough forwards Kameron Chatman contributed 16 and Kalif Young scored 11.

The two teams split their regular season matchups as neither were able to defend home court during the regular season. The River Lions blew out the Shooting Stars 93-70 at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on July 17 and Scarborough avenged the loss less than a week later on July 22 with an 86-75 win at the Meridian Centre. Ahmad and Mitrou-Long each scored 20 points for the River Lions in their win, while Isiaha Mike and Chatman led the way for Scarborough with Jalen Harris injured. With Harris out in the next matchup as well, Mike scored a game-high 20 points for the Shooting Stars and their defence held Ahmad to just eight points on 2-9 shooting in the Scarborough victory.

Harris will face the River Lions for the first time on Friday night. His presence will garner the bulk of the attention from Niagara’s perimeter defence. He leads the way in scoring for the Shooting Stars with 20.3 points per game on 42 per cent shooting from the field and 32 per cent from three. Niagara will also have to matchup with Kassius Robertson for the first time this season. In just three games with Scarborough, Robertson has proved himself as another scoring threat, averaging 17.7 points per game. Additionally, Teddy Allen and Kyle Alexander have produced in limited time with the squad.

Allen averaged 13.8 points in five appearances and Alexander averaging 12.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in six contests. Meanwhile, Mike and Chatman have been consistent forces in the Scarborough lineup, averaging 13.9 points each.

However, the Shooting Stars will have matchup troubles of their own. Niagara received plenty of recognition at the CEBL Awards on Wednesday night. Ahmad took home both league MVP and Clutch Player of the Year honours. Ahmad finished the season as the CEBL’s leading scorer and enters Friday’s contest averaging 20.7 points, four rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.9 steals per game.

Onu was named Defensive Player of the Year after leading the league with 3.3 blocks per game. Beyond Ahmad and Onu, the River Lions feature a balanced offensive attack. Antonio Davis Jr., Mitrou-Long, Jaylen Babb-Harrison, and Philip Scrubb each average over 11 points per game for Niagara. Walden-Mullings rounds out a solid Niagara attack, averaging just shy of double-figures at 9.1 points per game.

The Shooting Stars come into the semifinal as one of the hottest teams in the league—winners of five of their past six games. The River Lions arrive in the nations’s capital as winners of two straight after splitting a pair of close games against the first-place Honey Badgers to close out the regular season and winning their quarterfinal versus Guelph.

Niagara finished the regular season with a 4-2 overall record against the fellow three qualifying Championship Weekend teams, good for best among the final four. Scarborough finished at 3-4.

The River Lions’ high-powered offence led the league in points and field goal percentage in the regular season at 88.7 points per game on 46.4 per cent shooting. However, the River Lions finished ninth in three-point percentage and in the bottom half in threes made. Niagara was also solid defensively, allowing 82.1 points per game, leading the league in blocks and finishing second in steals. Meanwhile, the Shooting Stars’ defence was not far behind the River Lions, averaging 82.8 points per game allowed, while finishing fourth offensively at 86.9 points per game.

Shooting Stars Advance to Championship Weekend With 108-96 Win Over Saskatchewan

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 14:11:41 GMT

Shooting Stars Advance to Championship Weekend With 108-96 Win Over Saskatchewan

Jacob Smith • Aug 07, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars advanced to CEBL Championship Weekend 2022 with a 108-96 win over the Saskatchewan Rattlers at home. The Shooting Stars will take on the Niagara River Lions in the semifinals.

Saskatchewan and Scarborough started the game with a fast pace. Saskatchewan set the tone getting in transition off rebounds and pushed out to a lead that they held through the first five minutes of the quarter. Scarborough shot 50 per cent from three in the first quarter while Saskatchewan shot 44. At the end of the first quarter, Scarborough led 21-19.

Saskatchewan continued pushing the pace in the second quarter. The efficiency shifted more into the hands of the Shooting Stars but as the quarter winded down the game remained close. Saskatchewan and Scarborough traded runs through the quarter and Scarborough held a 43-39 lead at halftime.

Jalen Harris and Teddy Allen pushed the Shooting Stars lead to double-digits in the third quarter, 55-45. The Shooting Stars came out locked in on defence and supporting that with efficient attack on the offensive end. The Rattlers tried to get the ball inside and Devonte Bandoo and Carr continued to use their aggressiveness to take advantage of lanes to the rim.

Scarborough tied a CEBL record for most points in a playoff quarter with 36 in the third quarter, tying Niagara who scored 36 points in the second quarter of their quarterfinal win over Guelph on August 6. At the end of the third, the Shooting Stars led 79-64.

Bandoo and Carr tried to reel the Rattlers back in the fourth with their attack. Every time Saskatchewan went on a run to push back on the deficit, Scarborough answered back with their defence and efficiency, holding on to their double-digit lead. Going into Elam time, the Shooting Stars led 97-81, the target score set at 106.

Carr started Elam time at the free throw line where he made one of two to give the Rattlers 82 points. Robertson from close range gave the Shooting Stars 99 points and Jordy Tshimanga answered at the rim to put back a layup and give the Rattlers 84. Tshimanga at the rim once again gave the Rattlers another two points and cut their deficit to 13, 99-86. Chatman stopped a Rattlers run and put Scarborough five points away from victory with two points underneath the rim. Four points from Allen and a corner three from Robertson sealed the game for the Shooting Stars. Scarborough won 108-96 at home.

The Shooting Stars and Rattlers set a record for most combined points in Elam time with 26, as both offences were flowing. The previous record set at 24 when the Honey Badgers took on the River Lions on August 24 2019. The flowing offences set another record, that being the most points in a postseason game with 108 for the victorious Shooting Stars, the previous record of 104 last tied by the Fraser Valley Bandits on August 15 2021 against Guelph.

Carr scored 21 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and dished out 15 assists. His performance sets a CEBL record for the first ever postseason triple-double and the most assists in a postseason game, the previous record for assists set at 11 by Xavier Rathan-Mayes in 2019. He was one of five Rattlers in double-digits, joining 20 points from Scottie Lindsey, 20 points and seven rebounds from Tshimanga, 19 points from Malik Benlevi and 14 points from Bandoo.

Robertson and Harris both scored 24 points for the Shooting Stars, Robertson adding five rebounds, two assists and a steal while Harris added six rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks. Allen finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal and Young recorded 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and a block.

The CEBL’s fourth regular season began May 25 and ends August 1. A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL is the largest pro sports league in the country with 10 teams located in six provinces. It has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Scarborough and Saskatchewan Meet with Championship Weekend on the line

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 14:09:11 GMT

Scarborough and Saskatchewan Meet with Championship Weekend on the line

Jacob Smith • Aug 07, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars host the Saskatchewan Rattlers in playoff quarterfinal action at 3 p.m. ET at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. The winner of this match will go on to play the Niagara River Lions at CEBL Championship Weekend 2022 in the semifinal.

Stream the game live on the CEBL Mobile App for IOS and Android devices, the CEBL’s OTT streaming service CEBL+, cbcsports.ca, the CBC Gem free streaming service, the CBC Sports App for IOS and Android devices and on NXT Level Sports in the U.S.

The Shooting Stars come in after a 12-8 regular season and slotted as the third seed. The Rattlers finished the regular season 11-9 and enter as the fifth seed. Both teams won a match against each other in the regular season, and the rubber match holds all the stakes as it’s single elimination.

The Shooting Stars win came 99-83 on June 15 in Saskatchewan. In that game, the Shooting Stars leader Jalen Harris scored 26 points and Kameron Chatman scored 22 points.

Jalen Harris ranks third in points per game with 20.1 and his performance is vital to the efficiency of the Shooting Stars. He goes against Devonte Bandoo who had himself a game in the Rattlers win. Saskatchewan took down Scarborough 91-85 on July 24 and Bandoo scored 25 points. The ability for both Bandoo and Harris to not only facilitate the offence, but attract defensive attention opening up the floor for teammates is important for the execution on both sides.

Who Harris and Bandoo are opening up the floor for is Isiaha Mike and Tony Carr. Carr and Mike are the second scoring pieces for each side, and their ability to work in and around the paint is important when the perimeter shots aren’t falling for either side. Carr scored 21 points in their 99-83 loss while Mike scored 20 in Scarborough’s 91-85 loss.

Consistency inside comes from Kameron Chatman and Kalif Young on the side of Scarborough, and Jordy Tshimanga for the Rattlers. Tshimanga and Chatman both give their sides size and strength at the rim and their ability to use their footwork to finish gives an added spark on offence.

The battle on the boards and for second chance points will be the tipping point for whichever side comes out on top. Scarborough won the rebounding battle 40-34 in their win over the Rattlers and it turned into 10 second chance points. Saskatchewan scored 15 second chance points and tied on the rebounds in their win over Scarborough. Tshimanga ranks fourth in rebounds per game with 8.0 and forward for the Shooting Stars, Kalif Young, ranks fourth in field goal percentage.

Saskatchewan shot 46 per cent from three in their 91-85 win over Scarborough, and that came from Bandoo and Malik Benlevi. Benlevi is the benefactor of many kick out opportunities for the Rattlers, and on the other side it’s Mike. Mike leads in three-point percentage with 47.4 per cent. The Shooting Stars forwards can spread the floor, and defending Benlevi on the perimeter, they will need to do so and the battle of threes between Benlevi, Bandoo, Mike and Chatman will be an important facet on each side.

Canadian Elite Basketball League Announces 2022 CEBL Award Nominees

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 02:13:54 GMT

Canadian Elite Basketball League Announces 2022 CEBL Award Nominees

Aug 05, 2022

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday the individual award nominees for its annual CEBL Awards being held August 10 at the Casino Du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, QC. The CEBL Awards is the first official event of the 2022 Championship Weekend , which is being held in Ottawa, Ont. between August 10-14.

Award nominees were revealed for six player categories. All CEBL award winners will receive a customized ring from Jostens, the official Supplier of Awards and Rings to the CEBL, a $500 Foot Locker shopping spree, and free flights for two for one full year courtesy of Flair Airlines.

The award nominees include:

U SPORTS Player of the Year: David Muenkat (Scarborough), Thomas Kennedy (Fraser Valley)
Sixth Man of the Year: Elijah Mitrou-Long (Niagara), Koby McEwan (Hamilton)
Defensive Player of the Year: Caleb Agada (Hamilton), EJ Onu (Niagara)
Canadian Player of the Year: Caleb Agada (Hamilton), Isiaha Mike (Scarborough)
Player of the Year: Khalil Ahmad (Niagara), Tony Carr (Saskatchewan)

The 2022 Coach of the Year and Fox40 Official of the Year honourees will also be announced at the CEBL Awards.

With the Elam Ending returning to the CEBL for a third season, does the player who has made the most impact during Elam Ending will be honoured with the CEBL Clutch Player of the Year award at the event.

Fans can now buy tickets via the link here and be in attendance for the CEBL Awards.

Award winners are determined by votes cast by the league’s head coaches, general managers, assistant coaches, select league broadcasters, and internal media personnel. Team representatives cannot vote for a player nor the head coach from their own team.

The 2022 CEBL Playoffs started Thursday night with play-in games at Saskatchewan and Fraser Valley. The Saskatchewan Rattlers dethroned the two-time defending league champion Edmonton Stingers, 94-91, and the Guelph Nighthawks upset the Bandits of Fraser Valley, 90-85.

Quarterfinal playoff action this weekend pits the Nighthawks at home to meet Niagara at 7 p.m. Saturday, while the Rattlers travel to Scarborough to take on the Shooting Stars at 3 p.m. Sunday. Both games will be broadcast nationally on CBC, with Saturday’s game being tape delayed to Sunday at 12 noon eastern time.

Fans can live stream all playoff games on the CEBL’s OTT streaming service CEBL+, the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices, cbcsports.ca, the free CBC Gem streaming service, the CBC Sports App for iOS and Android devices and on NXT Level Sports in the U.S. As part of its playoff coverage, CBC Sports will broadcast the quarterfinal games Sunday, August 7, semifinal games Friday, August 12, and the Championship game on Sunday, August 14. For the complete broadcast and streaming schedule, click here . All times are subject to change.

RISING STAR FEATURE: FELECIA BROWN

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 17:33:50 GMT

Felecia Brown – Scarborough Shooting Stars Assistant Coach

By Aaron Mathew

Scarborough Shooting Stars assistant coach Felecia Brown is inspiring women around the city through her new job.

Brown is one of the few female assistant coaches in the CEBL right now, and she is aware about the impact of her position, not just for her, but also for others around her.

She said, “I appreciate it so much, because I have girls that reach out to me and say, ‘Thank you so much for being a role model for me. I see you there and I know I could be there one day.”

“Sometimes I have to sit back and think to myself that like, maybe I am that person making change for someone else.”

After starting her basketball journey at the age of 11, Brown couldn’t pursue her playing career because of personal reasons, and had to stop before university. But that didn’t affect her passion for the game.

Brown, who moved to Toronto from Winnipeg in 2016 to work in public relations and event management, revealed she still attended games, while also getting her influencer clients into celebrity games.

After six years of working in PR, Brown made multiple connections, which is how she got the assistant coaching job with the Shooting Stars just two weeks after leaving her PR agency.

“I was so thrilled because I always had a passion for basketball, and I never got to fully play as a player. So, when (this job) was presented to me, I was like, 100-per-cent yes,” she said.

Through her networking she was able to land a coaching gig for the boys and girls team at the Royal Crown Academic School, which is also where the Shooting Stars practice.

And no one is rooting harder for Brown than the young girls she coaches at the Academy.

“It's exciting to know that I have a little army of girls behind me, cheering me on in this new journey that I definitely never even dreamed about,” she revealed.

She is one out of the four female assistant coaches in the league right now. The number is only going to be increasing, and Brown is part of the movement that is paving the way for more female coaches in basketball.

RISING STAR FEATURE: DAVID MUENKAT

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 16:29:04 GMT

David Muenkat – Scarborough Shooting Stars Power Forward

By Michael Anthony Cruz

Rookie forward David Muenkat is learning a lot from his stint with the Scarborough Shooting Stars.

A star at St. Francis Xavier University, Muenkat isn’t taking this opportunity to play professional basketball for granted.

He hopes to bring what he is learning from this experience back to his school in the upcoming 2022-23 U Sports campaign. And he understands just how this could help him and his teammates when he returns to St. FX later this October.

“From the pace of the game, the intensity that these people play with, and the focus that they play with, is going to help me,” said the 2022 CEBL U Sports Draft first overall pick in a sit-down interview.

There is a reason why Scarborough picked Muenkat as its first overall selection. He is the main man on St. FX and is one of the top players in all of U Sports.

During the 2021-22 Atlanta University Sport (AUS) season, Muenkat averaged 13.8 points and 9.6 rebounds, while shooting 48.9 percent from the field. He is second on the team in scoring and third in the entire AUS in rebounds per game.

However, Muenkat finds himself in a different role with the CEBL’s first-ever franchise in the Greater Toronto Area.

“It's what comes with being a rookie,” said the six-foot-seven forward. “I have so much to learn. You think you know everything, but you don't. Just waiting my turn, being patient, and doing the role that’s been asked of me to 100 percent of my ability.”

Muenkat has earned the trust of head coach Chris Exilus, who sees his constant hard work and dedication in practice every single day.

“He’s taken advantage of the opportunity to give us great minutes,” Exilus said. “He’s a great young kid playing hard every day, practicing, coming in with lunch pail every day, you could see it.”

Muenkat saw an uptick in playing time as the season progressed. He appeared in 16 games this 2022 CEBL season, averaging 5.6 points and 3.0 rebounds in a little over 11 minutes per contest.

In their game against the Hamilton Honey Badgers on July 14, Muenkat put on his best performance yet.

Albeit the loss, the Toronto, Ont. native posted 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting and added eight rebounds and two steals. He had a couple of thunderous throwdowns, including a putback dunk that sent a buzz in the air among the FirstOntario Centre crowd in Hamilton.

As each game goes, it’s clear that Muenkat is getting more comfortable with the environment in the CEBL. He noted several differences in the professional ranks compared to college.

“It’s a lot more hours into your craft. You got from 1 PM to 6 PM, we're here — that consists of weight room, film, on-court stuff, and then you got to get your own shots up and stuff.”

Being aware of multiple positions. Because at this level, you're not tied down to one singular position, like you could be thrown in a different spot anytime.”

Prior to St. FX, Muenkat went to the United States to play college ball. He spent two years in Trinidad State Junior College in Colorado before going to play Division 1 hoops at St. Francis College in Brooklyn.

However, things didn’t go the way he wanted due to the pandemic and other factors. Nonetheless, he acknowledged how everything he went through has led him to where he is now — back home playing in Canada.

“I think this year that I had proved that I'm headed in the right direction.”

RISING STAR FEATURE: KAMERON CHATMAN

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 16:14:16 GMT

KAMERON CHATMAN – Scarborough Shooting Stars Forward

By Diego San Agustin

Kameron Chatman’s journey in basketball has taught him to live in and embrace every moment both on and off the basketball court.

The Portland, Oregon native has travelled across multiple countries, encountering numerous challenges and experiences throughout his life and professional basketball career.

After college and having gone through stints in Turkey, Belgium, Portugal, and back home in the States, the 26-year-old describes these challenges to have shaped who he is as an athlete.

“Just being away from your family for nine months, adapting to a new culture, language barriers, it's a bunch of stuff that a lot of people wouldn't be able to handle,” he said during an interview before practice. “So just playing over there and going through those trials and tribulations shape me because there's not much that can faze me. Because I've experienced so much and been through so much, it kind of gives me a chip on my shoulder.”

Some of these experiences also include the heavy loss of close friends.

“I lost four friends my age, and these are people that are close, that I hung out with every day,” he said. “When it's someone super, super close to you, it's not something that you expected to happen, it puts everything into perspective that you never know.

“Before games, I thank God for letting me play the game I love, you know, just having a smile on my face. I think once that happened, it was just the appreciation and me embracing what I'm doing and really being appreciative of me being able to play basketball because, you never know what can happen.”

This is what changed Kameron Chatman’s perspective on life and basketball. This is why he is the person and athlete that he is today.

Going back to where it all started, Chatman was born in Portland, Oregon where he picked up a basketball at the age of five.

In Portland, he found himself surrounded by the game and was heavily influenced by his dad, Canaan Chatman, who also played overseas.

“Growing up, I played football, baseball, and other sports but for the most part, basketball was just something that was engrained in me from a kid,” he said. “My dad always had me in the gym.”

As another influence growing up, he looked up to NBA legend Carmelo Anthony.

“I wanted to be Carmelo Anthony,” the forward said. “I had the braids, jerseys, I used to have the shoes, I used to try to play like him. I kind of still try to copy my game after him. He’s my favourite player ever.”

Chatman developed early skills as a scorer by modelling his game after Anthony, leading him to early success in high school. In his senior year, he was given Valley 10 All-League First Team honours and led Columbia Christian School to the 2014 Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) Class 1A Championship.

Chatman received numerous different colleges offers following his junior years and heading into his senior year.

“Everything just kind of blew up for me,” he said. “That's kind of when it all came into perspective that I was going to be able to do something with basketball.”

The forward moved on to play college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines before transferring to play for the Detroit Titans after his sophomore year.

He then went on to play professionally overseas after going undrafted in 2018 NBA Draft.

This led him to playing for leagues in different countries – the Basketbol Süper Ligi in Turkey, the Erie BayHawks of the NBA G League, the Pro Basketball League in Belgium, the Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol in Portugal, and currently for the Canadian Elite Basketball League in Canada.

On May 23, Chatman signed a contract with the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the CEBL.

The Shooting Stars are a brand-new team in its first season as part of 10 teams in a young, quickly growing CEBL league.

Chatman sees this as a great opportunity and a blessing, as he looks forward to having fun and embracing each moment, hoping to take all his combined experiences, and put them together to fulfill his goal.

“Here, I'm trying to win a championship. That's something that I said before I knew who was on the team,” he said. “And now that I'm here, I 100% feel like we have a championship team.”

Scarborough Finishes Regular Season With 95-88 Win Over Newfoundland

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 00:08:04 GMT

Scarborough Finishes Regular Season With 95-88 Win Over Newfoundland

Jacob Smith • Jul 31, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars finished their regular season with a 95-88 win over the Newfoundland Growlers on the road. Scarborough now ties Fraser Valley at 12-8. The Growlers finish their regular season 6-14.

Newfoundland got the ball inside the paint to Nysier Brooks and found lanes to the rim for Shaquille Keith, and Jahvon Blair. The Growlers took a 7-6 lead before Kameron Chatman and Kassius Robertson both got to the rim to keep the Shooting Stars going back and forth.

Throughout the first quarter, Newfoundland got quickly down the floor to establish their offence early in the shot clock, and Scarborough worked the ball around the perimeter to find shooters. Scarborough led 25-24 at the end of the first quarter.

Scarborough took control in the second quarter. They outscored the Growlers 26-12 and took a 15-point lead. Their point of attack continued to be their ball movement and the off-ball movement of their guards, and they found Robertson and Kalif Young often. For the Growlers, they kept pace on the boards but Scarborough’s eight steals made it hard for Newfoundland to chain together buckets. Scarborough led 51-36 at the end of the second quarter.

Keith took over early in the third quarter, giving a spark on defence and finding his shots on offence. The Growlers worked up the floor and found Keith early in the shot clock. Allen was the primary contributor for the Shooting Stars in the quarter. Scarborough held a 71-68 lead going into the fourth.

Scarborough slowly built back their lead through the first six minutes of the fourth. With Kameron Chatman inside the paint and Robertson continuing to hit from distance, Scarborough pushed out to an 86-73 lead. Newfoundland worked the ball around to their shooters but were unable to hit and Scarborough controlled the boards. Going into Elam time, the Shooting Stars led 86-73 with the target score 95.

Brooks started Elam time with a three and Isiaha Mike answered right back with a three of his own just as the Shooting Stars did all afternoon. Keith hit a three followed by a Blair layup. Young at the free throw line put the Shooting Stars at 91. Kahlil Whitney hit a jumper to give the Growlers 83 points.The final points from the Shooting Stars came from Young at the free throw line and Allen at the rim. The Shooting Stars won 95-88.

Allen’s game winner gave him 22 points on the night to go with two rebounds, two assists and three steals. Robertson scored 22 points along with his five rebounds and five assists and two steals. Young got a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds to go with seven assists and a steal. Chatman rounded out the scoring with 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals.

For the Growlers, five players finished in double-digits led by Keith with 20 points, four rebounds and an assist. Brooks scored 18 on 80 per cent shooting and led the rebounding with seven rebounds, to go with a pair of assists. Blair scored 15 points, grabbed five rebounds and assisted on five baskets. Whitney scored 13 points and Kennedy scored 10 points.

Robertson talked about his impact with Scarborough, “I’m just trying to find my rhythm, it’s my second game with Scarborough, the guys are all great guys so it’s fun playing with them but I’m just trying to get a little bit of momentum before going into playoffs.”

Robertson talked about the focus of the team after the win to end the regular season, “we’re composed right now, we knew what we had to do. We didn’t want to take any chances with going into that bye game or anything like that so we knew we had to win regardless of what else happened in the league so we’re composed, we’re focused, not too excited because we know we got a lot of business ahead of us.”

Scarborough Hunts Playoff Seeding In Newfoundland In Season Finale

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 00:05:47 GMT

Scarborough Hunts Playoff Seeding In Newfoundland In Season Finale

Jacob Smith • Jul 31, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars travel to Newfoundland to finish their regular season against the Newfoundland Growlers at 1:30 p.m. NT. Scarborough sits fourth at 11-8, one game behind 12-8 Fraser Valley and 12-7 Niagara, and ahead of the 11-9 Saskatchewan Rattlers, making this an important playoff seeding game for the Shooting Stars. The Growlers come in at 6-13.

This is the second time these two teams will matchup, and the last game of both of their regular seasons. In their last matchup on June 7, the Shooting Stars came away with a 99-81 win in Scarborough. Jalen Harris had himself a night with 38 points on 57 per cent shooting as him, Isiaha Mike and Kyle Alexander all finished with double-digit points. For the Growlers, Keith had an impactful night scoring 36 points on 72 per cent shooting with two rebounds and four steals.

Harris gives the Shooting Stars energy on offence and attracts a lot of attention from defences. His ability to create for others with his ball handling and vision, and his shot creating when the team needs a score from him gives the Shooting Stars a lot of freedom on offence. He ranks third in points per game with 20.1.

He goes against Jahvon Blair and Blake Francis. Blair and Francis give the Growlers three-point shooting and facilitation along with their ability to attack. In the Growlers 87-80 loss to the Guelph Nighthawks on July 29, Francis and Blair combined for 12 three-point attempts and nine assists. Part of a Growlers offence that likes to get out early and run, the ability for Francis and Blair to get to their spots is vital for the Growlers offence.

How the Growlers get in transition is through their defence, and the play of Nysier Brooks and Shaquille Keith. In the Growlers 84-83 win over the Montréal Alliance on July 27, Keith scored 21 points and Brooks added 10 points with seven rebounds. Keith forces turnovers on guards looking to get into the paint, forcing four steals in their matchup on June 7. If the guards get past the second level, Brooks is often waiting at the rim to use his length to disrupt and block shots.

Kyle Alexander scored 18 points the last time these two teams matched up, and the Shooting Stars will need a similar performance, along with the all-around scoring of Mike who scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds in their previous matchup. The Shooting Stars rank fourth in rebounds per game with 36.8 while the Growlers rank third in steals with 8.3. Whichever team can use their created possessions off rebounding or steals, to create efficient looks for their quick offence, will be a deciding factor for who takes the rematch.

Newfoundland sits at 6-13 and they’ll look to finish their season strong having won four of their last five games. The Shooting Stars sit in the mix of six teams within the 10 to 12-win range, and a win would put them tied with the Fraser Valley Bandits at 12-8.

See the full standings here: https://www.cebl.ca/standings

The CEBL’s fourth regular season began May 25 and ends August 1. A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL is the largest pro sports league in the country with 10 teams located in six provinces. It has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on In stagram, Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Scarborough Shooting Stars take season series with Fraser Valley Bandits after 101-86 win

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 22:39:23 GMT

Scarborough Shooting Stars take season series with Fraser Valley Bandits after 101-86 win

Dillon White • Jul 29, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars dominated the fourth quarter to defeat the Fraser Valley Bandits 101-86 in the final regular season game at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on Thursday night. The win gave the Shooting Stars the advantage in the season series over Fraser Valley, after splitting two games in Langley earlier in the season.

Scarborough improves to 11-8 and Fraser Valley drops to 11-8 with just one game remaining for both teams. Because of the head-to-head advantage, the Shooting Stars sit in third place in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) standings while the Bandits sit in fourth place. Edmonton and Saskatchewan sit just one game behind at 10-9.

Jalen Harris scored a game-high 31 points that included the game-winning three to power the Shooting Stars to victory, going 12-18 from the field and 6-8 from beyond the arc. Isiaha Mike chipped in 12 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists for Scarborough, while Kalif Young and Kyle Alexander each added 10 points.

“I think [Jalen] did a great job on both ends,” Scarborough head coach Chris Exilus said. “Offensively and defensively, he was able to execute towards the end and made some great plays. We saw his talent really come through.”

Shane Gibson netted a team-high 28 points for Fraser Valley on 12-20 shooting from the field and 4-8 from three, while hauling in 6 rebounds and dishing 6 assists. Thomas Kennedy was strong inside for the Bandits, scoring 15 points on 7-9 shooting and snagging a game-high 13 rebounds. Marek Klassen rounded out the Fraser Valley attack, with 14 points and 8 assists.

The Shooting Stars were on fire on Thursday night, shooting 50 per cent from the field and three, while hitting 16 triples. After getting outrebounded in the first half, Scarborough closed the gap in final two quarters and were only outrebounded by one.

“The lineup that you saw today—it’s their first full game together,” Exilus said. “We have a couple practices and a game on Sunday in Newfoundland. The season’s not over. We want to watch the film and make sure we get better.”

The first quarter saw the Bandits jump out to a 13-0 lead to start the game. The Shooting Stars were able to make a run of their own after a timeout and cut the lead to two. However, a two-handed and-one jame from Brandon Gilbeck started another run for the Bandits and Fraser Valley carried a 26-19 lead into the second quarter.

Thomas Kenndedy showed off his inside skill to start the second, finishing an up-and-under and snagging a lob pass for an easy layup. The Bandits led by as much as 12 points in the second quarter, but the Shooting Stars got hot from three. Triples from Isiaha Mike, Jalen Harris, and JV Mukama were able to tie the game and a floater from Teddy Allen gave them their first lead of the night. Malcolm Duvivier tipped in a putback for Fraser Valley to tie the game at 47 heading into the locker room.

Shane Gibson led all scorers at half with 11 points while Thomas Kennedy had 9 points and 7 rebounds for Fraser Valley. Jalen Harris led the way for Scarborough with 10 points at half, with the team hitting 10 threes at a 50 per cent rate. Fraser Valley dominated the paint in the opening 20 minutes, outrebounding the Shooting Stars 24-13 and winning the points in the paint battle 24-6.

Gibson had a hot start to the third quarter for Fraser Valley and led them on a run that gave them an 8 point lead. However, Scarborough fought back again and an and-one three from Kassius Robertson completed a four-point play to tie the game at 62. A Jalen Harris spin move and a buzzer-beating Kameron Chatman floater gave Scarborough a 75-70 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Scarborough were hot to start the final frame and gained an 11-point lead, forcing a Mike Taylor timeout. Shane Gibson came out of the timeout hot for Fraser Valley, but the Bandits struggled to get stops. Harris hit a huge triple to extend the Scarborough lead to 92-81 heading into the Elam Ending with a target score of 101.

The Shooting Stars were able to close out the the game efficiently, with Kalif Young opening the final stretch with a slam dunk and a Chatman mid-range jumper. Jalen Harris finished off the game by banking in a mid-range jumper and hitting a stepback three to earn the win and a bow to the crowd.

The Bandits close out their season at home on Saturday against the two-time defending champion Edmonton Stingers while the Shooting Stars travel to Newfoundland for their final game against the Growlers.

Scarborough Shooting Stars tickets are available at https://www.scarboroughshootingstars.ca/tickets554a5865 while Fraser Valley Bandits tickets are available at https://www.thebandits.ca/tickets .

Scarborough Shooting Stars host Fraser Valley Bandits in last home game of the season

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 16:28:33 GMT

Scarborough Shooting Stars host Fraser Valley Bandits in last home game of the season

Dillon White • Jul 28, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars will welcome the Fraser Valley Bandits to Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday in a showdown that will be crucial to playoff seeding. The game marks the third meeting between the two squads this season and the final regular season home game for Scarborough.

The Bandits enter Thursday’s contest at 11-7 in third place in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) while the Shooting Stars sit in fourth place at 10-8. With the playoff teams set after Guelph’s win last night, it’s a tight battle for seeding. The Shooting Stars can take over third place with a win, while a loss puts them back in a group with Edmonton and Saskatchewan at 10-9. A Fraser Valley win would pull the Bandits even at 12 wins with Niagara, with back-to-back tough games on the way for the River Lions against the first-place Honey Badgers.

Fraser Valley comes in on a two-game winning streak after defeating the Niagara River Lions 95-86 on Monday and the Ottawa BlackJacks 95-88 last Sunday. In Monday’s win over the River Lions. All six Fraser Valley scorers reached double-figures with Maxie Esho dropping a game-high 27 points and Marek Klassen putting up a 14 point, 11 assist double-double. Against Ottawa, Shane Gibson, Thomas Kennedy and James Karnik each scored 23 points or more.

Meanwhile, Scarborough lost to the Saskatchewan Rattlers 91-85 on Sunday after winning two games in a row, spoiling the return of Jalen Harris. The former Toronto Raptor had 12 points in his return on 5-16 shooting, and the Shooting Stars struggled to contain the Rattlers’ one-two punch of Tony Carr and Devonte Bandoo.

The Bandits and Shooting Stars split their previous two meetings this season in Langley. Fraser Valley prevailed in the first game in June 92-89, while the Shooting Stars got revenge with a 93-86 win on Canada Day. Shane Gibson balled out in both games, with 29 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists in the win and 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the loss.

Gibson enters the game as a potential MVP candidate for the Bandits, averaging 18.7 points per game on 47.8 per cent shooting from the field and 42 per cent from three, to go along with 4.1 reboounds per game, 3 assists per game and 1.4 steals per game. The twin towers of James Karnik and Thomas Kennedy have been a force inside this season for Frser Valley, with Karnik averaging 17 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game, and Kennedy averaging 14.3 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game.

Jalen Harris enters Thursday’s contest as Scarborough’s leading scorer at 19.3 points per game on 41.6 per cent shooting from the field and 28.7 per cent from three. Isiaha Mike is scoring 15.3 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game in 17 games played with a league-best 48 per cent accuracy from three, and has been a crucial consistent force for Scarborough’s offence all season. Meanwhile, Kameron Chatman is the only another Shooting Star to average double-figures at 14.2 points per game.

Scarborough Shooting Stars tickets are available at https://www.scarboroughshootingstars.ca/tickets554a5865 while Fraser Valley Bandits tickets are available at https://www.thebandits.ca/tickets .

Tony Carr triple-double spurs Rattlers to 91-85 win over Shooting Stars

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 20:36:36 GMT

Tony Carr triple-double spurs Rattlers to 91-85 win over Shooting Stars

Dillon White • Jul 25, 2022

The Saskatchewan Rattlers rode a 13-3 run in Elam time to come back and defeat the Scarborough Shooting Stars 91-85 at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on Sunday night.

“This is a great group of guys,” Saskatchewan head coach Dean Demopoulos said. “I’ve been doing this since 1977, so I’ve been doing this a long time and this is as good a group of people I’ve ever been around. They’re not the best team I’ve ever been around but they’re a really good group of guys that put in an honest effort every day and who knows—maybe the best team at the end of [the playoffs].”

The Rattlers extend their winning streak to three games and improve their record to 10-8 on the season, while the Shooting Stars have their two-game win streak snapped and their record falls to 10-8. However, Scarborough stays ahead of Saskatchewan in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) standings in fourth place with a plus/minus advantage over fifth place Edmonton and the sixth place Rattlers. Fraser Valley sits in third place at 10-7 with a game in hand on the trio of 10-8 teams.

Tony Carr was the engine that powered the Rattlers to victory on Sunday, scoring the game-winning and-one bucket and notching a rare triple-double. Carr scored 19 points, hauled in 11 rebounds and dished out 10 assists after flirting with a triple-double in Saskatchewan’s past two games.

Devonte Bandoo netted a game-high 25 points for the Rattlers, going 9-13 from the field and 6-9 from beyond the arc, while collecting 5 rebounds. Malik Benlevi contributed 14 points and 9 rebounds, while Jordy Tshimanga added 11 points in a starting role and Michael Nuga scored 11 points off the bench.

Isiaha Mike continued his stretch of impressive play, scoring a team-high 20 points for the Shooting Stars on 7-12 shooting and 3-6 from three. Recent Scarborough acquisition Teddy Allen had 18 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals in a losing effort, while Jalen Harris returned to the lineup with 12 points on 5-16 shooting.

“I thought we didn’t play hard enough,” Scarborough head coach Chris Exilus said. “We didn’t play with the same maximum effort that we usually play with. You have to respect the game and I don’t think we did that tonight.”

After a tough start, the Rattlers finished the game shooting 50 per cent from the field and 46 per cent from three and won the points in the paint battle 42-30. Scarborough shot 43 per cent from the field and 39 per cent from three in the loss.

The first quarter saw the Rattlers get off to a cold start from beyond the arc. Tony Carr faced some full-court pressure from Marcus Anderson but he still found a way to score. Carr hit an elbow jumper, an and-one layup and a pair of free throws in the opening frame. The Shooting Stars started to get hot late in the quarter, with a Jean-Victor Mukama tomahawk jam, a Jalen Harris finish, and a Kameron Chatman three giving Scarborough a 24-15 lead heading into the second quarter.

The Shooting Stars were able to extend their lead to as much as 16 points in the second quarter. A pump-fake and side-step three from Isiaha Mike put Scarborough ahead 45-30 late in the quarter. However, a pair of free throws from Jordy Tshimanga and Malik Benlevi, followed by a buzzer-beating Benlevi putback cut the deficit to 45-34 heading into the locker room.

Tony Carr led all scorers with 12 first-half points to go along with 7 rebounds and 4 assists, while Teddy Allen led the Shooting Stars with 9 points. The Rattlers were just 2-13 from three in the first half at a 15 per cent rate while the Shooting Stars hit seven threes at a 43 per cent rate.

Scarborough were able to increase their lead back to 16 in the third quarter, but the Rattlers stayed resilient and cut the deficit to as low as four points. Tony Carr continued his all-around performance, and posted up before faking out a defender and finding Tshimange for a dunk inside. A Jalen Harris jumper late in the third gave the Shooting Stars a 69-63 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Devonte Bandoo was red-hot to start the fourth quarter, nailing three triples that included a contested corner jumper and a transition pull-up three to cut the lead down to two. Approaching the four-minute mark, Bandoo finished a tough transition layup to cut the lead back to two but a beautiful reverse finish from Allen gave Scarborough an 82-78 lead heading into the Elam Ending with a target score of 91.

Bandoo continued his blazing hot second half with a catch-and-shoot three to kick off Elam time. A Jordy Tshimanga reverse finish gave the Rattlers their first lead since the first quarter, and a Bruce Massey floater continued their run to start Elam time. Tony Carr found Bandoo in the corner for another three to complete a triple-double and give Saskatchewan an 88-83 lead with a chance to win. Teddy Allen made a beautiful pass to Young to cut into the Rattlers’ lead, but Carr ended the game with a spectacular and-one finish from a euro-step floater.

The Shooting Stars will have their last home game on Thursday against the Fraser Valley Bandits at 7:30 p.m. ET while the Rattlers will face the Guelph Nighthawks at the Sleeman Centre Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Scarborough Shooting Stars tickets are available at https://www.scarboroughshootingstars.ca/tickets554a5865 while Saskatchewan Rattlers tickets are available at https://www.therattlers.ca/tickets .

Shooting Stars and Rattlers look to extend winning streaks in Scarborough showdown

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Sun, 24 Jul 2022 21:08:59 GMT

Shooting Stars and Rattlers look to extend winning streaks in Scarborough showdown

Dillon White • Jul 24, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars will host the Saskatchewan Rattlers at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. ET in a meeting between teams just one game apart in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) standings.

Scarborough sits third in the CEBL standings at 10-7 with a playoff spot clinched, currently in a position to host a quarterfinal playoff matchup. The Rattlers also have a playoff spot clinched after their win over Guelph on Thursday and sit at 9-8 in sixth place in the standings. Edmonton is at 10-8 in fifth while Fraser Valley holds onto fourth place currently at 10-7.

The Shooting Stars and Rattlers met in Saskatoon in June, with Scarborough coming out on top 99-83. Jalen Harris led the Shooting Stars to victory with 26 points while Kameron Chatman contributed 22 points. Scottie Lindsey had a game-high 31 points for Saskatchewan, while Tony Carr put up 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in the loss. The Shooting Stars dominated the paint in the previous meeting, out rebounding the Rattlers and winning the points in the paint battle 44-24.

Scarborough enters Sunday’s contest on a two-game winning streak, coming off a 86-75 win over the second place Niagara River Lions and a 97-74 win over the two-time defending champion Edmonton Stingers. Isiaha Mike led the team in scoring in both games with 20 against the River Lions and 30 against the Stingers.

Jalen Harris leads the Shooting Stars in scoring this season at 19.9 points per game on 42.3 per cent shooting from the field and 29.3 per cent from three in 14 games played. Harris exited Scarborough’s July 17th game against Hamilton after 9 minutes of action and has been out in the three games since. Isiaha Mike has established himself as a reliable option for Scarborough, either filling in for Harris or complimenting him. Mike is dropping 15 points per game and hauling in 6.3 rebounds per game on 52 per cent shooting from the field and a league-best 49.7 per cent from three. Kameron Chatman has also been a consistent contributor for Scarborough, averaging 14.5 points per game in 17 games this season.

Meanwhile, Saskatchewan comes into Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on a two-game winning streak as well. The Rattlers defeated the Nighthawks 84-81 in Saskatoon on Thursday night and edged out the Ottawa BlackJacks 92-90. Tony Carr led the Rattlers past Guelph with an all-around performance that featured 18 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists. Saskatchewan’s big three of Carr, Scottie Lindsey and Devonte Bandoo each scored 23 points or more in the win over Ottawa, with Carr putting up 8 rebounds and 9 assists in that game as well.

Carr has emerged as a potential MVP candidate for the Rattlers, scoring 19.9 points per game, 6 rebounds per game and 6.4 assists per game on 46.2 per cent shooting from the field and 43 per cent from three. He sits fourth in the CEBL in both points per game and three point percentage, and first in assists per game. Devonte Bandoo is averaging 16.1 points per game for Saskatchewan and leads the league in three-pointers made. However, the Rattlers will be without Scottie Lindsey for the rest of the season.

The Shooting Stars and Rattlers are ninth and tenth in the league in team assists per game and each fall in the bottom half of the league in points per game. However, Saskatchewan enters the game with a noted advantage beyond the arc, leading the league in both three-pointers made and three-point percentage.

Scarborough Shooting Stars tickets are available at https://www.scarboroughshootingstars.ca/tickets554a5865 while Saskatchewan Rattlers tickets are available at https://www.therattlers.ca/tickets .

Fans will be able to live stream all games including the playoffs on the CEBL’s OTT streaming service CEBL+, the CEBL’s official app, CEBL Mobile for iOS and Android devices, cbcsports.ca, the free CBC Gem streaming service, the CBC Sports App for iOS and Android devices and on NXT Level Sports in the U.S. As part of its playoff coverage, CBC Sports will broadcast the quarterfinal games Sunday, August 7, semifinal games Friday, August 12, and the Championship game on Sunday, August 14. For the complete broadcast and streaming schedule, click here. All times are subject to change.

The CEBL’s fourth regular season began May 25 and ends August 1. A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL is the largest pro sports league in the country with 10 teams located in six provinces. It has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

Shooting Stars Clinch Playoff Berth with 86-75 Win over River Lions

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 20:28:26 GMT

Shooting Stars Clinch Playoff Berth with 86-75 Win over River Lions

Michael Sun • Jul 23, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars clinched a spot in the 2022 CEBL Playoffs with an 86-75 victory over the Niagara River Lions.

The Shooting Stars (10-7) avenged a 93-70 loss to the River Lions last week. Niagara falls to 12-5 after winning five games in a row. The game started off close throughout the first half but the Shooting Stars pulled away in the second half with multiple clutch shots.

Antonio Davis Jr. scored at the rim to open the scoring for Niagara. Kalif Young and Marcus Anderson responded with baskets for Scarborough for an early 9-4 lead.

The River Lions responded with a run to cut within one by attacking the basket. Hometown guard Abu Kigab scored his first-ever River Lions points at the rim.

The Shooting Stars answered the River Lions’ scores as Rashad James hit a three right after Khalil Ahmad hit one. The visitors led 23-18 after one quarter.

The threes continued to fall for Niagara as Jaylen Babb-Harrison nailed one on their first possession of the second quarter. River Lions guard Elijah Mitrou-Long was hitting his shots and he found EJ Onu for a dunk. Babb-Harrison and Alonzo Walker hit from beyond the arc to give Niagara a 29-28 lead.

The score remained close for the rest of the half as Kigab stole the ball and layed it in as Scarborough led 37-34.

The lead changed hands multiple times at the start of the third quarter. The Shootings Stars then scored seven straight points as Isiaha Mike hit a three and floater by Anderson.

Scarborough increased their lead to 12 points after a triple by David Muenkat before Mitrou-Long hit a step-back three. Niagara chipped away into the lead at the start of the fourth quarter with their defence and by getting to the free throw line. Mike responded with back-to-back threes to restore Scarborough’s double-digit edge.

The Shooting Stars held a 77-66 lead going into the Elam Ending after Davis Jr. scored off an offensive rebound and hit the ensuing free throw.

Niagara started Elam time with a Mitrou-Long drive but Kameron Chatman answered with a corner three. Mike hit a three as well before he hit a free throw to win the game.

Scarborough had a balanced scoring attack with five players in double figures, including Mike with 20 points and six rebounds. They shot 50 per cent from three and 43 per cent from the field.

“We fought. I feel like that was the separator for us today,” Mike said. “We played with a little bit more than our first meeting versus Niagara.”

Scarborough head coach Chris Exilus pointed out how the team played with purpose against Niagara and Edmonton in their previous game. “You can see it diving for loose balls, second, third efforts, guys on the bench coming in, starters high-fiving guys coming in,” Exilus said. “It was a collective effort from the whole team.”

Mike praised Anderson’s impact as a recent addition. “A guy of his calibre defensively adds another element to this championship calibre team,” Mike noted.

The River Lions were led by Davis Jr. (19 points, 10 rebounds), Mitrou-Long (18 points, six assists) and Jaylen Babb-Harrison (12 points, five rebounds, three steals). They finished with less rebounds and assists than Scarborough.

“I think exactly what we did to them a few days ago, they did to us,” River Lions head coach Victor Raso noted. Raso said the team did a decent job defensively but Scarborough made some tough shots. “I didn’t really like the way we played offence either,” he added. “I don’t think I had a good grasp of telling the guys what we wanted and actually executing. I thought the ball didn’t move enough.”

Kigab made his debut as the first Niagara area player to play for the River Lions. He finished with four points, three rebounds and one assist in front of friends and family. “It felt amazing,” Kigab noted. “I had the love from the crowd and my teammates and I was just very blessed to be out there.”

The River Lions host the Fraser Valley Bandits on July 25. The Shooting Stars host the Saskatchewan Rattlers on July 24.

Shooting Stars Aim to Avenge Defeat Against River Lions

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 23:44:55 GMT

Shooting Stars Aim to Avenge Defeat Against River Lions

Michael Sun • Jul 22, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars are looking to avenge a defeat against the Niagara River Lions when they visit them on July 22 at 7 pm ET. Scarborough lost to Niagara 93-70 on July 17.

This game is also important for determining playoff seeding. The Shooting Stars (9-7) are in fourth place having snapped a two-game losing streak. They are one win away from clinching a playoff berth after beating the Edmonton Stingers in their previous game.

The River Lions (12-4) are one win behind the league-leading Hamilton Honey Badgers in the battle for the top overall seed and a bye to the CEBL Championship semi-finals. They have four games remaining to Hamilton’s three.

Niagara comes into this game having won five games in a row. They also had a four-day break between games. Against Scarborough previously, they came out strong, leading 24-18 after one quarter. The River Lions outscored the Shooting Stars in the following quarters as they built their lead.

Guards Khalil Ahmad and Elijah Mitrou-Long led the team with 20 points apiece. Antonio Davis Jr. had 14 points and Daniel Walden-Mullings chipped in nine points, 11 rebounds and three steals.

Niagara’s defence had 14 steals and they scored 21 points from 23 Scarborough turnovers. The River Lions only turned it over eight times. They lead the league with an average of 9.4 steals. The team that can cause more turnovers could be a key factor in deciding this game.

The River Lions’ bench also outscored the Shooting Stars 36-14. The River Lions’ strength lies in their depth with six players averaging over 10 points and four players over five rebounds.

The home team will also have some new additions as they welcome back forward EJ Onu from his time with the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Summer League. Onu leads all CEBL players with 3.5 blocks on average. The team also signed St. Catharines native Abu Kigab after he played for the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Summer League. Kigab is the first player the River Lions have signed from the Niagara region.

The Shooting Stars also have a recent signing in former Carleton Ravens and Guelph Nighthawks guard Marcus Anderson. He made his season debut in their 97-74 triumph over the Stingers.

In that game, guard Calvin Epistola made his mark by running the offence and making plays. Epistola finished with 12 points, two assists, one rebound and one steal.

Scarborough shot well from the field (51 per cent) and from beyond the arc (47 per cent). Forward Isiaha Mike played a notable role, hitting five-of-seven threes as part of his 30 points and six rebounds. Kameron Chatman and Epistola also made two threes each.

One thing to watch for is whether Scarborough can carry its hot shooting into this game to match the River Lions’ efficient offence (top of the league in average points and field goal percentage). The Shooting Stars have positives from their performance against Edmonton.

“We played with a lot of purpose from the beginning of the game all the way to the end,” Scarborough head coach Chris Exilus noted. “I think it’s one of our more complete games of playing at a strong pace all the way through…we were trying to do everything right, execute, being smart with the ball so that’s what we need to continue to do.”

Shooting Stars Blast Past Stingers 97-74

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 17:06:56 GMT

Shooting Stars Blast Past Stingers 97-74

Michael Sun • Jul 20, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars rode a strong first quarter to defeat the Edmonton Stingers 97-74. The Shooting Stars move to 9-7 while the Stingers fall to 9-8.

The Stingers got out to an early 5-2 lead after a layup by Demarco Dickerson. Scarborough’s Rashad James responded with a three as they went on a run.

Shooting Stars guard Calvin Epistola initiated the offence by hitting a couple of threes and finding Kalif Young for a midrange jumper. The teams traded baskets as Dickerson continued to score inside.

Scarborough led 25-16 after 10 minutes after Young hit a three at the first quarter buzzer.

Both teams pushed the pace to start the second quarter. Edmonton scored the first seven of nine points in the quarter to cut into the lead.

The home team responded with their own run, punctuated by a David Muenkat dunk. James also scored off a layup and jumper to give them a 38-29 lead. Epistola found Young rolling to the rim before scoring off a drive himself as Scarborough led 47-36 by halftime. He had a game-high 11 pojnts at the half.

Brody Clarke scored inside to open the third quarter for Edmonton. Scarborough responded by attacking the paint as Kameron Chatman scored a finger roll.

The Shooting Stars’ defence also forced turnovers. Muenkat made a steal and dunked it on the other end to put his team up 63-44. Edmonton focused on scoring in the paint as they trailed 77-52 after three quarters.

The Stingers started the fourth quarter with four quick points by Jordan Baker and Brody Clarke. However, Scarborough responded as Mike and Šarūnas Vasiliauskas hit from beyond the arc. Mike added a three while Young threw down a dunk in Elam time.

Scarborough was led by Mike (30 points, six rebounds) and Chatman (15 points, three rebounds). Epistola and Young also added 12 points apiece. The team shot 47 per cent from three and 51 per cent from the field while scoring 19 points off 17 turnovers.

“We got humbled the last few times we played so we just came with a different fire today,” Mike noted. “We were more locked in I feel like and just executing the game plan.”

The Shooting Stars snapped a two-game losing streak. “Coach said it before the game. It had nothing to do with x’s and o’s,” Epistola noted of the change from previous games. “Just going out there, playing with pride and playing with heart. All guys played with heart today.”

The Stingers had a balanced scoring attack with five players in double figures. Baker (14 points, five assists, five rebounds) led the way while Clarke and Dickerson each contributed 12 points as well.

“For us, it starts with a little bit better cohesion, being able to get more a little bit more ball pressure, trusting the help side behind you, trying to get our rotations down,” Baker noted. He credited Scarborough’s shooting.

“From the start of the game, we were just a little bit out of it,” Stingers head coach Jermaine Small noted. We’ve [been] kind of building an identity of we can come back on anybody and win the game in the end. I just felt like today, our body language when they went on a run, we kind of gave up a little bit.”

The Stingers return home to host the Guelph Nighthawks on July 23. The Shooting Stars travel to face the Nigara River Lions on July 22.

All games will be streamed live internationally on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ and on CEBL Mobile the official app of the CEBL for iOS and Android devices. Games are also available to stream live in Canada via cbcsports.ca , the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices, and the free CBC Gem streaming service.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Shooting Stars and Stingers Battle for Playoff Position

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 16:54:38 GMT

Shooting Stars and Stingers Battle for Playoff Position

Michael Sun • Jul 19, 2022

The Edmonton Stingers are seeking to continue their winning streak when they visit the Scarborough Shooting Stars on July 19 at 8 pm ET.

The Stingers (9-7) are fourth having won three games in a row. They cliched a playoff berth after beating the league-leading Hamilton Honey Badgers on July 17. The Shooting Stars (8-7) have lost two games in a row and are in fifth place. If the Shooting Stars win, they will pass Edmonton for fourth place.

Edmonton is strong on the glass (37.3 rebounds on average) and sharing the basketball (first with 21.2 average assists). They did well against Hamilton with more rebounds (48-35) and assists (25-16) than Hamilton. They also shot the ball better from three and from the field.

The Stingers strength comes from their depth. Five players scored double digit points against Hamilton and five players had at least four rebounds. Jordan Baker is one of Edmonton’s top players, a post player who leads the league in average rebounds (9.9) and is fourth in average assists (4.9).

He is joined in the frontcourt by forwards Marlon Johnson and Brody Clarke. Demarco Dickerson, Mathieu Kamba and Aher Uguak can score from the outside and help with rebounding. Adika Peter-McNeilly and Jahmal Jones help run the offence and provide scoring from the guard position.

The Stingers and Shooting Stars are ninth and tenth in three-point shooting so look for post play to be a key factor in this game. Edmonton outscored Hamilton in the paint 40-30.

One key for the Stingers will be to start the game better. They fell behind 26-15 after one quarter to Hamilton and trailed 27-22 against the Ottawa BlackJacks in the previous game.

The Shooting Stars will also be focused on starting better after trailing after the first quarter in their recent defeats to the Niagara River Lions and Hamilton Honey Badgers.

Against Niagara, they were without guard Jalen Harris as they were outscored 43-33 in the second half. They were also missing big man Kyle Alexander, who was playing in the NBA Summer League. Kameron Chatman (16 points, five rebounds), Isaiah Mike (17 points, 13 rebounds) and Rashad James (18 points, four rebounds) led the team offensively.

Their three-point shooting is an area for improvement (26 per cent against Niagara) as well as taking care of the ball (23 turnovers). Mike, Kalif Young, Jean-Victor Mukama and their other forwards will also have to contend with Edmonton’s front line.

The Shooting Stars won their previous game against Edmonton, 78-69 on the road. After a close game through three quarters, Scarborough pulled away by winning the fourth quarter and Elam time 20-12.

Scarborough shot better than Edmonton in that game and had more rebounds (49-38). That will be a key factor this time. An area of encouragement Edmonton can take from that game is that their bench outscored Scarborough 41-16, including 14 points from Uguak.

See League Standings here: https://www.cebl.ca/standings

All games will be streamed live internationally on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ and on CEBL Mobile the official app of the CEBL for iOS and Android devices. Games are also available to stream live in Canada via cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices, and the free CBC Gem streaming service.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

Niagara Extends Win Streak to Five With 93-70 Win In Scarborough

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 19:09:35 GMT

Niagara Extends Win Streak to Five With 93-70 Win In Scarborough

Jacob Smith • Jul 18, 2022

The Niagara River Lions defeated the Scarborough Shooting Stars 93-70 to extend their win streak to five games. The River Lions are now 12-4 with the Shooting Stars 8-7.

Niagara started the game with pace and intensity. They put the pressure on the Shooting Stars full court and forced six Scarborough turnovers in the first quarter. After a Jaylen Babb-Harrison three, Khalil Ahmad and Tidjan Keita found their way to the rim to give Niagara a 9-3 lead. Isiaha Mike sparked the Shooting Stars offence but constant lanes to the rim gave the River Lions efficient opportunities and the River Lions jumped out to a 24-18 at the end of the first quarter.

Niagara attacking the rim opened up passing lanes to the perimeter, where Babb-Harrison, Munis Tutu and Antonio Davis Jr hit their shots. Niagara pushed their lead to 21, 42-21 and Rashad James tried to climb the Shooting Stars back in. Scarborough lowering the deficit to 15, 45-30, Niagara constantly responded and kept the advantage with their defence and efficient offence. At halftime, the River Lions led 50-37.

James’ second quarter got him to 12 points at halftime with Mike leading the Shooting Stars in rebounds with six. The River Lions were led by Ahmad who scored 10 points early, and Daniel Waldin-Mullings who grabbed eight rebounds. Niagara shot 41 per cent in the first half with Scarborough shooting 46 per cent. Niagara created 13 points off 12 Scarborough turnovers in the first half.

Just as Scarborough got a rhythm on offence with Mike and James and got consecutive stops, the River Lions answered. Niagara maintained a double-digit lead throughout the third quarter with the lead getting down to 10, 63-53. Once the differential got to 10, Ahmad hit two free throws, Elijah Mitrou-Long and Alonzo Walker got a layup and Shawn Occeus finished the quarter with a layup of his own. Going into the fourth quarter, the River Lions led 71-53.

Niagara kept up their defensive intensity throughout the fourth quarter, hounding the defensive glass and creating turnovers wherever possible. Niagara didn't allow Scarborough to establish consistent offence in the fourth and they kept their lead close to 20 points. Going into Elam time, the River Lions led 84-62, target score set at 93.

Chatman started Elam time with a turnaround jumper to give the Shooting Stars two points and make the deficit 20. After a defensive stop, Mike hit a floater inside the paint to give Scarborough another answer and start to put together a Shooting Stars offensive run. Mitrou-Long scored his sixth basket of the game to give him 18 points, this one from three, giving Niagara an 87-66 lead with the target score 93. Mitrou-Long gave the River Lions 91 points and Ahmad at the free throw line for two sealed the River Lions victory. Niagara defeated the Scarborough Shooting Stars 93-70.

Ahmad’s game winning free throws gave him 20 points on the night to go with five rebounds, two assists and a steal. Mitrou-Long matched Ahmad with 20 points while he added four rebounds and three steals. Davis scored 14 points and assisted on four baskets while Waldin-Mullings finished with 11 rebounds and nine points.

James led the Shooting Stars scoring with 18 points on 58 per cent shooting to go with his four rebounds and an assist. Mike scored 17 and grabbed 13 rebounds along with his two assists and a block. Chatman was the third Shooting Stars player in double-digits finishing with 16 points, five rebounds, an assist and a pair of steals.

Mitrou-Long talked about his 20-point performance and the impact his teammates had, “I got to give it to my teammates, they believed in me. Everyone has ups and downs and they stayed with me so it’s easy when you’re playing with teammates like ours.”

Scarborough Hosts Second Seeded River Lions

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 16:48:28 GMT

Scarborough Hosts Second Seeded River Lions

Jacob Smith • Jul 17, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars host the Niagara River Lions at 7 p.m. ET in a battle for playoff seeding. The River Lions come in at 11-4 with the Shooting Stars 8-6.

The River Lions come in off of a momentous win against the Newfoundland Growlers. Down 16 going into the fourth quarter, Niagara went on a 28-4 run to send them into Elam time with an eight-point lead. Niagara defeated the Growlers 95-87 to extend their win streak to four games.

Khalil Ahmad, the league’s leading scorer at 22.5 points per game, scored 33 points in the win and he led the River Lions offence that gained momentum as time went on and used their defence to contain the Growlers offence that started hot. Ahmad and Daniel Waldin-Mullings were the two leading guards on the scoreboard while Antonio Davis Jr. scored 19 points at the forward position.

The River Lions rank first in points per game and field goal percentage, and Ahmad and Waldin-Mullings have been the prime reasons for the flowing offence Niagara has shown.

The Shooting Stars went into Hamilton on a three game winning streak then lost 84-70 to the Honey Badgers on July 14. David Muenkat scored 18 points and Jean-Victor Mukama scored 12 with Kameron Chatman and Isiaha Mike both adding 10 points. Scarborough found their scoring inside the paint and tightly lost the rebounds 44-40 against the Honey Badgers team rebounding.

In Scarborough’s 94-89 win over Guelph on July 7, Jalen Harris led the scoring with 24 points and Chatman scored 18 with Kalif Young and Isiaha Mike scoring 13 each. Harris is Scarborough’s primary weapon on offence. His ability to attack off the dribble and knock down shots often gives Scarborough a tool they can go to when they need a score. Harris ranks fifth in the CEBL in points per game with 19.9 and over the Shooting Stars three game winning streak he averaged 22.3. Harris allows the Shooting Stars other scorers to get in a flow with the attention Harris gets from defences, and his ability to facilitate when the defence moves towards him will be key to the success of the other perimeter players.

The matchup of Tidjan Keita, Davis and Chatman and Mike will be the premier battle between these two teams. Davis found his scoring off of the pick and roll against the Newfoundland defence and Keita worked alongside him cleaning up second chances and the rebounds. Chatman and Mike can make their impact from the three-point line, Mike ranked second in three-point percentage with 45.6, but their play around the rim capitalizing on put-backs will be key against the River Lions who play solid defensively.

See League Standings here: https://www.cebl.ca/standings

All games will be streamed live internationally on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ , and on the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Games will also be available to stream live in Canada via cbcsports.ca , the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices, and the free CBC Gem streaming service.

Hamilton Honey Badgers extend winning streak with 84-70 home win over Scarborough Shooting Stars

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 17:31:40 GMT

Hamilton Honey Badgers extend winning streak with 84-70 home win over Scarborough Shooting Stars

Dillon White • Jul 15, 2022

The first-place Hamilton Honey Badgers routed the Scarborough Shooting Stars at home on Thursday night at FirstOntario Centre 84-70.

The Honey Badgers improve their league-best record to 13-3 on the season and extend their winning streak to six consecutive games, Meanwhile, the Shooting Stars drop to 8-6 on the season in their hunt for the three-seed in the playoffs and have their three-game winning streak snapped.

Koby McEwan balled out for Hamilton with a game-high 27 points on 10-14 shooting from the field and 5-8 from three. Nikola Djogo was the only other Honey Badger to reach double figures with 14 points, going 4-6 from three. Caleb Agada struggled from the field at 2-10 on the night for 5 points, but finished the game with 6 rebounds and a game-high 7 assists.

David Muenkat came off the bench to deliver the best performance of the night for the Shooting Stars. Muenkat netted 18 points on 7-11 shooting and snagged 8 rebounds along with 2 steals. Jean-Victor Mukama also contributed 12 points coming off the pine, while Kameron Chatman and Isiaha Mike each scored 10 in the loss. Jalen Harris played just over 9 minutes and went 0-3 from the field.

Hamilton shot 43 per cent from the field and 34 per cent from three in the win and assisted on 21 of the team’s 30 total field goals. The Shooting Stars shot just 37 per cent from the field and 25 per cent from three in the losing effort.

The first quarter saw the Honey Badgers get off to a sizzling start from three, hitting four of their first five shots from beyond the arc. Nikola Djogo hit three triples for Hamilton, with Koby McEwan and Zane Waterman also connecting from beyond the arc in the first quarter. A pair of Isaiah Resse free throws and a Jamal Reynolds putback closed out the quarter, with Hamilton leading 25-14.

The start to the second quarter had something in common with When Doves Cry, Sign O’ the Times, and Purple Rain, because it began with a Prince jam. Caleb Agada found a cutting Prince Oduro for a flush to open the quarter, with Scarborough’s David Muenkat answering with a dunk of his own. Koby McEwan caught fire with a catch and shoot three, an and-one three, followed by a heat check three from NBA range that forced a Scarborough timeout. McEwan wrapped up an impressive opening 20 with an and-one layup in transition and helped the Honey Badgers to a 44-25 lead heading into the locker room.

McEwan led all scorers with 18 points at half, with Djogo chipping in 9 for Hamilton. Kalif Young, Kameron Chatman, and Isiaha Mike each had 7 points for Scarborough, while Jalen Harris was held scoreless on 0-3 shooting from the field. The Shooting Stars shot just 32 per cent as a team from the flor and 16 per cent from three,

The third quarter saw the Honey Badgers continue to dominate. McEwan kicked off the quarter with another three and had back-to-back finishes later in the quarter to build on his already outstanding performance. A putback from Hamilton extended their lead to 61-35 heading into the final quarter.

Former St. FX player David Muenkat had a great fourth quarter for Scarborough that included a highlight-reel putback jam, but it was too little, too late for the Shooting Stars. Hamilton carried a 74-54 lead into the Elam ending with a target score of 83. Despite having their lead cut to 82-70, Joel James finished off the game with a slam dunk for Hamilton.

Hamilton hosts Edmonton on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. ET at FirstOntario Centre while Scarborough hosts the Niagara River Lions on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.

The games will stream on CEBL+ live internationally and in Canada at cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS

and Android devices and the free CBC Gem streaming service. Games are also available on the CEBL’s official app, CEBL Mobile, available on iOS and Android devices.

Scarborough Shooting Stars tickets are available at https://www.scarboroughshootingstars.ca/tickets554a5865 while tickets are available at https://www.honeybadgers.ca/tickets .

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Red-hot Scarborough Shooting Stars and Hamilton Honey Badgers meet in Thursday rubber match

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 15:34:53 GMT

Red-hot Scarborough Shooting Stars and Hamilton Honey Badgers meet in Thursday rubber match

Dillon White • Jul 14, 2022

The Hamilton Honey Badgers and the Scarborough Shooting Stars will both look to extend their winning streaks on Thursday night in a matchup at FirstOntario Centre at 7:00 p.m. ET.

The Honey Badgers enter Thursday’s game atop the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) standings with a 12-3 record and riding a five-game winning streak. Hamilton has a playoff spot clinched and are hunting for a bye to the league semi-final in Ottawa next month. On their five-game winning streak, Hamilton has picked up victories over the Guelph Nighthawks, Ottawa BlackJacks, Montreal Alliance, Edmonton Stingers and Saskatchewan Rattlers.

Hamilton’s last loss came on June 25th in Scarborough against their opponent on Thursday, the Shooting Stars. Scarborough picked up a narrow 75-72 win over Hamilton powered by 21 points from Kameron Chatman, who also had the game-winner. Hamilton won the first meeting between the two squads on June 4th, 84-69 at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. Christian Vital dropped 27 points in that game while the Honey Badgers contained Jalen Harris and limited him to just 9 points.

The Shooting Stars come into the third matchup with the first-place Honey Badgers at 8-5 on a three-game winning streak of their own. Scarborough has picked up back-to-back home wins with a 94-89 defeat of Guelph and a 78-68 victory over Montreal, along with a 93-86 win on the road against the Fraser Valley Bandits. Since losing to Hamilton in June, the Shooting Stars have won seven of their last nine games, with both of their losses coming by three points or less.

Jalen Harris enters the contest second in the CEBL’s scoring race at 21.4 points per game, behind only Niagara’s Khalil Ahmad at 21.8 points per game, with Newfoundland’s Brandon Sampson and Guelph’s Cat Barber close behind with 21.3 points per game and 20.3 points per game respectively. Harris is shooting 42.9 per cent from the field, 29.7 per cent from three and 72.2 per cent from the free throw line with 3.4 turnovers per game.

Kameron Chatman and Isiaha Mike have emerged as clear-cut secondary and tertiary scorers for the Shooting Stars with Harris garnering most of the attention. Chatman averages 14.9 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game while Mike checks in at 13.6 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game.

Caleb Agada will likely be relied upon heavily by Hamilton once again. Agada has been fantastic all season, but with Christian Vital and Jeremiah Tillmon away at NBA Summer League for the past three games, Agada’s presence has been essential. He’s averaging 13.5 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game, 5.5 assists per game and 2.1 steals per game this season and led the team in scoring in their win over Montreal. Averaging 10.7 points per game this season, Koby McEwan has stepped up in the absence of Vital and Tillmon and will be required to carry some of the offensive load once again on Thursday.

The game will stream on CEBL+ live internationally and in Canada at cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS

and Android devices and the free CBC Gem streaming service. Games are also available on the CEBL’s official app, CEBL Mobile, available on iOS and Android devices.

Scarborough Shooting Stars tickets are available at https://www.scarboroughshootingstars.ca/tickets554a5865 while tickets are available at https://www.honeybadgers.ca/tickets .

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Shooting Stars down Nighthawks at home 94-89

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 15:29:16 GMT

Shooting Stars down Nighthawks at home 94-89

Dillon White • Jul 08, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars held off the Guelph Nighthawks to avenge their loss in the season-opener with a 94-89 win at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on Thursday night.

The victory extends the Shooting Stars’ winning streak to three games with four wins in their last five. Scarborough improves to 8-5 on the season in fourth place in the Canadian Elite Basketball League standings while Guelph falls to 6-7 in seventh place.

Former Toronto Raptor Jalen Harris powered the Shooting Stars offence once again with a team-high 24 points on 9-16 shooting from the field and 2-3 from three to go along with 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. Kameron Chatman and Isiaha Mike continued to establish themselves as the next options in the offence. Chatman netted 18 points while Mike added 13 points, 7 rebounds and the Elam-ending bucket.

Kalif Young also had a monster performance for Scarborough and may have been their key to victory. Young scored 13 points, dished out 4 assists, protected the rim with 3 blocks, and hauled in 11 rebounds that included 6 offensive boards.

“Kalif’s a tremendous team player and he’s taken it upon himself to be that inside presence,” Scarborough head coach Chris Exilus said “He’s shown what he can really do. He’s a great passer, he’s been consistent, he’s a glue guy, he’s played a lot of minutes and does a lot of good things for us. So if you watch the game you’ll see how much of an impact player he is.”

Ahmed Hill and Cat Barber carried the offensive load for Guelph, scoring a game-high 25 points apiece in a losing effort. AJ Hess added 13 points off the bench for the Nighthawks with Clayton Henry adding 11.

Scarborough outworked Guelph on the glass all night, with 16 offensive rebounds to the Nighthawks’ 3. The Shooting Stars won the total rebounding battle 49-39 and had 15 second chance points. They also dominated points in the paint, outscoring Guelph 48-34.

“They murdered us on the glass,” Guelph head coach Charles Kissi said. “We didn’t do a great job in the second half on the glass and they never opened the game up but when we responded with something, they got an offensive rebound. That was the difference in the game for them. Otherwise we shot really well and didn’t turn it over as bad as we have recently.”

In the first quarter, Jalen Harris and Ahmed Hill were dueling . Hill led all scorers with 12 of Guelph’s 18 total points in the opening frame, scoring off a pair of three-pointers, a mid-range jumper, and by getting to the rim. David Muenkat closed out the quarter with back-to-back interior finishes to give the Shooting Stars a 24-18 lead heading into the second quarter.

Lucas Nogueira had a big impact to start the second quarter, protecting the rim with a nasty block in transition on Danilo Djurcic and finishing an alley-pop flush. Harris had 8 huge points in the second for Scarborough but a pair of Henry threes to close the quarter cut the Shooting Stars’ lead to 44-41 heading into halftime.

Both teams shot 45 per cent from the field after 20 minutes of action, with Harris leading all scorers at 17 points with Kalif Young chipping in 9 points that included some high-flying dunks. Hill led the scoring at half for Guelph with 12 points while Cat Barber added 9.

Kameron Chatman and Isiaha Mike stepped up their games in the third quarter for the Shooting Stars with Chatman scoring 7 third-quarter points and Mike scoring two big buckets to open the quarter. Some timely threes and free throws from the Nighthawks kept the game close, entering the fourth quarter trailing the Shooting Stars 68-64.

Cat Barber completed a four-point play early in the quarter to cut the lead to one but Kalif Young continued his great game with a tip-in on the next possession. Sean Miller-Moore scored on back-to-back possessions with a contact lefty layup and a transition score cut into the lead, and an Ahmed Hill triple made it a two-point game. However, the Shooting Stars went on a 7-0 run before the Elam ending to give them a 85-78 lead with a target score of 94.

Hill opened Elam time with a layup to cut the Scarborough lead to five points. Chatman had the first three points in the final stretch for Scarborough while the Nighthawks went 5-6 on free throws. Šarūnas Vasiliauskas gave the Shooting Stars a chance to win by coming off a screen and hitting a three with just a sliver of space. Jalen Harris hit a free throw and Young made a pass into the post where Mike closed out the game with a layup.

The Nighthawks will look to bounce back on Saturday at the Meridian Centre in a matchup with the River Lions at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Shooting Stars will play on Thursday at FirstOntario Centre against the first-place Hamilton Honey Badgers.

The game will stream on CEBL+ live internationally and in Canada at cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS

and Android devices and the free CBC Gem streaming service. Games are also available on the CEBL’s official app, CEBL Mobile, available on iOS and Android devices.

Scarborough Shooting Stars tickets are available at https://www.scarboroughshootingstars.ca/tickets554a5865 while Guelph Nighthawks season tickets are available at https://www.thenighthawks.ca/tickets .

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Shooting Stars host Nighthawks in second meeting of the season

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 16:47:17 GMT

Shooting Stars host Nighthawks in second meeting of the season

Dillon White • Jul 07, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars will look to stay ahead of the Guelph Nighthawks in the Canadian Elite Basketball League playoff race in a matchup with Guelph at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre at 8:00 p.m. ET on Thursday. The Shooting Stars enter the game at 7-5 while the Nighthawks enter the game at 6-6.

Guelph defeated Scarborough in their previous meeting this season on opening night in a game that saw the Nighthawks come out on top 89-80. Cat Barber had 20 points in Guelph’s win, while AJ Lawson and Ahmed Hill each scored 18. Jalen Harris had 21 points in a losing effort, while Kameron Chatman also contributed 21 for Scarborough.

The Shooting Stars come into Thursday’s contest on a two-game winning streak and winners of three of their past four games. Scarborough is coming off a 78-68 win over Montreal, a 93-86 win over Fraser Valley, a 91-90 loss to Ottawa and a 75-72 win over Hamilton. In each of their three victories during this stretch, the Shooting Stars have shot above 40 per cent from the field. Harris, Chatman and Isiaha Mike have been the three biggest contributors for Scarborough offensively, making big plays when needed.

Harris enters the game ranked third in the CEBL in points per game at 21.2 behind Newfoundland’s Brandon Sampson and Niagara’s Khalil Ahmad. The former Toronto Raptor is shooting 42 per cent from the field this season, 28.2 per cent from three and 72.7 per cent from the free throw line while averaging 3.6 turnovers per game. Chatman is averaging 14.7 points per game and 5.9 rebounds while Mike averages 13.6 points per game on 52 per cent shooting from the field and 48 per cent from three.

Meanwhile, Cat Barber is not far behind Harris in the league’s scoring race at 20.6 points per game in fourth. Ahmed Hill, TJ Lall and AJ Lawson are also averaging double digit points for the Nighthawks as well. Hill is netting 16.8 points per game, Lawson is scoring 16.5 points per game and Lall is averaging 11.6 points per game to go along with a team-high 7 rebounds per game, 1.6 steals per game and 1.5 blocks per game.

The game will stream on CEBL+ live internationally and in Canada at cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS

and Android devices and the free CBC Gem streaming service. Games are also available on the CEBL’s official app, CEBL Mobile, available on iOS and Android devices.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Shooting Stars Continue Hot Run With 78-68 Victory over Alliance

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Sun, 03 Jul 2022 17:12:41 GMT

Shooting Stars Continue Hot Run With 78-68 Victory over Alliance

Michael Sun • Jul 03, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars came away victorious with a 78-68 home victory over the Montréal Alliance in the first nationally televised CBC game of the season on July 3.

The Shooting Stars (7-5) have won two games in a row and three of their last four games. The Alliance (3-9) have lost seven in a row.

Isiaha Mike hit a three on the first possession. Jalen Harris finished off a drive while Šarūnas Vasiliauskas found Kalif Young for an open dunk as Scarborough took a 13-4 lead.

Nathan Cayo responded by scoring inside for Montréal. He also dunked off a breakaway as the Alliance made some stops defensively. Ashley Hamilton also scored in the post for them.

Both teams focused on attacking the rim as Scarborough’s David Muenkat scored off an alley oop dunk. The home team led 27-18 after one quarter, shooting 11 for 15.

Shooting Stars forward Kameron Chatman demonstrated his versatility by scoring inside and outside. Meanwhile, centre Emondre Rickman made his impact down low in his first game with the Alliance.

Scarborough’s guards took over the scoring with Harris and Rashad James. Montréal’s Dominic Green hit his team’s second three of the game to cut the lead to 40-35 at halftime.

The teams pushed the pace to start the third quarter as Mike lobbed it to Harris for the slam dunk. Hamilton continued to grab rebounds and score inside to keep the score close. However, their turnovers led to Scarborough points as Harris scored to make it 51-43 midway through the third quarter.

Hamilton was their go-to scorer, hitting a three to cut the deficit to 55-51. Alliance forward Isiah Osborne and Mike traded triples as Scarborough led 60-54 after three quarters.

The game was close in the fourth quarter as Osborne scored a floater. The Alliance trailed 69-63 going into the Elam Ending. The Shooting Stars were aggressive, getting to the foul line as Harris hit two to extend the lead to 10.

Montréal brought Kemy Osse into the game and he hit a three before Hamilton found Cayo down low to cut the lead to five. However, Vasiliauskas sank a three before Kalif Young sank two free throws to seal the victory.

The Shooting Stars shot 50 per cent from the field. Montréal’s 43 per cent three-point shooting was important in keeping the game close. Scarborough outscored them 40-28 in the paint but the Alliance held a 31-12 edge in bench scoring.

Four of Scarborough’s starters finished with double figure points – led by Jalen Harris (19). Young almost notched a double double (10 points, nine rebounds) going up against Cayo and Rickman. Mike (three-for-six) and Vasiliauskas (two-for-three) were efficient from deep.

Mike called their Elam performance a complete opposite of their previous home game against the Ottawa BlackJacks, where they lost a 14 point lead in Elam time. “We got to the foul line. We hit open shots,” he noted. “I think we’re trending in the right direction right now in terms of morale and team chemistry.”

Harris mentioned how they’ve built their chemistry and culture since the start of the season and how it’s helped him develop as a leader. “The trust we have between the coaching staff, the front office, myself and my teammates, that’s kind of helped me build that role,” he noted.

The Alliance scored and shot the ball above their season average. Hamilton (15 points) and Cayo (11) led the team in scoring while Osborne (eight), James Jean-Marie (eight), Kemy Osse (eight) and Rickman (seven) helped out off the bench. Five players hit a three for Montréal.

Scarborough seek to continue their winning ways when they host the Guelph Nighthawks on July 7. Montréal will look to get back to winning when they host the Hamilton Honey Badgers on July 7.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Scarborough Spoils Bandits Streak With 93-86 Win

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 17:36:47 GMT

Scarborough Spoils Bandits Streak With 93-86 Win

Jacob Smith • Jul 02, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars won in Langley, 93-86 over the Fraser Valley Bandits, snapping Fraser Valley’s five game winning streak. Scarborough is now 6-5 on the season with Fraser Valley at 8-3.

The Shooting Stars came out pushing the pace against Fraser Valley and taking advantage of opportunities in transition. With the speed of Jalen Harris getting to his spots and the finish of Kameron Chatman and Isiaha Mike, the Shooting Stars got their offence going before Fraser Valley could set up their defence.

For Fraser Valley, they got their half court ball movement going early and got the ball swinging until it found Shane Gibson and Alex Campbell who hit a range of jumpers from both inside and the perimeter. Though the Bandits held a 12-9 rebounding advantage, the Shooting Stars five points off of turnovers and 56 per cent shooting ended up being the difference in the first. Going into the second quarter, Scarborough led 25-20 over the Bandits.

Scarborough pushed out to a 11-point lead in the second quarter thanks to four points from Mike and four from Harris. After a Bandits timeout, Fraser Valley used their defence to create opportunities and got in transition where Gibson and Campbell scored a majority of points for the Bandits in the quarter. Gradually Fraser Valley cut the deficit and took a lead but a basket from Chatman put the Shooting Stars back on top.

Three Bandits were in double-digit points going into halftime. Led by Karnik with 12 points, Campbell and Gibson contributed 11 points and 10 points. On the side of the Shooting Stars, Harris led the team with 13 points and Mike added 10 points. Scarborough led the Bandits 43-42 at halftime.

There were four lead changes in the third quarter and it started with Gibson hitting a three at the start of the quarter. After a mix of finishes at the hoop and threes from each team’s shooters, Scarborough took the lead back inside the paint thanks to Kalif Young. Shane Gibson scored nine points in the third quarter and four of them came late in the quarter as Fraser Valley jumped out to a 63-59 lead.

Once Scarborough weathered the Gibson run, Harris and Mike continued their offensive performance to put Scarborough back on top where they stayed going into the fourth. After the third quarter, Scarborough held a tight 68-67 lead over Fraser Valley.

Rashad James scored eight of the Shooting Stars first 10 points in the fourth quarter and he helped Scarborough extend their lead to 78-69 with 6:40 remaining in the fourth quarter. Chatman extended that run for Scarborough with a three and put the Shooting Stars at their largest lead of the game to that point, 81-69 over the Bandits. Going into Elam time, Scarborough held a 83-74 lead and the target score was set at 92.

Mike started Elam time with five points but Gibson and Campbell combined for eight points and Karnik added a layup to make the score 91-84 with the target score set at 92. Withstanding Fraser Valley’s run in Elam time and their shooting that picked up steam, Kyle Adnam’s layup was answered by Mike at the rim to give Scarborough the win. Scarborough came away with a 93-86 win over the Bandits.

Mike led the Shooting Stars with 27 points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Harris recorded 24 points, six rebounds and an assist. Chatman finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and two assists. James scored 13 points and added five rebounds and three assists.

For the home side, Gibson led the Bandits with 27 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block. Karnik scored 20 points, added nine rebounds and an assist. Campbell scored 18 points, added four rebounds and an assist and steal. Adnam rounded out the Bandits in double-digits with 12 points, two rebounds, three assists and a steal.

Harris talked about being able to create his offence even through tight defence, “my teammates helped putting me in position, my coaching staff helped put me in position and then I just rely on my work ethic. I’m used to this, I see this night in and night out so I was kind of prepared for it.”

Scarborough Head Coach Chris Exilus talked about the performance of Harris and Mike, “I think the key part is they were efficient with those numbers. They shot the ball pretty well, had some pretty good shots, played with good spacing throughout the game. That really helped and the ball movement from side to side that really helped too.”

Green machine leads BlackJacks to historic 91-90 comeback win over Shooting Stars

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 17:50:35 GMT

Green machine leads BlackJacks to historic 91-90 comeback win over Shooting Stars

Dillon White • Jun 28, 2022

The Ottawa BlackJacks trailed by 14 points in Elam time but stormed back to defeat the Scarborough Shooting Stars 91-90 on the road on Monday night. The improbable run set the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) record for the largest comeback in Elam time.

The BlackJacks went on a 23-8 run to end the game and recovered a 14 point deficit. The Shooting Stars went 0-4 from the field with a chance to win.

Tyrell Green’s deep step-back three to complete the comeback gave the BlackJacks their second consecutive win and improved the team’s record to 3-7 on the season. Green was money in Elam time, scoring 11 of his 15 points in the final minutes on three shots from beyond the arc. Walt Lemon Jr. scored 8 of his 20 points in Elam time as well and dished out a game-high 9 assists for Ottawa. Deng Adel tied Lemon Jr. with a team-high 20 points while hauling in 7 rebounds and adding 5 assists.

“The story of the game is Tyrell. coming in the game and banging some threes for us,” Ottawa head coach James Derouin said. “Ironically, [Zena Edosmomwon] , who turned the game around for us, fouls out and changes the game because we call Tyrell’s number off the bench.”

Jalen Harris maintained his scoring pace for the Shooting Stars with 21 points in the loss but was inefficient once again. Harris shot 28 per cent from the field, going 6-21 and 1-4 from three. Isiaha Mike had a double-double in the loss with 15 points and 10 rebounds on 6-17 shooting. Kameron Chatman contributed 14 points on 5-14 shooting while Kalif Young rounded out the Shooting Stars’ attack with 11 points.

“We will get better from this, we’ll learn from this and we’ll move forward,” Scarborough head coach Chris Exilus said. “Understanding that this is a point in the season that you can’t let things like that happen—especially when you have control of a game, control of a team like we did. We should’ve executed and took care of business tonight.”

After a tough start to the game, Ottawa finished at 45 per cent from the field and 34 per cent from three. The BlackJacks picked up 41 points from their bench and outscored the Shooting Stars 44-34 in the paint.

The first quarter saw the BlackJacks come out flat, going the first six minutes of the game without scoring. The Shooting Stars opened the game with a 15-0 run and closed out the quarter leading 22-6. The BlackJacks were 3-14 for 21 per cent in the opening frame with 8 turnovers while the Shooting Stars were 40 per cent to to start.

The BlackJacks opened the second quarter cold as well, going the first four minutes without a field goal. Jalen Harris unleashed a two-handed slam on the Ottawa defence to extend the Scarborough lead to 20. David Muenkat showed off his own athleticism with a high-flying poster dunk on Chad Posthumus. However, Deng Adel helped the BlackJacks cut into the lead with 10 second quarter points and made it a game heading into the locker room. Adel showed off his versatility, scoring on a fadeaway, an and-one, a wing three and lobbing an alley-oop pass to Zena Edosomwan.

Harris led all scorers at half, carrying Scarborough to a 40-28 lead into the third. Ottawa and Scarborough regressed to the mean late in the second, with the teams shooting 35 per cent and 34 per cent respectively. Ottawa took care of the basketball and cut the turnovers in the second frame, staying at 8.

Ottawa was able to cut the lead to six early in the third but the Shooting Stars stayed vigilant and extended the lead back to double digits midway through the quarter. Muenkat scored on an and-one fading towards the baseline and forced BlackJacks head coach James Derouin into a timeout down 56-40. Out of the timeout, Zena Edosomwan cocked back a tomahawk dunk on Scarborough that energized the BlackJacks. An adjustment to zone along with an Adel three cut the lead back to 10 and forced a timeout. The Shooting Stars bounced back and carried a 70-55 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Shooting Stars continued to stop every Ottawa run early in the fourth. Rashad Jones hit his first shot with the Shooting Stars at an opportune time, putting them ahead 82-68 heading into Elam time with a target score of 91. Scarborough looked bound for victory but the BlackJacks showed resilience. The Shooting Stars led 87-71 and then 90-78 after a Kalif Young and-one but went cold just a point away from victory. From there Tyrell Green went berzerk, scoring 11 points with three trifectas and two free throws to win the game. Green’s 11 points in Elam time was complemented by 8 points from Lemon Jr in the final four minutes to power Ottawa to victory.

Scarborough will travel to the west coast for a rematch with the Fraser Valley Bandits at Langley Events Centre on Canada Day at 7:30 PT/10:30 ET. The BlackJacks will visit the FirstOntario Centre on Saturday to take on the Hamilton Honey Badgers at 4:00 p.m. ET.

The games will stream on CEBL+ live internationally and in Canada at cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS

and Android devices and the free CBC Gem streaming service. Games are also available on the CEBL’s official app, CEBL Mobile, available on iOS and Android devices.

Scarborough Shooting Stars season tickets are available at https://www.scarboroughshootingstars.ca/tickets554a5865 while Ottawa BlackJacks season tickets are available at https://www.theblackjacks.ca/tickets .

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Shooting Stars come back in Elam time to defeat Honey Badgers 75- 72

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 18:03:18 GMT

Shooting Stars come back in Elam time to defeat Honey Badgers 75- 72

Dillon White • Jun 26, 2022

Sixteen points away from achieving victory in Elam time, the Scarborough Shooting Stars came back to win over the Hamilton Honey Badgers 75-72 in a thrilling game at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on Saturday night.

The victory puts the Shooting Stars above .500 on the season at 5-4, winning four of their past five games and avaenging their 15 point loss to Hamilton earlier in June. Meanwhile, the Honey Badgers drop to 7-3 on the season and fall behind 7-2 Fraser Valley in the Canadian Elite Basketball League standings. This is the first time the Honey Badgers have lost consecutive games this season, after losing to Guelph 89-83 on Sunday.

“We’ll bounce back,” Honey Badgers head coach Ryan Schmidt said. “These guys are pissed. They feel like this game was taken from them and they’re right. But again we got a resilient group and these guys are competitors and they know we have to get back on track. I’m not worried about it.”

Kameron Chatman had the game-winning bucket for the Shooting Stars and a team-high 21 points in the win. Jalen Harris scored 19 points for Scarborough but struggled to be efficient, going 7-21 from the field, 0-5 from three and 4-8 from the free throw line to go along with 4 turnovers. Isiaha Mike also chipped in 12 points and 8 rebounds for the Shooting Stars.

Christian Vital brought energy and intensity for the Honey Badgers despite the loss. He finished with a game-high 22 points on 8-19 shooting from the field and 6-10 from three to go along with 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 4 steals. With Caleb Agada absent, Koby McEwan stepped up with 15 points for Hamilton while Keevan Veinot had 11 points off the bench. Averaging 15 points per game entering the game, Jeremiah Tilmon had a quiet night, going scoreless on 0-3 shhooting.

Scarborough finished the game shooting 40 per cent from the field and they were able to hold the league’s best offense to 36 per cent shooting and 72 points. Both teams struggled from the free throw line with neither squad reaching 60 per cent. Turnovers also plagued both squads with Scarborough at 19 and Hamilton at 21. However, the Shooting Stars were better able to capitalize off the turnovers, outscoring the Honey Badgers 27-11 in points off turnovers.

The opening five minutes saw both teams play through their stars. Christian Vital scored Hamilton’s first 8 points of the game while Jalen Harris scored Scarborough’s opening 6 points. Harris ended the quarter 2-7 from the field while Vital added another deep three later in the quarter to finish the opening frame with 11 points. A Kalif Young pump fake and slam closed out the quarter with a 18-14 lead for the Shooting Stars.

Former Dalhousie Tiger Keevan Veinot provided a boost off the bench for the Honey Badgers to start the second quarter. Veinot opened the quarter with an and-one, an assist to Michael Okafor resulting in another and-one, and a catch-and-shoot three. Another AUS alumni, St. FX’s David Muenkat, rocked the rim with a two-handed jam in transition off a beautiful pass from Sarunas Vasiliauskas to regain the lead for Scarborough. The teams remained close for the remainder of the first half, with the Shooting Stars taking 38-36 lead into the second half.

Vital led all scorers at halftime with 14 points to go along with 3 rebounds wile Harris led the Shooting Stars with 10 points. The teams were fairly even statistically heading into the locker room, with both teams going 12-32 from the field and hauling in 22 rebounds. The biggest difference came from Scarborough’s points off turnovers, outscoring the Honey Badgers 15-5.

In the third quarter, both teams continued to battle defensively in a tightly conetested matchup. The Shooting Stars were the hotter team to open the third and were able to pick up a 51-42 lead before going on a 10-3 run to end the quarter. After a 16-16 quarter, the Shooting Stars carried a 54-52 lead into the final frame.

Jalen Harris showed off his high-flying athleticism with a dunk to open the fourth quarter for Scarborough. Harris picked up another bucket before Veinot and Vital were able to score to tie the game at 58. McEwan hit a contested corner three to give the Honey Badgers a 61-59 with just two minutes until Elam time. Vital hit his sixth three of the game from the left wing to give Hamilton a 64-59 lead and force a Scarborough timeout.

Coming out of the timeout, Harris missed a contested jumper and the Shooting Stars struggled to get open looks offensively. Prince Oduro showed off his low-post presence with a dropstep bucket to give the Honey Badgers a 66-59 lead heading into the Elam ending with a target score of 75.

The Shooting Stars went on a run to take the lead to start Elam time with a three from Isiaha Mike followed by 5 straight points from Kameron Chatman. McEwan answered with a huge three to regain the lead at 69-67. After a handful of scoreless possessions, Jalen Harris tied the game at 69 with a transition layup.

Aaron Best drove and finished with his left-hand but missed the and-one free throw and after a few possessions later, Chatman slammed home the game tying bucket. Isiaha Mike put the Shooting Stars one bucket away from victory with a mid-range jumper off the dribble. Oduro missed one of two free throws, giving Scarborough a chance to win. After Mike missed a layup, a scramble ensued and Kameron Chatman hit a game-winner fading towards the baseline.

“I think the game was poorly officiated,” coach Schmidt said. “I thought both teams played extremely hard but as far as what went wrong—I’m trying to keep my money in my pocket but that’s inexcusable in my opinion,”

The Hamilton Honey Badgers will look to bounce back against the Guelph Nighthawks on Thursday at FirstOntario Centre at 7:00 p.m. ET in a rematch of last week’s six-point loss. The Shooting Stars will play again on Monday at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre at 7:30 p.m. ET against the Ottawa BlackJacks.

The games will stream on CEBL+ live internationally and in Canada at cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS

and Android devices and the free CBC Gem streaming service. Games are also available on the CEBL’s official app, CEBL Mobile, available on iOS and Android devices.

Scarborough Shooting Stars season tickets are available at https://www.scarboroughshootingstars.ca/tickets554a5865 while Hamilton Honey Badgers season tickets are available at https://www.honeybadgers.ca/tickets .

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Fraser Valley send Scarborough Shooting Stars back east with 92-89 win

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 18:09:09 GMT

Fraser Valley send Scarborough Shooting Stars back east with 92-89 win

Dillon White • Jun 19, 2022

The Fraser Valley Bandits picked up a narrow 92-89 victory over the Scarborough Shooting Stars in a hard fought game at Langley Events Centre on Saturday.

Shane Gibson had a game high 29 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 3 assists to carry the Bandits offence to victory. Thomas Kennedy, Murphy Burnatowski and Alex Campbell each chipped in 15 points for Fraser Valley with Campbell adding 6 rebounds, 5 steals and the game-winning free throw.

“It was a great win. Scarborough brought a great team—you saw the size, the athleticism, the talent—I loved our team’s competitiveness, teamwork and heart they put into [the win],” Bandits’ head coach Mike Taylor said. “It’s a great wi on a great day.”

Jalen Harris continued to be consistent scoring the basketball for Scarborough, netting a team-high 22 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in a losing effort. Four other Shooting Stars reached double figures, with Kameron Chatman putting up 13 points, Isiaha Mike and Sarunas Vasiliauskas netting 12, and Kyle Alexander dropping 11.

Both teams shot well from the field, with Fraser Valley at 49 per cent and Scarborough at 46 per cent. The teams were fairly even statistically and it showed in the final score.

The first quarter saw the Bandits jump out to an early lead that they held onto for the entire first half. Fraser Valley came out firing in the opening frame shooting 62 per cent from the floor and 50 per cent from three. Murphy Burnatowski hit two threes in the first 10 minutes while Shane Gibson led all scorers with 7 points. The Shooting Stars couldn’t connect from beyond the arc in the first, going 0-8 from three and trailing 27-18 heading into the second quarter.

It didn’t take long for Scarborough to end their drought from three, with Jean-Victor Mukama opening the scoring with a trifecta from the right wing. The Bandits stretched their lead back up to 12 in the second, but a pair of Jalen Harris layups off of Fraser Valley turnovers cut the lead to 49-41 heading into the locker room. Gibson led all scorers at half with 16 points to go along with 5 rebounds, scoring on contested mid-range jumpers, threes and putbacks. Both teams finished the half shooting well from the field with Fraser Valley at 56 per cent and Scarborough at 48 per cent.

Harris and Gibson were dueling in the third quarter. Gibson opened the scoring with a back door layup and a corner three. Harris proceeded to hit a contested wing three of his own, followed by a pair of high-flying two-handed jams. Down 62-53, the Shooting Stars made a run. An unsportsmanlike foul on Kyle Adman led to a five point swing and the Shooting Stars got to within two. The Bandits finished the third without trailing, but Harris continued to cook, hitting another contested three, a mid-range jumper and a floater to close out the quarter with 20 points. Gibson stayed hot for the Bandits, however. He hit a contested long two off the dribble and scored on a beautiful layup with contact to enter the fourth with a game-high 27 points. The Bandits entered the fourth with a 74-73 lead.

Isiaha Mike was able to give the Shooting Stars their first lead of the night at 81-80 with 5:45 remaining in the fourth with a hook shot from the paint. Burnatowski came off a screen to hit a three and give the Bandits their lead back but a soaring putback jam from Khalif Young tied the game at 83 going into the Elam Ending with a target score of 92.

Adnam opened the scoring down the stretch with an inside finish but Sarunas Vasiliauskas answered with a crafty finish of his own. Kennedy hit a pair of free throws for the Bandits and Harris answered with a game-tying scoop layup. Kennedy got his own rebound and picked up a tough finish inside to once again give the Bandits the lead. Kameron Chatman hit two free throws to keep the back and forth going and put both teams one three away from a win at 89-89.

Murphy Burnatowski scored a lefty layup to put Fraser Valley up 91-89 and forced a Scarborough timeout. Kyle Adnam stole the inbounds pass but Mukama hit the skies to reject the shot. However, Alex Campbell picked Jalen Harris’s pocket and drew a foul to head to the free throw line and win the game.

Scarborough heads back home after winning two of three games on their west coast trip and will face the Hamilton Honey Badgers next Saturday at 4:30 ET. The Bandits will head east to play the Guelph Nighthawks at the Sleeman Centre at 7 ET on Tuesday.

The games will stream on CEBL+ live internationally and in Canada at cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS

and Android devices and the free CBC Gem streaming service. Games are also available on the CEBL’s official app, CEBL Mobile, available on iOS and Android devices.

Scarborough Shooting Stars season tickets are available at https://www.scarboroughshootingstars.ca/tickets554a5865 while Fraser Valley Bandits season tickets are available at https://www.thebandits.ca/season-tickets .

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Hot Shooting Propels Shooting Stars to 99-83 Victory over Rattlers

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 18:14:48 GMT

Hot Shooting Propels Shooting Stars to 99-83 Victory over Rattlers

Michael Sun • Jun 16, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars rode a hot shooting game to a 99-83 road win over the Saskatchewan Rattlers.

The Shooting Stars have won four of their last five games while the Rattlers have lost three of their last four. Saskatchewan pulled off a comeback in Elam time against the Niagara River Lions the previous game but couldn’t do so this time. Scarborough moves to 4-3 while Saskatchewan falls to 3-4.

Scarborough’s Jalen Harris picked up from his strong performance last game with by scoring off two drives to open the scoring. He added a jumper before Saskatchewan’s Scottie Lindsey responded with a three. The Rattlers took their first lead of the game as Jordy Tshimanga put in his own rebound.

Scarborough continued to shoot well throughout the first quarter from three and two-point range as they led 21-14. They shot 52 per cent after 10 minutes compared to Saskatchewan’s 27 per cent. Meanwhile, the league-leading three-point shooting Rattlers struggled from three as they shot one-for-seven from deep.

The Shooting Stars kept on scoring in the second quarter as several players got on the board. Šarūnas Vasiliauskas, Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Isiaha Mike all scored from the free throw line as Scarborough led 40-22. They also did well on the glass, leading the rebounding battle.

Harris and Kameron Chatman knocked down consecutive triples as they went into halftime up 52-34.

The home team started the third quarter on a 9-2 run with threes by Devonte Bandoo, Tony Carr and Lindsey. However, Scarborough answered by scoring inside to keep the lead around 15-20 points. They moved the ball well, including when Vasiliauskas dished off a no-look pass to Kalif Young for an open dunk. The Shooting Stars went into the fourth quarter ahead 73-57.

Lindsey continued scoring in a variety of ways to try and cut into the lead, including a floater and a three to make it 77-66. However, Scarborough went on a run, going into the Elam Ending up 90-71.

The Rattlers cut the lead down to 15 points but couldn’t stop Harris from scoring. Rathan-Mayes hit a jumper to clinch the victory.

Harris (26 points, three steals) and Chatman (20 points, three rebounds) headed the team’s scoring. They received plenty of help from their fellow starters as well as 15 points and seven rebounds from Rathan-Mayes off the bench. Scarborough out-shot Saskatchewan 54 to 43 per cent from the field and tied them with 36 per cent shooting from three.

Chatman called it a great performance. “We’re deep,” he said about the offence. “We’ve got a lot of guys that can score the ball and moving the ball is an emphasis for us and we did that.”

Chatman said the team has grown tremendously since the start of the season. “It definitely took some time but I think we’re finding our groove together as a team,” he added.

Lindsey (31 points, six rebounds) and Carr (21 points, seven rebounds) were the leading scorers for Saskatchewan. However, they were outscored 27-8 in bench points.

“I didn’t see the type of overall style of play that I thought was a winning style of play,” Saskatchewan head coach Dean Demopoulos said of the Rattlers’ performance. He credited the Shooting Stars’ play as part of the reason why. “I thought they were a really well-rounded ball club,” he noted. “They were better than us by a lot tonight.”

The Rattlers continue their five game homestand against the Edmonton Stingers on June 17. Meanwhile, the Shooting Stars finish their Western Canada road trip against the Fraser Valley Bandits on June 18.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Scarborough Shooting Stars kill Edmonton Stingers’ buzz with 78-69 win

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 18:18:42 GMT

Scarborough Shooting Stars kill Edmonton Stingers’ buzz with 78-69 win

Dillon White • Jun 13, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars started their west coast road trip in fine form and ended the Edmonton Stingers’ four game win streak with a 78-69 victory at Edmonton Expo Centre on Sunday.

Jalen Harris scored a game-high 21 points and drilled the game-winning step-back three to power the Shooting Stars to their second consecutive win. Harris went 6-20 from the field and turned the ball over 4 times but was a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line.

Kameron Chatman earned player of the game for Scarborough with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Sarunas Vasiliauskas and Isiaha Mike both contributed to the victory as well with Vasiliauskas dropping 11 points and Mike adding 9 points and 8 rebounds.

“I’m around these guys every day so I believe any guy on our team it can be their night,” Scarborough head coach Chris Exilus said. “Everybody contributed and I don’t think we win this game without everyone contributing.”

The Edmonton Stingers’ bench provided the bulk of their offence in the losing effort after shaking up their starting five with some familiar faces returning to the squad. Mathieu Kamba and Marion Johnson Jr. made their season debuts on Sunday, bringing even more championship experience to the squad.

However, it was Aher Uguak and Adika Peter-McNeilly leading the offence once again. Uguak had a team-high 14 points, while Peter-McNeilly, Jahmal Jones and David Pekarek each added 9 points off the bench. Jordan Baker had a quiet scoring night with 2 points on 1-6 shooting but hauled in 9 rebounds, dished 5 assists and collected 3 steals.

Entering the game second in the CEBL in rebounding, the Stingers were defeated on the boards by the Shooting Stars 49-38. Scarborough shot 38 per cent from the field in the win, edging out Edmonton’s 38 per cent.

“Rebounding a lot of times is about who wants the ball more,” Stingers head coach Jermaine Small said. “That’s the biggest and most athletic team we’ve played. They used it to their advantage—it wasn’t a lack of effort

—they just wanted it a little bit more.”

The first quarter started with almost two minutes of scoreless basketball before Jalen Harris hit a three. Harris had 7 points in the first quarter to lead all scorers in what ended up being a fast-paced frame. Johnson Jr. scored his first bucket of the season in impressive fashion, slamming a disgusting poster dunk on a feed from Baker. Pekarek drilled a buzzer-beating three to tie the game at 20 heading into the second quarter.

Both teams locked down defensively in the next 10 minutes, leading to a low-scoring quarter. The game spent several minutes stuck at 31-27 until both squads found some offence to close out the half. Aher Uguak stole the ball and flushed a dunk in transition to close out the half with Edmonton leading 36-34.

The third quarter was filled with ties and lead changes with neither team able to make an extended run. A Vasiliauskas elbow jumper gave the Shooting Stars a 58-57 lead heading into the final frame.

In the fourth, Jordan Baker picked up his first and only bucket of the game to give the Stingers a 62-61 lead. He then connected with Uguak on a deep ball for a transition two to give the Stingers a three point lead. From there, the Shooting Stars went on a 8-0 run to give them a 69-64 lead heading into Elam time with a target score of 78.

Edmonton were able to cut the lead to two but Jalen Harris scored the Shooting Stars final 7 points. He scored from the line, a long two and a step back three to give Scarborough the win.

The Shooting Stars continue their road trip on Wednesday in Saskatoon to take on the Rattlers while the Stngers face the Fraser Valley Bandits at home at 7 pm MT on Wednesday’s

The games will stream on CEBL+ live internationally and in Canada at cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS

and Android devices and the free CBC Gem streaming service. Games are also available on the CEBL’s official app, CEBL Mobile, available on iOS and Android devices.

Edmonton Stingers season tickets are available at https://www.thestingers.ca/season-tickets17e760ad while Scarborough Shooting Stars season tickets are available at https://www.scarboroughshootingstars.ca/tickets554a5865 .

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Shooting Stars blow out Growlers 99-81 in first home win

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 18:23:18 GMT

Shooting Stars blow out Growlers 99-81 in first home win

Dillon White • Jun 08, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars picked up their first ever home win 99-81 on Tuesday in an expansion matchup with the Newfoundland Growlers.

In front of a star-studded crowd that featured Drake and Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray, the Shooting Stars rode Jalen Harris’s team record 38 points to a victory.

Harris scored in a variety of ways, going 15-26 from the field and 3-9 from three, adding 7 rebounds and 3 assists to his stat line. Entering the game leading the league in field goal percentage and rebounds per game, Kyle Alexander put up another double-double with 18 points on 7-12 shooting, hauling in 11 rebounds and blocking 2 shots. Isiaha Mike chipped in 14 points for the Shooting Stars, going 3-4 from beyond the arc and collecting 9 rebounds.

J Cole played a season-high 19 minutes in the win, hitting both threes he attempted and bringing in 2 rebounds as well.

Meanwhile, former Cape Breton University Caper Shaquille Keith balled out for the Growlers in a losing effort. Keith netted 36 points on 13-18 shooting from the field, 3-4 from three and 7-11 from the line to go along with 4 steals. Coming off a league record 42 point performance against Ottawa, Brandon Sampson scored 18 points on 4-16 shooting in the loss for Newfoundland.

Scarborough shot 48 per cent as a team and 36 per cent from three in the win. They outrebounded the Growlers 48-35 as well. Newfoundland shot 39 per cent from the floor, 25 per cent from three and 69 per cent from the free throw line.

The first quarter saw the Shooting Stars get off to a strong start, opening the game with a 9-0 run. J Cole electrified the crowd, hitting a pair of corner threes in the first quarter to give him a season high 6 points. Mukama ended the quarter with a buzzer-beating contested three to put Scarborough up 27-17.

The Shooting Stars continued to shoot well in the second half with Jalen Harris putting together his best half of the season. Harris scored in a myriad of ways—off the dribble mid-range jumpers, catch-and-shoot threes and contested finishes at the run. He led Scarborough with 16 points in the first half, on an efficient 7-12 from the field. The Shooting Stars went into the locker room leading 49-36, shooting 54 per cent from the field and 43 per cent from the three.

The Growlers were cold in the first half, shooting 36 per cent from the field and 26 per cent from three. Shaquille Keith led all scorers in the first half with 17 points, keeping Newfoundland in the game. After his scorching hot performance against Ottawa, Brandon Sampson opened the the game a bit cold. He struggled to get calls from the officials despite contact but finished the half with 8 points.

Kyle Alexander had a strong start to the third quarter for the Shooting Stars, scoring on an alley-pop and two inside finishes to force Patrick Ewing Jr. to call a timeout. Khalil Whitney played some inspired basketball after the timeout, scoring all 8 of his points in the third quarter, including an alley-oop slam off an in-bounds play. However, the Shooting Stars were able to weather every Growlers run and carried a 75-60 lead into the final quarter.

Scarborough kept piling on Newfoundland in the fourth quarter and entered the Elam ending leading 90-72 with a target score of 99. Jalen Harris scored 6 points in the Elam ending and in his Shooting Stars debut, Sarunas Vasiliauskas closed out the game at the free throw line.

Newfoundland will look to bounce back against the Niagara River Lions on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET at Meridian Centre, while Scarborough’s next matchup puts them against the defending champion Edmonton Stingers at Edmonton Expo Centre Sunday at 3 p.m. MT.

The games will stream on CEBL+ live internationally and in Canada at cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS

and Android devices and the free CBC Gem streaming service. Games are also available on the CEBL’s official app, CEBL Mobile, available on iOS and Android devices.

Newfoundland Growlers season tickets are available at https://am.ticketmaster.com/growlers/ while Scarborough Shooting Stars season tickets are available at https://www.scarboroughshootingstars.ca/tickets554a5865 .

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Hamilton Honey Badgers Spoil Shooting Stars Home Opener

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Sun, 05 Jun 2022 18:27:10 GMT

Hamilton Honey Badgers Spoil Shooting Stars Home Opener

Jacob Smith • Jun 05, 2022

SCARBOROUGH, ON – The Honey Badgers defeated the Shooting Stars during Scarborough’s home opener by a score of 84-69. Hamilton moves to 3-1 on the season while Scarborough falls to 1-3.

Scarborough’s Isiaha Mike was the spark for Scarborough inside the paint. He got an and-one dunk to go midway through the quarter and brought energy to the Shooting Stars fast paced play. After Scarborough jumped out to a 7-2 lead, Hamilton found their shot and climbed back, specifically Christian Vital who made four threes in the first quarter. Hamilton kick started their transition offence after defensive rebounds and the six Scarborough turnovers to jump out to a 26-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. Vital made four of five threes to lead the game with 12 first quarter points.

The second half featured teams each playing at a fast pace, and both defences took advantage with steals. Both Hamilton and Scarborough finished the first half with 11 turnovers, but Hamilton turned those into 14 points off turnovers while Scarborough only generated 8, allowing them to maintain a lead throughout the quarter. Xavier Rathan-Mayes got to the rim and got his team to the foul line. Scarborough shot 13 total free throws as of half to the Honey Badgers seven, and Rathan-Mayes entered the break with 15 points off 60 per cent shooting to lead the Shooting Stars. On the opposite end, Vital led the Honey Badgers with 18 off of his shooting. Hamilton went into half with a 43-36 lead over Scarborough.

Hamilton nearly doubled the Shooting Stars third quarter points and pushed their lead to 17 through their ability to get into the paint and the foul line. JV Mukama and Rathan-Mayes were the bright spots for the Shooting Stars during a struggling third, Mukama scoring five points and Rathan-Mayes facilitating, but the Shooting Stars only scored 12 points in the quarter to the Honey Badgers 22. Vital pushed his points up to 20 going into the fourth on 50 per cent shooting while Koby McEwen shot six free throws and made one jumper to score eight off of the bench. Entering the fourth quarter the Honey Badgers led 65-48.

The Honey Badgers offence couldn't get shots to fall early in the fourth and Rathan-Mayes cut his way into the deficit. He scored seven points early in the fourth and got the Shooting Stars within 11 with 6:51 remaining, 68-57. Hamilton continued to get to the line and found transition offence off steals. Going into Elam time, Hamilton held a 74-59 lead with the target score set at 83. Hamilton held on to their lead and took the victory over Scarborough 84-69.

Vital led the scoring for the Honey Badgers with 27 points and five made threes to go with his six rebounds, one assist and four steals. Mcewen finished with 12 points and four rebounds while Caleb Agada had 14 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a steal. Rathan-Mayes led the Shooting Stars with 28 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals.

Rathan-Mayes said he feels a sense of leadership among the Shooting Stars with his experience and age, “they brought me in to be in that leadership role, to rally the troops, to be that voice in the locker room and I take pride in that, in being a Scarborough kid and being one of the older guys on the team, I take pride in letting my experience be known and letting my work set the precedent for the Scarborough Shooting Stars.”

Bleacher Report to Exclusively Livestream Canadian Elite Basketball League Game in the U.S.

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 18:45:28 GMT

Bleacher Report to Exclusively Livestream Canadian Elite Basketball League Game in the U.S.

Jun 03, 2022

On Saturday, June 4, Bleacher Report will livestream the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) game between the Hamilton Honey Badgers and Scarborough Shooting Stars, tipping off at 7:30 PM ET. The Shooting Stars roster will include the multi-talented J Cole who has now played three games in the CEBL following a previous stint in the Basketball Africa League where he played three games for the Rwanda Patriots BBC. Both teams comprise of top professional talent who have experience in the NBA, NBA G League, and other top international leagues. The exclusive livestream event will only be available on the B/R app in the U.S. and will mark the first CEBL event streamed by Bleacher Report.

The game will be covered by Rod Black, Warren Ward and Savanna Hamilton. This is the first home game for the Scarborough franchise as they play Hamilton for the first time in CEBL history.

Fans watching on the B/R app will be able to utilize the platform’s functionality to comment on the game in real-time with other B/R app users. Bleacher Report will also cover and amplify all the action across its #1 most engaged social channels.

"We are incredibly excited to partner with Bleacher Report to deliver a CEBL live game experience to their vast audience. The exposure of the CEBL and our entertaining brand of basketball through B/R will ensure fans everywhere have access to watch NBA and top-level international talent on a platform that fits so perfectly with the cultural and global component of our game," said Mike Morreale, CEO & Commissioner, CEBL.

Scarborough Shooting Stars Record First Win 98-81 Over Ottawa BlackJacks

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 18:24:23 GMT

Scarborough Shooting Stars Record First Win 98-81 Over Ottawa BlackJacks

Jacob Smith • Jun 03, 2022

OTTAWA, ON – Scarborough got their first win of the 2022 CEBL season when they defeated the Ottawa BlackJacks 98-81. The Shooting Stars moved to 1-2 on the season while Ottawa 0-3.

The first quarter started with the Shooting Stars showing their shooting offence. Isiaha Mike hit two of the Shooting Stars three threes and helped push Scarborough to a 11-4 lead following a David Muenkat layup. The volume of the Shooting Stars offence was paired with efficient shooting but as the BlackJacks turned up their execution they were able to cut the deficit and take a lead midway through the first quarter, 12-11 until Jalen Harris took the lead back. Scarborough shot 58 per cent as a team in the first quarter to the BlackJacks 33 per cent, and in that offence they attempted 13 threes and made eight of them, Isiaha Mike making two of them.

Ottawa found their offence inside the paint with Posthumus and Deng Adel, and that continued in the second quarter. Cody John and Tyrell Green came in off the bench and immediately got on the scoreboard, Green and John each with a three, and Scarborough’s 28-16 first quarter lead was cut to 30-26 just a few minutes into the second quarter. Ottawa improved their efficiency and execution but Scarborough maintained the consistent scoring they had shown throughout the game thus far and they held a 43-40 lead going into halftime, not giving up the lead once in the second quarter.

At the half, Adel led all BlackJacks with 10 points to go with his two rebounds and four assists. Walt Lemon Jr. scored seven, tallied three rebounds, assisted on two baskets and got two steals. In the Shooting Stars roster, Mike shot 3-4 from the perimeter and led Scarborough with 13 points, eight rebounds and one assist at halftime. Jalen Harris was second on the Shooting Stars with seven points and a pair of assists.

Scarborough continued their efficient offence in the third quarter and didn’t give Ottawa an opportunity to hold a lead. The Shooting Stars powered by Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Jalen Harris found holes in the BlackJacks defence and hit their shots. They ended the third quarter with a field goal percentage of 51 while attempting 28 threes. For the BlackJacks, they continued to primarily get the ball inside the paint, while Maxime Boursiquot and Adel gave them relief from beyond the arc. At the end of the quarter Scarborough held a 74-63 lead over the BlackJacks. Mike continued to contribute, recording 15 going into the fourth quarter, Adel leading the BlackJacks with 18.

Ottawa cut the deficit to seven early in the fourth quarter thanks to a layup, steal and layup from Boursiquot and two straight baskets from Walt Lemon Jr. From then on, Kameron Chatman and Rathan-Mayes made sure the Shooting Stars lead didn't stay below 10 and sent Scarborough into Elam time up 89-75. Bernard Thompson gave the BlackJacks a three earlier in the fourth to cut the deficit back to nine, 84-75, and he started Elam time with back to back threes to cut the Shooting Stars lead back to 10 at 91-81. The target score was set at 98 and after the two Thompson threes, the Shooting Stars answered with Harris and Rathan-Mayes who hit a game winning pullup three to give Scarborough the 98-81 win.

All five Shooting Stars starters finished in double-digits on the scoreboard, Harris recording 17, Rathan-Mayes 14, Chatman 16, Kalif Young 10 and Mike 17. Mike led the Shooting Stars in rebounds with nine while Rathan-Mayes led with nine assists.

Adel led the BlackJacks with 18 points on 53 per cent shooting to go with six rebounds and nine assists. Lemon Jr. recorded 17 on 58 per cent shooting, five rebounds and a pair of assists and steals.

Scarborough head coach Chris Exilus praised Isiaha Mike after his performance saying, “Isiaha Mike is a great player, very strong, winner, he likes to get after it, good person to have around your team in terms of competing and his skill level is very high so we’re thankful to have him on our team.”

Charles Dube-Brais said of his teams performance, “from the get go they (Scarborough) made a lot, some of them is on us but some of that was also tough shot making because we allowed them to get into rhythm, we brought that very very close after halftime and we felt at that point that the physical domination was probably trending in our direction, points in the paint I think we were plus fifteen, we’re trying to get downhill and we succeed at that we just weren’t efficient enough at finishing those plays off, left a lot on the table and only shot 50 per cent from the foul line”

Guelph Nighthawks Start Season With Win over Scarborough Shooting Stars

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Fri, 27 May 2022 18:29:57 GMT

Guelph Nighthawks Start Season With Win over Scarborough Shooting Stars

Jacob Smith • May 27, 2022

GUELPH, ON – The Guelph Nighthawks earned their first victory of the season, 89-80 in thrilling fashion over the newly added Scarborough Shooting Stars. In a packed Sleeman Centre in Guelph, Ontario, the Nighthawks and Shooting Stars kicked off their long season and the home team came out on top.

The first quarter began and the Nighthawks stormed out to a 5-0 lead behind Ahmed Hill and AJ Lawson. Scarborough’s first basket came at the hand of their newest addition, Jalen Harris who ended the first quarter with 13 points. The Shooting stars found a lot of their offence with their guards getting inside, outscoring the Nighthawks in the paint 12 to four in the quarter. On the other end, the Nighthawks tried to get their three pointer going, attempting thirteen to the Shooting Stars seven. The Nighthawks and Shooting Stars continued trading small runs, leading to a tight 25-24 Scarborough lead at the end of the quarter. AJ Lawson finished the first quarter with 10 points.

Taking care of the basketball, the story of the second quarter. Guelph played tight defence, forcing Scarborough to turn the ball over (11 in first half) and leading Guelph to 17 points off turnovers. Guelph recorded five steals in the first half and ended the quarter with eight fast break points. The biggest lead for Guelph was 10 but as the quarter ended the Nighthawks once again held a slim lead, 43-42 over the Scarborough Shooting Stars. Kameron Chatman made his impact in the second quarter, as he finished the half with 13 points (71% shooting), while Jalen Harris tied his points on 60% shooting.

Scarborough took the lead very early in the third quarter with a basket from Kalif Young, and they continued to push the Nighthawks throughout the quarter. The Shooting Stars flipped the script in their favour with the defence leading to transition basketball, and guards like JV Mukama and Jalen Harris thrived, Jalen finishing the quarter with 20 points (50% shooting), seven rebounds and four assists. Kameron Chatman made a big impact in the third quarter around the paint, finishing the quarter with 19 points (72% shooting), four rebounds and an assist. On the Nighthawks side, Cat Barber had 15 points, four rebounds and five assists going into the fourth quarter, while AJ Lawson had 14 points, a rebound and an assist.

The fourth quarter was nothing short of explosive. Kameron Chatman continued to score for the Shooting Stars while Kalif Young made his work inside the paint, until halfway through the quarter when Ahmed Hill took over. The Nighthawks guard scored 10 in a row for Guelph bringing it from a 76-75 lead for Scarborough to a 85-80 lead midway through Elam time. While Kalif Young did what he could to respond to the Nighthawks, Guelph held a 79-76 lead as Elam time started and Guelph went on a 9-4 run all behind Ahmed Hill and late scores by AJ Lawson and Cat Barber who hit a pullup jumper to win it for the Nighthawks.

Guelph took a 89-80 victory over the Shooting Stars in their season opener. Cat Barber, who hit the game winner, finished with 20 points to lead the Nighthawks, four rebounds and six assists. Ahmed Hill, who scored 10 in the fourth quarter, finished the game with 18 points, three rebounds and four assists, AJ Lawson tying that total of 18 points. On the Shooting Stars side, Jalen Harris and Kameron Chatman gave 21 points each, while Kalif Young cleaned up the paint adding 12 points and nine rebounds off of the bench.

Cat Barber after the game said going forward he’s going to do whatever it takes to get his team the win, “Whatever I got to do to win, I feel like last year I came in and I was playing good but we didn’t get it done, this year we got a better longer team so I got to set the tone and I did that tonight”.

Scarborough Shooting Stars Travel to Guelph to Play Nighthawks in Season Debut

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Thu, 26 May 2022 19:56:26 GMT

Scarborough Shooting Stars Travel to Guelph to Play Nighthawks in Season Debut

Jacob Smith • May 26, 2022

The Guelph Nighthawks kickoff their 2022 CEBL season tonight against the newly added Scarborough Shooting Stars at 7 p.m. ET at the Sleeman Centre.

One of three expansion teams added for the 2022 CEBL Season, Scarborough along with Newfoundland and Montreal will compete for the championship at the end of CEBL Championship Weekend being held in the nation’s capital from August 12-14.

The Nighthawks enter their fourth season in CEBL competition having finished the 2021 season with a 5-9 record, earning them the fifth seed in the CEBL playoffs where they lost to the Fraser Valley Bandits (104-84) in the Quarterfinals.

Head Coach and General Manager, Charles Kissi has brought back a few key pieces from last season. Notable among them is Cat Barber who led the team in 2021 in points per game (17.6) and assists per game (4.4). He recently averaged a career best 23.0 points per game with the College Park Skyhawks in the NBA G League and also earned himself a 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA in December 2021. TJ Lall has also re-signed with Guelph after a standout performance in the 2021-22 U SPORTS season with Brock University where he averaged an impressive 22.0 points per game. Lall was drafted by the Guelph in the 2021 CEBL U SPORTS Draft as a developmental player.

Elijah Miller finished his first season with the University of PEI Panthers and has joined Guelph for the season to add depth and U SPORTS experience. A Canadian with NCAA experience, the Nighthawks have also signed AJ Lawson, who played collegiate basketball at the University of South Carolina and is one of the players with national team experience, playing with Team Canada as a part of the U18 and U19 team, and now added to the World Cup Qualifying group for the upcoming set of qualifier matches. Lawson also adds NBA G League experience, suiting up for the College Park Skyhawks alongside Barber. To compliment the Canadian experience, Guelph brought in two international players, Kyliann Rotardier from Orleans Loiret Basket in France, and Madut Akec from South Sudan who played collegiate basketball at Detroit Mercy in the NCAA.

The Shooting Stars are new to the CEBL but their roster is filled with elite talent. Their first U SPORTS draft pick was David Muenkat out of St. FX where he played and started in all sixteen games averaging 13.8 points per game to go with 9.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals and assists. To round off the draft, the Shooting Stars selected Aaron Rhooms from Toronto Met University. A teammate who attended the same program, JV Mukama was brought into the Shooting Stars after his time with the Hamilton Honey Badgers. Mukama averaged 11.4 points per game with the Honey Badgers on 41% shooting, all while grabbing 6.5 rebounds during the Honey Badgers season.

Rapper, J Cole, with experience in the Basketball Africa League has also signed with Scarborugh and will look to gain more experience as a professional alongside the likes of NBA draft pick, Jalen Harris, Tennesee product, Kyle Alexander who played two games with the Miami Heat this past year and Xavier Rathan-Mayes who has national experience with the 2013 U19 team, NCAA experience with Florida State, NBA experience playing 5 games for the Memphis Grizzles, CEBL experience with the Hamilton Honey Badgers during the 2019 season and most recently professional experience in Greece, Israel, Romania and in the NBL with the Illawarra Hawks.

This is the first of many times these two teams will faceoff. All games will be streamed live internationally on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ , and on the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Games will also be available to stream live in Canada via cbcsports.ca , the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices, and the free CBC Gem streaming service.

J Cole signs with the Scarborough Shooting Stars

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Tue, 24 May 2022 20:04:12 GMT

J Cole signs with the Scarborough Shooting Stars

May 24, 2022

The Scarborough Shooting Stars Basketball Club of the Canadian Elite Basketball League announced Friday that they have signed 6'3 guard, J Cole to a standard player contract ahead of the 2022 season. Cole last played in the Basketball Africa League in 2021 for thee Patriots Basketball Club based out of Rwanda.

Cole's first game will be against the Guelph Nighthawks on May 26 at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph, Ont.

The CEBL begins its fourth season May 25. Tickets to all games are available now at CEBL.ca/tickets. All games will be streamed live internationally on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ . and on the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Games will also be available to stream live in Canada via cbcsports.ca , the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices, and the free CBC Gem streaming service.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Jalen Harris

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Tue, 24 May 2022 20:00:24 GMT

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Jalen Harris

May 24, 2022

Scarborough, Ontario, Canada - Today it is announced that the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have signed SG Jalen Harris to a contract for the 2022 season. The former 2020, 2nd round selection (59th overall) by the Toronto Raptors last played with the Vanoli Cremona a professional basketball team in the city of Cremona.

In 18 games with Vanoli Cremona, the 6-foot-5 guard out of Nevada averaged a team-leading 13.8 points on 38.5% shooting and 29.5% three-point shooting to go along with three rebounds, two assists, and nearly 1.0 steal per game.

Heslip Appointed General Manager of Scarborough Shooting Stars

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 20:19:11 GMT

Heslip Appointed General Manager of Scarborough Shooting Stars

Apr 06, 2022

Former Senior Men’s Canadian National Team member to help lead growth of CEBL expansion team

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League announced Wednesday that Burlington native Brady Heslip has been named General Manager of the league’s expansion club.

As a former member of the Canadian Senior Men’s National Team, Heslip won a silver medal in the 2015 Pan American Games as well as a bronze medal at the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship. The 31-year- old also played seven professional seasons in the NBA G League, NBA Summer League, the Bosnian National League, and the Basketball Bundesliga in Germany.

“I am honoured and grateful to be appointed general manager of Scarborough’s pro basketball team,” said Heslip. “I am excited about the opportunity to build this organization and be a part of a championship culture for years to come”.

Heslip played for Baylor University from 2011 to 2014 where he averaged 10.1 points in 112 games played while shooting 40 percent from the three-point line. He signed with the Iowa Energy of the NBA G League in 2014 and pointers converted 11 three-point attempts in his professional debut, setting the league record for most three-pointers made in a single game. He surpassed his own record 15 days later when he made 13 threes against the Idaho Stampede. He went on to play for the Bosnian Club, Igokea, later that year and was named 2015 Bosnian Cup Grand Final MVP after helping his team win the championship. In 15 Bosnian League games for Igokea, Helslip averaged 18.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Heslip was acquired by the Raptors 905 for the 2016-17 season after playing four preseason games with the Toronto Raptors in the NBA. He last played for the German team, Skyliners Frankfurt of the Bundesliga in 2018.

About the Scarborough Shooting Stars

Franchise owners Nicholas ‘Niko’ Carino, one of the founding members of OVO (October’s Very Own), and Sam Ibrahim, one of the founding members of Playground Global ( www.playground-global.com ), could not be more excited to join and expand the league. Born and raised in Scarborough, Carino and Ibrahim are honoured to promote the dream-big mentality and encourage the next generation of young dreamers to go after their goals. Together, they are working toward the shared objectives of creating immediate jobs and career pathways for young people to pursue their passions and expanding opportunities to grow the game of basketball.

About the Canadian Elite Basketball League

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 75 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, including division 1 FIBA leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season typically runs from May through August with ten teams coast-to-coast. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube. All CEBL games are available for live streaming on the CEBL’s new OTT streaming service, CEBL+, cbcsports.ca , the free CBC Gem streaming service, the CBC Sports App for iOS and Android devices, and on Twitch.

Magloire Appointed Vice President and Senior Advisor by Shooting Stars

erik@scarboroughshootingstars.ca (Erik Grosman) — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 20:09:22 GMT

Magloire Appointed Vice President and Senior Advisor by Shooting Stars

Mar 21, 2022

NBA All-Star to help lead CEBL expansion team in his hometown of Scarborough

The Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League announced Monday that Scarborough native Jamaal Magloire has been named Vice President and Senior Advisor of the league’s expansion club.

One of Scarborough’s most influential ambassadors, the local high school legend was among the first Canadians to achieve the highest level of basketball success as both an NCAA champion at Kentucky and an NBA All-Star, paving the way for the many Canadian NBA stars that have followed. Passionate about Toronto, Magloire has long been involved in local initiatives, charitable endeavours and major events such as Caribana that showcase the city’s energy. Nick Nurse, head coach of the Toronto Raptors and of the Canadian men’s national team, is credited as being an instrumental part of this connection to the Shooting Stars and the CEBL, with his dedication to the growth of basketball in Canada.

‘We are fortunate to have such an amazing home-grown talent involved in the organization,” said Nicholas Carino, president of the Scarborough Shooting Stars. “We’re excited to learn from his experiences and work together to showcase what our city has to offer.”

Magloire, 43, currently serves as basketball development consultant and community ambassador for the Toronto Raptors. He played 12 seasons in the NBA with Charlotte/New Orleans, Milwaukee, Portland, New Jersey, Dallas, Miami and Toronto. The 6-foot-11 center was the 19th pick in the 2000 NBA Draft by Charlotte. He became only the second Canadian to earn NBA All-Star status during the 2003-04 season and led the Eastern all-star team with 19 points, to go along with eight rebounds in 21 minutes.

Magloire finished his NBA career with the Raptors during the 2011-12 season and became the first Canadian born player to play for the Raptors.

About the Scarborough Shooting Stars
Franchise owners Nicholas ‘Niko’ Carino, one of the founding members of OVO (October’s Very Own), and Sam Ibrahim, one of the founding members of Playground Global ( www.playground-global.com ), could not be more excited to join and expand the league. Born and raised in Scarborough, Carino and Ibrahim are honoured to promote the dream-big mentality and encourage the next generation of young dreamers to go after their goals. Together, they are working toward the shared objectives of creating immediate jobs and career pathways for young people to pursue their passions and expanding opportunities to grow the game of basketball.

About the Canadian Elite Basketball League
A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 75 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, including division 1 FIBA leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season typically runs from May through August with ten teams coast-to-coast. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube. All CEBL games are available for live streaming on the CEBL’s new OTT streaming service, CEBL+, cbcsports.ca , the free CBC Gem streaming service, the CBC Sports App for iOS and android devices, and on Twitch.

SCARBOROUGH SHOOTING STARS LAUNCHED AS FIRST GREATER TORONTO AREA FRANCHISE IN CEBL

Sun, 15 Aug 2021 03:29:42 GMT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League unveiled its eighth franchise and first in the Greater Toronto Area on Monday, the Scarborough Shooting Stars. The team begins play when the league’s 2022 season opens next May.

“Today marks an exciting milestone in the history of the CEBL as we announce our expansion to another market, while adding a tremendous new ownership group to help us continue to grow the game across the country,” said Mike Morreale, CEO and Commissioner of the CEBL. “Scarborough is a basketball hotbed that has produced some of Canada’s very best players. When the new team hits the court in 2022 it will bring an elevated passion and love for the game, the Scarborough community, and for the next generation of CEBL stars.”

Scarborough franchise owners Nicholas “Niko” Carino, one of the founding members of OVO (October’s Very Own), and Sam Ibrahim, one of the founding members, of Playground Global could not be more excited to join the league. Launched in May of 2018 and playing its first season in 2019 with clubs in Hamilton, Edmonton, Guelph, Niagara (St. Catharines), Fraser Valley (Abbotsford), and Saskatchewan (Saskatoon), the CEBL added Ottawa prior to the 2020 season.

Both born and raised in Scarborough, Carino and Ibrahim are honoured to promote the dream-big mentality and encourage the next generation of young dreamers to go after their goals. Together, they are working toward the shared objectives of creating immediate jobs and career pathways for young people to pursue their passions and expanding opportunities to grow the game of basketball.

Additional details about the Scarborough Shooting Stars will be announced this fall. Fans may secure priority access to season tickets with a $100 deposit by heading to the link here .

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 75 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, including Division 1 FIBA leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

The Scarborough Shooting Stars Team News

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Guard Myles Powell for 2026 Season

The Scarborough Shooting Stars announced today the signing of guard Myles Powell for the 2026 season.

Scarborough Signs Canadian Guard Kellen Tynes

Elite two-way guard and defensive standout joins Scarborough for the 2026 CEBL season

CANADIAN ELITE BASKETBALL LEAGUE AND OLG RENEW SPONSORSHIP FOR THIRD SEASON UNDER LOTTO MAX AND PROLINE BRANDS

Scarborough signs Ontario Tech guard AJ Cummings

Scarborough signs AUS Rookie of the Year Phoenyx Wyse

Scarborough Shooting Stars to Hold Open Tryouts

Your opportunity to become a professional hooper.

CEBL Signing Day for U Sports and CCAA Athletes set for April 8, 2026

CEBL Signing Day will replace the CEBL draft

Yerba Madre Revealed as Official Yerba Mate Drink of the Canadian Elite Basketball League Through 2028

Yerba Madre Signs Three Season Deal with CEBL

Canadian Elite Basketball League and CBC Sports Sign Five-Year Broadcast Partnership

All games livestreamed on CBC Gem and CBC Sports YouTube channel with marquee games on CBC TV

Reach For The Stars Gala: Everything You Need To Know

The Scarborough Shooting Stars are launching their inaugural Reach For The Stars Gala Saturday , with all proceeds directly helping Scarborough youth.

“It's motivation for them to achieve their highest basketball dreams” Scarborough Shooting Stars Host Season 5 SSSkills Camp

Family Day in Scarborough

SSS Season 5 | Schedule

Scarborough Shooting Stars Announce Drew Green as Franchise’s New Co-Owner

Michael Foster Jr. Joins Scarborough Shooting Stars Ahead of Season Stretch Run

Aaron Best Returns to Help Scarborough Shooting Stars Finish Season Strong

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Forward Anthony Walker for 2025 Season

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Kalif Young for 2025 Season

Scarborough Signs NC State Standout Terquavion Smith

Record-Breaking Night for Montreal in the Ends

Winnipeg Rallies for Dramatic Comeback Win Over Scarborough

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Calvin Epistola for 2025 Season

Shooting Stars Outlast Winless Rattlers to Remain Undefeated

Shooting Stars Edge BlackJacks 87–86 in School Day Thriller

Shooting Stars Win Season Debut, Spoil Honey Badgers' Home Opener

Scarborough Shooting Stars sign Yuri Collins

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Donovan Williams for 2025 Season

CDIC Expands National Partnership with CEBL in 2025

Partner branding to appear on all league referee jerseys this summer

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign All-CEBL First Team Guard Cat Barber

Tonybet Becomes Official Online Sportsbook of the CEBL

Ontario licensed and regulated Sportsbook to power all CEBL+ streaming broadcasts during 2025 season ﻿

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Bajan Native Hason Ward

OLG Renews Sponsorship Deal with CEBL Under its PROLINE and LOTTO MAX Brands

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Joirdon Nicholas

Neo Financial Becomes Official Credit Card of the CEBL

Canadian fintech leader commits to cashback program on all CEBL ticket purchases for Neo Mastercard holders

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Jaden Campbell for 2025 Season

Scarborough Shooting Stars Re-Sign Danilo Djuricic for 2025 Season

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Jayden Coke

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Scarborough Native Khalil Miller

Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Kobe Elvis

Mazereeuw Named President of Canadian Elite Basketball League

Seasoned sports executive and business leader steps into key role with Canada’s largest pro sports league

2025 RDS Broadcast Team Announced

Éclipse: Match Sous les Étoiles in Montréal kicks off RDS coverage May 23

2025 CEBL+ Broadcast Teams Announced

Seventh season of CEBL action tips off May 11 with Battle of Alberta at Edmonton EXPO Centre

2025 CEBL on TSN Broadcast Team Announced

CEBL Summer Classic in Montréal kicks off TSN’s national coverage May 23

LIVE CEBL ACTION RETURNS TO GAME+ IN 2025

Leading North American sports channel to broadcast 33 games this summer

2025 CEBL DRAFT CLASS ANNOUNCED

Twenty-seven U SPORTS, three CCAA student-athletes selected in three rounds

Shooting Stars Select Dynamic Trio of Guards in the 2025 CEBL Draft

REDTAG.CA RENEWS FOUNDING PARTNERSHIP WITH CEBL

Canada’s leading full-service travel company remains ‘Official Travel Partner of the CEBL

'2025 CEBL Draft Reveal Show’ Set For April 10 ON CEBL+

Draft results will be unveiled live on league’s official streaming platform for the first time

The full 2025 CEBL Draft order is as follows:

NLSE Returns as U.S. Home for CEBL In 2025 This Summer

The full 40-game NLSE broadcast schedule in 2025 is as follows:

Live CEBL Action Available on TSN & RDS Once Again This Summer

The full TSN and RDS schedule for the 2025 CEBL season is as follows:

Electrolit Announce Two-Year Partnership Extension

Electrolit remains Official Hydration Partner of the CEBL through 2026

Scarborough Shooting Stars Announce 2025 Season Schedule

The Shooting Stars will visit every CEBL city during the league’s longest season to date

INDOCHINO CEO DREW GREEN NAMED CHAIR OF CEBL BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Shooting Stars host BlackJacks in high-octane Eastern Conference Play-In

Surge fight for seeding in regular season finale against Shooting Stars

Vancouver heads to Scarborough with sights set on 1st place in the West

Ontario licensed and regulated Sportsbook to power all CEBL+ streaming broadcasts during 2025 season