Sea Bears Team News

Winnipeg Sea Bears Sign Point Guard Armani Chaney

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:05:33 GMT

Winnipeg, MB, April 27, 2026 — The Winnipeg Sea Bears today announced the club has signed point guard Armani Chaney for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League season.

Most recently, Chaney played for the Astros de Jalisco in Mexico during the 2025–26 season, averaging 13.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Earlier that same season, he suited up for Depomaxx Harem Spor in Turkey, posting 20.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game.

In 2024–25, Chaney averaged 24.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game with the Kapfenberg Bulls in Austria, continuing to establish himself as one of the most prolific scorers in professional basketball.

In the 2023–24 season with the Newfoundland Rogues, Chaney put together one of the most dominant individual campaigns in BSL history — leading the team in both points and assists while averaging 30.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game across 25 games. He capped the season with a career high 52-point playoff performance and was named both the 2024 BSL Most Valuable Player and a BSL First Team All-Star.

“We are excited to welcome Armani to the Sea Bears,” said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. “He plays with a chip on his shoulder and a determination to help his team win that is going to be infectious for our group.”

“I’m ready to get to work, and add to history here in Winnipeg,” said Chaney.

Prior to his professional career, Chaney played four seasons at Tennessee State University, where he developed into one of the program’s most reliable floor generals. In his junior season (2017–18), he led the team with 111 assists and 43 steals, ranking eighth in the Ohio Valley Conference in assists per game and sixth in steals per game. He was named OVC Co-Freshman of the Week in his debut season and consistently shot above 72 percent from the free throw line throughout his collegiate career.

Get exclusive access to see the 2026 roster in action prior to the home opener at the team’s intersquad game on May 3, exclusive to season ticket members. Become one today.

Winnipeg Sea Bears Re-Sign Winnipeg Product Kyler Filewich

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:58:12 GMT

Winnipeg, MB, April 25, 2026 — The Winnipeg Sea Bears today announce the club has re-signed centre Kyler Filewich for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League season. A Winnipeg native, Filewich returns to his hometown team for his second summer with the Sea Bears.

Born and raised in Winnipeg and a product of Vincent Massey High School, Filewich began his professional career with the Sea Bears during the 2025 CEBL season. He returns to the lineup having now completed his first full professional season overseas.

In the 2025–26 season, Filewich played for BK Olomoucko in the Czech Republic’s Maxa NBL. He led the team in rebounding at 9.1 per game while averaging 12.0 points and 2.2 assists. Filewich set a new career-high with 23 points, adding 13 rebounds, 6 assists, and shooting 68.8 percent from the field in a win over Slavia Praha, and also recorded a double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds in a victory over Dubrava.

“It is great to get Kyler back for his second summer with the team,” said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. “We look forward to seeing the progress he has made after his first full season of professional basketball. He plays with a strong physical presence and we are excited to continue working with him this summer.”

“Excited and grateful for the opportunity to be back in Winnipeg for another season,” said Filewich. “I’m ready to keep working and do whatever I can to help the team win this summer.”

Filewich’s collegiate career spanned five seasons across Southern Illinois University and Wofford College. At Wofford, he was a three-year starter who saved his best for last — in his final season (2024–25), he averaged 11.7 points and led the team with 9.2 rebounds per game, earning SoCon Tournament MVP, First Team All-Tournament, and All-SoCon Third Team honours, as well as the CSC Academic All-District award. He helped lead Wofford to an NCAA Tournament berth in March 2025 (March Madness) and set the Division I program record with 21 career double-doubles. Filewich was also named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman team at Southern Illinois, where he ranked second in rebounding among MVC freshmen.

Don't miss your chance to see hometown product Kyler Filewich live — single game tickets are on sale now.

Winnipeg Sea Bears Sign Davion Warren

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:57:11 GMT

Winnipeg, MB, April 24, 2026 — The Winnipeg Sea Bears today announced the club has signed guard Davion Warren for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League season.

Warren arrives in Winnipeg following a standout run with the BHC Knights in the Mongolian MBL, where he averaged 26.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game that led to his selection as the Best International Player of the 2025-26 MBA season. Prior to that, he spent the 2024–25 season with the Guangzhou Long Lions in China, posting 18.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.0 steals per game in 27.5 minutes.

Warren brings proven CEBL experience to Winnipeg, having previously suited up for the Edmonton Stingers in the 2023–24 season where he averaged 14.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. That same year, Warren spent time with the Long Island Nets in the NBA G League, shooting 52 percent from the field and recording a standout 34-point, 13-rebound, 6-assist performance in.

“We are excited about Davion joining us for this season,” said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. “He is a proven two-way player capable of impacting the game at both ends of the floor including creating offense for himself and others.”

Warren’s collegiate career spanned three schools, culminating at Texas Tech in 2021–22 where he averaged 9.4 points and led the team with 53 total steals, scoring double figures in 19 games including a season-high 23 against Kansas State. He helped Tech to a second-place Big 12 Tournament finish and a third-place ranking in the NCAA Tournament.

At Hampton University, Warren was one of the nation’s most decorated players, earning Big South Player of the Year, Big South First Team All-Conference, BCSN All-American, HBCU All-Star Team, and BoxToRow Co-National Player of the Year honours while ranking 13th nationally in scoring at 21.2 points per game. He finished his collegiate career with 1,944 points.

Warren started his College career with Olney Central College where he was awarded the MVP of Conference first team.

Season Ticket Members get exclusive access to our Intersquad Game — the first chance to see the 2026 roster in action before the home opener. Want in on the action? Become a Season Ticket Member today.

CEBL AND CBC SPORTS RELEASE 2026 SEASON BROADCAST AND STREAMING SCHEDULE

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:46:54 GMT

Schedule features full season livestreaming on CBC Gem; Six regular-season games, Conference Finals and best-of-three Finals to be broadcast nationally on CBC TV

April 23, 2026 – Today, the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and CBC Sports unveiled the league’s 2026 broadcast and streaming schedule. Beginning May 9, CBC Sports will live stream every game of the 2026 CEBL season on the free CBC Gem streaming service, cbcsports.ca and CBC Sports YouTube channel . Additionally, six regular season matchups, the Conference Finals and the best-of-three CEBL Finals will be broadcast nationally on CBC TV.

CBC Sports’ coverage of the league’s eighth season tips off on Saturday, May 9 at 3:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. MT) from the Edmonton EXPO Centre, where the Edmonton Stingers host former Stingers guard and three-time CEBL MVP Xavier Moon and the Winnipeg Sea Bears in a highly anticipated season opener.

“This broadcast schedule reflects the commitment of both our League and CBC Sports to deliver Canadian-grown, top-tier sport action across the nation,” said CEBL President and CEO Ty Mazereeuw. “We’ll be bringing free access to premier matchups from Canada’s pro basketball league to audiences across Canada .”

CBC Sports returns as a key media partner under a new five-year agreement, as announced March 3 , after serving as the league’s original broadcaster from 2019 to 2022.

The national broadcast schedule also features a marquee rematch of last summer’s dramatic Western Conference Semifinal, with the Calgary Surge visiting the Vancouver Bandits on July 5 at Langley Events Centre. Additional matchups throughout the summer will showcase some of the league’s top rivalries and premier talent.

Regular-Season games available on CBC TV:

Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 3:30 PM ET | Winnipeg Sea Bears at Edmonton Stingers
Sunday, July 5, 2026 | 3:30 PM ET | Calgary Surge at Vancouver Bandits
Sunday, July 12, 2026 | 3:30 PM ET | Calgary Surge at Winnipeg Sea Bears
Saturday, July 18, 2026 | 3:30 PM ET | Edmonton Stingers at Niagara River Lions
Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 3:30 PM ET | Brampton Honey Badgers at Winnipeg Sea Bears
Sunday, August 2, 2026 | 3:30 PM ET | Winnipeg Sea Bears at Vancouver Bandits

The schedule for CBC Sports’ CEBL Playoffs coverage will be announced at a later date.

For the full 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League schedule, visit cebl.ca/schedule . Additional streaming will be available on CEBL+. Details on the league’s new playoff format are available at cebl.ca/playoffs, and ticket information can be found at cebl.ca/tickets.

Winnipeg Sea Bears Sign Jeremiah Tilmon Jr.

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:59:26 GMT

Winnipeg, MB, April 22, 2026 — The Winnipeg Sea Bears today announced the club has signed forward Jeremiah Tilmon Jr. for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League season.

The 6’10” forward is no stranger to the CEBL, having previously played for the Hamilton Honey Badgers in 2022 and 2023. In his debut CEBL season, Tilmon Jr. led the league in field goal percentage at 63.9 percent and ranked fifth in blocks per game while helping Hamilton claim the CEBL championship in 2022. He followed that up in 2023 by shooting 61.1 percent from the field, ranking second in the league and securing 1.5 blocks per game ranking him fourth in league blocks.

"The addition of Jeremiah gives our group an experienced winner up front,” says Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. “We are looking forward to his ability to play with physicality and lead from the centre position."

Most recently, Tilmon Jr. was selected to represent his country on the USA Basketball Men’s World Cup Qualifying Team in both 2025 and 2026.

Tilmon Jr. spent the 2025–26 NBA G League season with the Wisconsin Herd, averaging 6.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in 18.8 minutes per game. He has spent time with the Lakeland Magic, Raptors 905, and Greensboro Swarm, and has logged professional experience in Canada, China, the Dominican Republic, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Romania, and the United States across his six-year career.

In 2024 with the Greensboro Swarm, Tilmon Jr. secured a professional career high of 27 points and 16 rebounds.

Tilmon Jr. played collegiately at the University of Missouri from 2017 to 2021, finishing his career as the sixth Mizzou player ever to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 100 blocks. He earned Second Team All-SEC honours in his senior season and was named the SEC Player of the Week during his sophomore year.

Get exclusive access to see the 2026 roster in action prior to the home opener at the team’s intersquad game, exclusive to season ticket members. Become one today.

Winnipeg Sea Bears Announce 2026 Coaching Staff

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:01:19 GMT

Winnipeg, MB, April 20, 2026 — The Winnipeg Sea Bears today announce the coaching staff for the upcoming 2026 season. Under the leadership of Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault, Alex Campbell steps in as Lead Assistant Coach and Assistant General Manager and Jeremy Wielenga, Ilarion Bonhomme and Steven Wesley have been named Assistant Coaches.

Campbell served as lead assistant coach with the Saskatchewan Huskies over the 2025–26 season prior to joining the Sea Bears coaching staff. As a player, Campbell was a member of the league’s inaugural 2019 championship team with Saskatchewan and was named the first-ever CEBL Finals MVP that year. Campbell joined the Sea Bears in 2024 and made league history as the first Canadian to reach 1,000 career CEBL points on a buzzer-beater at Canada Life Centre, and he remains the league’s all-time leader in three-pointers made.

“I’m excited about the staff we’ve put together for this summer,” said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. “It’s a group that understands what’s required, and there’s a strong mix of experience and skill sets that will help us stay consistent and prepared all season.”

Wielenga joins the Winnipeg Sea Bears following a lengthy collegiate coaching career as head coach at Keyano College since 2017. During his tenure, he compiled an impressive 131–27 record. Wielenga led Keyano to a CCAA National Championship in 2024, along with ACAC Championships in 2024 and 2026. His program has also secured ACAC silver medals in 2022 and 2025, and a bronze medal finish in 2019. He was named CCAA Coach of the Year in 2022 and earned ACAC Coach of the Year honours in 2020, 2022, and 2023. Prior to Keyano, he held assistant coaching roles at the University of Winnipeg, Lakehead University, and Brandon University. A native of Brandon, Manitoba, Wielenga is known for his strong leadership and player development.

Bonhomme currently serves as head coach of the Brandon University women’s basketball program, building a competitive culture within Canada West. A native of Washington, D.C., Bonhomme began his collegiate career at Brandon University, earning Canada West Rookie of the Year honours in 2011–12, before transferring to the University of Manitoba where he helped lead the program to a U SPORTS Final 8 appearance. He went on to play six years professionally across Europe and Australia. Off the court, Bonhomme holds a master’s degree in Human Resource Management with a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion, and is currently pursuing a PhD focused on gender equity in sport.

Wesley joins the staff with a focus on player development following a professional playing career. He currently serves as an assistant coach with the University of Winnipeg Wesmen and as head coach of the Manitoba 14U Provincial Team. Wesley is also the founder of World Class Hoopers, one of Winnipeg’s fastest-growing youth basketball development programs. He has played an instrumental role in the development of Northstar Prep and continues to be actively involved in the program.

Single game tickets for the 2026 season are now on sale and can be purchased here . The home opener takes place May 16 at Canada Life Centre.

Winnipeg Sea Bears, MNP and Bike Winnipeg launch bike valet service at home games

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:12:06 GMT

Winnipeg April 13, 2026 — The Winnipeg Sea Bears today announce a new bike valet service at home games in partnership with MNP and Bike Winnipeg, offering fans a safe, convenient and eco-friendly way to attend games.

The MNP Bike Valet will be located on Graham Avenue across from True North Square and will accommodate both human-powered and electric-assisted bicycles. The service will be free for all fans, and provides a simple, hassle-free experience.

“We’re excited to help make game days more accessible and sustainable for fans,” said Aaron Newnham, Senior Marketing Manager at MNP. “Partnering with the Winnipeg Sea Bears and Bike Winnipeg is a meaningful way for us to support the community while encouraging environmentally friendly transportation options."

The program will be available 90 minutes before tip off and operate much like a coat check for bicycles: fans will hand over their bikes to an attendant and receive a claim stub. After the event, they will present the stub to have their bike returned. This secure, attended service is designed to make game-day travel easier while encouraging sustainable transportation.

“Bike Winnipeg is thrilled to partner with the Sea Bears and MNP to provide safe and secure bike valet parking for all fans attending games this season,” said Mark Cohoe, Executive Director of Bike Winnipeg. “We’re also looking forward to organizing guided group rides from the northwest, northeast, southeast, southwest and central areas of the city to highlight safe routes to Canada Life Centre. We believe this will encourage people to skip traffic tie-ups, enjoy both the journey and the destination, and get more people biking more often.”

The MNP Bike Valet program aims to create a welcoming and accessible experience for fans of all ages. By providing a secure location for bicycles, the Sea Bears, MNP and Bike Winnipeg are helping remove barriers for fans while supporting environmentally friendly travel and strengthening community connections.

Skip the traffic, park your bike for free, and be part of the action this summer with single game tickets.

Winnipeg Sea Bears Select Two Local Standouts on 2026 CEBL Signing Day

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:52:52 GMT

Winnipeg, MB, April 8,2026 — The Winnipeg Sea Bears today announce the signing of two stand out local student-athletes, Mason Kraus and Kato Jaro, as part of the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League Signing Day.

CEBL Signing Day replaces the former CEBL Draft model, and highlights the next wave of elite Canadian talent from U SPORTS and the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association.

Kraus, a guard from the University of Manitoba Bisons, has averaged 13.4 points and 4.7 rebounds over 31.4 minutes per game in his U SPORTS career. During the 2025-26 season, he recorded a season-high 29 points against Mount Royal on Jan. 10, 2026, and pulled down 10 rebounds against Brandon on Feb. 12, 2026.

“Mason had a notable collegiate career and has shown he can defend and disrupt players at multiple positions,” said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. “We’re excited to support him as he takes the next step into his professional career.”

A U Sports Draft pick in 2025 for the Winnipeg Sea Bears, Kraus was named to Canada’s men’s roster for the 2025 FIBA U23 3×3 Nations League and was named an all-star four times (All-Rookie in 2022, Third Team in 2023, First Team in 2025, Third Team in 2026). He becomes just the eighth player in program history to receive conference all-status status of some form in four different seasons.

Jaro, a guard with the University of Winnipeg Wesmen, averaged 9.7 points and 3.2 rebounds over 26.2 minutes per game in his collegiate career. In the 2025-26 season, he posted a season-high 31 points against Manitoba on Jan. 29, 2026, and recorded 10 assists against Alberta on Nov. 29, 2025. In 2025-2026, Jaro was named a Canada West Men's Basketball First Team All-Star and named a second-team all-Canadian.

“Kato had a great U Sports season," said Raimbault. “We're thrilled to have him with us this summer as he continues to develop his game.”

The addition of Kraus and Jaro reflects the Sea Bears’ continued commitment to developing and showcasing Manitoba talent at a professional level.

Single game tickets for the 2026 season are now on sale and can be purchased here . The home opener takes place May 16 at Canada Life Centre.

Winnipeg Sea Bears Sign Teddy Allen

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:11:07 GMT

Winnipeg, MB, April 2, 2026 — The Winnipeg Sea Bears today announced the club has signed forward Teddy Allen for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League season.

The 6'6" forward previously played for the Saskatchewan Rattlers (2024, now the Saskatoon Mamba), the Sea Bears (2023-2024) and the Scarborough Shooting Stars (2022). Across his CEBL career, Allen has averaged 24.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.

"I'm so grateful and excited to get a chance to come back to Winnipeg," said Allen. "I really enjoyed my time there, and I'm looking forward to helping make the Sea Bears champions."

In 2023 with Winnipeg, Allen was named the Canadian Elite Basketball League Most Valuable Player and earned First Team All-CEBL honours after ranking among the league leaders in multiple statistical categories.

"We are excited to welcome Teddy back to the Sea Bears," said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. "He is a proven MVP-calibre player in our league and a professional scorer at every level. He's grown his game since his previous time in Winnipeg, and we're looking forward to having him back this summer."

During the 2025-26 NBA G League season, Allen split time between the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and the Delaware Blue Coats after being acquired by Delaware in a three-team trade on February 19, 2026. In the 2025-26 season, he is averaging 20.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.

While with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Allen was named NBA G League Player of the Week in December 2025, becoming the first Vipers player to receive this accolade during the 2025-26 season and the 25th overall in franchise history. Allen was also named to the 2025 G League Winter Showcase All-Showcase Team.

Allen played collegiately at West Virginia University, the University of Nebraska, and New Mexico State University. In the 2021-22 season at New Mexico State, he was named Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year and WAC Tournament MVP after averaging 19.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

Allen will be signing autographs on April 2 at 3:30 p.m. at the Outlet Collection Winnipeg, all fans are welcome to attend.

Winnipeg Sea Bears Welcome Home Winnipeg Product Simon Hildebrandt

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 20:47:34 GMT

Winnipeg, MB, March 26, 2026 — The Winnipeg Sea Bears today signed Winnipeg product Simon Hildebrandt for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League season, bringing the hometown forward back to Winnipeg for another summer in The Den.

“We are excited to welcome Simon back for the summer," said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. "He was an integral part of the team and we can’t wait to get him back on the court. His ability to space the court at his position will be a valuable asset to the team this summer.”

Hildebrandt, a 6-foot-9 forward, has played two seasons with the Sea Bears. He was originally selected first overall by Winnipeg in the 2023 CEBL U SPORTS Draft, becoming the first draft pick in franchise history, and was selected again in the first round in 2024. Hildebrandt won the 2023 and 2024 CEBL U SPORTS Player of the Year (now Developmental Player of the Year) award, which recognizes the top U SPORTS/CCAA player in the professional league.

“I’m excited to return home to Winnipeg this summer and compete in front of the best fans in the CEBL, and I can’t wait to get started,” said Hildebrandt.

Across two seasons in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, Hildebrandt has appeared in more than 40 games for Winnipeg, averaging 19.5 minutes per game.

Hildebrandt began his university career at the University of Manitoba Bisons men's basketball, where he quickly became one of the top players in U SPORTS. As a freshman, he averaged 17 points and 5.2 rebounds per game and was named a U SPORTS All-Canadian. He followed that with a sophomore season where he averaged 16.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, including a career-high 41-point performance against Victoria.

He later moved to NCAA Division I, playing at the High Point Panthers men's basketball during the 2024-25 season, where he appeared in 25 games and helped the program reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in its Division I history. He then transferred to the Washington State Cougars men's basketball ahead of the 2025-26 season, where he averaged 14.3 minutes per game and recorded a season-high 19 points, including five three-pointers, in a win over Pepperdine.

Don’t miss your chance to see Simon Hildebrandt return home to Winnipeg this summer - single game tickets are on sale now.

Winnipeg Sea Bears Sign Forward Fareed Shittu

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 16:39:53 GMT

Winnipeg, MB, March 11, 2026 — The Winnipeg Sea Bears today signed Canadian forward Fareed Shittu for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League season.

The six-foot-six forward from Edmonton, Alberta, brings two years of CEBL experience and a decorated U SPORTS career.

“Fareed is a high-level athlete,” said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. “He has worked hard on his game and brings a level of athleticism that few can match.”

Shittu began his U SPORTS career with the UNBC Timberwolves, where he earned UNBC Timberwolves Male Rookie of the Year honours and a selection to the Canada West All-Rookie Team in 2019-20. By his third season, he earned Canada West third-team all-star honours, averaging 14.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2 assists per game on 38 per cent three-point shooting.

After transferring to the UBC Thunderbirds for his final two seasons, Shittu averaged 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 27.3 minutes per game over 18 games, including a season-high 28 points against the Winnipeg Wesmen on February 2.

“Signing with the Sea Bears was an easy decision for me,” Shittu said.”After speaking with coach Mike and Alex, I knew I wanted to be part of what they’re building here in Winnipeg. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from them, and contribute to the team's success."

Shittu enters his third CEBL season. He previously signed a U SPORTS development contract with the Saskatchewan Rattlers during the 2024 season before spending the 2025 campaign with the Edmonton Stingers.

The 2026 Sea Bears schedule is now available. Purchase your season tickets or flex pack by visiting https://www.seabears.ca/tickets .

Winnipeg Sea Bears Sign Guard David Walker

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 18:45:00 GMT

Winnipeg, MB, February 19, 2026 — The Winnipeg Sea Bears today announce the signing of Canadian guard David Walker.

Walker most recently appeared for the Ottawa BlackJacks in the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League season, where on Aug. 16 2025, in a playoff game, he had a standout performance, scoring 19 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and recording 3 steals in 25 minutes. Prior to his time in Ottawa, he suited up for the Scarborough Shooting Stars in 2025. Walker was also recognized as a finalist for the 2024 CEBL Developmental Player of the Year award.

In addition, Walker was a finalist for the 2023 U SPORTS Player of the Year award, recognizing his outstanding performance at the university level and cementing his reputation as one of Canada’s top basketball talents. Over his CEBL career, playing for Brampton Honey Badgers, Scarborough Shooting Stars, and Ottawa BlackJacks, Walker has averaged 8.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game.

“David fits the identity we’re building. He’s a tough, physical Canadian guard with league experience who strengthens our Canadian depth,” said Lead Assistant Coach and Assistant General Manager Alex Campbell. “He defends with purpose, plays hard, and gets downhill offensively. We believe he has tremendous upside, and I think Sea Bears Nation is going to appreciate the way he competes and works every single day.”

Walker was originally selected 22nd overall in the 2024 CEBL Draft and began his professional career with the Brampton Honey Badgers, where he averaged 7.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16 games during the 2024 season. Before turning professional, Walker starred at Toronto Metropolitan University, averaging 16.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists during the 2023–24 season.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to join the Sea Bears,” said Walker. “Winnipeg has built something special, and I’m coming in ready to bring toughness, versatility, and a winning mindset every time I step on the floor.”

The 2026 Sea Bears schedule is now available, and so are our Flex Packs! Your tickets, your way. Learn more here: https://www.seabears.ca/flex-packs-2026

Sea Bears Sign Winnipeg’s Emmanuel Akot for the 2026 Season

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 20:48:00 GMT

Winnipeg, MB, February 3, 2026 – The Winnipeg Sea Bears today announce the re-signing of hometown forward Emmanuel Akot for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League season.

Akot, a 6-foot-8 forward, was an essential part of the lineup for the Sea Bears during the 2025 season. In 19 games, he averaged 11.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists, playing an important role in Winnipeg’s run to the Western Conference Finals.

The Winnipeg product delivered several standout performances throughout the season, including a season-high 22 points on 64.3 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent from three, adding six rebounds and two assists in a July 4 matchup against the Niagara River Lions.

“Emmanuel brings a high level of athleticism, versatility, and the ability to make big plays at both ends of the floor,” said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. “He has guarded multiple positions the last couple of summers and we are excited about having him continue to impact games in a multitude of ways.”

Akot returns to Winnipeg as part of the Sea Bears’ protected players list, reinforcing roster continuity as the club builds toward the 2026 season. Akot, a former standout at Western Kentucky, Boise State and Arizona, brings professional experience across multiple international leagues in Canada, Poland and the Netherlands.

“It’s an honour to continue wearing the Sea Bears jersey and representing my hometown,” said Akot. “The support in Winnipeg means everything to me, I’m excited for what’s ahead and ready to compete in 2026.”

The 2026 Sea Bears schedule is now available, make sure to grab your season tickets here https://www.seabears.ca/season-tickets-2026

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Isiah Osborne Agrees to Terms with Sea Bears

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 20:03:04 GMT

Winnipeg, MB, January 28, 2026 — The Winnipeg Sea Bears are pleased to announce that they have agreed to terms with guard Isiah Osborne for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

Osborne, a 6’5” guard from Windsor, Ontario, brings a wealth of professional experience to Winnipeg. Across 49 career CEBL games, Osborne has averaged 25.1 minutes, 10.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, between the Edmonton Stingers, Montréal Alliance, and Ottawa BlackJacks.

“Isiah’s background as a dynamic offensive player and his athletic capabilities made him an ideal fit for our system,” said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. “He brings positional size and versatility at both ends of the floor and has the ability to impact winning in a variety of ways.”

“I’ve hit big shots in this league, but nothing comes without hard work and teammates who make winning possible,” said Osborne. “That’s why I’m excited to come to Winnipeg. I’m grateful for the opportunity and I’m coming in ready to grind.”

Osborne is currently competing with Energa Kotwica Kołobrzeg in Poland. Prior to turning professional, Osborne appeared in 23 NCAA games with the University of Texas at El Paso. He then spent two seasons at Carleton University (2018–2020), where he played 43 U SPORTS games and helped lead the Ravens to back-to-back U SPORTS national championships. Osborne earned All-Star honours in both seasons and was named U SPORTS Championship MVP in 2020.

Osborne has played professionally in Canada with the Stingers, Surge, and Alliance, as well as internationally in Finland (Kouvot), Greece (Maroussi), Latvia (Rīgas Zeļļi), Lithuania (Prienų and Gargždų), and Romania with CSM Corona Brașov of the Rome DivA league.

Season tickets for the 2026 Winnipeg Sea Bears season are on sale now and can be purchased online at https://www.seabears.ca/season-tickets-2026

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Winnipeg Sea Bears unveil 2026 home schedule as another summer of basketball is set to tip off at Canada Life Centre

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 17:45:02 GMT

Winnipeg, MB — January 15, 2026 — The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) officially released the 2026 schedule today, setting the stage for another high-energy summer at Canada Life Centre. The Sea Bears will once again bring fast-paced CEBL action to downtown Winnipeg with a home slate packed with marquee matchups, national broadcasts, and fan-favourite theme nights.

The Sea Bears home slate tips off with a Prairie rivalry matchup on Saturday, May 16 at 7:00 PM, when the Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club comes to town. Winnipeg then hosts the Niagara River Lions on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 PM, kicking off an early season stretch that sets the tone for the summer ahead.

June brings a strong run of marquee opponents and fan-friendly start times, starting with the Calgary Surge on Friday, June 12, followed by the Vancouver Bandits on Thursday, June 18. The Sea Bears welcome the Edmonton Stingers for a weekend matinee on Saturday, June 20 at 3:00 PM, a weekend afternoon tip-off ideal for families. Winnipeg then host Saskatchewan once again on Tuesday, June 30, a Canada Day Eve matchup that has quickly become a staple on the summer sports calendar.

The home schedule continues through July with Edmonton returning on Thursday, July 9, before two afternoon matchups Sunday, July 12 versus Calgary and Sunday, July 19 against the Montreal Alliance. Vancouver returns to Winnipeg Thursday, July 23, and the Brampton Honey Badgers come to town on Saturday, July 25 for the last matinee game on the calendar. The Sea Bears close the regular-season home schedule with the Ottawa BlackJacks on Friday, July 31 at 7:00 PM.

With a mix of weekend matinees, prime-time weekday tips, and rivalry matchups, the 2026 home schedule is built to make Sea Bears basketball a centerpiece of summer in Winnipeg.

January 15 is the season ticket member renewal deadline. This is the final opportunity to renew existing seats or purchase new season tickets and be entered to win tickets for the entire 2026 Sea Bears season. Fans are encouraged to act now to secure their spot at Canada Life Centre and be part of another unforgettable summer of Sea Bears basketball.

The full 2026 Winnipeg Sea Bears schedule is available now.

Nathan Bilamu Agrees to Terms with Sea Bears

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 16:45:08 GMT

Winnipeg, MB, January 8, 2026 — The Winnipeg Sea Bears are pleased to announce that they have agreed to terms with forward Nathan Bilamu for the upcoming season.

Bilamu (6-5; born August 7, 2000 in Hamilton, ON) returns to Winnipeg after a productive 2025 season with the Sea Bears in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). In his rookie professional season with Winnipeg, he appeared in 20 games and averaged 5.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, showing consistent effort and earning increased playing time as the season progressed.

“We are excited to have Nate back as he builds on what he started here," said Head Coach and General Manager, Mike Raimbault. "Last summer he brought a tremendous commitment to the team, specifically a passion for winning that showed in his effort and willingness to do whatever it took to help this group.”

Before joining Winnipeg, Bilamu enjoyed a standout university career at Lakehead University, where he emerged as a versatile two-way player. In his senior season (2024-25), Bilamu averaged 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. He was named an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) First-Team All-Star and a U-SPORTS Second-Team All-Canadian.

Following his time in the CEBL, Bilamu continued his professional career overseas with Esgueira Basket in Portugal’s Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol. Through early 2025-26 international competition, he has been a key rotation player, averaging around 12.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while logging significant minutes.

The season ticket member renewal deadline is January 15, 2026. Fans can renew or purchase new season tickets at https://www.seabears.ca/season-tickets-2026 .

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears
The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 24-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman.

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

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 .

Sea Bears Agree To Terms With three-time CEBL MVP guard Xavier Moon

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 14:08:09 GMT

Winnipeg, MB, December 11, 2025 — The Winnipeg Sea Bears are pleased to announce that they have agreed to terms with point guard Xavier Moon for the 2026 season.

Moon (6-2; Morehead State; born January 2, 1995, in Goodwater, AL) is a three-time Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Player of the Year and brings elite scoring, playmaking ability, and professional experience from international leagues, the CEBL, and the NBA.

The Goodwater, Alabama native played two seasons at Northwest Florida State College, helping the program win the National Junior College Championship. He later transferred to Morehead State, where he played two seasons and averaged 16.0 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in his senior year, earning First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference honours.

"I believe adding Xavier to our organization brings tremendous value both on and off the court. He’s a proven winner and someone who has shown he can excel in this league and at the NBA level,” said Winnipeg Sea Bears Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. “He’s a true professional who understands the importance of our community and our fans, and we’re confident the impact he makes off the court will be just as significant as what he brings on it."

Moon has spent time overseas, in North American pro leagues, and across multiple seasons in the CEBL. In 2021, he averaged a league-leading 23.1 points per game on his way to a third straight Player of the Year award and All-CEBL First Team recognition. That season included a 39-point performance, which stood as the CEBL single-game scoring record at the time.

2026 season tickets are now on sale starting at just $27 per game and can be purchased at www.seabears.ca/season-tickets-2026 .

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Winnipeg Sea Bears Deepen the Leadership Team

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 21:20:08 GMT

Winnipeg, MB – November 26, 2025 - The Winnipeg Sea Bears are pleased to announce that Rhéanne Marcoux will be joining the organization as Chief Brand and Experience Officer , effective January 1, 2026 .

An alum of Red River College and the University of Winnipeg, Rhéanne has had a progressive and distinguished career in broadcast journalism, sports marketing and as an entrepreneur with her own creative agency. She’s worked with Radio Canada, True North Sports and Entertainment and has spent the past 11 years with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, most recently as Vice President Marketing and Communications for the 112 ^th Grey Cup.

In this newly created executive role, Rhéanne will be responsible for leading the Sea Bears’ overall brand strategy, fan and guest experience, marketing, and community engagement. She will oversee the development of integrated campaigns, in-venue and digital experiences, and partnerships that deepen the connection between the Sea Bears and fans across Manitoba and beyond.

“Rhéanne brings a rare combination of strategic brand insight and a deep understanding of what makes live sports unforgettable,” said David Asper, Chair and CEO of the Winnipeg Sea Bears. “As we continue to grow our fan base and our impact in the community, her leadership will be critical in shaping how people experience Sea Bears basketball – not just on game day, but every day of the year.”

As Chief Brand and Experience Officer, Rhéanne will work closely with the executive team, basketball operations, and business partners to ensure every touchpoint with the Sea Bears organization reflects the team’s values, energy, and commitment to excellence, both on and off the court.

“Stepping into this role feels incredibly meaningful. The Sea Bears have ignited something special in our city, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of that story,” said Rhéanne. “Winnipeg fans bring a level of passion and pride that is truly unmatched, and I’m looking forward to building on experiences that honour that spirit.”

Rhéanne will be completing her current duties with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and will assume her new role with the Winnipeg Sea Bears on January 1, 2026 .

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Winnipeg Sea Bears Renew Lease at Canada Life Centre for Three More Seasons

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 14:27:36 GMT

Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced today that the team has renewed its lease at Canada Life Centre for an additional three seasons. The agreement ensures that Manitoba’s professional basketball team will continue to call the downtown arena home through the 2028 season.

Since tipping off in 2023, the Sea Bears have drawn record-breaking crowds and created unforgettable moments at Canada Life Centre, establishing the arena as one of the premier basketball venues in Canada.

“Canada Life Centre has been an incredible venue for us to play in and grow the game of basketball in Manitoba,” said Team Owner, David Asper. “The atmosphere our fans create in this building is unmatched in the league, and we are thrilled to keep building on that energy in the years ahead.”

The Sea Bears thank True North Sports + Entertainment for their continued partnership and support.

“We are deeply grateful to True North Sports + Entertainment for helping us establish our roots and for sharing our vision of growing professional basketball in Winnipeg,” said Asper. “Together, we are creating a home-court experience that is truly special.”

“We were thrilled to play a role in the exciting launch of the Sea Bears and share in their excitement as they look ahead,” said Kevin Donnelly, Senior Vice President, Venues & Entertainment for True North Sports + Entertainment. “This is a great product that provides incredible value and entertainment for the fans. We congratulate the Sea Bears organization on a great start and share their long-term vision.”

The lease renewal marks another exciting step forward for the Sea Bears as the team continues to expand its reach both on and off the court, inspiring the next generation of athletes and uniting the community through basketball.

Sea Bears and Travel Manitoba Send Lucky Fan North to See the Polar Bears

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 15:55:38 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears and Travel Manitoba will be sending another lucky family north this October. The Zirk family were the 2025 winners of the team’s “See the Bears” contest.

The contest ran throughout the season at every home game, giving fans in attendance the chance to enter to win the dream trip, valued at more than $29,400.

Thanks to Travel Manitoba and Frontiers North Adventures, the Zirk family will enjoy a round-trip adventure to Churchill, including:

A full-day Tundra Buggy Adventure
Churchill Town & Area Tour,
Polar Bears International House and Parks Canada Presentation
Accommodation and meals throughout the trip

With the 2025 season wrapped, the Sea Bears now turn their attention to an exciting 2026, when the team will build on a landmark year and continue growing the game across Manitoba.

Season tickets for 2026 are on sale now. For more information, visit seabears.ca.

Sea Bears partner with True North Youth Foundation to donate 2025 Cambrian Credit Union 50/50 proceeds

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 19:58:00 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), together with the True North Youth Foundation, are proud to announce the donation of proceeds from the 2025 Cambrian Credit Union 50/50 program. A total of $54,250 was raised, thanks to the generous support of Sea Bears fans.

Of this amount, 70% will support our ongoing partnership with Buckets & Borders, whose community basketball projects continue to revitalize spaces and bring people together through the game. The remaining 30% will support Project 11, the True North Youth Foundation’s mental health initiative that provides free in-classroom programming for students from kindergarten through Grade 12.

This summer, with the support of 50/50 proceeds, Buckets & Borders completed two major basketball court restoration projects: Northwood Community Centre and R.B. Russell Vocational School. Both courts now provide vibrant, accessible spaces for youth to play and connect, and the Sea Bears and Buckets & Borders are already planning additional projects in the coming years to grow basketball across Manitoba.

“Winnipeg’s basketball scene is thriving. To help fuel that growth, Buckets & Borders proudly partnered with the Winnipeg Sea Bears to restore basketball courts all over the city, an ongoing partnership since 2023. Proceeds from the in-game 50/50 draw are vital to continuing this work, and we’re deeply grateful to the Sea Bears’ fans for their generous support.” said Justin Lee, CEO of Buckets & Borders.

"As a member-owned financial institution with deep ties to our community, Cambrian is proud to support the Winnipeg Sea Bears and the incredible work being done through the 50/50 program," said David Mortimer, President & CEO, Cambrian Credit Union. "Seeing the proceeds go directly to revitalizing community spaces and supporting youth mental health aligns perfectly with our commitment to creating positive change in the communities we serve."

“The Sea Bears remain deeply committed to making a positive impact in our community and working alongside incredible organizations like Buckets & Borders and Cambrian Credit Union allows us to create opportunities that go beyond the game, building connections, celebrating inclusivity, and helping make Winnipeg an even stronger, more vibrant place to live” said Jason Smith, President of the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears
The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 24-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman.

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.

About the CEBL
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to deve lop 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.

Sea Bears Veteran Alex Campbell Retires, Joins Winnipeg Coaching Staff

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:41:53 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced today that veteran guard Alex Campbell has retired from professional basketball and will transition into a new role as the club’s Assistant General Manager and Assistant Coach.

Campbell, a cornerstone of the Sea Bears roster over the past two seasons, leaves behind a decorated CEBL playing career to embark on the next chapter of his basketball journey in Winnipeg. Known for his leadership, defensive tenacity, and clutch performances, Campbell will now bring those same qualities to the sidelines and the front office.

The move marks the first coaching staff decision made by newly appointed General Manager and Head Coach Mike Raimbault, who officially took the helm on August 28.

“Alex is a veteran of the league and brings a wealth of experience to his new role with the organization,” said Raimbault. “He has been a Sea Bear since day one and we are excited to continue supporting him as he steps into his new role on the staff. “

A seasoned professional with seven years of CEBL experience, Campbell made history in 2024 when he became the first Canadian player to reach 1,000 career points. He achieved the milestone with a dramatic target-score three-pointer to win Winnipeg’s home opener against the Scarborough Shooting Stars. Campbell is currently an Assistant Coach with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s basketball team.

“This game has given me so much, and I’m grateful for every teammate, coach, and fan I’ve met along the way,” said Campbell. “Winnipeg has become home for me, and I’m honoured to continue giving back to this team and this city in my new role. I’m excited to help build something special here.”

Over his CEBL career, Campbell suited up for the Vancouver Bandits, Fraser Valley Bandits and Saskatchewan Rattlers, where he was named 2019 Championship Weekend MVP. He retired ranked fifth all-time in points scored and fifth in all-time steals, cementing his place as one of the league’s all-time greats.

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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.

Winnipeg Sea Bears Hire Kevin Hughes as Senior Director of Business Development

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 14:16:41 GMT

Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Sea Bears announce the hiring of Kevin Hughes as the organization’s new Senior Director of Business Development. Hughes brings more than a decade of experience in corporate partnerships, premium seating, media sales, and business development, with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and cultivating strong community and corporate relationships.

Hughes most recently served as Director of Corporate Partnerships and Premium Seating with the Winnipeg Football Club, where he played a pivotal role in transforming the team’s business operations.

Prior to his role with the Winnipeg Football Club, Hughes held leadership positions with Bell Media, where he helped drive advertising and promotional growth across TSN, CTV, and multiple radio stations.

In his new role, Hughes will oversee the Sea Bears’ corporate partnerships and business development strategy, working to expand the team’s reach and strengthen its ties across Manitoba and beyond.

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Winnipeg Sea Bears Announce Leadership Transition

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 17:24:07 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced today that Jason Smith will be transitioning out of his role as President over the coming months. Smith helped establish the franchise and led the Sea Bears through its first three seasons.

When Smith was first engaged to guide the due diligence process, finalize the franchise deal, and bring the Sea Bears to life, he committed to dedicating himself fully to the team for its crucial early years. With that three-year commitment coming to an end this fall, Smith will step back from day-to-day duties in order to rebalance his professional life, including devoting more time to his company, Smith Events, while maintaining a strong connection to the Sea Bears.

Under a new agreement, Smith will remain with the organization in a consulting capacity, focusing on a variety of strategic projects and continuing to provide guidance and expertise as the team enters its next phase of growth. Team Owner and Chairman David Asper will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer as the Sea Bears restructure.

“We’re all very fortunate that three years ago Jason agreed to set aside a very successful business and stable personal life and commit all his energy to launching the Sea Bears, which we knew would be all-encompassing and chaotic”, said David Asper. “He’s a co-founder of the team, always will be, and I look forward to continuing our relationship with big goals yet to achieve.”

“It has been an honour to serve as President of the Sea Bears and to help create something so special for the city and province,” said Smith. “I look forward to supporting David and the team through this transition and into the next chapter, while also returning focus to Smith Events and other projects that allow me to contribute in new ways.”

This transition sets the stage for the next phase of the Sea Bears’ growth, as the team continues to strengthen its place in the local and national professional sports landscape.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears:

 The Winnipeg Sea Bears are a professional basketball team in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), proudly representing Winnipeg and Manitoba on the national stage. Since their debut, the Sea Bears have become a community leader, delivering top-tier basketball and fan experiences while contributing to the growth of the sport across Canada.

About Smith Events:

 Smith Events is a Winnipeg-based event management and consulting company led by Jason Smith. With decades of experience delivering large-scale cultural, entertainment, and sporting events such as the Juno Awards, the Grey Cup, the Heritage Classic hockey game, The Winnipeg Jets Whiteout Street Parties and more, Smith Events has built a reputation for creating memorable experiences and bringing ambitious large-scale projects to life. The company partners with organizations across sectors to design, produce, and execute events that engage communities and deliver meaningful impact.

Sea Bears Announce Protected Players List for 2025 Season

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 16:22:25 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have retained the first right to negotiate with eight members of their 2025 team for the 2026 season.

In the CEBL, all players are on single-season contracts, which means every club must sign its full roster each spring. Free agency for the 2025 season begins Feb. 1. Each club is granted the right to negotiate with players on their protected list from now until Mar. 1 without interference from other CEBL teams.

Any player left unsigned after that deadline will become a free agent and be able to sign with any CEBL club on Mar. 2.

The Sea Bears protected list consists of:

Trevon Scott
Will Richardson
Emmanuel Akot
Maurice Calloo
Simi Shittu
Nathan Bilamu
Kyler Filewich
Jalen Harris

“As we start to look towards the 2026 season, we are excited about the potential for continuity,” said General Manager and Head Coach Mike Raimbault. “We will be building the team with people who want to be in Winnipeg and who are ready to invest into making big things happen on the court and in the community next season.”

Both the players and the club must agree to having a player placed on the team’s protected list.

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Sea Bears Name Mike Raimbault General Manager and Head Coach

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 12:54:16 GMT

Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced today that Mike Raimbault has been named the team’s new General Manager and Head Coach, taking over for Mike Taylor, whose contract will conclude shortly. Alongside his new role with the Sea Bears, Raimbault will continue leading the University of Winnipeg men’s basketball team as Head Coach.

A familiar face to Winnipeg basketball fans, Raimbault returns for his fourth season with the Sea Bears after guiding the University of Winnipeg Wesmen men’s team to back-to-back Canada West Championship final appearances in 2023 and 2024. This past season, he led the Wesmen to a program-best 16-4 regular season record.

Raimbault’s roots in Manitoba run deep. He grew up and played college basketball in Brandon, later joining the Brandon University coaching staff and helping the team capture a U SPORTS (then CIS) silver medal in 2007. He went on to win a CCAA national championship as head coach of the UNBC Timberwolves before taking the helm at the University of Winnipeg, where he continues to serve as head coach of the Wesmen men’s program. Raimbault has also been part of the Sea Bears’ coaching staff since their inaugural season, serving as an assistant coach.

“We made a strategic decision to build the next steps of our organization with a team leader who is in our market on a year round basis, and to join other teams in the league who are developing Canadians coaching at the pro level. Mike Taylor did an amazing job for us but we feel we need some prairie dirt, Canadian shield and wheatfield soul in our DNA at this time,” said owner David Asper. “Mike Raimbault has all of that, combined with three years serving as an assistant coach with the Sea Bears and a demonstrated career of national success at the highest levels of amateur basketball. We are looking forward to the 2026 season.”

Now stepping into the head coach and front-office role, Raimbault brings a hometown perspective and a full-time presence in Winnipeg, which the organization says will be vital in growing the game and deepening connections with fans and local basketball programs.

“I’m honoured and excited to take on this new opportunity with the Winnipeg Sea Bears as the next step in my coaching career. I have been fortunate to be in the Sea Bears organization for the past three seasons and I’m looking forward to leading this tremendous franchise into the future,” said Raimbault. “I am where I am today because of the support of my family as well as many mentors and influences in the basketball community. I am thankful to everyone who has played a part in my coaching journey. I owe a debt of gratitude to Mike Taylor for bringing me on his staff three years ago and I would not be able to fulfill this role without the unwavering support of the Wesmen Athletics family and our student-athletes. It is a pleasure to coach the Wesmen, and I’m grateful to be able to continue leading that program while taking on this exciting new role. I can’t wait to get to work.”

The Sea Bears extended their gratitude to Mike Taylor for his dedication and leadership throughout the team’s first three seasons. Taylor guided Winnipeg to its inaugural playoff appearance in 2023 and played a pivotal role in helping establish professional basketball in Manitoba. His commitment to the organization, passion for the game, and connection with fans helped lay a strong foundation for the future of the Sea Bears. The team thanks him sincerely for his work in growing the game in Winnipeg and across the province.

Championship Weekend Update – 3x3 Venue Change

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 16:12:54 GMT

Due to gusting winds and the chance of rain, the Kal Tire CW25 3x3 Tournament Powered by Peg City has moved to its backup indoor location today. Duckworth Centre – University of Winnipeg

400 Spence St, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2R6The tournament is still open to the public, and with some games delayed yesterday, today’s schedule will be packed as they work to complete the tournament.

Special Note:

Slam Dunk Contest – 2:00 pm
Matt Loewen Legacy Shootout – 2:30 pm

Both also moved to Duckworth and open to the public. Weather is looking better for tomorrow, and the playoffs are expected to return to the Play Now Street Festival. The rest of the festival is currently scheduled to continue as planned at the main site on Graham at True North Square.

Winnipeg Sea Bears Open Upper Bowl for Historic Playoff Doubleheader on August 22

Sat, 16 Aug 2025 18:40:47 GMT

WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced today that the upper bowl of Canada Life Centre will be opened for the team’s home playoff doubleheader on Friday, August 22.

The action begins at 5:00 p.m. with the Eastern Conference Final, followed by the Sea Bears’ Western Conference Final matchup at 7:30 p.m.. With thousands of fans already securing their seats, the organization is expanding capacity to ensure as many Manitobans as possible can be part of this historic night.

“We couldn’t be more excited to host the Western Conference Final in Winnipeg,” said Jason Smith, President of the Winnipeg Sea Bears. “We’re so grateful for the incredible support we’ve received from our fans over our first three seasons, and having the chance to play this important game, while also hosting Championship Weekend here at home with the best fans in the CEBL, is truly special.”

The Sea Bears’ inaugural playoff game at Canada Life Centre in 2023 drew one of the largest crowds in CEBL history. With the upper bowl now opening, the organization is anticipating another electric atmosphere as fans rally behind their team and showcase Winnipeg as one of the best basketball markets in the country.

Tickets for the doubleheader are available now at seabears.ca . Fans are encouraged to secure their seats early, as demand is expected to remain high leading up to game day.

Event Details

Date: Friday, August 22, 2025
Location: Canada Life Centre
Eastern Conference Final: 5:00 p.m.
Winnipeg Sea Bears Playoff Game: 7:30 p.m.

For more information, visit CEBL.ca/cw25

Sea Bears Dispute Akot National Team Call-Up

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 18:42:42 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced today South Sudan has attempted to name Canadian forward Emmanuel Akot to their team for the upcoming AfroBasket 2025 tournament in Angola.

Under FIBA regulations, professional clubs are required to release players for national team duty only if they receive a minimum of 30 days’ notice. As this requirement was not met, the Sea Bears are formally disputing the call-up and maintain that Akot remains under contract and is still obligated to fulfill his commitments to the team.

Akot did not report to practice on July 31 and has been suspended by the club until further notice.

Sea Bears sign NBA experienced guard Jarron Cumberland

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:36:11 GMT

Winnipeg, MB — The Winnipeg Sea Bears have announced the signing of American guard Jarron Cumberland, a seasoned professional with NBA experience known for his strong scoring ability, toughness, and versatile playmaking.

Cumberland, 6’5”, joins the Sea Bears with an impressive résumé that includes stints with the Portland Trail Blazers, Raptors 905, and the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League. He appeared in three games for the Trail Blazers during the 2021–22 season after signing a 10-day contract on Christmas Day in 2021. That same season, he was named MVP of the G League Winter Showcase, recording 24 points, eight rebounds and six assists in the championship game.

“Adding Jarron Cumberland to our backcourt gives us versatility, dynamic playmaking and physicality,” said head coach and general manager Mike Taylor. “We are very excited to add JC into our attack. I believe we have done an excellent job of adding pieces that upgrade our team and put our roster in a great position for the stretch run to championship weekend.”

Originally from Wilmington, Ohio, the 27-year-old guard played four standout seasons at the University of Cincinnati, where he earned AAC Player of the Year honours and AAC Tournament MVP in 2019.

After being selected 12th overall in the 2021 NBA G League Draft by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Cumberland spent time with Raptors 905 before being traded to the Delaware Blue Coats, where he has had multiple stints, most recently during the 2024–25 season. His professional career has also taken him overseas, including recent stops with Petro de Luanda (Angola) and Caballeros de Culiacán (Mexico).

Cumberland will play on the road in Calgary on July 27 and make his home debut in the club's next home game against the rival Saskatchewan Rattlers on August 1 at 7:30 p.m.

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Sea Bears Sign Canadian Center Jordy Tshimanga

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 14:39:11 GMT

WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced Friday the signing of Canadian center Jordy Tshimanga, a 6-foot-11 international pro known for his dominant rebounding, rim protection, and interior scoring.

Tshimanga most recently played in Taiwan with the Kaohsiung Steelers, where he averaged 15.6 points and 17.0 rebounds per game, showcasing elite production on both ends of the floor. He also suited up earlier this year in Mongolia for Khasin Khuleguud, continuing to demonstrate his value as a high-motor big man with international experience.

In the 2024 CEBL season, Tshimanga averaged 8.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 17.8 minutes over 17 games with the Calgary Surge. He also played for the Surge in 2023, putting up 6.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 0.2 assists in 15 minutes per game across nine appearances.

Tshimanga’s strong presence in the CEBL extends back to his 2022 campaign with the Saskatchewan Rattlers, where he averaged 8.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks while starting all 22 games. He finished fourth in the league in rebounds and consistently impacted both ends of the floor, notching several double-digit rebounding games and reaching double figures in scoring six times.

He also brings extensive NBA G League experience, having played for the Iowa Wolves and Cleveland Charge across two seasons. In 2022–23 with Iowa, he averaged 8.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 assists in 24 games, including four double-doubles and back-to-back monster games of 18 points and 19 rebounds, and 16 points and 18 rebounds.

“Jordy Tshimanga is a quality big man who gives us outstanding size, experience and front court depth,” said head coach and general manager Mike Taylor. “We are excited to add Jordy's defensive presence and physicality to strengthen our team.”

A product of Dayton and Nebraska, Tshimanga played 112 NCAA games over four seasons. In his senior year at Dayton (2020–21), he averaged 6.7 points and 7.7 rebounds, leading the team in boards and blocks.

Tshimanga joins the Sea Bears as the team gears up for CEBL Championship Weekend, hosted in Winnipeg from August 21-24.

The Sea Bears return to Canada Life Centre on Friday, July 25 at 7:30 PM against the Edmonton Stingers. Tickets are on sale now.

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 more than 10 players with NBA game 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 Winnipeg Sea Bears

Sea Bears Leave It All on the Court in a Battle With Surge

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 15:55:08 GMT

The Calgary Surge has booked its ticket to the playoffs for the third straight year with a 93-89 win over the Sea Bears in Winnipeg on Thursday night. Calgary has yet to miss the postseason since the franchise relocated from Guelph in 2022.

The win moves the Surge to 12–6 on the season, making them the third team to clinch a spot in the 2025 CEBL playoffs. Meanwhile, the Sea Bears drop to 6–10.

Greg Brown III led the charge with a double-double, posting 20 points and 10 rebounds. The former G-Leaguer has made an instant impact in his debut CEBL season, climbing past Vancouver’s Mitch Creek to take over second place in league scoring. Brown took over in the first half, keeping the Surge within striking distance during Winnipeg’s early offensive push.

“My teammates have been helping me get to my spots and opening up the game for me,” Brown said on what has been the greatest factor in his success. “They keep talking to me, where the angles are, where the space is… they have been helping me this whole season.”

“I watched Gremlins growing up, and they run when light comes,” Brown added, explaining his unconventional inspiration. “You always must show up when it matters and when the lights come on. I’ve always had that mentality from when I started playing until now.”

While Brown stole the spotlight, the Surge’s success continues to come from balanced contributions across the roster. Four other players hit double figures, including 16 points off the bench from Jamorko Pickett — a testament to Calgary’s status as a multi-headed offensive monster that’s tough to slow down.

Winnipeg Head Coach Mike Taylor stressed the importance of strong defensive execution to contain Calgary’s firepower, aiming to force them into transition and create opportunities on the other end.

“I think we did a very good job executing our game plan,” Taylor said. “Controlling the tempo and trying to keep them out of transition for the majority of the game . But in terms of those crucial possessions, we’ve got to be better.”

Simi Shittu finished the game with 19 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, including a valuable last-minute play in target time to set up Jalen Harris beyond the arc to bring the Sea Bears closer to the target score of 92.

“I feel like we had the game,” Shittu reflected. “We made it as tough as we can for them, but at the end of the day, we can clean up things.”

Although the Surge pulled away late, the Sea Bears made them earn it. Winnipeg scored 28 points off second-chance possessions and kept applying pressure throughout the game.

Trevon Scott was limited to 10 points but dominated the boards with 16 rebounds — just three shy of the franchise record of 19 set by Shittu less than three weeks ago.

The game stayed tight through three quarters, with both teams trading leads. Calgary led 22–21 after the first quarter, but Winnipeg struck early in the second. The Surge responded with an 11–3 run to regain control.

Scott’s rebounding in the third quarter led directly to 11 of Winnipeg’s 21 points in the frame, helping the Sea Bears keep pace heading into the final period.

In the fourth, Calgary’s depth and composure showed. The Surge limited Winnipeg to just 10 points before target time and built a six-point cushion before the clocks turned off.

Calgary quickly rose to the occasion, extending the lead to 89–79, but Winnipeg surged back, capitalizing on missed shots and late fouls. A Jalen Harris three-pointer brought the Sea Bears within two, 91–89, just short of Harris’s 100th career point.

However, Calgary slammed the door as Evan Gilyard Jr. hit a decisive field goal to seal the victory and deny Harris a final shot.

“This is a tough loss,” Taylor said. “But it’s a type of loss that can turn into a positive when we use adversity to try to get better.”

With the win, the Surge now look ahead to returning to the postseason this August and possibly a return to Canada Life Centre as Winnipeg prepares to host the 2025 Championship Weekend festivities. However, they remain focused on the task ahead: finishing the season strong and motivating each other until the end.

“We always iterate from the start that we want to win a championship,” Brown said. “We want to take the mindset of ‘this is normal’ — this is what we’ve been talking about since day one, so don’t look up, keep your head down, and keep grinding.”

Sea Bears Guard Cody John Placed on Suspended List

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 15:50:14 GMT

WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced that Canadian guard Cody John will be stepping away from the team for personal reasons for the next several weeks.

John has been placed on the club’s suspended list, with the intention to reactivate him later this season.

The organization fully supports Cody’s decision and wishes him well during this time.

###

About the CEBL

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

Sea Bears Add Scoring Power with Signing of Maurice Calloo

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 20:40:01 GMT

WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced the signing of Canadian forward Maurice Calloo, a 6-foot-10 scorer from Windsor, Ont., who brings international experience, proven CEBL production and high-level NCAA pedigree to the roster.

Calloo joins the Sea Bears following a strong start to the 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season with the Saskatchewan Rattlers, where he averaged 14.1 points and 6.2 rebounds over 10 games. The 24-year-old also played for the Calgary Surge in 2023 and the Guelph Nighthawks (now Calgary) in 2022, reaching the CEBL Championship Final with Calgary in their inaugural season.

“Maurice gives us size, athleticism, and scoring versatility, but also valuable CEBL and international experience,” said head coach and general manager Mike Taylor. “He’s proven he can contribute at every level, and we’re excited to bring his presence to our lineup.”

Calloo has built a well-traveled professional resume that includes stints with the Windy City Bulls and Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League, as well as standout seasons overseas in Luxembourg and Taiwan. Most recently, he averaged 27.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game with Taiwan. Prior to that, he averaged 26.4 points and 8.3 rebounds in 14 games with Grengewald Hostert in Luxembourg’s top league, including a career-high 44 points on Jan. 27, 2024.

A product of Oregon State University, Calloo averaged 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in his senior year with the Beavers. He played a pivotal role in their 2021 Pac-12 championship run and NCAA Elite Eight appearance, leading the team in scoring in the Pac-12 title game and again in the Elite Eight with 13 points against Houston. His clutch performances earned him a place on Team Canada for the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup.

Known for his ability to stretch the floor and step up in big moments, Calloo brings size, shooting and versatility to the Sea Bears frontcourt as the team pushes toward Championship Weekend, hosted in Winnipeg this August.

The Sea Bears return to Canada Life Centre on July 17 to host the Calgary Surge at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at seabears.ca.

About the CEBL

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

Sea Bears Add NBA Experience with Signing of Trevon Scott and Will Richardson

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 14:14:59 GMT

Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced the signings of Trevon Scott and Will Richardson, who will join the team for the upcoming road trip and continue with the club through July 20, while Terry Roberts and Jaylin Williams participate in NBA Summer League.

Roberts will suit up for the Brooklyn Nets' Summer League roster, while Williams will join the Dallas Mavericks.

Scott will take the roster spot of Williams, bringing a wealth of professional experience across the NBA, NBA G League, and international competition. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 11.6 points per game this past season with the Long Island Nets, where he played alongside Sea Bears guard Terry Roberts.

Since turning pro in 2020, Scott has played in the NBA G League with the Greensboro Swarm, Salt Lake City Stars, Cleveland Charge, San Diego Clippers, Osceola Magic, and Long Island Nets. He also appeared in two NBA games with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2021–22 season. In 2023, he added international experience to his resume with Fos Provence Basket in France's LNB Pro B.

“Tre Scott is a long, versatile athlete with a track record of positively impacting teams like he did this season in the G League where he helped turn Long Island around,” said head coach and general manager Mike Taylor. “Tre knows the CEBL well after a good season in Calgary and we look forward to adding his experience.”

Scott played 12 games with the Calgary Surge in 2023, where he averaged 11.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. That same year, he posted a 25-point performance against Raptors 905 in the G League, showcasing his scoring ability.

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Scott earned All-AAC First Team honours and was named AAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. Known for his two-way versatility, rebounding presence and defensive IQ, Scott adds experience and depth to a Sea Bears roster making its push through the second half of the season.

Will Richardson will fill in for Terry Roberts at the guard position. The 6-foot-5 guard spent the last two seasons with the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League, where he played alongside Jaylin Williams. He averaged 11.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists 2024–25.

“Will is a talented big point guard who caught my eye this season with Grand Rapids in the G League,” said Taylor. “Will is a crafty left handed playmaker who scores and sets up his teammates well. Will played with Tevian and Jaylin this season so we hope that connection helps his transition into our team in Winnipeg.”

Richardson played five collegiate seasons at the University of Oregon, developing a reputation as a steady floor general with great shooting and excellent decision-making. He finished his NCAA career ranked top-10 in program history in assists, three pointers made and steals.

Both Scott and Richardson will be active for the Sea Bears' game on the road against the Saskatchewan Rattlers on July 11, and will remain with the team through the conclusion of NBA Summer League on July 20.

Scott will rematch his former CEBL team in his first home appearance with Winnipeg. The Sea Bears tip off against the Calgary Surge at Canada Life Centre on Thursday, July 17 at 7 PM. Tickets are available now at seabears.ca.

Winnipeg Sea Bears Release Tevian Jones

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 20:30:16 GMT

Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced today that Tevian Jones has been released from the team as he pursues other professional opportunities.

“The CEBL is a stepping-stone league, and we often see players come and go. We appreciate Tevian’s time with us in Winnipeg and wish him success in the next steps of his career,” said head coach and general manager Mike Taylor.

Jones appeared in 14 games for the Sea Bears this season. The organization thanks Tevian for his time in Winnipeg and wishes him the very best in the next chapter of his career.

With Jones’ departure, the Sea Bears now have an open import roster spot and are actively exploring options to strengthen the lineup heading into the final stretch of the season.

The Sea Bears return home to Canada Life Centre on July 17 against the Calgary Surge at 7:00 p.m.

About the CEBL

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

Sea Bears Look to Regroup After Close Loss to River Lions

Sat, 05 Jul 2025 01:58:01 GMT

In the battle between struggling Niagara and Winnipeg, one team was assured of a get-right win.

The River Lions made sure it was them.

Niagara dispatched of the Sea Bears 93-82 on Friday at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines, Ont., snapping its two-game skid and padding its lead atop the Eastern Conference.

Winnipeg, meanwhile, suffered its fourth consecutive loss. Niagara now sits at 8-5, while Winnipeg falls to 5-9.

“I mean, it was the bounceback that we needed,” River Lions head coach Victor Raso said. “I thought we played hard the entirety of the game. We played better basketball than we have been in the past, so that was a big step in the right direction.”

The River Lions controlled most of the game, leading by double digits much of the way, until the Sea Bears injected a scare with a fourth-quarter run that cut their deficit to five.

It was as close as they would get.

Niagara led 83-74 when the clock stopped for Target Score Time, which began explosively. After Jalen Harris hit a two-pointer to start the proceedings, the teams traded three-pointers on four straight possessions with Khalil Ahmad and Ron Curry hitting for Niagara, while Harris hit both for Winnipeg.

Shortly after, Ahmad reinforced yet again why he has become known as the Target Score King, splashing home a step-back three-pointer to seal the River Lions victory.

“it's all about continuity and putting together that game after game after game after game, so if we can stay continuous, then we'll be alright,” Ahmad said.

For Niagara, the long-awaited win came on the back of its defence.

The River Lions entered Friday’s action allowing the most points against per game in the league and having given up a combined 193 points in its two losses.

But on Friday, they held the Sea Bears to just 34 points in the middle two quarters and forced 19 total turnovers.

“We defended really well, especially for the first three quarters up in the game, really up until the points of the game where Jalen Harris started making shots, I thought we were defending quite well,” Raso said.

Ahmad led the way for Niagara with 26 points to go with four assists and three rebounds. He made nine of 17 field-goal attempts, and two of his three triples came during Target Score Time.

Elijah Lufile came off the bench for a near-double-double of 10 points and nine rebounds, while do-it-all guard Kimbal Mackenzie contributed 11 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Ahmed Hill, the CEBL’s all-time leading scorer, had 12 points to move within five of becoming the first player in league history to reach the 1,500-point plateau (including playoffs).

Ron Curry returned for the River Lions after a five-game absence, scoring eight points and dishing three assists.

But Ahmad also credited his team’s defence for the win.

“Defensive toughness, defensive intensity, just being together on defence because offence isn't really our problem. We just got to stay consistent defensively,” he said.

On the flip side, Winnipeg’s defence — which entered just one-tenth of a point better than Niagara per game and will exit with the dubious title of league’s worst defence — continued to struggle.

Niagara’s offence made 45 per cent of its three-point attempts and five different players scored in double digits.

Head coach Mike Taylor pinpointed focus as the reason for his team’s losing streak.

“We really had a spirited comeback, put ourselves in a good position, but there were too many possessions in the early part of the game where we kind of got in our own way. And it's been a theme at times. We've been inconsistent,” he said.

“And today that put us behind the eight ball to 19 turnovers. We've been a team that's taken care of the basketball really well all year. Unfortunately, today, we were a little bit disorganized.”

Sea Bears leading scorer Simi Shittu was ejected from the game early in the fourth quarter after picking up his fifth personal foul.

In his place, Winnipeg native Emmanuel Akot paced his squad with 22 points to go with six rebounds and two assists. Harris ended with 21 points after his Target Time splurge.

Akot said Winnipeg let Niagara build too big of an early lead, but he was happy with his team’s spirit to fight back.

“But at the end of the day, winning is what matters, and we just got to go back to the office and figure things out,” Akot said.

Canadian Olympian Dillon Brooks, who was recently traded from the NBA’s Houston Rockets to the Phoenix Suns, attended the game.

The River Lions led 28-24 after a fast-paced first quarter and extended their lead to 51-38 by halftime. They took a 73-58 advantage into the final frame.

But in the end, it was Ahmad — as per usual — coming up clutch when it mattered most, and Niagara was able to leave its home arena with a win.

SHAWN DESMAN LEADS STAR-STUDDED LINEUP AT CW25 FESTIVAL, PRESENTED BY PLAYNOW

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 17:19:50 GMT

Haviah Mighty, The Funk Hunters, and other top Canadian acts also set to perform at Championship Weekend

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and Winnipeg Sea Bears, in collaboration with the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg, announced Thursday a star-studded lineup of performers for ancillary events during 2025 Championship Weekend (CW25) , including acts for the CW25 Festival, presented by PlayNow — a free, three-day street festival running August 22–24 in downtown Winnipeg — as well as the 2025 CEBL Awards.

Headlining the festival is multi-Platinum Canadian pop icon Shawn Desman, who returns to the national spotlight with new music, sold-out shows, and a feature on Drake’s All the Parties. Known for early 2000s hits like Electric and Shook, Desman helped define a generation of Canadian pop and R&B, earning a Platinum album, five Platinum singles, a JUNO, three MMVAs, and multiple SOCAN Awards. After a hiatus, he made a strong comeback in 2023 with the Top 10 hit Maniac and the viral Love Me With The Lights On, a collaboration with Knix promoting body positivity. Desman’s momentum continues with his latest single Body, connecting with both longtime fans and new audiences.

Haviah Mighty — a Juno Award-winning rapper and the first hip-hop artist to win the Polaris Music Prize — will also perform at the festival. The former member of The Sorority released her acclaimed solo debut 13th Floor in 2019, tackling themes of race, gender, and power.

The Funk Hunters will take the stage as the featured performer at the 2025 CEBL Awards. A Vancouver-based electronic duo known for blending funk, soul, and bass music. With performances at festivals like Coachella and Shambhala, they’ve built a global following through their dynamic live shows and genre-crossing collaborations.

Other talented Canadian artists booked for the festival include:

Free Label, a Toronto-based group known for its genre-blurring mix of funk, R&B, and alternative pop, is praised for its infectious grooves.
Roman Clarke, a Manitoba native whose soulful vocals and hybrid pop-rock sound have earned acclaim across Canada’s indie scene.
YSN Fab, a rising hip-hop artist from Winnipeg who’s garnered millions of streams with his introspective lyrics and hometown pride.
Boogey the Beat, the acclaimed Anishinaabe DJ and producer whose fusion of powwow rhythms and electronic beats has captivated audiences worldwide. He will also perform at the CEBL’s Eastern Conference Final on August 22 .
Ami Cheon, a soulful singer-songwriter celebrated for her emotive voice and local community roots.
Snakie + Courtney Fox, a dynamic duo bringing dance favourites to the festival stage.
Jeremie & the Delicious Hounds, a Francophone funk-soul band known for their feel-good live shows and retro grooves.
Wackydoodle Dance Party, a kid-friendly, all-ages experience full of music, movement, and interactive fun.

All performances at the CW25 Festival, presented by PlayNow will take place on the Princess Auto Main Stage, located at the corner of Graham Avenue and Carlton Street in Downtown Winnipeg. The festival will also feature food trucks, 3x3 basketball, the Champions Market powered by Third + Bird, interactive fan activities, and more. More festival schedule details, performance times, and on-site activations will be revealed in the coming weeks.

The CW25 Event Pass is now available through Ticketmaster . Passholders will gain access to all marquee events, including the 2025 CEBL Awards and the CW25 Commissioner’s Luncheon, presented by Telpay and hosted in partnership with The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.

Registration is also now open for the CW25 Coaches Clinic, presented by Fox40. Designed for coaches at all levels, the clinic will feature sessions led by CEBL head coaches, offering valuable insights into player development, strategy, and leadership. More details and registration are available at Ticketmaster .

Tickets for all three CW25 games are available now via Ticketmaster . The Winnipeg Sea Bears are guaranteed a berth in the Western Conference Final on Friday night and fans can find more details, ticket offers, the full event schedule, and become a CW25 Insider for exclusive offers and updates on all CW25 events at cebl.ca/CW25 .

About the CEBL

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

Sea Bears fall to BlackJacks on Canada Day

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 14:09:40 GMT

On a day of celebration in the Nation’s Capital, Javonte Smart gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about, tying the Ottawa BlackJacks franchise record with 37 points in a dominant 104-80 win over the visiting Winnipeg Sea Bears — the team’s fourth straight victory.

The crowd had plenty to get behind early as the BlackJacks got off to a 9-0 lead early thanks to the stifling defense they’ve become known for over their winning streak, having now held their last four opponents to 80 points or fewer. It was more of the same from Ottawa in the first quarter, holding Winnipeg to just 6-of-17 shooting from the floor and taking a 29-16 lead into the break.

While the BlackJacks got all their points the old-fashioned way in the first quarter – failing to make a three-pointer – they found their shooting stroke in the second, hitting 4-of-6 from deep. For their part, the Sea Bears managed to push the pace and get the home squad to get away from their preferred playing style but were unable to take advantage hitting just nine of their 24 shots.

“I thought our guys did a tremendous job,” BlackJacks head coach Dave DeAveiro said following the win. I thought they followed the plan and executed the plan really well. We had the little hiccup in the second quarter where we didn’t lock in defensively. But after that, we just locked in and did a good job making life really tough for their top three guys.”

Those three players for Winnipeg – Tevian Jones, Jalen Harris and Simin Shittu – were held to 15, 11 and 11 points, respectively, though Shittu did finish with a franchise record 19 rebounds, just one behind the league record. Emmanuel Akot had 17 points and five rebounds, while Jaylin Williams had 15 and seven rebounds.

“The first thing is giving credit to Ottawa” Seas Bears head coach Mike Taylor said. “Javonte was outstanding, they had a great team game. I felt like our defensive effort was inconsistent. I think that we did not pressure the ball and contain the ball like we needed to, and that gave them some easy baskets in transition that got them feeling good. It comes down to the things… on the road you have to work hard, defend, rebound – all the fundamental parts of the game. Today we were a little bit soft with that and Ottawa took advantage. Credit to them, they played a great team game. But especially from our starting five, we expect a little bit more defensive effort.”

Winnipeg would make a passionate push early in the third quarter, scoring 14 consecutive points to cut a 58-41 lead down to just three. But Smart would take over once again and the BlackJacks pulled away for the rest of the game.

“He’s a scorer. He’s a legitimate scorer,” DeAveiro said. “He’s done this consistently for four games. How many guys can do that consistently for four games when teams are prepping trying to stop you. We’re lucky to have him. He’s also unselfish and will pass the ball to find his teammates to get a good shot.

“You put two people on the ball to stop Javonte and you just throw it up and Isaih is athletic enough to go up and finish it. Javonte puts a lot of pressure on teams’ defenses, so you have to come up with strategies to defend Javonte. Any time they put two bodies on him, it’s either a lob up to Isaih or a kick out for a three.”

Smart aside, there were a number of impressive performances from the home side. Isaih Moore had 18 points and 14 rebounds, Deng Adel had 14 points, and Tyrell Tate and Zane Waterman both chipped in with 11.

The game was the 100th in the history of the BlackJacks, combing both regular season and postseason games. For a player like Adel, it’s been a great experience seeing the team grown, both on the court and off it, during his extended time with the club.

“It’s been dope seeing the fanbase grow each year, people coming out and enjoying themselves,” Adel said. “It’s a great area, and it’s just fun to be a part of. Guys want to come here and play here which has been important, and it’s been good.”

On top of being their fourth win in a row, it was also the BlackJacks second win over the Sea Bears this season. For the Sea Bears, it was their third straight loss, and second in as many games giving up 100 points.

Sea Bears fall to Shooting Stats at home

Sat, 28 Jun 2025 20:31:05 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars’ roster is starting to take shape and they appear ready to make some noise.

Donovan Williams' return from a four-game absence proved momentous, as the CEBL’s leading scorer put up 30 points to lead the Shooting Stars (7-5) to a 103-93 win over the Winnipeg Sea Bears (5-7) on Friday.

While it wasn’t quite a repeat of Scarborough’s dominant showing as last Sunday, a 32-point win against the defending champion Niagara River Lions, the victory did mark back-to-back games setting season-highs in scoring for the Shooting Stars, as they’re now just 0.5 games behind first place in the Eastern Conference.

Williams entered the road game averaging a league-best 25.5 points per game (among qualified players) and only increased that lead atop the leaderboard after his game-high 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting to go with six rebounds and four assists.

“They made a big run, but we weathered the storm,” Williams said post-game. “We hit a little adversity, but we did all the things we needed to do to win the game.”

Right behind him, however, was Terquavion Smith, who finished with 28 points, going 7-for-10 from the free throw line while adding five rebounds and five assists. A late addition to the Shooting Stars, the import is averaging 26.8 points through four games. David Walker’s 12 points and Joirdon Nicholas’s 13 off the bench rounded out Scarborough’s double-digit scoring efforts.

“That’s a team win, a gritty road win,” Shooting Stars head coach Mike De Giorgio said after the win. “They hit us back and we just responded. Kudos to our guys, they really locked in.”

On the other side, Simi Shittu led the way with 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting, five rebounds and three blocks. Jalen Harris and Tevian Jones also chipped identical lines of 21 points and three assists.

“We fought towards the end, (but) it kind of got away from us in the second quarter,” Harris said after Winnipeg’s second straight loss directly after a four-game win streak. “We’ve got to figure it out before we get back for the next one.”

Although the outcome resulted in a second consecutive double-digit victory for the Shooting Stars, it wasn’t without its intrigue.

Scarborough appeared to be headed towards another emphatic win when it had built a 21-point edge in the first half, thanks to a 14-0 run in the second quarter and withstood a late 11-3 push by Winnipeg to still lead 58-46 at halftime.

That lead was largely built thanks to some hot early shooting, going 6-for-10 from distance in the opening frame, and some opportunistic defence as the Shooting Stars forced eight Sea Bears turnovers in the first half. Quite the uncharacteristic showing from Winnipeg considering it averaged just 13.3 per game entering the night, second-fewest in the CEBL.

The Sea Bears cleaned things up coming out of the break, however, only giving it away four times the rest of the way, even winning the turnover battle 17-12 by the final buzzer.

“It’s all about effort,” Shittu said post-game. “When teams are making runs like that, it’s all about effort, really … we got a lot of talent, guys who can play. It’s just about being connected.”

It was that disciplined second half that helped Winnipeg storm back, cutting what was a 14-point halftime deficit as low as five points in the third before trailing 78-70 after 30 minutes. The Sea Bears also made things easier by upping the rim pressure and getting to the line, scoring without burning clock as they finished plus-15 on free throw attempts and went 28-of-37 from the charity stripe.

From there, the Sea Bears did give it one last push, cutting down to nine in Target Score Time what was up to a 15-point deficit early in the fourth, but they couldn’t inch any closer as the Shooting Stars duo of Williams and Smith got to work.

The pair of imports scored all of Scarborough’s points with the clock stopped, the first four by Williams before Smith’s game-winning layup capped off five straight points from him.

Underscoring the victory was the Shooting Stars' dominance on the glass, finishing plus-13 (43-30), with their 14 offensive rebounds good enough to earn a 17-12 edge on second chance points and a plus-10 edge on paint points (54-44). Fronting that effort for Scarborough was Khalil Miller’s 14 rebounds, which tied a single-game franchise record.

Sea Bears Sign Veteran Canadian Guard Cody John

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:40:02 GMT

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced the signing of Canadian guard Cody John, a seasoned six-year veteran of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.

He began the 2025 season with the Saskatchewan Rattlers. In the team’s first seven games, he averaged 18.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists. His stint with the Rattlers included two standout performances — a CEBL career-high 25 points in the opener against the Edmonton Stingers and a 20-point outing at Canada Life Centre against the Sea Bears on June 15.

John has built a respected résumé across the league, suiting up for the then-Hamilton Honey Badgers (2020, 2021), Ottawa BlackJacks (2022), Brampton Honey Badgers (2023) and, most recently, the Saskatchewan Rattlers, where he played last summer and the start of the 2025 season. The Mississauga, Ont., native also brings international experience, having played professionally in Cyprus, Kosovo and most recently the United Kingdom with Manchester in the Super Basketball League. There, he averaged 9.5 points in 18.8 minutes over 27 games during the 2024–25 season.

In Cyprus, John signed with Omonia Nicosia in Division A and appeared in 14 games, averaging 17.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 36.1 minutes. In 2024 with Saskatchewan, he reached 500 all-time CEBL regular-season points, averaging 11.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 26.5 minutes while playing in all 20 games.

“We are really excited to add Cody John to our team,” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager Mike Taylor. “We believe Cody's shooting and experience can immediately help our team and boost our bench production. Adding a CEBL starter to deepen our rotation was an opportunity we wanted to capitalize on. Cody has had several good games against us over the last few seasons and we are happy to welcome him to Winnipeg."

Before turning pro, John had a standout collegiate career at Weber State University, appearing in 129 games, the fifth-most in school history, and earning two All-Big Sky Conference honours. During his time with the Wildcats, he helped capture the 2015 Gulf Coast Showcase title, the 2016 Big Sky Conference championship and an appearance in the NCAA March Madness tournament.

The Sea Bears tip off their next home game on Friday, June 27 at 7:30 p.m. CT against the Scarborough Shooting Stars, where John is set to make his Winnipeg debut. Tickets are available now

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Stingers Bounce Back to Beat Sea Bears

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 14:04:23 GMT

With team royalty in the building, the Edmonton Stingers showed championship-level resolve.

The Stingers weathered a first-quarter storm to beat the Winnipeg Sea Bears 98-85 on Sunday at Edmonton Expo Centre.

Prior to the game, longtime Stinger Brody Clarke — who retired after last season — was inducted to the team’s Ring of Honour.

Former teammate Xavier Moon, a two-time champion and three-time MVP with the Stingers, was also in attendance for the celebration.

And Edmonton’s response to an early deficit might have made them proud.

“Resilience is one of our core values and us being able to figure things out when things don’t go our way is part of battling adversity,” Stingers forward Nick Hornsby said.

Edmonton was punched in the mouth during the opening 10 minutes as the streaking Sea Bears raced to a 27-19 lead. But the Stingers got off the mat, regained the lead early in the second and never looked back from there.

By the time the clocks turned off for Target Score Time, the Stingers led 89-75.

While the Sea Bears showed some fight, the deficit ultimately proved too much to overcome. Nick Horsnby ended the proceedings after drawing a shooting foul, making his first free throw to clinch the game.

The Stingers moved to 6-6 win the win, while the Sea Bears fell to 5-6 as their four-game winning streak was snapped.

Edmonton has now won four of its past five games.

“The vibes are high but we’re not satisfied. We’re always longing for that next game and ready to play and get that next win,” Hornsby said.

Head coach Jordan Baker added that he was happy with his team’s response after its slow start.

“We’re not gonna get too high getting up 10 or 15 and we’re not gonna get too low, so understanding that we’re gonna stick to our stuff,” he said.

“I might have to scream at them in a timeout, but they responded very well tonight.”

Hornsby, who is in his third year with the Stingers, recorded 17 points, six assists and five rebounds in the win.

Sean East II led the Stingers with 27 points while also adding eight rebounds and seven assists. Forward Keon Ambrose-Hylton neared a double-double with 19 points and eight rebounds.

But it’s Hornsby who has taken the torch as a Stingers leader in the absence of the likes of Clarke and Moon.

The 30-year-old from Irvine, Calif., has quickly made Edmonton his CEBL home.

“Too comfortable. I love it here. I enjoy talking to the fans in the off-season and almost a second home, really. It’s great coming back,” he said.

The sentiment is still shared by Moon to this day.

“It was a huge stepping stone for me getting to the NBA,” he told the broadcast after the game. “Great fanbase here, band of brothers that I’ll have for a lifetime, and the city — I can’t even put it into words.”

Luck may have been on Edmonton’s side in its latest win as the Stingers twice beat the buzzer with three-point heaves.

Hornsby launched one from halfcourt ahead of the shot clock expiring during a second-quarter possession, and Isiah Osborne added a triple of his own from the wing at the third-quarter horn.

Edmonton’s Aaron Rhooms was away from the team as he competes for Canada at the 3x3 World Cup in Mongolia.

Meanwhile, Winnipeg’s strong run of play was halted seemingly as soon as the first quarter turned into the second.

Head coach Mike Taylor pointed to “readiness” as one of the reasons for the team’s winning streak coming to an end.

“You could see us be a little casual with the ball offensively. … We gave up too many points off of those turnovers, we didn’t get very much bench production,” Taylor said. “Our team’s been on a great streak, I’m really proud of the guys, but we’ve gotta work for consistency.”

Canada’s Simi Shittu led the Sea Bears with a game-high 30 points and 12 rebounds, while Jalen Harris contributed 22 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Harris said his team may just have been tired at the end of a road trip that also included a win over Vancouver on Friday.

“We just gotta refocus on ourselves. We got a few days in between the next game and that’s kind of our mindset each game, focusing on ourselves — how can we be better? — and doing that moving forward,” he said.

Taylor added that the Stingers out-hustled his squad — especially in the middle two quarters.

“They beat us to all the loose balls and they did the little things, the physical things that give you an advantage,” he said.

The Stingers’ win capped a wild Sunday across the CEBL, which saw all 10 teams play on the same day for just the second time ever.

Sea Bears Claim 4th Straight, Snap Bandits' Win Streak

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 23:19:50 GMT

Terry Roberts caught fire in Target Score Time to secure a statement road win for the Winnipeg Sea Bears on Friday (June 20).

The Sea Bears weathered a fourth quarter run from the Bandits to win 92-85 in front of a packed house at Langley Events Centre. Winnipeg picked up its fourth straight victory and ended Vancouver’s three-game winning streak in the process.

The trio of Roberts, Jalen Harris and Simi Shittu carried the offensive load for Winnipeg with a combined 74 points in the victory.

Roberts netted 25 points, including the final seven points of Target Score Time, and Harris showed off his ability to score at all three levels with 22 points on 10-20 shooting from the field.

“I love the fact that we've got two dynamic play-making guards,” Winnipeg head coach Mike Taylor said.

“There are times when Jalen Harris carried us in the first half and then they … put [their] best defenders on him. And then Terry is dynamic enough to go make plays. I think a lot of people would say shooting threes is not his forte – he's a guy that's attacking the paint – but he's just a guy that makes winning plays.”

Taylor added that Shittu is a game-changer for the Sea Bears as well. The big man from Vanderbilt notched a double-double with a team-high 27 points and 14 rebounds. Shittu said the win will help build confidence for the Championship Weekend hosts.

“As a team, we just came together and we saw what we’re made of down the stretch. It was good for us,” Shittu said.

On the other side, Aussie Mitch Creek continued his MVP-calibre start to the season with 29 points, seven rebounds and four assists before leaving the game with an injury in Target Time.

Vancouver head coach Kyle Julius voiced his frustration with losing Creek and said the team will have to evaluate its slow starts after going down by double digits in back-to-back games.

“We've had some really soft starts. I thought tonight overall we were soft. The main takeaway is that we were soft overall,” Julius said.

Curtis Hollis added 14 for Vancouver with recent acquisitions James Karnik and Corey Davis Jr. contributing in just their second game of the season as well.

Karnik battled inside with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Davis Jr. was lethal from long range with 16 points and seven assists.

Davis Jr. said the Bandits did a good job of fighting back in the third and fourth quarter, but the second quarter hurt them.

“We did fight hard – we brought it back to be able to win the game – and I think that's always something you can look back on and build from. But I mean putting yourself in those types of situations is something that we have to stay away from,” Davis Jr. said.

The star power for both teams was on full display in a fast-paced start to the game. Creek showed off inside touch and Davis Jr. hit from distance for Vancouver. Meanwhile, Shittu was a force on the boards and Harris cooked from mid-range for Winnipeg.

The west coast squads traded leads late in the first, with a buzzer-beating corner three from Nathan Bilamu putting Winnipeg ahead 21-20 after 10 minutes.

The Bandits and Sea Bears hung tight early in the second, but Winnipeg took control with a 17-4 run and led by as much as 13. The Sea Bears were active on the offensive glass during the stretch, with highlight-reel putbacks from Shittu and Harris.

Vancouver started to pick up the pace late in the half, but Winnipeg caught fire from long range and carried a 54-42 lead into the locker room.

The Bandits climbed back with an 11-2 run to start the second half and made it a one-possession game. Out of a timeout, however, the Sea Bears regained a double-digit lead capped by an and-one from Shittu.

Creek and Shittu exchanged buckets to close the quarter with Winnipeg taking a 75-70 advantage into the fourth.

Five free throws and a floater from Curtis Hollis tied the contest at 77 early in the final frame. With the shot clock winding down, Creek drove strong to the hoop to give Vancouver its first lead of the half.

After trading leads, Harris buried a mid-range jumper for Winnipeg to head into the final stretch with a one-point advantage and a target of 92.

Hollis kicked off Target Score Time with a triple, but a Shittu slam and four straight points from Roberts left the Sea Bears three points from victory.

Roberts stayed hot and buried a contested wing trifecta to finish the game.

Sea Bears Outlast Rattlers for Third Straight Win in Father’s Day Matinee

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 17:04:45 GMT

Stars know how to respond, and Jalen Harris showed how bright his game can be.

After his quietest outing of the year — four points on 1-for-10 shooting — the import guard bounced back with a season-high 32 points as he led the Winnipeg Sea Bears (4-5) to a 91-84 win over his former Saskatchewan Rattlers (2-7) at the Canada Life Centre on Sunday.

Harris’s buckets weren’t only plentiful, finishing a lights-out 7-of-10 from distance, they were also timely. Whether it was an and-one finish to give Winnipeg some breathing room when Saskatchewan pushed a once 16-point gap down to two right before Target Score Time, or his five points — capped off by a game-winning dunk — to seal the Sea Bears' third-straight win, the star guard routinely answered the call.

“He was extra motivated,” Winnipeg head coach and general manager Mike Taylor said post-game. “His family arrived (for Father’s Day) and this is a former team of his … I had a feeling Jalen was going to have a big game today.

“We knew at some point he was going to get it going. It was really a difference in the game.”

Behind Harris’s heroics was Simi Shittu as he chipped in 18 points and 11 rebounds, his first double-double for Winnipeg. Meanwhile, Terry Roberts proved why he ranked sixth in the CEBL for assists entering the day, finishing with 10 dimes to go with his 15 points. Jaylin Williams did his part as well, scoring eight points with seven rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench.

The Rattlers have now lost three straight despite multiple strong efforts on Sunday. Jamir Chaplin led the way, finishing with 22 points with four triples to go with four rebounds and three steals. Behind him were Cody John and Nate Pierre-Louis who scored 20 and 19 points, respectively, and Jaden Bediako who added a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.

Taylor made one thing abundantly clear about Sunday’s matchup before tip-off: “It’s always a rivalry.”

And the Father’s day matchup proved as much, the Western Conference foes spending the majority of the opening quarter deadlocked before a Kyler Filewich putback gave Winnipeg the lead in the waning moments and rewarded Roberts’ early effort — the import scored 11 points in the opening frame on a perfect 3-for-3 start from the field and 4-for-4 from the line.

Not to be outdone, however, John matched Roberts’ 11 first-quarter points as he started 4-for-4 with three made triples, blowing kisses to the 9,620 in attendance after each deep make. His lone miss of the first — a side-step three-point attempt at the buzzer — proved to be the difference as his Rattlers trailed 25-24 after the first.

Then came Harris’s turn to catch fire, single-handedly scoring Winnipeg’s first 14 points of the frame after a torrid 4-for-4 stretch from beyond the arc and a precursor of what was to come. The former NBAer helped the Sea Bears build their lead up to 49-43 at the break.

“It was due time,” Harris said after the win. “The past few games I hadn’t been really getting a feel for it, but I got a couple easy ones early (on Sunday) and it helped me get in a rhythm.”

Underscoring Winnipeg’s first-half lead was a heightened level of urgency on the glass, something Taylor emphasized entering the matchup. The Sea Bears held a 25-20 rebounding lead after 20 minutes, namely their nine offensive boards (plus-three) leading to a plus-seven edge (16-9) for second-chance points at the break.

“What killed us was the offensive rebounds,” Bediako said after the loss. “Something to look back on in the tape and clean things up … we need to be the aggressive team.

Winnipeg went on to finish with 50 rebounds (plus-nine), a more inspiring effort than the 39 they averaged entering Sunday, which ranked seventh in the CEBL. Again, most of their impact was on the offensive glass, finishing with 17 on that end and earning a 31-13 advantage on second-chance points for the game.

“It’s really been a point of emphasis for us,” Taylor explained on his team’s improved rebounding. “That’s a testament to the players. When you get guys committing to the details and physical stuff like that, it’s really going to help your team.”

Meanwhile, Harris didn’t stop there, his fifth triple of the day at the 1:44 mark of the third gave the Sea Bears the first double-digit lead — a margin they held and built to 72-59 after 30 minutes.

The Rattlers did respond, however, going on an 11-0 run in the fourth as they cut their deficit to just 82-79 when Target Score Time got underway. Erasing what was once a 16-point deficit was in large part thanks to Chaplin — Saskatchewan outscored Winnipeg 20-10 prior to the clock stopping on the back of his 11 points.

Saskatchewan’s comeback didn’t get any closer as the team was held to just one field goal and a couple free throws throughout Target Score Time. Fittingly, it was Winnipeg’s inspired effort on the offensive glass, from a team that entered the day ranked second last in that regard, which helped seal the victory. Roberts corralled a Tevian Jones miss from deep and astutely found Harris (who had also crashed in looking for a rebound) wide-open underneath the basket for a game-sealing slam.

About the CEBL

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

k-os to Headline 2025 CEBL Championship Final Halftime Show in Winnipeg

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 18:57:16 GMT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and Winnipeg Sea Bears, in collaboration with the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg, announced Thursday that acclaimed Canadian rapper k-os will be the official halftime performer of the 2025 CEBL Championship Final, set for Sunday, August 24, at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. The game and performance will be televised live on TSN as part of 2025 CEBL Championship Weekend (CW25).

k-os, born Kevin Brereton, is a Juno-winning Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer known for his genre-blending sound. He gained international recognition with Get Yourself High, his Grammy-nominated 2003 collaboration with The Chemical Brothers. His platinum-certified 2004 album Joyful Rebellion featured the hit single Crabbuckit, which won multiple national awards. k-os remains one of Canada’s top-selling hip-hop artists, with a new studio album, Everyone in Your Dream Is You, executive produced by Drake, expected later this year.

Additionally, Winnipeg-based musicians The Lytics and Boogey The Beat will perform at halftime of the CW25 Conference Finals doubleheader on Friday, August 22. Boogey The Beat takes the stage during the Eastern Conference Final, while The Lytics perform at the Western Conference Final, featuring the CW25 host team Sea Bears.

The Lytics are a local hip-hop group known for their soulful, genre-blending sound and high-energy performances. Gaining attention with their 2009 breakout “Big City Soundgirl,” the group has toured internationally and shared stages with The Roots and Shad. Their critically acclaimed albums blend hip-hop with funk, soul, and indie influences.

Boogey The Beat, born Lesley Boulanger, is an Anishinaabe DJ and producer from Winnipeg known for fusing traditional Indigenous rhythms with electronic beats. He has collaborated with The Halluci Nation and Snotty Nose Rez Kids, and his debut EP Cousins showcases his signature powwow-step sound.

Considered Canada’s largest annual basketball celebration, CW25 will feature the CEBL’s top teams competing for the championship trophy; the annual CEBL Awards, honoring the league’s top talent; the Commissioner’s Luncheon, presented by Telpay, with speakers from NBA Canada, Canada Basketball, Telpay, and True North Sports & Entertainment; the CEBL Coaches Clinic, presented by Fox40; and the free, family-friendly PlayNow CW25 Street Festival from August 22–24 in downtown Winnipeg at True North Square and along Graham Avenue between Edmonton Street and Hargrave Street.

The three-day PlayNow CW25 Street Festival offers live music, food trucks, 3x3 basketball competitions, the Champions Market powered by Third + Bird, and interactive fan activities. More details on festival performers and programming will be announced soon.

Tickets for all three CW25 games are available now via Ticketmaster at this direct link . Fans can find more details, ticket offers, the full event schedule, and become a CW25 Insider for exclusive offers and updates on all CW25 events at cebl.ca/CW25 .

###

About the CEBL

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

Sea Bears Start Win Streak with Victory, Hand Alliance First Loss After Thriller

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 16:25:39 GMT

Simi Shittu couldn’t have made a better first impression if he tried.

Facing the prospect of blowing a 19-point lead, the Canadian forward played hero in his Winnipeg Sea Bears debut to seal a 92-89 victory over the Montreal Alliance in the CEBL’s milestone 500th game on Wednesday.

“I’m kind of speechless,” Shittu said after scoring five points in Target Score Time, including a game-winning hookshot. “The crowd was there with us the whole time, obviously it wasn’t a perfect game … but we’ve got a lot of chemistry already.”

The win marked the Sea Bears' first time this season winning back-to-back games, doing so emphatically by handing the East-leading Alliance their first loss of the year while snapping a three-game home losing streak.

Winnipeg got plenty of contributions outside of Shittu’s team-high 20 points on 9-of-16 shooting, starting with Tevian Jones and Jaylin Williams, who chipped in 17 and 15 points, respectively. Terry Roberts added a double-double effort of 10 points and 12 assists, while Jalen Harris added a career-high tying nine assists despite finishing with just four points.

On the other side, Montreal was led by captain Quincy Guerrier, who scored a game-high 25 points, 13 of which came in the fourth quarter, on 8-of-12 shooting. Meanwhile, Tavian Dunn-Martin and Dontay Bassett rounded out the Alliance’s double-digit scoring efforts with 14 and 17 points each.

“We tried to fight all the way to the end,” Dunn-Martin said after the loss. “We didn’t start off too hot, but we showed our fight and we showed our heart.”

Although Shittu’s late-game heroics stole the show, it didn’t take long for him to make an impact in his first minutes as a Sea Bear. The former CEBL All-Canadian selection nailed his first two shots of the game, starting with a three for Winnipeg’s first points and then a dunk in transition after sealing off his defender in the paint — bringing the 6,505 fans in attendance at the Canada Life Centre to their feet.

And while Shittu was forced to the bench shortly after due to two quick fouls in the first, that leak out from him proved to be a precursor for the Sea Bears’ efforts in the opening frame. They pushed the pace on makes, misses and turnovers alike, rattling off an 8-2 run en route to a 25-21 lead after 10 minutes.

“Complete difference-maker,” Sea Bears head coach and general manager Mike Taylor said of Shittu post-game. “He started so strong, he had such a great start, and then the fouls limited him in the first half. But the rest of the team, the bench players, really stepped up … I was really pleased with the team effort.”

Winnipeg kept up that high temp throughout the second quarter, but its defence ultimately did the heavy lifting, forcing five turnovers in the frame from a typically disciplined Montreal team that entered Wednesday averaging a CEBL-low 11.0 giveaways.

“We started off slow, playing careless basketball,” Dunn-Martin said of his team’s uncharacteristic ball-handling miscues on Wednesday. “They played way more aggressive than us in the beginning … We got punched in the mouth.”

The Sea Bears' defensive activity not only led to 11 points off the seven total turnovers forced through the first half, but also helped them limit the Alliance to just 16 points in the second. And Winnipeg’s offence rewarded the effort on the other end as it finished the quarter on a 10-2 run, capped off with back-to-back threes — Jaylin Williams nailed his second of three triples in the game at the halftime buzzer to extend the Sea Bears' lead to 52-37.

“We’re in a great position,” Williams said on the team’s outlook moving forward after his 6-for-6 shooting performance on Wednesday. “We still have room to grow.”

To the Alliance’s credit, they came out of the break and responded, doing so largely thanks to their success on the glass. Montreal’s first three field goals of the second half all came on putbacks to extend its lead on second-chance points to 17-4 after 30 minutes — that margin was extended to 19-9 by the end of the game thanks to a total of 13 offensive rebounds.

And while that effort helped the Alliance chip their deficit back down to single digits throughout the frame, it didn’t hold. The Sea Bears' hot shooting — punctuated by back-to-back triples from Harris and Williams — ultimately rebuilt their double-figure advantage, going up by as many as 19 points before taking a 78-61 lead into the fourth.

Not to be outshone, however, Winnipeg’s defence made the statement play of the third quarter as Williams swatted a turning hookshot attempt from Kevin Osawe to close the frame. That miss brought Montreal’s field goal percentage below 40 per cent through three, before the Alliance eventually finished the game shooting 43 per cent from the field (32-of-74) while their two-game streak of scoring 100-plus points was snapped.

The Alliance did make things interesting to close the game, starting the final frame on a 9-0 run, making it an eight-point deficit on a Dunn-Martin triple at the 7:27 mark of the fourth. And although the Sea Bears did stymie some of that momentum, rebuilding their advantage to double digits off a slick transition lob feed from Roberts to Shittu, the Alliance persisted.

Montreal sparked a 9-2 run, punctuated by five straight points from Bassett to bring the deficit heading into Target Score Time down to 83-79. The Alliance then got big makes from their leading scorers, back-to-back triples from Guerrier and Dunn-Martin to take their first lead since the 4:57 mark of the opening frame.

But like Winnipeg had done all game, it responded. Emmanuel Akot dropped two timely layups with the clock stopped — part of 13 points and nine rebounds from the Winnipeg native — before Shittu sealed the deal. The forward corralled a slick bounce feed from Harris, who made his first appearance at Canada Life Centre since joining the Sea Bears, and Shittu made sure not to waste the high-percentage look to cap off his storybook debut in Winnipeg.

“Jalen actually called that last play for Simi,” Taylor explained post-game when describing the final possession. “So, as a coach, when you see these two new guys work for each other on the floor, that’s a really good sign.

“Really proud. It didn’t come easy, and it shouldn't. We want to keep developing and keep working, but it was a great win.”

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Winnipeg Sea Bears Release Forward Solomon Young

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 20:00:01 GMT

Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced today that they have released forward Solomon Young from their roster.

The decision was made as part of recent roster adjustments. Per roster regulations, the CEBL allows for a maximum of six import players to be added to a roster while only four import players can be active for a game.

“We wish Solomon nothing but success in his future endeavors,” said head coach and general manager Mike Taylor. “He’s a hardworking player with great character, and we believe he will continue to find opportunities elsewhere.”

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Winnipeg Rallies for Dramatic Comeback Win Over Scarborough

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:57:02 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.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Honey Badgers Win First Game with Target Score Rally vs. Sea Bears

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 03:10:00 GMT

Both squads entered Brampton amid skids, but only the Honey Badgers (1-6) left with a much-needed notch in the win column.

They made sure of it by picking up an 81-74 comeback victory over the Winnipeg Sea Bears (1-5) at the CAA Centre on Friday.

It was an entire team effort for Brampton in order to get its first win and put its franchise-worst 0-

6 start to bed. Four different players finished in double digits for points, led by Koby McEwen’s game-high 23. Behind him was Quinndary Weatherspoon, who finished with 17 points in 21 minutes on 50 per cent shooting from the field and three-point line. Meanwhile, Amari Kelly chipped in 11 points and nine rebounds while David Muenkat scored 10, including the game-winner in Target Score Time.

“We’ve been talking about playing together the entire time,” Honey Badgers head coach Sheldon Cassimy said after the win. “I thought we did a way better job sticking together through adversity, ups and downs of the game. We got through that … I definitely feel like we’re in the right direction.”

An impressive victory in and of itself was accentuated by the absence of Weatherspoon, who didn’t play the entire fourth quarter after he was disqualified following a second technical foul. Yet despite missing the league’s eight-best scorer (20.4 points per game) and trailing the entire fourth until Target Time, the Honey Badgers showed a resolve not previously seen until Friday.

“Maybe in the past, we might have crumbled,” Cassimy said on Brampton’s comeback without its leading scorer. “(But) we’re more together as a group now, we’ve talked some things out and we’re building our chemistry together, so we were able to rally and get through adversity.”

On the other side, the Sea Bears have now lost five straight and remain winless on the road. That was even with the addition of Jalen Harris, who finished with a team-high 17 points to go with four rebounds and six assists in his Sea Bears debut. And despite the loss, it didn’t take long for the two-time All-CEBL guard to reach another milestone just one game into his fourth season. With his first helper of the night, Harris became just the 50th player in league history to reach 100 total assists (regular season only).

A majority of Winnipeg’s production beyond that came from its second unit. The trio of Emmanuel Akot, Terry Roberts and Nathan Bilamu put up 13, 12 and 11 points, respectively, as the Sea Bears won the bench-scoring battle 39-16.

“Had the lead going into Target Score Time, but we did not finish our plays. Give credit to Brampton,” Sea Bears head coach and general manager Mike Taylor said post-game.

“It was a hard-fought game, both teams really wanted to get the win … We got great bench production for our team, put ourselves where we needed to be, but we got to do a better job finishing the game.”

While all eyes were on Harris early — fair, considering he set the CEBL’s single-game scoring record of 45 points just last year and scored five of Winnipeg’s first nine points on Friday, including a deep-triple on his very first attempt — it was Brampton that carved out an early advantage.

“Played with such poise and helped us organize the game,” Taylor said of Harris’ Sea Bears debut. “There’s lots of potential there … really excited to have him.”

The Honey Badgers took their first lead of the ball game on a Muenkat three midway through the first and held on to a 22-21 edge to end the opening frame. Leading that effort was McEwen, who scored eight of his 16 first-half points in the quarter, including a 2-of-3 start from downtown.

Brampton built on that margin throughout the second, largely thanks to its rim pressure, finishing the first half with 18 paint points (plus-eight). Part of that effort was their dominance on the glass, earning a 24-11 first-half rebounding edge. Seven of those boards came on the offensive end (plus-six) for 11 unanswered second-chance points.

“We did a good job controlling the glass,” McEwen said post-game. “We got out and ran a little bit more, and there was just more flow and pace to our offence … there was no choice but to get that win.”

It was an inspired effort in stark contrast to their usual rebounding woes — the Honey Badgers entered Friday ranked last for total (34.7) and offensive (8.5) boards. They would go on to finish the game a plus-18 on the glass and plus-14 for second-chance points thanks to a 14-8 edge for offensive rebounds.

“Definitely an emphasis,” Cassimy said on the Honey Badgers’ rebounding effort on Friday. “We’re continuing to get better … hopefully that’s something we see every game from now on. Being relentless on the offensive glass and finding other opportunities to score.”

All of which should have been enough for Brampton to hold onto a seven-point lead it carved out in the opening half, had it not been for Winnipeg’s lights-out shooting. The Sea Bears shot 8-of-15 (53 per cent) from beyond the arc through the first 20 minutes and it allowed them to end the second quarter on a 7-2 run and knot the score at 45-45 going into the break.

Winnipeg’s hot start was a bucking of a trend as well, entering the evening ranked last in three-point percentage (25.7) despite averaging the second-most attempts (35.8) from distance.

And although that well did run dry for much of the third quarter — the Sea Bears missed their first eight shots from deep in the frame — the one that dropped proved the difference maker. With six seconds left in the period, Akot nailed his third of five triples on the night and gave Winnipeg a three-point lead (63-60) headed into the fourth.

The Sea Bears held onto the lead into Target Score Time, up 71-67, before the Honey Badgers' relentless pressure returned and paid major dividends.

Brampton’s effort to get to the rim not only led to back-to-back layups to start Target Time, but it quickly got the team into the bonus. The Honey Badgers ended up shooting 32 free throws (plus-17) on the night, none more important than the final five they hit while outscoring the Sea Bears 14-2 to end the game.

McEwen grabbed a loose ball and nailed an acrobatic putback before finishing off the and-one play at the charity stripe, and then Muenkat nailed two freebies of his own prior to his game-winning triple.

“Basketball is a next-man-up sport,” Muenkat said during his on-court post-game interview. “This is a step in the right direction for us, this is the brand of basketball we want to play for the rest of the season … hopefully we can continue on this kind of momentum.”

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Sea Bears sign two time all-CEBL guard Jalen Harris

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:53:22 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday the signing of former NBA draft pick and two-time All-CEBL guard Jalen Harris. The 6-5 Dallas, Tex. product enters his fourth CEBL season after appearing in 22 games for the Scarborough Shooting Stars in 2022 and 2023, before joining the Saskatchewan Rattlers for an 11-game stint last season.

Harris was selected 59th overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2020 NBA Draft and appeared in 13 games as a rookie, earning two starts. He also suited up in seven G League games that season, averaging 17.6 points and 50 per cent three-point shooting for the Raptors 905.

The 26-year-old made his CEBL debut in 2022 with the Scarborough Shooting Stars and immediately emerged as one of the league’s premier talents. His team-leading 19.9 points per game propelled Scarborough to the championship final and earned him an All-CEBL First Team selection.

Following a short three-game return to Scarborough in 2023, Harris ventured west to join the Saskatchewan Rattlers last season. He quickly reasserted himself as one of the league’s top performers, averaging 24.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists over 11 games with the Rattlers to earn All-CEBL Second Team honours. Among the highlights of his impressive season was a 45-point outburst against the Brampton Honey Badgers on June 12 that set a new CEBL single-game scoring record.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jalen Harris to the Sea Bears,” said head coach and general manager Mike Taylor. “Jalen is a dynamic scorer with proven professional experience, and we believe he will make an immediate impact on our team. He brings versatility, shot-making and a competitive edge that fits well with how we want to play. We’re excited to integrate him into our group and look forward to the spark he can provide on both ends of the floor.”

After his time with the Raptors, Harris spent seasons with both the Westchester Knicks and Windy City Bulls. His 2023-24 campaign with the Bulls was his longest in the G League, seeing him average 15.0 points across 26 games. He has also played professionally in Italy, China and Puerto Rico.

Harris enjoyed a standout collegiate career, spending two seasons at Louisiana Tech before transferring to Nevada, where he redshirted one year and starred in his senior season. He was named Mountain West Newcomer of the Year and earned first-team all-conference honours in 2019-20 after averaging 21.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists through 30 games.

The Sea Bears’ latest signing will join a squad that already features a former all-league talent in Simi Shittu. While Shittu will begin practicing with the team during their upcoming back-to-back in Ontario, Harris is expected to join the team on Friday.

The Sea Bears will tip off a back-to-back Friday, June 6 at 6:30 p.m. CT in a matchup with the Brampton Honey Badgers. They’ll visit the Scarborough Shooting Stars the next day at 7 p.m. CT before returning to Canada Life Centre to face the Montreal Alliance on June 11 . Stream all the action live on TSN+ and CEBL+, powered by TonyBet .

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Sea Bears fall at home to Ottawa BlackJacks

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 14:40:44 GMT

Despite a slow start for the Ottawa Blackjacks, they went on a 21-2 run in the second quarter and never looked back, winning 88-73 against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on Saturday night.

Ottawa’s Deng Adel (team-high 20 points) hit key shots throughout the game. In the first quarter, he hit a triple to inch within three points, and in the second, he hit a pair of threes to give Ottawa a seven-point and 10-point lead, respectively. In the third, he had a huge block on Terry Roberts, which helped Ottawa maintain an eight-point lead, and he exploited a mismatch down low for two easy points.

Ottawa, however, relied on contributions from the rest of the team unlike Winnipeg’s overreliance on the one-two punch of Tevian Jones (game-high 32 points) and Jaylin Williams (16 points).

Ottawa shot 5-for-19 from downtown in the first half, but instantly hit two threes in the second half. Ottawa relied on big man Meshak Lufile when scoring deep inside the paint and Deng’s mid-range forced a timeout. In the fourth quarter, Christian Rohlehr’s dunk gave them a seven-point buffer, and Rohlehr had a huge impact off the bench today, pouring in 10 points down low.

“I thought our bench did a tremendous job today, stepping up and settling us down when things got a little chaotic,” said Ottawa’s head coach Dave DeAveiro. “We don’t get a win without our bench tonight.”

The Jaylin Williams-Tevin Jones one-two punch kept Ottawa on their toes throughout the game. Williams’ block on Deng in the third quarter fueled a transition lay-up to Jones, and Winnipeg inched within two points. In the fourth, Jones ripped down a defensive rebound, took the ball coast-to-coast, and regained possession of the ball on a baseline out of bounds play. That led to Solomon Young’s left corner triple that made it a two-point game.

8,374 fans came to Canada Life Centre tonight, hoping to see the Sea Bears get their second victory of the season. History repeated itself as Winnipeg has never led against Ottawa going into halftime, and for the first time, Winnipeg have lost three-straight home games.

But Winnipeg’s star Jones says he and his team remain unphased, keeping the vibes high in the locker room. “I think we’re doing a good job of that. I’m a winner personally and I think the rest of the guys are winners as well,” Jones said calmly. “We all wanna win.”

Canada Life Centre will host the Championship Weekend this year, and the spirited effort by Winnipeg gives fans lots to be hopeful for. Terry Roberts came alive in the third quarter despite issues with his hip, and Taylor complimented him on his tremendous effort throughout 34 minutes.

Sea Bears release Mason Bourcier

Thu, 29 May 2025 14:00:18 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced today that guard Mason Bourcier has been released from the team’s roster, effective immediately.

“The Sea Bears and Mason mutually agreed that parting ways was the best decision for both sides,” said head coach and general manager Mike Taylor. “We are thankful for Mason’s contributions to our team and organization, and we all wish him and his family the best for the future.”

The organization thanks Mason for his dedication during his time in Winnipeg and extends its best wishes for his future endeavors.

The Sea Bears will continue their current homestand this Saturday, May 31 against the Ottawa BlackJacks. The matchup tips off at 7:30 p.m. CT from Canada Life Centre. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets .

###

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Sea Bears fall to Bandits at home

Thu, 29 May 2025 03:13:24 GMT

It wasn’t pretty, but the Vancouver Bandits (4-0) remained undefeated all the same.

A 100-89 road win over the Winnipeg Sea Bears (1-3) on Wednesday night was the latest victory for the CEBL-leading squad, one which they earned after rallying from down 13 in the first half.

Spearheading Vancouver’s fourth-consecutive double-digit win was yet again the three-headed monster of Kyle Mangas (game-high 27 points), Mitch Creek (23 points and nine assists) and Tyrese Samuel (16 points on 7-of-9 shooting). The trio proved why they all rank within the top 10 for scoring in the league this season as they combined to account for 66 per cent of the Bandits offensive production on the night.

Meanwhile, MiKyle Mcintosh chipped in 11 points, five rebounds and two steals in his 15 minutes off the bench.

On the other side, Tevian Jones led the Sea Bears with his team-high 23 points, six assists and five steals. The import guard struggled efficiency-wise, however, as he shot just 6-of-17 from the field and went 4-of-14 from distance — the only Sea Bears starter to finish with a negative plus-minus (minus-15).

Jaylin Williams finished with 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting, while Terry Roberts and Alex Campbell put up 16 and 11 points to round of Winnipeg’s double-digit scorers.

“Credit to Vancouver, they’re a good team, but everything we could control, we didn’t,” Campbell said following the Sea Bears’ third-consecutive loss. “Energy, effort, second chance plays … those compiled.”

They say three-pointers are the great equalizer, and Winnipeg proved that point early on Wednesday, using the long-ball to punch first against the league’s hottest team. The Sea Bears opened the game with an 11-4 run that was sparked by a 3-of-4 shooting start from beyond the arc.

The trio of makes from Jones, Williams and Campbell were an encouraging change as Winnipeg entered the night last in the CEBL in three-point percentage (24.8) despite ranking second in attempts per game (36.3). They ended up hitting 4-of-8 triples in the opening frame to carve out a 29-23 lead after 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, Vancouver did itself no favours early, uncharacteristically turning the ball over seven times through the first quarter – a number that was already more than half its usual average per game (12.3) that ranked second-lowest in the CEBL.

Had it not been for the Bandits giving up 21 points off their many first-half turnovers, they may have avoided their first victory of less than at least 30 points.

“I thought we were asleep at the wheel in the first half,” Vancouver head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said of his team’s sloppy start. “There was this aura of nonchalance.”

Neither of those early trends lasted, however, as the Sea Bears hot shooting cooled off — finishing 10-of-38 (26 per cent) — and the Bandits limited them to just eight points off giveaways the rest of the way.

Those changes allowed the league’s top offence to get to work as Vancouver went on a 21-4 run between the end of the second quarter and start of the third, taking their first lead of the ball game after trailing by as many as 13 points in the first half and facing a 48-45 deficit at the break.

And the Bandits held onto that momentum throughout the frame largely thanks to Mangas who caught fire. The import guard went a 6-of-7 from the field for 15 points in the third as Vancouver outscored Winnipeg 34-11 in the third and ended the frame on a 17-0 run as they broke open the largest lead of the game.

The Sea Bears did show some resilience in the final frame, cutting a 79-59 deficit entering the fourth down as low as seven points during Target Score time.

“For the majority of the game, there were a lot of positives,” Winnipeg head coach and general manager Mike Taylor said post-game. “But that third quarter, we got sped up a little bit, made poor decisions … for the majority of the game we made strides but we weren’t consistent enough and that stretch came back to haunt us.”

Vancouver kept Winnipeg at arm’s length however, thanks to timely offence by its leading scorers. A dunk from Samuel stopped an 8-0 Sea Bears run and then Mangas finished things by hitting back-to-back triples — the final two of his five makes from distance on the night.

“That was really good,” Julius said on his team facing some adversity. “We got punched in the mouth in the first half and I thought that response was really good in the third quarter.”

Up next

The Sea Bears resume play on Saturday as they host the 1-2 Ottawa BlackJacks before leaving Winnipeg for a two-game road trip.

Next CEBL action

A pair of winless teams continue their search for victories on Thursday, starting with the 0-3 Saskatchewan Rattlers visiting the 2-0 Scarborough Shooting Stars at 11 a.m. ET. After that, the 0-3 Brampton Honey Badgers wrap up a two-game road trip by taking on the 3-1 Calgary Surge 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 .

Lockdown Defence Pushes Surge Past Sea Bears

Mon, 26 May 2025 00:41:48 GMT

The Calgary Surge are clicking early in the season.

They routed the Winnipeg Sea Bears 93–61 on Sunday (May 25), assisting on 69 percent of their field goals.

Calgary head coach Kaleb Canales said every little step—on and off the court—has helped build chemistry early.

“They're a great practice group and we've been just carrying that over to the game,” Canales said.

It was also strong defensively, holding the Sea Bears to 61 points. Winnipeg was limited to 30 per cent shooting from the field, 17 per cent from three, and 50 per cent from the free-throw line.

Calgary dominated inside as well, outscoring Winnipeg 46-28 in the paint.

The Surge attack featured an array of high-flying finishes in transition, including alley-oop connections and a between-the-legs showstopper from Greg Brown III in the third quarter.

“I was like, ‘Finally I got an open break’... I was a little far back but thought I could get [the dunk] off,” Brown III said of the highlight.

The victory at WinSport Event Centre was the back half of a home-and-home, with Calgary winning the first contest on Friday 98-86.

Canales said the team is building on the foundation of turning defence into offence.

“It's never going to be perfect but we're moulding it the right way,” he said.

Brown III netted a game-high 22 points in the victory to go along with nine rebounds.

Sean Miller-Moore followed up a career-best performance on Friday with another solid outing on Sunday. He scored 20 points, hauled in 10 rebounds, dished out six assists and drilled the game-winning free throw.

The six assists pushed Miller-Moore to 200 for his CEBL career.

Meanwhile, Jameer Nelson Jr. also left a mark on both ends. He set a team record with seven steals in the win, while contributing 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

On the other side, Terry Roberts was a bright spot for the Sea Bears offensively. The Georgia alumnus led the team in scoring, rebounding and passing with 21 points, 10 boards, and seven assists.

Roberts said the Sea Bears need to be tougher moving forward.

“I think the defense dictated our offense. We [weren’t] playing good defensively, and it made us ultimately struggle offensively. So I think we have to lock in more defensively and we'll be alright,” Roberts said.

Winnipeg head coach Mike Taylor credited Calgary for effort, rebounding, speed and physicality. He attributed offensive struggles to the Sea Bears’ fast break.

“I think we did not space the floor as quickly as we needed to. And then again, we did not take advantage of the opportunities that the game gave us. We had some mismatches in the post we didn't take advantage of and we had some opportunities in transition we didn't take advantage of,” Taylor said.

To open the game, both teams started hot from beyond the arc. Roberts directed the Sea Bears’ offence in the first quarter, scoring or assisting on 14 of the team’s 17 points. However, the Surge pushed the pace leading to a pair of alley-oops in transition.

Calgary seized control, closing the quarter on a 12-1 run and taking a 23-17 advantage into the second quarter.

The Surge continued to dictate the tempo as Winnipeg’s offence stalled. The Sea Bears went roughly seven minutes without a field goal stretching back to the first quarter and Calgary capitalized with a 21-3 run during that span.

Winnipeg began to find some rhythm midway through the frame, but Calgary quickly shut the door with a 13-4 run—taking a 49-31 lead into the break.

Coming out of the locker room, Winnipeg started to push the pace as well. The Sea Bears scored six early points but Brown III killed the momentum with an audacious between-the-legs breakaway slam.

Brown III kept the highlight reel rolling as the Surge entered the fourth quarter up 71-48.

Winnipeg didn’t connect on a field goal for the first four minutes of the quarter and trailed by 30 heading into Target Score Time.

Winnipeg opened Target Time with a 7-2 burst, but Nelson Jr. responded with a personal 6-0 run to bring Calgary within one.

Miller-Moore iced it at the line, sealing Calgary’s 50th win in franchise history.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600577

Sea Bears Fight Back, But Surge Pull Away Late

Sat, 24 May 2025 14:37:48 GMT

The visiting Calgary Surge (2-1) outscored the Winnipeg Sea Bears (1-1) 33-14 in the third quarter and rode that effort to a 98-86 win to end their season-opening three-game road trip on a high note.

Calgary's playstyle in the early season has been clear: push the pace and generate high-quality looks. Count both those boxes checked after Friday as the Surge ran roughshod over the Sea Bears for a 22-3 edge in fast-break scoring as part of a whopping 58 points in the paint (plus-20).

Leading that rim-running onslaught was Sean Miller-Moore, who finished with a CEBL career-high 29 points to go with six assists, one steal and one block.

“It’s a huge part of our identity,” the fourth-year guard said of his team’s fast-break effectiveness. “If we can get stops and run, that’s exactly what we want to do. No plays … just get out and run.”

Right behind Miller-Moore was Jameer Nelson Jr., chipping in 25 points on 8-of-12 shooting along with seven rebounds and three steals as he finished a game-high plus-27. Meanwhile, Khyri Thomas had 11 points and 10 rebounds for his first CEBL double-double.

On the other side, Jaylin Williams led the Sea Bears in their first loss of the season as he scored a team-high 21 points to go with six rebounds and four assists. Terry Roberts did his part as well, putting up 15 points, 11 assists and three steals. The import guard is quickly building a reputation as one of the league’s top playmakers, his 9.5 average assists are the third-most in the CEBL. Tevian Jones and Emmanuel Akot rounded out Winnipeg’s double-digit scoring efforts on the night as the pair added 16 and 10 points, respectively.

As the saying goes, basketball is a game of runs. And Friday’s contest was no exception.

The first momentum-swing came in the opening frame when the Surge turned what was an early 8-4 deficit and flipped it into a 27-14 lead after 10 minutes. It was Calgary’s defence that did the heavy lifting as it limited Winnipeg to just two made field goals after the 7:42 mark of the first quarter as part of a 23-6 run.

“When you create deficits like that, it’s always hard to win games,” Williams said post-game of Winnipeg falling behind. “I think we just have to start our quarters better.”

The Sea Bears showed some resilience, however, punching right back in the second quarter with a 15-5 run spearheaded by some timely three-point shooting and Williams’ individual brilliance. Winnipeg started the game a paltry 1-of-7 from distance, but ended the half shooting 8-of-20 and made six triples in the second quarter. All the while, Williams went on an individual 8-3 to finish the second as part of 12 points in the frame, helping cut the Surge’s lead to just 48-47 through 20 minutes.

“I was really proud of the way we battled back in the second quarter,” Sea Bears head coach and general manager Mike Taylor said after the game. “They punched us in the mouth early … I think it took us a while to get going.”

But that was when the third quarter happened. What proved to be the defining frame of the ball game, Calgary opened the second half on a 20-4 run and never looked back. Underscoring that effort was a defence that forced five turnovers throughout the quarter as part of 15 Sea Bears’ giveaways for 27 points on the night.

“We knew the more disciplined team was going to win,” Miller-Moore said of the Surge’s response in the third quarter. “We tried to do what we’re good at it worked.”

While Winnipeg did make things interesting for parts of the final quarter, namely a 10-2 run to start the fourth, the comeback didn’t get much closer. Calgary took an 89-74 lead into Target Score time and the duo of Miller-Moore and Nelson got to work.

The pair scored all nine of the Surge’s points to end the contest, including three straight buckets from Miller-Moore before Nelson split a pair of free throws to seal the deal.

“I love our fight,” Calgary head coach Dave Canales said. “I love our competitive endurance. We knew we were coming into a play a great-coached team and I’m just proud of the group.”

The Surge’s win improved the franchise to 6-2 all-time against the Sea Bears, which also includes a Play-In win last season.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600573

Sea Bears Hold On to Beat Stingers After Target Time Thriller

Sat, 17 May 2025 14:05:20 GMT

Despite a furious comeback by the Edmonton Stingers at the end, the Winnipeg Sea Bears walked away with a season-opening win at the Canada Life Centre on Friday night.

A pair of Tevian Jones free throws secured a 92-89 victory for Winnipeg, in a game the Sea Bears led by 16 points heading into Target Score Time.

Winnipeg head coach and general manager Mike Taylor promised a team-first brand of basketball entering the year, and count that promise kept, at least through one game.

The Sea Bears racked up 19 assists on 31 made field goals while getting contributions up and down the roster. Starting with Jones, who finished with a team-high 25 points, going 8-for-8 from the charity stripe while adding six rebounds and two steals. The import forward picked up right where he left off as a member of the Scarborough Shooting Stars last season, when his 16.9 points per game ranked 15th in the CEBL.

“I’m really pleased with the way the team played today,” Taylor said post-game. “We have such a short time to prepare and so many new faces … I’m really pleased with the way our team, for the first game, we all responded together.”

Right behind Jones was fellow import Jaylin Williams, who tallied 20 points, 10 rebounds and a game-high four blocks. Meanwhile, a pair of Winnipeg natives in Emmanuel Akot and Kyler Filewich did their part as well. Akot chipped in 17 and six rebounds while Filewich added six points and a game-high 13 rebounds in his first game as a pro.

“It was a lot of fun,” Filewich said of his Sea Bears debut. “Glad to share it with all my teammates, and hopefully a lot more games like that this summer.”

On the other side, Sean East II carried the load for the Stingers as they ultimately fell to 0-2 despite their late rally. The import guard finished with a game-high 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting, while backcourt mate Devonté Bandoo scored 21 on 8-of-14 from the field.

Nick Hornsby and former Sea Bear Scottie Lindsey rounded out the double-digit scorers for Edmonton on Friday, putting up 13 and 14 points, respectively. Hornsby added 10 boards as well for his first double-double of the season.

Backdropping the Sea Bears’ opener was the fact it was their first game since the sudden loss of captain Chad Posthumus in the off-season. The franchise honoured the Winnipeg native by retiring his No. 33 in a pre-game ceremony and hanging his jersey in the rafters while a capacity crowd of 10,649 fans in attendance cheered. The Sea Bears will also wear “33 forever” patches throughout the season as one of the many ways they plan to celebrate Posthumus’ legacy .

“Chad obviously meant so much to this team,” Filewich said while reflecting on the pre-game ceremony. “So seeing that, it gave us that extra motivation on opening night, it was a special moment.”

And it appeared, at least early, that the emotions from pre-game had sparked Winnipeg into a strong start.

The Sea Bears opened the game on a 13-4 run that was punctuated by an Akot and-one on his former teammate Lindsey, and some stellar team defence. Winnipeg held Edmonton to under 30 per cent shooting from the field in the first as it built up a 21-13 lead.

Come the second quarter, that advantage only grew as Jones caught fire following a slow start. After missing his first five shots, the do-it-all wing made four of his next seven looks en route to a 14-point scoring frame.

Jones’ effort built the Sea Bears' lead up to 47-36 at the break, a margin they extended up to 18 after the third quarter.

Most of the final frame seemed like a similar story as a Terry Roberts layup put Winnipeg ahead by 20 points at the 6:24 mark, their largest lead of the ball game, as the Sea Bears eventually went into Target Time with an 83-67 lead.

The Stingers showed some resilience, however, going on an 8-0 run that was punctuated by Hornsby. He scored six of those points on his own, capping off the effort with an and-one that cut Edmonton’s deficit to eight points.

From there, the Stingers were able to capitalize on a trio of costly Sea Bears turnovers and cut the deficit to just one on a Taye Donald layup in semi-transition. Donald’s heroics were quickly wiped away when he was called for a foul moments later and Jones closed the ball game at the free throw line.

“We played well in the last eight minutes, but we’re certainly going to watch a lot of film on the first 32,” Stingers head coach Jordan Baker said. “Lots of things we need to clean up but … I love the resilience from the guys.”

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600566

Sea Bears announce 12-man season-opening roster

Thu, 15 May 2025 19:33:26 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League announced the 12-man regular season roster with which the team will open the 2025 season. The Sea Bears start things off at home tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. against the Edmonton Stingers. Single game tickets are on sale and fans can catch the game on CEBL+ , TSN+ and 680 CJOB .

All announced and professional signings aside from Simi Shittu have been named to the team's season opening roster. Shittu remains with Promitheas Patras of the Greek Basketball League (GBL) as they continue their playoff run and will join the team when their season is complete. Lamar Everd and Gavin Ashworth will remain with the team as practice players.

See the complete 12-man roster below

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Sea Bears Ready for Exciting yet Emotional Season Ahead

Thu, 15 May 2025 18:32:40 GMT

As Year 7 of CEBL action gets underway, so does the race to Championship Weekend 2025.

Not only a three-day celebration of basketball north of the border, but also a battleground to determine which team walks away with a title once the dust settles.

This year, the festivities will be taking place in Winnipeg.

Heading into just their third season as part of the CEBL — already known for raucous crowds and uber-committed fans — the Sea Bears were awarded the honour of hosting CW25 for the first time in franchise history.

And make no mistake, the organization wants to make a statement when they welcome the competition to their home in August.

“It’s going to be something special,” said head coach and general manager Mike Taylor. “I think the way it’s going to be here in Winnipeg will raise the level for the CEBL. All eyes will be on the City of Winnipeg, and I think Winnipeg will help elevate the expectations and standards of what Championship Weekend is going to be.”

With so much enthusiasm even before the team’s season opener on Friday, excitement feels like the obvious emotion to associate with the Sea Bears’ upcoming campaign. And while that’s true, there will be one more, equally prevalent, feeling throughout the summer … grief.

Amid the 2024 off-season, the franchise and local community were blindsided by the sudden loss of Chad Posthumus. The Sea Bears player and Winnipeg native suffered a brain aneurysm during a training session last November and later passed away following complications with corrective surgery.

The 33-year-old was a stalwart of the CEBL, having played five seasons in the league with three different teams, the last two of which were with his hometown Sea Bears — a fact that Posthumus often pointed to with pride as his decade-long basketball journey spanning over 10 countries led him back to where it all began.

But his legacy extends much further than simply being a part of Canada’s largest professional sports league. To the point that the CEBL’s story cannot be told without a full chapter on Posthumus.

The 6-foot-10 centre was a member of the league’s inaugural champion Saskatchewan Rattlers in 2019, even starting alongside Championship Weekend MVP and eventual Sea Bears teammate Alex Campbell in their title-clinching win. Fast forward to 2021, he joined the Ottawa BlackJacks for their playoff run and in his team debut recorded the CEBL’s first-ever 20-20 game with 23 points and 20 rebounds in a quarterfinal victory. And when Winnipeg entered the fold as the league’s newest franchise in 2023, they wasted no time in making Posthumus the first player signing and captain in franchise history.

From there, it didn’t take long for him to keep adding to the record books. In the Sea Bears' inaugural game, it was Posthumus who brought the Canada Life Centre to its feet as he scored Winnipeg’s first-ever Target Score winner. In true big man fashion, he corralled a missed shot and bounced it in off the glass before sprinting away in celebration.

That moment was one of many that Taylor said came to mind when thinking about Posthumus’ legacy in Winnipeg.

“He really helped establish the whole organization,” the Sea Bears bench boss explained as he prepared for his first season coaching the team without its captain by his side. “Chad was one of the key guys to maintaining our values and structure. He was one of those guys who never wavered … a strengthening force and glue for our team.”

Most of Taylor’s other memories about the hometown hero were connected to his off-court antics, whether it was the smile Posthumus routinely greeted folks with during morning meetings or the big man’s laugh-inducing “quirky” stretches during practice.

“Chad was just such a positive, bigger than life personality … there was nobody that loved Winnipeg and the Sea Bears more,” Taylor added.

And that passion extended off the court as well, as Posthumus was well known for his work throughout his local community. His efforts were recognized in March as the Winnipeg native was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal, a national honour recognizing Canadians for significant contributions to their country, region or communities.

Posthumus was a staunch representative of the Sea Bears throughout youth camps while often acting as a spokesperson for a variety of causes, such as Diabetes Canada , Buckets & Borders and others.

That spirit of kindness was present no matter what Posthumus did, as Taylor credited the big man for consistently going out of his way to connect with coaches and players. Just ask Emmanuel Akot, who fondly thinks back to when the Sea Bears captain welcomed him to the team.

“He was just selfless,” said the forward, who re-signed with his hometown ahead of the 2025 season. “I remember the first time I came back to Winnipeg, I hadn’t been back a while … he invited me to shoot around. That’s the type of teammate he was. It was never about him, it was about us.”

When asked if any moments throughout training camp these last few weeks might’ve brought up memories of Posthumus, Akot was quick to mention how any instances of laughter or positivity were immediately associated with the captain’s impact.

But that wasn’t his only answer.

“Watching Kyler Filewich play,” was the forward’s follow-up, pointing to play-style similarities between the Sea Bears' first local signing and their most recent one. “He reminds me a lot of Chad.”

Which might not simply be a coincidence, as Filewich said he often paid close attention to Posthumus whenever he returned to Winnipeg between NCAA campaigns and watched the Sea Bears play.

And ahead of his first professional basketball season, the rookie wants to continue following in Posthumus’ footsteps.

“Leading with my voice, providing physicality on both ends and on the glass, those are things I’ve taken from him and things he was really great at,” Filewich explained.

“So, I’m just trying to contribute in that way as well.”

An attitude his head coach fully supports, encouraging the team to “use Chad for what he was, a great Sea Bear, a great role model and example for what we want our players to be.”

Which is why the 23-year-old won’t be the only one adopting Posthumus’ “all in” mentality as described by Taylor. Among the many ways the team will honour its captain — retiring his No. 33 during a pre-game ceremony on Friday and wearing “33 forever” patches throughout the season — they’ll also serve as a reminder of his legacy with their play on the court.

“(We’re) dedicating this season to him,” Akot said. “Going out hard every practice, taking it seriously every game, because we all know how much he cared about the Sea Bears and basketball here in Winnipeg.

“So to pay our respects to him, we’ll go hard every day, because I know that’s what he really wants.”

And beyond effort levels, the Sea Bears are ready to mimic Posthumus’ selfless brand of basketball stylistically as well.

“We feel like what’s going to take us to the next level, and bring post-season success, will be all about team play,” Taylor explained, noting how previous iterations of the team were driven primarily through top-end talent, giving credit to a pair of former Sea Bears and prolific scorers in Teddy Allen and Justin Wright-Foreman.

“On both ends of the floor, (taking) steps to be more connected as a team. We’ve got good personalities … we’ve got some high IQ players and guys that will play great team basketball.

Both Akot and Filewich echoed those sentiments while adding “versatile” and “unique” as descriptors for the 2025 Sea Bears.

So as Winnipeg gets ready for a meaningful season, aiming to build the right habits ahead of its eventual bye to a Western Conference Final — perks of being host for Championship Weekend — and just two wins shy of a first title in franchise history, the team will have plenty on its mind.

On one hand, they’ll be competing for a fanbase that has consistently rallied around them throughout their ebbs and flows.

“We absolutely love Winnipeg,” Taylor said while proudly referencing the many times the Sea Bears have set attendance records, owning three of the top four single-game marks in CEBL history while boasting a league-best showing of 10,580 fans for a playoff contest.

“We’ve gotten off to an exciting start the first two summers, and this season we want to do everything we can … to be a team fans love to watch, and hopefully they can see great team basketball and how we’ve evolved.”

On the other hand, the Sea Bears will be playing for Posthumus’ legacy, as they have no doubt their captain will be on the path with them in lockstep.

“I still believe that Chad is with us,” Taylor said.

“He was all in for our team, all in for our organization, and we know that he would’ve been all in for this Championship Weekend.”

So as the race toward a CEBL title gets underway, the Sea Bears will keep both of those motivations in mind while waiting for other teams to meet them at the finish line — all with hopes of accomplishing one goal, according to their head coach.

“We want to put the ‘win’ back in Winnipeg.”

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

About the CEBL

Winnipeg Sea Bears announce 2025 training camp roster

Wed, 07 May 2025 14:38:57 GMT

The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) will begin their 2025 training camp on Thursday, May 8 at Sport Manitoba in Winnipeg, Man. The team’s 16-man pre-season roster features talent from across Canada and the United States with experience spanning the CEBL, NBA G League, top overseas professional leagues, U SPORTS and NCAA Division I.

It’s a roster heavy on newcomers as only three players return from the 2024 Sea Bears squad that went 9-11 in the regular season before falling 84-82 to the Calgary Surge in the Western Conference play-in.

Emmanuel Akot, a Winnipeg local, will represent his hometown again after emerging as a key contributor in 2024. Following a strong campaign of 11.3 points per game through 12 contests, he appeared in one game in the Polish Basketball League before returning home to rehab an ankle in preparation for the CEBL season.

The Sea Bears also return the CEBL’s iron man, Alex Campbell, who leads the league in all-time games played. The 32-year-old Brampton product was the only Sea Bear to start all 21 games last season, averaging 6.2 points per game.

Mason Bourcier is also back from the 2024 group, bringing four seasons of CEBL experience. The former Trinity Western star is coming off a 12-game stint in Estonia that saw him average 11.2 points and 4.3 assists per game.

Leading the new additions is Tevian Jones, a 6-foot-7 guard who averaged 14.7 points through 18 games with the Grand Rapids Gold in the NBA G League this season.

The Chandler, Ariz. product has suited up in NBA Summer League games for the New Orleans Pelicans and Brooklyn Nets. A Southern Utah University alum, Jones made his CEBL debut with the Scarborough Shooting Stars in 2024, appearing in 11 games and averaging 16.9 points, including a 29-point, 12-rebound outburst to lift Scarborough over the Montreal Alliance on June 23.

Jones is joined by Gold teammate Jaylin Williams, a 6-foot-8 forward who also contributed double-digit scoring for the Denver Nuggets’ G League affiliate. Hailing from Nahunta, Ga., Williams posted an impressive career at Auburn University against top SEC competition, averaging 12.4 points as a senior in 2024 and ending his collegiate career as the program’s all-time leader in games played.

Solomon Young and Terry Roberts round out the Sea Bears’ contingent of import players. Young, a 6-foot-8 centre, recently wrapped up a 24-game campaign in the G League with the South Bay Lakers and has also played professionally in Germany, Italy and Belgium. Roberts, a double-digit scorer at the University of Georgia as a senior in 2022, also joins Winnipeg from the G League ranks after spending his first two pro seasons with the Long Island Nets.

The Sea Bears’ Canadian additions are headlined by Simi Shittu, who was named to the All-CEBL First Team and All-Canadian Team in 2023 as a member of the Calgary Surge. Born in England and raised in Burlington, Ont., the 6-foot-10 centre joins Winnipeg after spending the past two seasons in Greece, France and Turkey. He’ll look to build on a stellar CEBL campaign that saw him average a double-double. Shittu will start the season on the suspended list and join the Sea Bears once his season in Greece comes to a close.

The Sea Bears’ frontcourt will add another impact Canadian with Winnipeg-born Wofford star Kyler Filewich. The 23-year-old centre helped propel the Terriers to an NCAA tournament berth this year, posting averages of 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds through 35 games in his fifth season of eligibility.

A strong depth of U SPORTS talent rounds out the roster, with several Canadian university standouts earning invites to camp.

The Sea Bears selected University of Victoria guard Geoffrey James fifth overall in the 2025 CEBL Draft. The 6-foot-2 Edmonton local made his pro debut with the Stingers during the 2023 season, quickly emerging as one of the league’s top U SPORTS talents. He appeared in 21 games, averaging 7.5 points and 16.6 minutes per contest.

Winnipeg set their sights down Pembina Highway with their second-round selection, taking home-grown University of Manitoba guard Mason Kraus. The Sturgeon Heights Collegiate graduate had a breakout campaign in 2024, averaging 19.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 23 games.

McMaster University’s Brendan Amoyaw, another Winnipegger, completed the Sea Bears’ draft class. Winnipeg’s third-round choice will make his pro debut after averaging 8.1 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Marauders as a junior this season.

University of Winnipeg Wesmen star Shawn Maranan, who spent last season on the Sea Bears’ practice roster, will also join the team for training camp. The 5-foot-8 guard out of Sisler High School was a two-time Wesmen Male Athlete of the Year during his star-studded U SPORTS career.

Another Wesmen, Lamar Everd, will also join the team for camp. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 12.2 points per game in his senior campaign this year.

UBC Okanagan’s Gavin Ashworth and Lakehead’s Nathan Bilamu round out the list of U SPORTS players invited to camp.

The Sea Bears will trim their roster to 14 players for the regular season, with 10 designated as active on game day. The team will tip off their 2025 campaign on Friday, May 16 against the Edmonton Stingers at Canada Life Centre. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Sea Bears bring Elam Ending innovator Nick Elam on board as Target Score Time strategist

Mon, 05 May 2025 14:43:11 GMT

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Sea Bears are bringing in one of basketball’s most innovative minds for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season, announcing Monday that Dr. Nick Elam, creator of the Elam Ending (known as Target Score Time in the CEBL), will join the club as its Target Score Time strategist.

Elam will work alongside Head Coach and General Manager Mike Taylor and the Sea Bears coaching staff to analyze trends and inform late-game strategy. Known for revolutionizing how basketball games end, Elam’s expertise is expected to provide a significant competitive advantage under the CEBL’s unique format.

“Coach Taylor reached out to me during the off-season about the possibility of teaming up with the Sea Bears to refine late-game strategy,” said Elam. “As the originator of the Elam Ending format used in CEBL and many other leagues and events, it was a call I knew would come eventually, I just wasn’t sure who would be the first team to reach out. I’m grateful to Coach Taylor for bringing me on board.”

Taylor first encountered Elam’s work in 2018 while coaching Team Fredette at The Basketball Tournament (TBT), which uses the Elam Ending. The team reached the tournament’s final four in Baltimore.

“It was my first experience with the Elam Ending and I loved it,” said Taylor. “I was intrigued by the strategy, and over the past few years in the CEBL, we’ve stayed in touch. Nick would always make time to answer my questions and talk about target score time. We’re really happy to have him officially join us.”

Elam, who has spent thousands of hours researching the late-game format since first devising it in 2007, says his work with the Sea Bears will go beyond what’s been done before.

“To this point, that research has been used to make late-game play more authentic and exciting,” said Elam. “There has been an untapped element of that research that can be used to help a team win. I’m glad the Sea Bears are the first team to seek the benefits of that research directly from the source.”

Although Elam will work primarily remotely, he is expected to join the team in person during the season.

“I am absolutely thrilled for the opportunity to make at least one trip to Winnipeg this season to meet the team in person, experience a Sea Bears game live, and explore the city,” he said. “Dining and sightseeing recommendations are welcome.”

Elam’s role will include evaluating every target score time across the CEBL, identifying strategic tendencies, and providing insights to help the Sea Bears make better decisions in late-game moments.

“Ever since the Elam Ending was first implemented at TBT in 2017, I have closely monitored various late-game strategies and their effectiveness everywhere it’s been played, including the CEBL, NBA G League, NBA All-Star Game, NBA Summer League, and others,” said Elam. “I see sound strategies used, and I see unsound strategies used. While no strategy can guarantee success, I am excited to work with the Sea Bears to implement strategies that offer the best chance of winning.”

For Taylor, adding Elam is about gaining every edge possible.

“We’ve featured an excellent analytics programme the last two summers, and now we’re looking to the inventor himself to bring his expertise to our team,” he said. “Nick is creative and thinks outside the box. We aim to create an advantage in different areas of our organization, and I believe Nick will help us do that.”

The Sea Bears open their 2025 campaign with a renewed focus on precision in late-game situations, aiming to turn one of the game’s most exciting formats into a season-long advantage.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Sea Bears sign versatile American guard Terry Roberts

Thu, 01 May 2025 19:10:29 GMT

WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Sea Bears have finalized their 2025 roster with the signing of dynamic American guard Terry Roberts, the club announced today.

Roberts, a 6-foot-3 playmaker, joins the Sea Bears after two strong professional seasons, showcasing his versatility while averaging 6.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in 31 games with the Long Island Nets. He made headlines this season with his first professional triple-double, 10 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, against the Westchester Knicks and posted three double-doubles, displaying an all-around skillset and leadership on the court.

A product of the University of Georgia, Roberts led the Bulldogs in points per game at 13.7, 4.0 assists per game and 1.5 steals during the 2022–23 season which had him consistently ranking among the SEC's top performers. Prior to Georgia, he earned First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors at Bradley University and was named the 2021–22 Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year.

“I'm beyond excited to join the Winnipeg Sea Bears and bring my game to a city that's passionate about basketball,” said Terry Roberts. “I'm a defensive minded, playmaking point guard who can score at all three levels, and I pride myself on making a positive impact on both ends of the floor. I can’t wait to compete, represent Winnipeg, and help bring a winning mentality to the team.”

Roberts' road to professional basketball is a story of resilience and determination. After suffering an injury in 2024 due to a stray bullet incident that left him in critical condition and relying on a ventilator, Roberts was unsure whether he would play basketball again. Less than 12 months later, he made a full recovery and returned to action in the NBA G League, further demonstrating the grit and toughness that define his game.

“Terry Roberts has a really inspirational story,” said Sea Bears Head Coach and General Manager Mike Taylor. “Working his way back from the shooting, getting healthy and posting a triple double in the G League this year is something special. Terry is an athletic floor general who makes his teammates better and competes on both ends. I'm very excited to see Terry write the next chapter of his comeback story with us in Winnipeg.”

At the collegiate level, Roberts earned a reputation as a dynamic scorer and creator, notching numerous 20-point games and racking up accolades including Sun Bowl Invitational MVP and multiple MVC Player and Newcomer of the Week awards.

With the signing of Roberts, the Sea Bears now have a fully assembled and balanced roster heading into an exciting 2025 season.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Winnipeg Sea Bears announce 2025 coaching and support staff

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:44:31 GMT

Winnipeg, MB — The Winnipeg Sea Bears are proud to announce their full coaching and basketball operations staff for the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season, a mix of returning talent and new energy set to lead the team into 2025.

Head Coach and General Manager Mike Taylor returns at the helm after guiding the Sea Bears to a memorable debut season and back-to-back years with playoff appearances. Taylor brings a wealth of international experience and continues to shape the culture of the team both on and off the court.

Ryan Thomson, Assistant Coach and Assistant General Manager, enters his third season with the Sea Bears. A long-time leader of the Lakehead Thunderwolves in Thunder Bay, Thomson worked alongside Taylor with the then-Fraser Valley Bandits before joining Winnipeg during its inaugural campaign. His basketball IQ and player development insight have been instrumental in the team’s early success.

Returning to the bench is Mike Raimbault, who brings significant local experience after a decorated run with the University of Winnipeg Wesmen. Raimbault led the Wesmen to back-to-back Canada West silver medals and U SPORTS Elite Eight appearances in 2023 and 2024. He led the Wesmen to a program best finish in Canada West this season at 16-4. A Brandon, MB native and former standout player at Brandon University, Raimbault previously won a CCAA national championship and CCAA Coach of the Year honours in 2010 with the University of Northern British Columbia.

Former basketball intern Braeden Floyd has been promoted to Assistant Coach, Video Coordinator and Chief of Staff. Floyd spent recent seasons with the Winnipeg Wesmen coaching staff and has earned this step up through his dedication and behind-the-scenes contributions.

“Braeden Floyd is a great story. He has earned more responsibility within our Sea Bears organization impressing us with his work ethic and character,” said Taylor. “Braeden is an excellent young coach who is gaining experience at different levels and building himself up in a great way. I enjoy working with him and will be counting on him a lot this summer as Chief of Staff and video coordinator.”

Also joining the coaching roster is Tevonn Walker, who will serve as Assistant Coach and Director of Player Development. Walker, a former pro player, brings a modern player-first perspective to development, accountability, and performance improvement. After playing guard at Valparaiso from 2014-2018, Walker returned as an addition to the coaching staff and later joined the Oklahoma Sooners.

“I'm really excited to add Tevonn Walker to our staff,” said Taylor. “We won a championship together in Hamburg Germany where Tevonn was our starting 2 guard and he has started his coaching career in impressive fashion, leading player development with the Oklahoma Sooners. At OU, Tevonn was instrumental in developing NBA first round draft pick Jeremiah Fears. Tevonn will bring his energy and player development expertise to our team this summer in Winnipeg.”

The Sea Bears are also excited to welcome Basketball Interns Huy Luu, Omid Torabi, and Jonam Kazadi to the team.

Supporting the athletes throughout the season is a dedicated medical and performance staff, including Athletic Therapist Kelly Chambers, Strength and Conditioning Coaches Jeff Wood and Matt Ginter, Team Doctor Dr. Gail Sawa, and Team Chiropractor Mike Minnena.

With a dynamic and experienced staff in place, the Winnipeg Sea Bears are set to build on the momentum of their first two seasons and make an impact in 2025.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Sea Bears sign Winnipeg’s Kyler Filewich following standout March Madness season

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 13:49:10 GMT

WINNIPEG, MB — The Winnipeg Sea Bears are thrilled to announce the signing of Winnipeg-born center Kyler Filewich, who is set to begin his professional basketball career at home for the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

A proud product of Vincent Massey High School, Filewich was ranked the No. 1 high school basketball player in Manitoba in both 2018 and 2019. He began his NCAA Division I career at Southern Illinois University, where he earned Missouri Valley Conference (MVA) all-freshman team honours in his debut season. Filewich later transferred to Wofford College, where he continued to develop into a dominant presence in the paint.

“Winnipeg's own Kyler Filewich starting his pro career as a Sea Bear is a great story,” said Sea Bears General Manager and Head Coach Mike Taylor. “Fresh from leading Wofford to a Southern Conference championship and NCAA tournament run, Kyler brings physicality and skill to our front court.”

Filewich started all 35 games for Wofford in the 2024–25 season, averaging 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game to lead the team. He was named SoCon Tournament MVP, helped lead Wofford to an NCAA tournament appearance, and earned spots on both the all-tournament first team and all-SoCon third team. A consistent force on both ends of the court, he also earned CSC academic all-district honours and was named SoCon player of the week on Jan. 13.

Throughout his collegiate career, Filewich built a reputation as a reliable and versatile presence in the paint, racking up double-doubles, leading his team in rebounding multiple seasons, and shooting with strong efficiency. He finishes his NCAA career with experience in more than 150 games played, bringing toughness, maturity and a deep understanding of the game to the Sea Bears roster.

“I’m truly blessed and honored to sign with the Sea Bears for this upcoming CEBL season. The opportunity to play at home, in front of my family, friends, and the incredible fans of our city means the world to me.” said Filewich. “I’m excited to get to work with this team and give everything I have for the best fanbase and a basketball community that continues to grow and inspire.”

Filewich also brings a unique shooting style to Winnipeg. After facing some challenges at the free throw line with Wofford, NBA legend Rick Barry stepped in to help. Kyler and Rick spent hours together working on the underhand ‘granny style’ free throw shot that debuted on February 5, 2025. The free throw technique went viral on social media and Filewich began to see a significant improvement in free throw percentage.

The Sea Bears open their home schedule on May 16 at Canada Life Centre, where fans will get their first look at Filewich and the 2025 squad.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Sea Bears announce the opening of the upper bowl for the 2025 home opener on May 16

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:38:45 GMT

Winnipeg – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) are excited to announce that the upper bowl at Canada Life Centre will officially open for the 2025 home opener on May 16. The club is excited to welcome fans back for another season of exciting basketball in the city.

The home opener will see fans packed into the stadium for the first time in 2025.

“We are incredibly grateful to the people of Winnipeg and Manitoba for their overwhelming support as we prepare to kickoff our 2025 season,” said Jason Smith, the team’s President. “Opening the upper deck is a true testament to how this city has embraced the Sea Bears. The energy in the building last year was unmatched, and we can’t wait to build on that as we tip off an exciting new season. With the addition of Championship Weekend in August, this is going to be a special year, and we’re so proud to share it with our fans and our community.”

The team has announced Juno award winning artist, Maestro Fresh Wes as the halftime entertainment. He is the first Black Canadian artist to have a single or album reach gold and platinum status in Canada as well as the first to be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Fans in attendance can expect to receive a commemorative gift and be present for a ceremony to honour and celebrate the Sea Bears' late captain, Chad Posthumus.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Beyond the court: Brendan Amoyaw’s journey from hoops to health

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 20:54:19 GMT

Brendan Amoyaw is no stranger to hard work. As one of the newest members of the Winnipeg Sea Bears, the rising basketball star is embracing the challenge of professional play — while completing a health sciences degree and continuing his passion for community outreach. “It’s a dream come true to be back in Winnipeg,” said Amoyaw. “The city’s thriving for CEBL right now, and I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”

For Amoyaw, though, success is about more than just points on the scoreboard.

While navigating his first pro season, Amoyaw is also completing a degree in health sciences at McMaster University — a path he hopes will one day lead to medical school. Drawn to the connection between science and athletic performance, he has contributed to research at both the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute and the McMaster Sports Medicine Research Group.

Juggling a full academic course load with the demands of basketball is tough, but Amoyaw has developed a system that works. “Google Calendar is my best friend,” he said with a laugh. “I break my day into blocks — practice, studying, and maybe a community outreach event. I try to be proactive and stay ahead, especially during busy times in the season.” That discipline, he said, is transferable. “The same mindset I bring to basketball — being serious, being prepared, and studying my plays — keeps me accountable.”

While Amoyaw’s stats on the court are impressive, it’s his impact off the hardwood that truly sets him apart. As a workshop director for McMaster’s Black Student-Athlete Council, Amoyaw leads initiatives to support Black youth in sport and education. He also serves as an outreach executive with the Black BHSc Association, helping to recruit and support Black students in health sciences. “These groups mean a lot to me,” he said. “In high school and university, I was often the only Black person in the room. It pushed me to try and change that — to create spaces that are more inclusive.”

Amoyaw’s leadership has already reached far beyond campus. During the pandemic, he co-founded Project Excel and partnered with Rising Stars to create a basketball mentorship camp, aiming to uplift young athletes in the community. “It was one of the most rewarding things I’ve done,” he said. “Seeing kids gain confidence, watching the community come together — it reminded me that basketball is a powerful tool for change.”

That belief aligns well with the Sea Bears’ community-driven mission, and Amoyaw is eager to lend his voice to the team’s outreach efforts. “I think athletes have a platform, and we can use that to advocate for social justice and highlight what our communities need,” he said. “I’m excited to be part of that here in Winnipeg.”

“Brendan is an impressive young man. He is intelligent, goal-oriented and hard-working in both his basketball and his education,” said head coach and general manager Mike Taylor. “Basketball is important and we love the game, but it's important for players to prepare for the next step in life after the ball stops bouncing in their careers. Brendan is an excellent example of a young man preparing himself for success in the future as he pursues medicine. We are really excited to work with him this summer.”

Amoyaw says he’s inspired by his parents’ and grandparents’ tireless work ethic, as well as mentors like Amir Ali — a University of Manitoba alum who successfully balanced basketball and medicine. Even in rare moments of downtime, Amoyaw keeps his circle close. “I love calling my siblings, watching anime — Attack on Titan is probably my favourite — and catching March Madness,” he said.

As for what success looks like? “It’s not just about stats anymore,” he said. “It’s about enjoying the process, being healthy, appreciating every day. On and off the court, I want to leave things better than I found them.”

Long-term, Amoyaw hopes to continue playing professionally and eventually build a community organization that tackles systemic issues and uplifts the city he calls home.

“My goal is to help people, however I can,” he said. “Whether that’s through basketball, medicine or mentorship, I just want to make a difference.” With a powerful combination of talent, heart and vision, Brendan Amoyaw is proving that greatness isn’t just measured in wins — but in the lives you impact along the way.

"It was always about giving back": Posthumus family reflects on son's King Charles Medal honour

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 18:44:41 GMT

Chad Posthumus left his mark on every court he stepped on.

He played around the world, captured the inaugural CEBL Championship and proudly represented both Winnipeg and Canada at the highest level. The Sea Bears captain undoubtedly had countless triumphs still ahead of him when he tragically and unexpectedly passed away this past fall.

But Chad’s life was never defined by anything he achieved on a basketball court. It was his spirit of kindness, energy and deep devotion to others that transformed the lives of everyone he touched and made him a true hero to his hometown.

Chad’s spirit of service was recognized last month with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, an honour reserved for Canadians who have made significant contributions to their country, region or community.

His parents, Charles and Diana, were invited to a ceremony at Ralph Connor House on March 22 to accept the medal on behalf of their son. Raquel Dancho, MP for Kildonan – St. Paul, represented the federal government to present the award.

For his parents, it was a bittersweet opportunity to reflect on what an incredible impact Chad made on the community he grew up in.

“It really felt like a follow-up to all the work he had been doing in Winnipeg,” said Chad’s mother, Diana. “He embraced being back in the city, and he just always had that kind heart. That’s probably what made us most proud.”

The River East Collegiate graduate made history as the Sea Bears’ first-ever signing ahead of the team’s inaugural 2023 season. A captain and day-one starter for his new hometown team, Chad’s commanding interior presence anchored Winnipeg in their first campaign. But as much of a force as he was on the court, the way he transformed his community was what truly set him apart.

Chad always brought his smiling presence to represent the Sea Bears at local events like Pride Week, the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival and community initiatives like Buckets and Borders’ refurbishments of the St. John’s Park and Mayfair Recreation Centre courts. He coached free basketball camps through Sea Bears Summer Series and spoke to K-12 youth about mental health through Project 11. Chad always took the extra time to sign an autograph, give a hug, or lift a child up to hang off the rim.

“He loved doing the camps with the kids, and I got to do a lot of those events with him,” Charles said. “I think a lot of the time he’d have more fun than they did,” he laughed with misty eyes.

His involvement with the Manitoba basketball community went far deeper than his affiliation with the Sea Bears. In his spare time, Chad often pitched in as a guest coach for Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association teams. He was a dedicated volunteer at local events like Hoopfest, Pros vs. Joes and Hoops from the Heart, lending a helping hand to various local programs and charities. Chad also worked closely with KidSport, helping to facilitate free camps for underserved youth.

“It was never about getting paid for anything. It was always about giving back,” said Diana. “He always quietly supported local grassroots basketball,” she continued. “He went to a bunch of high school games, he’d go to the provincial finals, he’d go to the Duckworth Challenge game between the Bisons and the Wesmen … that would be a date night for Chad and I,” she smiled.

Chad’s influence extended past the basketball court, too. Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age seven, he remained a lifelong health advocate for those living with the condition. He took part in a Diabetes Canada mentorship program that matched him with younger children who had been recently diagnosed.

Even at that young age, Chad’s optimism and spirit helped inspire others to reach their full potential.

“He never sat still as a child, and that didn’t change, even after his diagnosis,” Diana remembered. “He’d show those other kids, ‘Hey, I do all these things, and it shouldn’t hold you back, either.’”

That passion for supporting health and fitness was reflected in even Chad’s daily interactions. His parents say they’ve received dozens of messages from their son’s fellow gymgoers who, though initially strangers, were mentored by Chad throughout their fitness journeys.

“He believed in getting people active and getting individuals to reach their health goals. He’d get these people’s numbers and text them, asking, ‘Were you at the gym today? What did you do?’”

Chad’s love of supporting others reached far beyond fitness. He did everything he could to help people, even those he didn’t know, in their professional pursuits, too.

“He was an entrepreneur,” described Diana. “He loved supporting new businesses, whether they were friends or not. He had such a big following on social media, and he was always happy to give them a shout-out, even when there was no gain for him.”

The pair estimate they’ve received over 2,000 messages explaining the impact their son had on his friends, former teammates and even complete strangers whose lives he touched through his kindness.

One story that particularly stood out came from a friend who Chad had inspired to follow his dream of becoming a DJ. They shared with the Posthumus family: “I would’ve given up on my dream, but Chad pushed me. He told me, ‘If that’s your dream, you need to chase it.’ He helped me book my very first gigs.”

“He taught people how to chase their dreams, but he assisted them in chasing their dreams,” noted Diana.

One former teammate wrote to the family: “Chad was like a brother to me. You guys raised a man who was kind and loving for everyone.”

“He helped a lot of people,” Charles reflected.

The communities that Chad touched have come together to honor his memory in powerful ways. In November, Canada’s senior men’s national team honored their teammate with a “CP” jersey patch during the team’s FIBA AmeriCup qualifying games.

Locally, the WMBA announced that their annual community basketball celebration will now be known as the Posthumus Family Hoopfest, a lasting tribute to Chad’s influence and impact at the grassroots level of the sport.

Basketball Manitoba has also established the Chad Posthumus Award, an annual scholarship recognizing two Grade 12 basketball players in Manitoba who embody Chad’s legacy through on-court excellence, resiliency, academic dedication and kindness to others.

More than anything, his parents say, Chad’s life was defined by his zest for living and unwavering commitment to making each day count.

“He would say, ‘Don’t wait to do tomorrow what you can do today,’” Diana said.

“When he first was going to go to UBC, I was like, ‘You’re a Type 1 diabetic — you need to stay home so I can watch you!’ And he said, ‘Mom, you’ve got to spread your wings and fly. You’re not going to grow if you stay in one place. You’ve got to reach out and live your life to its fullest.’”

“He did 33 years of that,” she added softly.

Charles described Chad’s spirit simply: “Give a person a smile – what’s the worst thing that’s going to happen? They’re probably going to smile back.”

For the larger than life seven-foot presence he was, Chad was never too big for anyone. He had a rare gift for making everyone around him feel seen and valued.

“One thing that everyone who’s ever met him will say is that once you were a friend with Chad, that lasted a lifetime.”

From his unwavering community service to the countless lives he touched through his kindness, a medal can’t represent a fraction of what Chad Posthumus did for those lucky enough to have met him.

And above all, Winnipeg has a forever friend in number 33.

Winnipeg Sea Bears select two local players and a U SPORTS National Champion in 2025 CEBL draft

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 23:24:30 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears have added three promising talents to their roster, selecting Geoffrey James (University of Victoria) fifth overall, Mason Kraus (University of Manitoba) 16th overall, and Brendan Amoyaw (McMaster University) 25th overall in the 2025 CEBL Draft.

With these selections, the Sea Bears continue to invest in young, high-potential players who bring skill, versatility and local ties to Winnipeg ahead of the 2025 season.

"Being drafted by the Sea Bears is an honour and a great privilege," said first-round pick Geoffrey James. "Winnipeg has a phenomenal fan base and coaching staff, and I look forward to bringing my defensive talents in an effort to bring home a championship."

James, who played three seasons at the University of Alberta before transferring to Victoria and winning a national championship, has had a standout career in Canada West. He earned a Second Team All-Star selection in 2022, averaging 13.4 points per game in 25 games, and made a significant impact from beyond the arc.

"Geoffrey joins us after a national championship season with the University of Victoria. He’s a proven CEBL player, having been a rotational piece for the Edmonton Stingers," said Sea Bears Head Coach and General Manager Mike Taylor. "We’re really looking forward to having him in a Sea Bears uniform this summer."

With their second-round pick (16th overall), the Sea Bears selected local product Mason Kraus from the University of Manitoba. Coming off a dominant season with the Bisons, Kraus averaged 19.1 points per game and broke the Bisons' record for career steals (215).

"Mason is coming off a fantastic season where he was named a First Team All-Star in Canada West. He’s an excellent scorer and playmaker, and we’re excited to see him continue to play in front of his family and friends in his hometown," said Taylor.

Kraus brings CEBL experience, having spent last summer with the Sea Bears as a practice roster player.

"I’m super excited to join such a highly established and respected team in the CEBL. I’m thankful to Coach Taylor and the Sea Bears for believing in me. I can’t wait to get to work," said Kraus.

With their final pick (25th overall), the Sea Bears selected another Winnipeg product, Brendan Amoyaw, a six-foot-nine forward from McMaster University.

"Brendan is a young and athletic big man looking to take the next step. He’s a high-character, intelligent player, and we’re really excited to have him join our team," said Taylor.

Amoyaw made his presence felt in the paint this past season, averaging 8.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He previously represented Canada at the FIBA U18 Men’s Americas Championship in 2022.

"I’m excited to compete at the next level, and I’m honoured to be joining this organization," said Amoyaw. "I’d like to thank Coach Taylor for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to get started."

"We’re thrilled to welcome Geoffrey, Mason and Brendan to the Sea Bears family," said Taylor. "Each of these players brings a unique skill set that will complement our team’s identity, and we’re excited to see how they develop in our system."

The Sea Bears open the 2025 season at home on May 16 at Canada Life Centre. Tickets are on sale now.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Sea Bears sign veteran big man Solomon Young for 2025 season

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:16:52 GMT

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League announced Thursday they have signed center Solomon Young for the 2025 season.

Young, a six-foot-eight, 242-pound center, brings size, strength and athleticism to the Sea Bears’ frontcourt. The versatile big man has three years of professional experience, having played in the NBA G League as well as overseas in Belgium, Italy and Germany.

He spent the 2024-25 season with the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League, where he averaged 10 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 21.7 minutes per game over 24 games. Young scored a season-high 27 points against the San Diego Clippers and grabbed a season-best 13 rebounds against Salt Lake City.

Young has developed into a reliable perimeter threat, shooting over 40 per cent from three-point range in his last two seasons. Before turning pro, Young played five years at Iowa State University, appearing in 114 games and averaging 7.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 22 minutes per game. He ranks 12th in blocks in program history with 87 and was named to the Academic All-Big 12 first team in 2021.

“Solomon Young can be an impactful presence in the CEBL. He plays physically, rebounds very well and can stretch the defense shooting threes” said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Taylor. “He will fit nicely into our frontcourt with our other bigs, Simi and Jaylin, because of his versatility playing forward and center positions. We look forward to welcoming Solomon to Winnipeg.”

Young was teammates with current Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton during his time with the Cyclones. Originally from Sacramento, Calif., Young played high school basketball at Sacramento High, where he led his team to a school-record 30-2 season in his senior year. He averaged 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game, earning Sacramento Bee Player of the Year honours.

“I’m really excited to get to Winnipeg and meet everyone,” said Young. “I’ve only heard great things about this team and the fans. Let’s make this a great season.”

Young joins a talented Sea Bears roster as the team prepares for the upcoming 2025 CEBL season.

Sea Bears basketball is back on May 16 at Canada Life Centre . Don’t miss out and secure your tickets now!

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Winnipeg Sea Bears announce 2025 feature games

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 15:43:19 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have unveiled their 2025 feature games, bringing exciting fan experiences to Canada Life Centre all season long. From a nostalgic ‘90s Night to the return of Father’s Day and Dog Day of Summer, each game will feature unique entertainment, giveaways, and special events that make every matchup an unforgettable experience.

Fans can expect high-energy pre-game parties, themed concourse activations, special performances, and more, all designed to celebrate the community and enhance the Sea Bears game-day atmosphere.

2025 Feature Games

May 16 @ 7:30 PM - Home opener

Kick off the season with us at our home opener! All fans in attendance will receive a special commemorative gift, enjoy an exciting halftime performance (details coming soon), and join us in celebrating and honouring our captain, Chad Posthumus.

May 31, 7:30 PM – ‘90s Night
Throw it back to the ‘90s with retro vibes, classic tunes, and a game night straight out of your favourite decade!

June 11, 7:00 PM – Youth in Sport
Celebrating the next generation of athletes with job shadow experiences, special guests, and a night dedicated to young athletes in our community.

June 15, 2:00 PM – Father’s Day
Make memories with your family at our only afternoon game of the season, featuring family-friendly activities and special Father’s Day surprises!

July 25, 7:30 PM – Dog Days of Summer
A game celebrating our four-legged friends with dog-themed activations and more fun for pet lovers.

August 1 @ 7:30 PM - Rivalry Game

It's a Friday night showdown and the battle for the prairies continues! Join us as the Sea Bears face off against the Saskatchewan Rattlers in another intense rivalry matchup, live on TSN .

August 8, 7:30 PM – Fan Appreciation Night
A night dedicated to the best fans in the CEBL! Exclusive giveaways, surprises, and a chance to celebrate another unforgettable season together.

August 21-24 - Championship Weekend

Canada’s biggest basketball celebration is coming to Winnipeg. Don’t miss out on exclusive events, a free outdoor street festival and playoff basketball in the city! The Sea Bears have secured a spot in the Western Conference Final on August 22. Tournament Packs are available now

The team will announce halftime performances and further activations closer to each game.

The Sea Bears tip off the 2025 season at home on May 16 against the Edmonton Stingers. Single-game tickets, flex packs, and season memberships are available now.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Sea Bears announce renewed radio partnership with 680 CJOB for 2025

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 16:40:48 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears and 680 CJOB, Winnipeg’s news and information leader, announced Wednesday a continued partnership to broadcast select games during the 2025 season. This continued partnership will bring more games than ever before, starting with the Sea Bears' home opener on May 16, 680 CJOB will bring fans live coverage of several exciting games throughout the season.

680 CJOB will broadcast a total of 14 games for the 2025 season, including both home and away match-ups. The full broadcast schedule is as follows:

Friday, May 16 vs Edmonton Stingers
Friday, May 23 vs Calgary Surge
Wednesday, May 28 vs Vancouver Bandits
Wednesday, June 11 vs Montreal Alliance
Sunday, June 15 vs Saskatchewan Rattlers
Friday, June 27 vs Scarborough Shooting Stats
Tuesday, July 1 @ Ottawa BlackJacks
Thursday, July 17 vs Calgary Surge
Friday, July 25 vs Edmonton Stingers
Sunday, July 27 @ Calgary Surge
Wednesday, August 6 vs Saskatchewan Rattlers
Friday, August 8 vs Brampton Honey Badgers
Friday, August 22 - Eastern / Western Conference Finals
Sunday, August 24 - CEBL Championship Game

Fans can also catch regular segments with Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor, on 680 CJOB’s The Start, The Jim Toth Show, and The CJOB Sports Show with Christian Aumell.

680 CJOB broadcasts live on AM radio and streams online on platforms including Radioplayer, TuneIn, Apple Music, Stingray, and MyTuner.

The Sea Bears will kick off their 2025 season at home on May 16, facing the Edmonton Stingers. Get in on single game tickets .

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Winnipeg Sea Bears bolster frontcourt with signing of power forward Jaylin Williams

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 15:10:26 GMT

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced they have signed power forward Jaylin Williams for the 2025 season. Williams, 24, joins the Sea Bears after a standout career at Auburn University and a productive 2024-25 season in the NBA G League and NBA Summer League. Known for his consistency and versatility, Williams reunites with former G League Grand Rapids Gold teammate Tevian Jones by signing with the Sea Bears, adding more strength to the roster.

Williams spent the 2024-25 season with the Grand Rapids Gold in the NBA G League, where he averaged 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 18.2 minutes over 35 games. He recorded a season-high 22 points and 7 rebounds on Jan. 20, 2025, against the Greensboro Swarm. Williams also appeared in the NBA Summer League with the Denver Nuggets, averaging 2.7 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7.8 minutes across three games.

During his five-year NCAA career at Auburn, Williams became a key player for the Tigers, appearing in 141 games and earning a reputation as one of the most consistent and versatile players in Auburn history. He finished his college career as Auburn’s all-time leader in games played (141) and ranks 21st in all-time scoring with 1,305 points.

"I’m excited to join the Winnipeg Sea Bears for the 2025 season," said Jaylin Williams. "I’m ready to take my game to the next level with this talented team. I’m looking forward to bringing my adaptability and energy to the frontcourt. I’m especially excited to team up with Tevian again after we played together in Grand Rapids. We’ve built solid chemistry, and I’m confident that will help us on the court in Winnipeg. I’m ready to bring my best to the Sea Bears, fight for a championship and give the fans something special."

“We are very excited about the addition of Jaylin Williams who brings talent and athleticism to our frontcourt," said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Taylor. “Jaylin has played well in Grand Rapids and at Auburn and we believe his skill set and versatility at the power forward and center positions will translate extremely well to Winnipeg and the CEBL. I also love the fact both Tevian and Jaylin have continuity from their teamwork with the Gold this G League season. That familiarity can help us as we build our team in Winnipeg.”

Williams’ college accolades include being named SEC Player of the Week in December 2023, as well as being named to the All-SEC Second Team for the 2023-24 season. His leadership at Auburn helped the team secure 114 wins, making him the winningest player in the program’s history.

Williams becomes the latest addition to the Sea Bears roster, joining a talented group of players as the team looks ahead to the 2025 season.

The Sea Bears will tip off the 2025 season on May 16 at the Canada Life Centre. Don't miss the action! Secure your spot at the Championship Weekend by grabbing your Tournament Packs today!

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Winnipeg Sea Bears add size and strength with signing of Simi Shittu

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:09:20 GMT

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Sea Bears have made a major addition to their frontcourt, announcing Wednesday the signing of six-foot-10 forward Simi Shittu ahead of the 2025 season. The Britain born but Canadian raised big is known for his dominant rebounding and physical presence, Shittu brings international experience and a decorated career to Winnipeg as the team gears up for a championship push.

“Simi is a go-to big that scores in a variety of ways. His defensive presence and rebounding make him a complete player,” said Mike Taylor, Head Coach and General Manager. “He is a key addition to our team as we rebuild our frontcourt with an eye for championship weekend. He impacts the game on both ends with his athleticism and versatility and has been extremely productive in our league. I think our Sea Bears fans will love to see Simi patrolling the paint this summer.”

Shittu previously played in the CEBL with the Calgary Surge during the 2023 season, where he earned All-CEBL First Team and CEBL All-Canadian Team honours. He led the league in rebounding that year, averaging 9.5 rebounds per game while also contributing 14.6 points per contest. His dominance on the glass was highlighted by a season-high 17 rebounds against the Vancouver Bandits on June 3 while his 32-point, 15-rebound performance against Winnipeg cemented his reputation as one of the league’s most dominant interior forces.

Following his standout CEBL season, Shittu gained further professional experience across Europe, suiting up for top-tier clubs in Turkey, Greece and France.

Shittu’s ability to control the glass and provide an inside presence will be a crucial asset for Winnipeg. The Sea Bears are looking to build on their success from the previous season, and adding an elite rebounder and experienced pro like Shittu helps solidify their frontcourt depth.

“I’m looking forward to playing in what I heard is the best atmosphere in the CEBL,” said Shittu. “Winnipeg has always been a tough place to play, and I’m looking forward to being on the other side of that energy. I’m ready to get to work and help bring a championship to the Sea Bears.”

Shittu’s basketball resume is equally impressive on the international stage. He represented Canada at the 2017 FIBA Under-17 World Cup and was named a McDonald’s All-American in 2018 before playing collegiately at Vanderbilt University.

With his size, athleticism and defe n sive versatility, Shittu is expected to be a key contributor for the Sea Bears throughout the 2025 CEBL season .

The Sea Bears tip-off their 2025 season on May 16 against the Edmonton Stingers. Single game tickets are on sale now.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Mason Bourcier returns to Winnipeg as Sea Bears re-sign guard for 2025

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 15:08:08 GMT

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today they have re-signed Canadian point guard Mason Bourcier for the 2025 season. Bourcier returns to the Sea Bears after a strong 2024 season and a productive winter overseas.

Bourcier, 25, spent the 2024-25 season with Tartu Ulikool Maks & Moorits in Estonia, where he averaged 11.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 27 minutes over 12 games. He recorded a season-high 19 points in 31 minutes on Nov. 1 against BK Ventspils.

During the 2024 CEBL season with the Sea Bears, Bourcier averaged 5.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 20.6 minutes across 21 games. He scored a season-high 13 points on two occasions, June 6 and July 5, both against the Montreal Alliance. Beyond the box score, Bourcier is known for his ability to elevate his teammates and make a meaningful impact on the game.

“I couldn’t be more excited to return to the Sea Bears organization,” said Bourcier. “After a great experience overseas and having some time to prepare for this upcoming season, I’ve never felt better and I’m ready to take a big step with this organization. The fan base is world-class and I have faith this team can win a championship this summer in front of the best fans in the league.”

Sea Bears head coach and general manager Mike Taylor expressed his enthusiasm for Bourcier’s return.

“Mason Bourcier plays with fire and determination, makes his teammates better, and is a connector for our team. We loved seeing him attack the rim and dive on the floor for loose balls to make plays last year. Mason will give us continuity in our backcourt at point guard and combo guard. We are really excited about his return.”

Bourcier becomes the third Canadian signed by the Sea Bears this season, joining Emmanuel Akot and Alex Campbell. The team also signed Tevian Jones on March 12, adding even more talent to an already strong roster.

The Sea Bears will tip off the 2025 CEBL season on May 16 with their home opener against the Edmonton Stingers.

Don’t miss out on the biggest basketball celebration of the summer! Grab your Championship Weekend tournament pack today and be part of the action before they’re all gone!

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Exclusive events on tap for celebration of Canadian basketball in Winnipeg this summer

agogishvili@cebl.ca (Aaron Gogishvili) — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:16:07 GMT

Tickets to all three CW25 games at the lowest price available are on sale now via the Tournament Pack

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and Winnipeg Sea Bears, in partnership with the Province of Manitoba and City of Winnipeg, have begun to reveal details surrounding the 2025 Championship Weekend (CW25) officially slated for August 21-24 in Winnipeg.

Canada Life Centre will take centre stage as CW25 promises to be one of the hottest tickets in Winnipeg next summer. Headlined by the Sea Bears locked in to play in the Western Conference Final as the host team, the Conference Finals doubleheader begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 22. The winners will then square off in the CEBL Championship Final on Sunday, August 24 at 6 p.m. where the 2025 CEBL champion will be crowned.

The general public now has its first opportunity to secure seats to all three games at the lowest price available all year with the CW25 Tournament Pack starting at $72 on sale HERE .

Additional CW25 exclusive events and other details unveiled Thursday include:

2025 CEBL Awards

Thursday, August 21 @ The MET (Metropolitan Entertainment Centre)

The annual CEBL Awards reception at The MET will be the first official event of CW25. Eight awards will be on the line, including the league’s MVP, Coach of the Year and Canadian Player of the Year. Ticket purchase includes access to the event plus food and 2 complimentary drinks

CW25 Commissioner’s Luncheon

Friday, August 22 @ The RBC Convention Centre

Hosted in partnership with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce as part of their monthly luncheon series, CEBL Commissioner and Co-Founder Mike Morreale will host a panel of experts, including Michael Bartlett, President and CEO of Canada Basketball, Norva Riddell, Sr. Vice President, Sales & Chief Revenue Officer of True North Sports and Entertainment, and Cheryl Sebastien, Associate Vice President, Global Partnerships of NBA Canada, to engage in a discussion around the business of basketball and connecting brands with the power of sports

CW25 Street Festival

Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24 @ Graham Avenue

A free, three-day fan-friendly street festival featuring live music, food trucks, a local vendor market, 3x3 Basketball and more, will take place in True North Square and on Graham Avenue between Edmonton St and Hargrave St.

CW25 CEBL Coaches Clinic, Presented by Fox40

Saturday, August 23 @ The RBC Convention Centre

The all-day event will include exclusive presentations by CEBL coaches from the six teams not competing at CW25 and a lunch break with food provided for all participants
Registered local coaches from minor club, high school, CCAA and U SPORTS will receive first-hand experiences to learn and understand best practices and coaching techniques to further their own development
Registration details for interested coaches will be announced in the coming weeks

Local Basketball Court Refurbishment

The Sea Bears and their partners at Buckets & Borders announced plans to refurbish another basketball court in Winnipeg with funds raised through CW25, as well as through their 50/50 program, sponsored by Cambrian Credit Union
It will mark the third court refurbishment completed by the group in underserved areas of the city

Sea Bears’ Season Ticket Members will continue to receive first access to all CW25 offers and promotions. Fans can become a Sea Bears Insider for exclusive offers and information on all CW25 events here . More details for CW25 in Winnipeg will be released in the coming weeks.

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 the Winnipeg Sea Bears

The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the CEBL as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 24-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman. More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About Canada Life Centre

Consistently lauded as one of the top sports and entertainment arenas in North America, Canada Life Centre has hosted many of the biggest musical/entertainment acts and sporting events their respective industries have to offer. Regarded as one of the busiest arenas in Canada since its opening in 2004, Canada Life Centre hosts over 140 events a year. The success of Canada Life Centre stems from its unwavering commitment to providing a superior patron experience – at every event. Leading that charge are True North employees who seek to exceed expectations for customer service, operations and security at Canada Life Centre. The venue is not only a meeting place for premiere sports and entertainment events, but it has also been a catalyst for development in downtown Winnipeg. Often cited as the anchor of Winnipeg’s downtown renaissance, a number of major projects designed to draw people to live and work in downtown Winnipeg are sprouting up all around Canada Life Centre including True North Square. For more information, please visit canadalifecentre.ca .

Sea Bears sign dynamic scorer Tevian Jones for 2025 season

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 15:10:45 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears have signed forward Tevian Jones for the 2025 season, adding a dynamic scoring threat with professional experience across the NBA G League, CEBL, and NBA Summer League.

Jones, a 6-foot-7 forward from Chandler, Arizona, joins the Sea Bears after a strong 2024-25 campaign with the Grand Rapids Gold in the NBA G League, where he averaged 14.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 steals over 18 games. He also recorded a season-high 30 points on February 1 against the Santa Cruz Warriors. By joining Winnipeg, Jones returns to the CEBL for a second season, bringing his scoring ability and defensive versatility back to the Canadian league.

"Tevian is an exciting and versatile player who brings both scoring ability and defensive energy to our roster," said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Taylor. "His experience at the professional level and his ability to impact the game in multiple ways will be a tremendous asset for us this season. We’re thrilled to have him join the Sea Bears."

Prior to his time with Grand Rapids, Jones played in the NBA Summer League with the Brooklyn Nets and previously suited up for the Birmingham Squadron, Scarborough Shooting Stars, and New Orleans Pelicans in various professional competitions. In the 2024 CEBL season, he showcased his all-around game with the Scarborough Shooting Stars, averaging 16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists over 11 games, highlighted by a dominant 29-point, 12-rebound performance against the Montreal Alliance on June 23.

Jones played his collegiate career at Southern Utah University and the University of Illinois, where he was a standout scorer. He averaged 17.8 points per game in his final season at Southern Utah, earning a spot on the WAC First-Team All-Conference.

“I’m excited to be part of the Sea Bears and compete in front of such a passionate crowd,” said Jones. “I’m looking forward to bringing energy, effort, and a winning mentality to the team this season.”

With the addition of Jones, the Sea Bears have filled one of four import positions for 2025.

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

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

TSN broadcast schedule announced

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 17:39:36 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and TSN, Canada’s Sports Leader, announced Thursday the 2025 CEBL on TSN broadcast schedule. Featuring live coverage of 28 nationally televised games, including all playoff and Championship Weekend games in August.

Winnipeg will host three nationally televised home games of the 2025 regular season and be featured in one away match-up. See below for a list of dates. And that's not all - every single CEBL game in 2025 will be streamed live on TSN+ , bringing you 127 games of pure basketball excitement.

Sea Bears fans are encouraged bring signs and show their support for all home TSN games.

2025 WINNIPEG SEA BEARS TSN BROADCAST SCHEDULE (REGULAR SEASON)

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

Twitter: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Winnipeg Sea Bears re-sign veteran guard Alex Campbell

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 19:44:06 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears have re-signed veteran guard Alex Campbell for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Campbell, a key contributor in 2024, returns to bring his leadership, experience and clutch performances back to Winnipeg.

A seasoned professional with eight years of experience, Campbell played a crucial role for the Sea Bears last season, averaging 6.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in 23.9 minutes over 21 contests. His standout performance came on June 22 against the Saskatchewan Rattlers, when he scored a season-high 16 points. He also became the first Canadian CEBL player to reach the 1,000 career points milestone last season, achieving the feat in dramatic fashion with a target-score three-pointer to win the home opener against the Scarborough Shooting Stars.

"Bringing Alex back was a top priority for us," said Head Coach and General Manager, Mike Taylor. "His veteran presence, ability to perform in high-pressure situations and commitment to our team culture make him an invaluable asset both on and off the court. He brings an incredible veteran presence and is tenacious on defence, making him a key component of our team’s identity."

Campbell has built an impressive CEBL career, previously playing for the Vancouver Bandits, Fraser Valley Bandits and Saskatchewan Rattlers, where he was named Championship Weekend MVP in 2019. Over his CEBL career, he has shot 38 per cent from three, is second all-time in threes made, third in all-time points and ranks fifth in all-time target-score winners with eight. His ability to contribute across multiple facets of the game has made him a respected leader in the league.

"I'm excited to be back and continue building on what we started last season," said Campbell. "I’m committed to bringing championship-caliber basketball to Winnipeg because this city truly deserves it. I’ll be playing for my brother, the late Chad Posthumus, every step of the way.”

The Sea Bears tip off their 2025 CEBL campaign on May 16 at the Canada Life Centre, and fans can expect Campbell to once again be a steady force on both ends of the floor.

Get in on the hottest ticket of the summer! Subscribe now and get access to our Insider pre-sale for single game tickets.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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.

Sea Bears re-sign Winnipeg’s Emmanuel Akot for 2025 season

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 16:04:39 GMT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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.

Winnipeg Sea Bears, CEBL unveil 2025 season and championship weekend schedules

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 17:24:49 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears have released the team’s 2025 schedule. During the regular season, the Winnipeg Sea Bears will play all Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) teams at least once both at home and away. The first 24-game season in league history will see the Sea Bears play 12 home and 12 away games in total, up from a total of 20 games in 2024, and beginning with the team's home and season opener Friday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. against the Edmonton Stingers at Canada Life Centre.

As the host club for the CEBL's 2025 Championship Weekend (CW25) - which will run from August 21-24 next summer - the Sea Bears are guaranteed to play in the Western Conference Final on Friday, August 22, and fans in Winnipeg will also witness the 2025 CEBL Championship Final and crowning of the league's champion on August 24. Both games will also take place at Canada Life Centre.

“We’re thrilled to bring Canada’s premier basketball event to Winnipeg, especially after last year’s incredible show of support from our fans,” said Jason Smith, President of the Winnipeg Sea Bears.“Their passion and dedication truly embody the spirit of our city’s sports community, and they are the driving force behind the Sea Bears having this amazing opportunity.”

CW25 will feature the Eastern and Western Conference Finals, the CEBL Championship Game, the Commissioner’s Luncheon, a free outdoor street festival and the CEBL Player Awards. Expect more CW25 events and entertainment details in the near future.

The Sea Bears will start the season with two home games — the second one against their 2024 playoff rival, the Calgary Surge, on Saturday, May 23. The team’s first away game will be another matchup with Calgary on May 25. They will circle back to end their season in Edmonton on August 10, the latest they’ve played during the regular season.

The Sea Bears will bring back the 2:00 p.m. Father’s Day game at home on June 15 and will play as part of a Canada Day Tripleheader at 2 p.m. on July 1 in Ottawa.

Season tickets and flex packs for the 2025 season are available now. Single game tickets will go on sale in the spring.

All games, including playoffs, will be live streamed on the Winnipeg Sea Bears app as well on CEBL+ and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL.

A schedule of nationally televised games will be released at a later date.

Highlights:

● Winnipeg hosts 2025 Championship Weekend from August 21-24 at the Canada Life Centre

● Winnipeg plays in the Western Conference Final on August 22, 2025

● Home opener: May 16 vs. Edmonton at the Canada Life Centre

● New 24-game schedule, with 12 games at home and 12 on the road.

● Eight home weekend games (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and four weekday games (Wednesday and Thursday).

● Final home game: August 8 vs. Brampton

● Final regular season game: August 10 vs. Edmonton

Home Game Schedule:

May 16 (Friday) vs. Edmonton 7:30 p.m.

May 23 (Friday) vs. Calgary 7:30 p.m.

May 28 (Wednesday) vs. Vancouver 7 p.m.

May 31 (Saturday) vs. Ottawa 7:30 p.m.

June 11 (Wednesday) vs. Montreal 7 p.m.

June 15 (Sunday/Father’s Day) vs. Saskatchewan 2 p.m.

June 27 (Friday) vs. Scarborough 7:30 p.m.

July 17 (Thursday) vs. Calgary 7 p.m.

July 25 (Friday) vs. Edmonton 7:30 p.m.

August 1 (Friday) vs. Saskatchewan 7:30 p.m.

August 6 (Wednesday) vs. Niagara 7 p.m.

August 8 (Friday) vs. Brampton 7:30 p.m.

August 22 (Friday) Western Conference Final

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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.

Honouring Chad Posthumus

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 14:17:37 GMT

The Winnipeg Sea Bears are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our team captain and leader, Chad Posthumus on November 20, 2024.

Stricken by a brain aneurysm on November 9th and then by complications arising from corrective surgery, Chad fought hard but was unable to recover. Chad was and will always remain the face of our team.

After a long, successful career playing abroad and for Team Canada, Chad was so excited to finally play professional basketball in his hometown, and he gave so much of his time and energy to both the team and our community. For that, we are eternally grateful.

Chad’s family and his partner, Meagan, need time to absorb this huge loss. To support them and grieve together as a community, we’ve set up an online Book of Condolences that you can access her e.

With Chad, we’ve won, lost and experienced joy TOGETHER, and now we must come TOGETHER again in grief, and mourn his loss.

We know that this news and the emotions associated with such a huge loss is very difficult to process. We’ve gathered some resource materials that are available on our website, should you feel you need support.

The Posthumus family has asked that in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation . More ways to honour Chad’s memory will be announced in due course.

We thank all of you for your support.

Memorial service details will follow.

Add to the Book of Condolences

RESOURCES

Suggestions for communicating loss with younger children

The death of a public figure can significantly affect children, as well as adults. This could be their first experience of death, and they might not really understand it, or maybe they have been bereaved and this brings up those difficult feelings again. After the death of an athlete, the news and social media will be talking about it, so it’s important to know how to talk to a child or young person you’re supporting.

Use clear, age-appropriate language

Although it’s tempting to use terms like ‘gone to sleep’, ‘passed away’ or ‘lost’, this can be confusing to children who often take things literally. If they’ve gone to sleep, why can’t we wake them up? If they’re lost, why can’t we find them? Although using words like ‘dead’, ‘died’ and ‘death’ might feel blunt and harsh, these words make it easier for children to understand the finality of death.

How to explain what death is

This might be a child or young person’s first experience of death and, if they are younger, they might not fully understand what death actually means. This can be confusing and frightening for them.

When someone dies, their body has stopped working and they can’t be brought back to life. They are no longer able to do the things they could when they were alive, such as move or talk. When someone dies, their heart stops beating, they stop breathing, their brain stops thinking.

Be honest

Without clear information, children might ‘fill the gaps’ themselves to try and understand what is happening. If you’re able, it’s better to be open, honest and direct when talking about death. There will also be lots of information available to them elsewhere – on TV, online, overhearing conversations and playground talk. This can mean that children imagine all sorts of things about a death, which are often worse that the reality.

Let them know their feelings are normal

Whatever the child or young person is feeling, whether it’s anger, sadness, guilt, worry, confusion and more – these are all valid, normal reactions after learning about the death of someone. They may not be upset because they didn’t really have a connection to the athlete, and that’s fine. However, if they are upset, it would be unhelpful to say something like, ‘you didn’t know them so you can’t be sad’, and, instead, reassure them that it’s okay to feel what they’re feeling because their connection is real to them.

Share your own experiences of grief.

In some cases, you may also be experiencing a deep sense of loss about the athlete that has passed, or you may be able to draw from other times in your life you’ve felt grief. Don’t be afraid to share how you are feeling, while being mindful not to overpower the conversation. While our focus is on helping youth to process their own thoughts and emotions, your empathy and lessons you’ve learned can let youth know that these feelings are normal.

When talking with youth about how they are feeling about an athletes death, here are some questions you can ask:

• How are you feeling about this?

• What are some ways that they inspired you?

• Have you had someone you cared about pass away? What were some things that made you feel better then?

• How can you apply lessons you’ve learned from their life to yours?

• How can you support your friends who are also sad about this?

• What can I do to support you?

Also recognize that youth may not be ready to talk about their emotions right away. In that case, assure them that you are there for them when they are ready, and ask what you can do to support them in the meantime.

For older youth

The world can feel particularly heavy when a beloved athlete passes away. While they may not have known you personally, the connection we feel to these figures can be intense and meaningful.

Here are some ways for teens to cope with the grief that can come from such a loss.

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings

It’s perfectly normal to feel sad, angry, or even confused when a famous person dies. Acknowledge these feelings instead of pushing them aside. Allow yourself to grieve in your own way. Journaling can be a helpful tool for processing your emotions; write about what this person meant to you and how their work influenced your life.

2. Talk About It

Share your feelings with friends, family, or even online communities who understand your grief.

Talking about your emotions can help you feel less isolated. You might find that others share your love for the celebrity and can relate to your feelings of loss.

3. Celebrate Their Legacy

Find ways to honour the memory of the person who has passed. This could be through practicing, working to learn a new skill, or engaging with their work in other ways. Creating a tribute, such as a scrapbook or a dedicated social media post, can also serve as a meaningful outlet for your feelings.

4. Seek Comfort in Community

Sometimes, talking to others who also are impacted can provide a sense of belonging. These communities often share stories, memories, and tributes that can help you feel connected during a time of mourning. You might also find comfort in attending memorials or tribute events if they’re available.

5. Engage in Activities That Bring You Joy

While it’s important to grieve, don’t forget to engage in activities that bring you happiness. Whether it’s spending time with friends, engaging in a hobby, or enjoying nature, these moments can help balance the sadness and remind you that joy still exists.

6. Limit Exposure to Negativity

In the wake of an athlete’s death, social media can be a mixed bag. While some conversations can be uplifting, others may be filled with negativity or controversy. If you find that certain discussions or posts are upsetting you, consider taking a break from social media or curating your feed to focus on positive and supportive content.

7. Practice Self-Care

During times of grief, it’s essential to take care of yourself. Prioritize sleep, eat nutritious meals, and engage in physical activity. Consider mindfulness practices like meditation or deep-breathing exercises to help centre your emotions.

8. Reach Out for Support

If you find that your feelings of grief are overwhelming and interfering with your daily life, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional support. School counsellors, therapists, or support groups can provide guidance and tools to help you navigate your emotions.

Conclusion

Coping with the death of a famous person can be a unique and profound experience, especially for teens who may be exploring their identities and passions. Remember, it’s okay to grieve and to seek support. Allow yourself the space to honour your feelings and celebrate the legacy of those who have inspired you. In time, you’ll find ways to carry their memory forward, keeping their spirit alive in your heart.

PHONE, TEXT, CHAT

9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline

Phone Hours: 24/7 call 9-8-8

Text Hours: 24/7 text 9-8-8

Website: https://988.ca/

Kids Help Phone

Text Services: Text "CONNECT" to 686868 (also serving adults) Chat Services: https://kidshelpphone.ca/live-chat/

Youthspace.ca (NEED2 Suicide Prevention, Education and Support)

Youth Text (6pm-12am PT): (778) 783-0177

Youth Chat (6pm-12am PT): www.youthspace.ca

Crisis Services Canada

Toll Free (24/7): 1 (833) 456-4566

Text support (4pm-12am ET daily): 45645

Canadian Crisis Hotline

1 (888) 353-2273

Jason Smith named 2024 CEBL Executive of the Year

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 16:57:30 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) has announced that Jason Smith, President of the Winnipeg Sea Bears, has been named the 2024 CEBL Executive of the Year. Smith also won the award in 2023 and becomes the second CEBL executive to earn the distinction in back-to-back years (Dylan Kular, Vancouver Bandits – 2021, 2022 ).

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Awarded to a team executive who best lives the values of the CEBL by leading with integrity and good governance, fosters a positive organizational culture, leads a franchise that has demonstrated success on the basketball court, in the community and with the overall performance and development of their club’s business during the past year, demonstrates a long-term vision to grow their franchise in its market, and contributes to the success of the league beyond their own club while being an inspiration and valued colleague to peers around the CEBL.

Under Jason Smith’s tutelage, the Winnipeg Sea Bears have set the standard for attendance in the CEBL since the team’s inaugural season in 2023. They set a single-season league attendance record by welcoming 86,275 fans at Canada Life Centre this summer (10 regular season games), shattering their own league record of 65,609 set in 2023 (11 games: 10 regular season, 1 playoff).

The Sea Bears have also hosted four of the top five attended single games in CEBL history, including the league’s playoff record of 10,580 fans on August 4, 2023 against the Edmonton Stingers in the Play-In round. Their franchise record of 11,051 fans on July 23, 2024 against the Calgary Surge is the CEBL’s second-highest attended game of any sort in league history.

"I am truly honored to receive this award. Once again, our fans showed up all season long, bringing incredible energy and community to every game. We are deeply grateful for their unwavering support, and we can’t wait to carry this momentum into 2025!" said Smith.

Smith also led the charge on the team securing hosting rights for 2025 Championship Weekend which will bring the CEBL’s marquee event and Canada’s largest annual basketball celebration to Winnipeg next summer.

"We are so excited to bring Canada's largest basketball festival to Winnipeg next summer. This gives us a chance to celebrate Sea Bears Nation and the incredible basketball community in this city and province."

In just two years time, the Sea Bears have entrenched themselves in the Winnipeg community and have made a significant impact. Highlights from 2024 include the club hosting 15 free youth basketball camps, some open to the public and others specifically delivered to children in underserved areas of the city. They also completed two court refurbishments with community partner Buckets & Borders in areas of need in the city. In addition, the club hosted an Indigenous People's Day Basketball Celebration camp where youth were invited to play on the Sea Bears court at Canada Life Centre with Indigenous coaches who helped teach skills to kids who may not have had the opportunity otherwise.

The CEBL has now revealed three of its four annual Business Award winners this year, with the Vancouver Bandits capturing the Digital Excellence Award and Community Champion honours last week. The league’s 2024 Franchise of the Year recipient will be announced tomorrow (October 30).

The 2024 CEBL Business Awards consist of four awards given in recognition of accomplishments at both the team and executive level. They have now revealed three of its four annual Business Award winners this year, with the Vancouver Bandits capturing the Digital Excellence Award and Community Champion honours last week. The league’s 2024 Franchise of the Year recipient will be announced tomorrow (October 30).

Award winners were voted on by different variations of groups comprised of league and team executives, including but not limited to the CEBL’s Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer, and all 10 team presidents.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 24-game regular season schedule that culminates in Championship Weekend (CW). Winnipeg will host CW in August of 2025.

The Sea Bears bring a mixture of players from the NBA, G-League, top international pro leagues and U SPORTS to their roster, which is created annually each Spring.

From the team’s inception, it has been committed to developing the sport of basketball in Manitoba.

The Sea Bears are proud members of the community and work to create and support initiatives that uplift Manitobans within and outside of sport.

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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 .

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

Twitter: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears fans win all-inclusive trip to Churchill courtesy of Travel Manitoba

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 14:00:01 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears and Travel Manitoba will see a lucky family off to Churchill in November. Ati van Buuran and Kristie Fuchs were the winners of the team’s ‘See the Bears’ contest this season. The contest ran in-arena at each game, granting attending fans the chance to enter to win the dream trip, valued at over $17,600.

"We're thrilled to have won this incredible trip! The chance to see polar bears in their natural habitat and explore the beauty and wildlife of Churchill feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Thank you to the Sea Bears for not only a great experience watching the team this summer but also for a trip we will never forget," said the couple.

Thanks to Travel Manitoba and Heartland International Travel, van Buuran, Fuchs and two guests will now get the chance to see the team’s namesake polar bear in person with a round trip to Churchill, a full-day Tundra Buggy Adventure, a full-day Coastal Roads & Hidden Trails Wildlife tour, a Nights Under Lights yurt experience, accommodation and meals.

The Sea Bears are now gearing up for next season, when they host Championship Weekend 2025. The team has partnered with the Province of Manitoba and City of Winnipeg to host the weekend-long basketball festival surrounding the league’s final and semifinal games.

2025 season tickets are available at an early bird rate until Sunday, Sept. 15. For more information, visit seabears.ca .

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 24-game regular season schedule that culminates in Championship Weekend (CW). Winnipeg will host CW in August of 2025.

The Sea Bears bring a mixture of players from the NBA, G-League, top international pro leagues and U SPORTS to their roster, which is created annually each Spring.

From the team’s inception, it has been committed to developing the sport of basketball in Manitoba.

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 .

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

Twitter: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears finalize protected list for 2025

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:45:00 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have retained the first right to negotiate with five members of its 2024 team for the 2025 season.

In the CEBL, all players are on single-season contracts, which means every club must sign its full roster each Spring. Free agency for the 2025 season begins Feb. 1. Each club is granted the right to negotiate with players on their protected list from now until Mar. 1 without interference from other CEBL teams.

Any player left unsigned after that deadline will become a free agent and gain the ability to sign with any CEBL club on Mar. 2.

The Sea Bears protected list consists of:

· Emmanuel Akot

· Mason Bourcier

· Alex Campbell

· Stephane Ingo

· Chad Posthumus

Akot averaged 11.3 points in 22.8 minutes of action for his hometown Sea Bears this past season. He shot an extremely efficient 55 per cent from the field and 42.1 per cent from deep. The 6-8 forward did it all, showing up big on the glass while distributing the ball and making high-energy plays on both ends of the floor. Akot also led the team in assists to turnovers. After suffering a groin injury in the latter half of the season, Akot returned for the team’s Aug. 2 playoff game in Calgary, tying his season-high of 23 points he first notched June 22 vs. Saskatchewan. For Akot’s full season stats, please click here .

Bourcier captured the hearts of Winnipeg faithful with his hustle, never-say-die attitude and defensive grit. The fourth-year CEBL player is coming off his first as a professional after three seasons as a U SPORTS developmental player. The point guard averaged 2.8 assists and 5.2 points, shooting more effectively than he had in his previous three CEBL stints. Bourcier’s season high of 13 points came twice: once on June 6 at Niagara then again July 5 at Montreal. Bourcier made his first start with the Sea Bears on June 19 at Canada Life Centre, when he played a pivotal role in Target Time to lead a comeback victory. For Bourcier’s full season stats, please click here .

Campbell, a season-long starter for the Sea Bears, brought veteran composure and reliable defence to the line-up. Campbell surpassed several CEBL milestones, including the first Canadian to reach 1,000 career CEBL points, which he did in incredible fashion to secure the victory in Winnipeg’s next-basket-wins home opener on May 24. He also became the first player to knock down 200 three-pointers. Campbell averaged 6.2 points in 23.9 minutes this past season. For his full season stats, please click here .

Ingo joined the team late this past season after the departure of Shane Osayande. Ingo stepped into his role right away, more than doubling his playing time and offensive output from his previous season with the Sea Bears. In his six games with Winnipeg in 2024, he averaged 5.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in 17.5 minutes. He also led the team in rebounds for two of those six contests. For his full season stats, please click here .

Posthumus, another veteran of the CEBL and hometown favourite, had one of his most efficient CEBL seasons this past year, posting a team-leading 63.9 field goal percentage as he logged 10.3 minutes and 5.6 points per game. The 6-11 centre put up a season-high 17 on June 5 in Brampton. He also achieved two major CEBL milestones after surpassing the 500-mark in both points and rebounds. For his full season stats, please click here .

“We have a lot to look forward to next summer, including hosting Championship Weekend here in Winnipeg and the expanded regular season. Managing the roster movement that comes as part of the league, it's important to us that we have continuity in our roster. We are excited to protect these five players. We believe they can provide a solid core and needed continuity for us as we build for a special summer ahead. We are so thankful for the tremendous fan support from Sea Bears nation and we are aiming to make summer 2025 the stuff dreams are made of in Winnipeg,” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor.

Both the players and the club must agree to having a player placed on the team’s protected list.

The Sea Bears will have an automatic bye to the Western Conference Final next season as the host team of Championship Weekend 2025. The team has partnered with the Province of Manitoba and City of Winnipeg to host the weekend-long basketball festival surrounding the league’s final and semifinal games.

Season tickets for 2025 are available at an early bird rate now until Sept. 15. For more information, visit seabears.ca .

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 24-game regular season schedule that culminates in Championship Weekend (CW). Winnipeg will host CW in August of 2025.

The Sea Bears bring a mixture of players from the NBA, G-League, top international pro leagues and U SPORTS to their roster, which is created annually each Spring.

From the team’s inception, it has been committed to developing the sport of basketball in Manitoba.

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 .

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

Twitter: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears partner with True North Youth Foundation to donate 2024 Cambrian Credit Union 50/50 proceeds

cjohnsen@seabears.ca (Cameron Johnson) — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 14:50:45 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have partnered with the True North Youth Foundation to operate the 50/50 at home games. Full proceeds of the Cambrian Credit Union 50/50 program will benefit Buckets and Borders and Project 11. The Sea Bears give their sincerest thanks to their fans for supporting the draw, which will serve thousands of local youth through the funds raised.

Seventy percent of the proceeds helped fund the Mayfair Project, a collaboration between the Sea Bears, Buckets and Borders and Payworks to restore the outdoor court space at the corner of Donald St. and River Ave.

The initiative included the addition of an entirely new court alongside a refurbishment of the space’s existing court with new backboards, stanchions and rims. The finished product was unveiled in a community celebration event early last month.

“The Sea Bears have become a great partner of Buckets & Borders and share a collective interest in our mandate to improve communities and bring people together,” said Buckets and Borders CEO and co-founder Justin Lee. “The Mayfair project continues to grow basketball across Manitoba, and we couldn’t have done that without the support of the Sea Bears.”

Alongside the contributions from the 50/50 proceeds, the restoration was supported by funding from the Province of Manitoba for the Sea Bears’ hosting of CEBL Championship Weekend next season.

The remaining funds will support Project 11, an initiative established by the True North Youth Foundation in honour of Rick Rypien, a former Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose player. Having experienced mental health challenges for much of his life before his passing in 2011, Rypien was an advocate for accessible mental health education and support for youth. Since its inception in 2012, Project 11 has grown to offer free in-classroom mental health programming to kids from grades K-12 in both English and French.

“I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Winnipeg Sea Bears and their incredible fans for their generous support of the Cambrian Credit Union 50/50 program. The funds raised are making a significant impact in our community by helping thousands of local youth thrive through the power of sports and mental health education," said Dwayne Green, executive director of the True North Youth Foundation.

“We’re thrilled to be able to support the amazing work done by both Buckets & Borders and Project 11, who make foundational differences in the lives of Winnipeg youth. We’d like to thank our incredible fans for supporting the 50/50 all season long,” said Jason Smith, president of the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

The Sea Bears would also like to extend a thank-you to Cambrian Credit Union for their support of the 50/50 program since day one.

The Sea Bears will now turn their focus to next season as the host team of Championship Weekend 2025. The team has partnered with the Province of Manitoba and City of Winnipeg to host the weekend-long basketball festival surrounding the league’s final and semifinal games.

2025 season tickets are available at an early bird rate now! For more information, visit seabears.ca/tickets.

For regular content and updates, follow @wpgseabears on all social channels.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 20-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer David Asper is the organization's owner and chairman.

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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 .

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

Twitter: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears Nation break own CEBL season attendance record

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 21:23:43 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have surpassed the league's single-season attendance record, their own mark set in 2023. In 10 regular season games in 2024, the Sea Bears saw a total of 86,275 fans attend Canada Life Centre. The team's previous mark, then a CEBL record, was 55,029 in its 10 regular season games in 2023. The team reached 65,609 total fans that year after its playoff game on August 4, 2023.

The team also set a new single-game franchise record in its final match of the 2024 regular season with 11,051, besting the previous mark of 10,580 set in the team's playoff game in 2023.

“We never cease to be amazed by the passion and energy of our incredible fan base. Sea Bears Nation is the foundation of all that we do and we cannot wait to see them back at Canada Life Centre in May of 2025," said Winnipeg Sea Bears president Jason Smith.

The Calgary Surge overtook the Sea Bears' single-game attendance record in their home opener this year when 12,327 fans filled Scotiabank Saddledome on May 21. Before the Sea Bears joined the league in 2023, the previous CEBL single-game attendance record stood at 4,404, a mark owned by the Vancouver Bandits.

The league's average regular season attendance (for a single game) this year was 3259.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

X: @680CJOB

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears' Hildebrandt named CEBL Developmental Player of the Year for second straight season

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 19:25:10 GMT

By Cameron Johnsen

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that Simon Hildebrandt has been named the league’s Developmental Player of the Year for a second consecutive season. In his second CEBL campaign this year, the 6-9 University of Manitoba product averaged 5.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game as one of only two collegiate players to appear in all 20 of his team’s regular-season contests.

Re-named from “U SPORTS Player of the Year” to capture the CEBL Draft’s new inclusion of CCAA student athletes this season, the award recognizes the most outstanding player who was drafted to the league from the Canadian collegiate ranks. The Sea Bears selected Hildebrandt in the draft’s first round in back-to-back seasons, at first overall in 2023 and eighth overall in 2024.

Hildebrandt played a key role for his hometown team once again in 2024, starting eight games and ranking fifth on the team in total minutes. He reached double-figure scoring in three games, headlined by a professional career-high 19 points, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter, July 20 against the Saskatchewan Rattlers. In the previous game on July 18 against Vancouver, he scored 15 points on 3-5 from deep to pace the Sea Bears’ bench.

The 21-year-old forward was also a difference-maker on the defensive end, having logged a standout two-steal, two-block effort July 25 against Calgary. He led the team in defensive rebounding in two different games, including a season-high performance of seven total retrieves on July 13 against Vancouver.

In a highly decorated freshman season at the University of Manitoba in 2022-23, Hildebrandt was named both the U SPORTS and Canada West Rookie of the Year, also earning U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian and Canada West First Team All-Star selections. As a sophomore this past season, he earned his second straight Canada West First Team selection after posting averages of 16.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

“Winning back-to-back CEBL Developmental Player of the Year awards is a fantastic accomplishment for Simon. He made big strides again this season,” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager Mike Taylor. “As a hometown kid, Simon has helped connect our team to the city and represented our organization in a first-class way. All of Winnipeg and Sea Bears Nation celebrate with Simon!”

The 2024 CEBL Awards is the first event of Championship Weekend 2024 (CW24) in Montreal, Q.C. Hildebrandt and the other winners were presented with their awards at a ceremony at Le Centre Sheraton Wednesday night. For more information about CW24, visit cebl.ca/cw24-schedule .

Award nominees and 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 are prohibited from voting for a player or head coach from their own team. All CEBL award winners will receive a customized ring from Jostens, the official Supplier of Awards and Rings of the CEBL, and a special gift on behalf of the league’s partner at Foot Locker.

The Sea Bears announced in April their successful bid, in collaboration with the Province of Manitoba and City of Winnipeg, to host CEBL Championship Weekend 2025 next season. The host receives an automatic bye to the conference finals, which means fans can look forward to cheering on their Sea Bears in the 2025 Western Conference Final. For regular content and updates, follow @wpgseabears on all social channels.

Season tickets for next summer, including the first opportunity to secure seats for Championship Weekend, are available now! For more information, visit seabears.ca

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

X: @680CJOB

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears’ Wright-Foreman named CEBL First Team All Star

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 19:24:09 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced its complete roster of award-winners and all-stars, including Winnipeg's Justin Wright-Foreman , who has been named to the first team roster.

Wright-Foreman earns his second consecutive first team all star nod after leading the CEBL in scoring in back-to-back seasons. The Brooklyn, N.Y. product is the only player to rank among the league’s top five in both points (26.3 per game) and assists (6.2 per game), good for first and third on the regular season, respectively. On June 27 against Niagara, he broke the league’s single-game assist record with 16 dimes against only two turnovers, guiding the Sea Bears’ offence to a convincing victory over the River Lions.

Wright-Foreman was also named a finalist for MVP, ultimately conceding the award to Tazé Moore, a 2024 Portland Trail Blazer who’s averaged 17.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game for the West-leading Vancouver Bandits.

The 2024 All-CEBL First, Second, and All-Canadian Teams are as follows:

All CEBL First Team: Tazé Moore (Vancouver Bandits), Justin Wright-Foreman (Winnipeg Sea Bears), Cat Barber (Scarborough Shooting Stars), Khalil Ahmad (Niagara River Lions), Nick Ward (Vancouver Bandits)

All CEBL Second Team: Jahvon Blair (Niagara River Lions), Koby McEwen (Vancouver Bandits), Teddy Allen (Saskatchewan Rattlers), Jalen Harris (Saskatchewan Rattlers), Chris Smith (Montréal Alliance)

CEBL All-Canadian Team: Jahvon Blair (Niagara River Lions), Koby McEwen (Vancouver Bandits), Sean Miller-Moore (Calgary Surge), Mathieu Kamba (Calgary Surge), Brody Clarke (Edmonton Stingers)

All award winners were announced at the CEBL's awards banquet, which takes place as a part of Championship Weekend in Montreal this weekend. Winnipeg, in collaboration with the Province of Manitoba and City of Winnipeg, has won the bid to host Championship Weekend in 2025. Tickets for this historic event are now on sale as part of a season ticket bundle and will go on individual sale closer to next summer. For more information on Championship Weekend 2025, click here.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

X: @680CJOB

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears' season ends with 84-82 loss in Calgary

Sat, 03 Aug 2024 04:56:54 GMT

By Zulfi Sheikh, CEBL

Despite seeing a first half 18-point lead evaporate down the stretch, the Calgary Surge held on for an 84-82 win over the Winnipeg Sea Bears in the Western Conference Play-In game on Friday.

With the game tied at 82-82 and both teams needing just one more basket in order to advance to the West Semifinal, it was fitting that Calgary, a team that hangs its hat on getting stops, found offence through its defence as Mathieu Kamba got a steal that put a packed WinSport Event Centre crowd on its feet before Corey Davis Jr. drove down the left side of the floor and hit a baseline fadeaway to seal the deal.

“For Corey to take that on his when we really needed it,” Surge head coach Tyrell Vernon said following the win. “It was a huge shot, and it was a testament to who he is.”

Kamba finished the game with a game-high 27 points, which tied his season-high, on 55 per cent shooting from the field to go with seven rebounds. Davis Jr. added 23 points, making five-of-nine triples to go along with eight assists and two steals.

Meanwhile, Sean Miller-Moore chipped in with 13 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and two steals.

On the other side, the loss marked a third consecutive defeat for the Sea Bears going back to the regular season, despite a valiant comeback. Leading Winnipeg in its final game of the year was Emmanuel Akot who scored 23 points to go with six rebounds and three steals. Justin Wright-Foreman, the league’s top-scorer for the second year in a row, added 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block.

“Really proud of our team,” Sea Bears head coach Mike Taylor said after the loss. “We showed fight and heart, gave ourselves several chances to win, today the ball bounced Calgary’s way … tough to lose like this.”

Calgary had surged (pardon the pun) its way to a double-digit lead as early as mid-way through the first quarter -- with the game tied at 11-11 at the 4:16 mark, the Surge went on a 17-1 quarter-ending run that put them up 28-12.

Leading the charge was Kamba who had 13 points on six-of-seven shooting and arguably the highlight of the season when he blocked an above-the-break three from Mason Bourcier and collected the loose ball himself to throw down a dunk in transition.

“I was trying to go out there and lead,” said Kamba reflecting on his impressive opening quarter. “If they see that I’m playing 100 per cent, people will follow. We have the guys and talent, it’s just about someone taking the lead … playing as hard as I can and bringing people along.”

Another reason why the Sea Bears trailed was because their offence had managed to make just one field goal through the first 10 minutes of play while losing the rebounding battle 16-6. Had it not been for Winnipeg’s early physicality being rewarded with 11 free throws, 10 of which it made, the deficit would’ve been even greater than 16 points.

Thankfully for Sea Bears fans, the taps finally opened towards the end of the second quarter, as they hit four threes in the final two minutes. A Hildebrandt triple at the 0:20 mark of the first half capped off an 11-2 run that had cut the deficit down to single digits, but Miller-Moore immediately responded with a jumper at the buzzer that made it 46-36 for the Surge at halftime.

And come the end of the third quarter, Winnipeg had cut the lead down even further. Like it had been through the second quarter, three-point shooting was the great equalizer for the Sea Bears who hit four in the frame. The lead would’ve been cut to just five points had it not been for Malcolm Duvivier who knocked down a three of his own at the buzzer, keeping the Surge up 66-58.

The Sea Bears even got it to within one-point in the fourth quarter on an Akot layup at the 6:41 mark before trailing 75-71 headed into Target Score Time. And once Akot made back-to-back baskets in the stoppage period to tie the ball game, effectively silencing the Calgary crowd, the comeback seemed all but inevitable.

But the Surge, when they needed it most, made the type of hustle plays that have defined them all season. Calgary forced two turnovers – Kamba first dove after poking the ball loose in transition and deflected it out of bounds off Wright-Foreman, before getting a steal on Stephane Ingo that led to the game-winning basket.

“In winning time possessions we had too many turnovers,” Taylor said on what ultimately cost Winnipeg down the stretch. “We worked so hard defensively to get stops and then to not capitalize was tough.”

Even before those moments, the Surge had initially built its lead by dominating the rebounding battle. By the end of the contest, Calgary had collected 54 rebounds (plus-39), 26 of which came on the offensive end, for 26 second chance points on 17 extra field goal attempts.

“Resiliency,” said Vernon when asked what he liked most in the win. “We didn’t give up, we took a punch … they kept jabbing at us and we never bailed out.”

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

X: @680CJOB

Instagram: wpgseabears

Surge host Sea Bears for Western Conference Play-In game

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 14:49:24 GMT

By Zulfi Sheikh, CEBL

The CEBL playoffs have arrived and the Western Conference side off things starts with a matchup between the No. 3 seed Calgary Surge (11-9) and No. 4 seed Winnipeg Sea Bears (9-11) in a Play-In game on Friday.

Live coverage from the WinSport Event Centre tips off at 8:30 p.m. CDT and fans can catch the action on TSN or stream on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+, Courtside 1891 and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

The path to Championship Weekend out west will go through Alberta this year with the Surge hosting the Play-In game and the winner getting to take on the Edmonton Stingers just two days later in the West Semifinal.

2024 season series

To say these squads are familiar with each is an understatement given the fact they went through a home-and-home set less than a week ago. And if those two games are any indication, fans should expect a tightly contested affair on Friday.

Both games ended within a single-digit margin as the Sea Bears and Surge split that set – the home team winning each time. In fact, the road team has yet to ever win a game between the two squads as Winnipeg is 0-4 at the WinSport Event Centre all-time while Calgary is 0-2 at the Canada Life Centre. To make matters more challenging for the visiting Sea Bears on Friday, they were 1-9 on the road this year.

Going back to last week’s home-and-home set, Winnipeg took the first game (111-104), and Calgary responded two days later with its own victory (87-83).

The Sea Bears win came down to a strong fourth quarter finish in which they outscored the Surge 29-17. Winnipeg trailed by five points entering the final frame but caught fire from beyond the arc, hitting six threes to spark a 10-2 run that had them up six headed in Target Score Time where they took care of the rest.

A major catalyst through that fourth quarter stretch was Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson who scored 10 of his team-high 18 points in the final frame, including a game-winning free throw.

Meanwhile, the Surge’s win came courtesy of a herculean effort on the glass. In a game Calgary was handily outshot from the field, distance and charity stripe they grabbed 55 rebounds (plus-19) – with a 25-8 edge on o-boards – to more than make up that disparity.

The Surge’s rebounding efforts, led by Jordy Tshimanga who had 13 on the night, earned them 17 second chance points (plus-13) on 13 extra shot attempts, which were all important in the four-point victory.

Calgary also picked up an emphatic 110-78 victory in the first of their three games between the two teams this season but take that outcome with a grain of salt as it was nearly two months ago when both teams looked quite different.

Key matchup

The Western Conference has built a reputation for housing some of the league’s most dynamic guards and Friday will be no different when Winnipeg’s Justin Wright-Foreman and Calgary’s Sean Miller-Moore go head-to-head.

Wright-Foreman, a 2024 MVP finalist , will be making his much-anticipated CEBL playoff debut and will likely be heavily relied upon against Calgary’s stout defence.

The good news for Winnipeg fans is that the import is entering the matchup after arguably his best performance of the season. In an 89-86 regular season-ending loss to Edmonton, Wright-Foreman scored 40 points, two-shy of the franchise record, on 55 and 56 per cent shooting from the field and distance.

And when he’s not leading the league in scoring for a second consecutive season, the guard is also an impactful floor general. He’s the only player to rank inside the top five in points (26.3 points per game) and assists per game (6.2) this year, and earlier this season, Wright-Foreman set a CEBL single-game record for dimes with 16 in a game against the Niagara River Lions.

On the other side, Miller-Moore is leading the Surge back to the post-season after taking them all the way to the Championship Final last season.

The 2023 CEBL All-Canadian has remained one of the league’s most consistent all-around performers, averaging 16.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists on 30.5 minutes per game. And Miller-Moore appears to enjoy playing against the Sea Bears as his scoring average bumps up to 20.7 points per game through three games this season.

Calgary will rely on the Brampton, Ont. native’s level-headedness to deal with the scoring prowess of Wright-Foreman while pouring it in himself on the other end. The Surge are 2-0 against the Sea Bears this season when he’s scored over 20 points.

Wright-Foreman and Miller-Moore’s impact as scorers in this matchup cannot be overstated. Through three games, whichever of the two has led the game in scoring, his team has won the contest.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

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Sea Bears’ Wright-Foreman, Hildebrandt Named Finalists for 2024 CEBL Awards

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 15:00:00 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that two of the club’s players have been named finalists for 2024 CEBL end-of-season awards. Star guard Justin Wright-Foreman was named a candidate for the league’s Most Valuable Player award, while top CEBL Draft selection Simon Hildebrandt is in the running for Developmental Player of the Year. The winners will be announced at 6 p.m. CT Wednesday, Aug. 7 in a ceremony at Le Centre Sheraton in Montreal that will kick off Championship Weekend 2024.

Wright-Foreman earns his second consecutive MVP finalist nod after leading the CEBL in scoring in back-to-back seasons. The Brooklyn, N.Y. product is the only player to rank among the league’s top five in both points (26.3 per game) and assists (6.2 per game), good for first and third on the regular season, respectively. On June 27 against Niagara, he broke the league’s single-game assist record with 16 dimes against only two turnovers, guiding the Sea Bears’ offence to a convincing victory over the River Lions.

“Justin has played an MVP-caliber season with us this summer and demonstrated excellent leadership and maturity with our team,” said Mike Talyor, the Sea Bears’ head coach and general manager. “To be in the MVP conversation with two different teams is a credit to how impactful he’s been.”

In 2023, Wright-Foreman was ultimately the runner-up to then-Winnipeg Sea Bear Teddy Allen, despite setting the highest single-season scoring average in league history with 29.2 points per contest. This year, his co-finalist is Tazé Moore, a 2024 Portland Trail Blazer who’s averaged 17.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game for the West-leading Vancouver Bandits.

“A lot of people will focus on his prolific scoring, but I love his league record in assists and dynamic playmaking,” added Taylor. “Joining a new team mid-season is never easy, but Justin has been everything we hoped he would be.”

Winnipeg forward Simon Hildebrandt is a co-finalist for an award he claimed last year: the Developmental Player of the Year. Re-named from “U SPORTS Player of the Year” to capture the CEBL Draft’s new inclusion of CCAA student athletes, the award recognizes the most outstanding player who was drafted to the league from the Canadian collegiate ranks. The Mennonite Brethren Collegiate graduate earned the award last season after appearing in all 21 games for his home-town team and averaging 6.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per contest.

“We are very proud of Simon to be recognized as a top collegiate player in the CEBL,” Taylor said. “After winning the U SPORTS Player of the Year award last summer, I believe he’s been even better for us this season. He’s put in the work to succeed, and it’s fantastic to see him get recognition.”

Hildebrandt was one of only two developmental players to appear in all 20 regular-season games for his team this season (along with Niagara’s Jordan Tchuente), also posting averages of 5.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. On July 20 against Saskatchewan, he poured in a professional career-high 19 points to go with seven rebounds, propelling Winnipeg to a crucial home victory.

“Simon is a great young player, but an even better young man,” Taylor continued. “I can speak for all of Sea Bears Nation in saying that we’re proud of Simon.”

Toronto Metropolitan guard David Walker is Hildebrandt’s co-finalist for the second straight year. Following a within-conference switch from Scarborough to Brampton this season, the Toronto local has averaged 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks through 16 appearances.

All CEBL award winners will receive a customized ring from Jostens, the official Supplier of Awards and Rings of the CEBL, and a special gift on behalf of the league’s partner at Foot Locker.

The full list of award finalists is:

-Most Valuable Player: Tazé Moore (Vancouver Bandits), Justin Wright-Foreman (Winnipeg Sea Bears)

-Canadian Player of the Year: Jahvon Blair (Niagara River Lions), Koby McEwen (Vancouver Bandits)

-Sixth Man of the Year: Aaryn Rai (Niagara River Lions), Stefan Smith (Calgary Surge)

-Developmental Player of the Year: Simon Hildebrandt (Winnipeg Sea Bears), David Walker (Brampton Honey Badgers)

-Defensive Player of the Year: Omari Moore (Niagara River Lions), Lloyd Pandi (Ottawa BlackJacks)

Also to be announced on Wednesday are the 2024 CEBL Coach of the Year, Clutch Player of the Year (most Target Score Winners), Fox 40 Officiating Recognition Award winner and All-CEBL First, Second and All-Canadian teams.

The Sea Bears begin their postseason on the road against the Calgary Surge on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. CT. The winner of Friday’s matchup will advance to visit Edmonton in the Western Conference Semifinal on Sunday.

The team has partnered with Fionn MacCool’s Grant Park to host an official watch party with prizes, games and more beginning at tip-off on Friday. Live coverage will be available on TSN , TSN+ and CEBL+ powered by BetVictor .

###

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

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Sea Bears Playoff Preview: Mike Taylor and Company Look to Blaze Path on Road in Calgary

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:50:15 GMT

By Cameron Johnsen, Winnipeg Sea Bears

The Sea Bears’ playoff path runs through Alberta.

With a 9-11 record earning them the Western Conference’s fourth seed, Winnipeg is booked for a swift return to Calgary to play the Surge in the conference’s Play-In matchup. After splitting a home-and-home series just last week, the two teams will meet again Friday night at 8:30 p.m. CT. The victor will advance to visit the Edmonton Stingers in the West semifinal on Sunday, Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. CT with the chance to punch their ticket to Championship Weekend in Montreal.

The Surge own the edge in this year’s season series, having taken two of the three contests between the two squads this year. Winnipeg’s single victory came in the first bout of the recent home-and-home last Tuesday, when they defeated the Surge in a 111-104 shootout to the roar of the largest crowd in Sea Bears franchise history (11,051).

Owning an all-time record of 2-4 against the Surge, Winnipeg has never achieved a victory at Calgary’s WinSport Arena. In fact, the visitor hasn’t emerged victorious in any of the six total matchups between the two teams. The Sea Bears will need to buck that trend to keep their playoff push – and hopes of earning a trip to Montreal – alive.

Following Winnipeg’s narrow loss to Edmonton in their regular-season finale, Sea Bears head coach and general manager Mike Taylor said that three factors will be key determinants of his team’s success entering the postseason.

“The big things that we talk about are transition defence, rebounding and taking care of the basketball. Last night, we did a really good job with 60 rebounds. We did a better job with our transition defence. But our 25 turnovers hurt us. It’s really about putting it all together when it matters most on Friday.”

The battle down low is one that has defined Winnipeg’s meetings with Calgary this season. Two of the team’s bottom-three rebounding performances in 2024 have come against the Surge, and they haven’t bested Calgary in boards, paint scoring or second-chance points in any contest this year. In their last meeting on July 25, Winnipeg was outperformed 55-36 (-19) on the glass – a season-low discrepancy that led to a 17-4 gap in second-chance points.

“We had a close game in Calgary, but we gave them 43 extra possessions with the 25 offensive rebounds and 18 turnovers,” Taylor said of last Thursday’s contest. “That’s a difficult game to win.”

Executing in hostile territory as the visiting team will be another point of focus for Taylor’s group. Having finished with a 1-9 road record on the year, the team hasn’t chalked a victory outside of Canada Life Centre since they played Brampton two weeks into the season on June 5.

The Sea Bears have shown resilience, though, even in their tough road losses. They managed to claw their way back from a 21-point deficit Monday night against the Stingers, but ultimately dropped what turned into a next-basket-wins affair. Four of the team’s nine wins this year have come after trailing by double-digit points. Taylor says he’s encouraged by the grit his team has shown to consistently battle back from slow starts.

“We’ve really benefitted from our home-court advantage with the fantastic fans, support and energy at Canada Life Centre. We’ve gotten better and better at generating our own energy, and I think you’ve seen that heart and will with some of these comebacks,” he explained.

Also on the upswing for the Sea Bears are the contributions of their second unit. Over the last five games, the bench group is averaging 41.4 points per game – almost 10 more than their 31.5-point average on the year. Though their offensive output has often centred around the league’s leading scorer in Justin Wright-Foreman (26.3 points per game), several Sea Bears have shown the ability to make game-changing contributions off the bench.

One such key contributor is Winnipeg product Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson, who missed four games in the middle of the season with a back injury. In his 16 regular-season appearances, he’s averaged 13.7 points per game and been one of the Sea Bears’ top deep shooting threats with a 45.6 per cent mark from three. The former University of Calgary Dino will have plenty to play for on Friday representing his hometown team against his alma mater city.

Also riding a hot hand is fellow Winnipegger Simon Hildebrandt, who has seen two of his three double-digit scoring performances this year come in the team’s final five regular-season games. That stretch included a pro career high of 19 points that lifted the Sea Bears over the Rattlers in a pivotal home victory on July 20.

“We need that balance in production,” Taylor stressed. “Jarred has been outstanding since coming back from his injury. Mason [Bourcier] has given us a spark time and time again. Simon has really come on strong in the past couple weeks. We have confidence in all our bench players. Our goal is to have balance, pace and ball movement so that those guys can step up and help us on Friday.”

Late-season addition Stephane Ingo has emerged as a valuable piece of the puzzle, too. The 6-9 forward, who signed with the team just two weeks ago after appearing in 13 games for the club last year, has hardly been slow to re-acclimate. He’s led Winnipeg’s big man rotation in minutes in the team’s last two games while averaging a staggering 2.6 blocks per contest.

“Steph has been huge for us,” Taylor affirmed. “He’s such a smart player. He helps us execute our systems on offence and defence. He’s just a reliable guy that we can count on doing what we need him to do. His mobility has been the key … he gives us that mobile frontcourt piece.”

On the other side, Calgary’s depth of talent has been one of their greatest strengths this season. Their two returning guards in Sean Miller-Moore and Stef Smith account for a combined 35 points per game, and newcomer Corey Davis Jr. set the league single-season assist record this year with 126 total dimes while also chipping in 13.4 points of his own each night. The Surge bring a multi-dimensional offensive attack, sharing the ball for a league-high 21.4 assists per game.

Tyrell Vernon’s squad is also strong in transition, having out-scored the Sea Bears in the fast break in each of their three meetings this year. It’s a group that will test Taylor’s emphasis on ball security and transition defence as the team gears up for the matchup this week.

But above any opponent scout, Taylor says the Sea Bears are focused on their individual execution.

“For us, the focus is internal,” he noted. “I think the guys have made a lot of progress together. They’ve been really focused. I’m really excited about the improvements we’ve made as a team.”

“I really think we can put it together in the playoffs and give ourselves a chance to make a great run,” he continued. “We have confidence and belief that we can beat every team in this league.”

All the preparation will come to a head when the ball goes up Friday night at 8:30 p.m. CT. For live coverage, tune in on TSN, TSN+ or CEBL+ powered by BetVictor.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

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Sea Bears thank David Muenkat as he re-joins Fraport Skyliners

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 16:15:45 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears will be without David Muenkat for the 2024 playoff run as the guard has been called to re-join the Fraport Skyliners in the top level of German basketball, Basketball Bundesliga. Muenkat helped the team regain its position in the Bundesliga last season (2023-24) after it was relegated to Pro A in 2022-23.

Muenkat, who goes by the nickname Deebo, will rejoin the Skyliners this week in preparation for the 2024-25 season.

"We are very thankful for David Muenkat and appreciate all he has done to help our team this summer. David has been an impact player for us and an excellent team guy. We wish him a great season ahead with the Frankfurt Skyliners in the German Bundesliga. He helped the team earn promotion and now he will help them with the exciting challenges ahead. Our league is designed for situations like this: helping players develop, prepare and make the next steps. Although it's not easy to lose David now, we hope to see David back in a Sea Bears uniform in the future," said Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

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Sea Bears’ Comeback Falls Short in 89-86 Loss to Stingers

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 05:29:52 GMT

By Zulfi Sheikh, CEBL

After blowing a 21-point lead, the Edmonton Stingers (13-7) held on for an 89-86 win over the Winnipeg Sea Bears (9-11) in the final regular season game of the 2024 CEBL campaign on Monday.

It almost turned into a monumental collapse for the Stingers in front of a sold-out home crowd, but they made sure not to waste a good start. No one’s effort was more important in ensuring that outcome than Nick Hornsby, who finished with 18 points, including the game-winner, to go with six rebounds, five assists and four steals.

The forward was helped by Elijah Miller who finished with a team-high 20 points and Brody Clark who had 17 points on seven-of-nine shooting, seven rebounds and two assists.

Meanwhile, despite a spirited comeback, Winnipeg lost a second consecutive game and fell to 1-9 on the road this season. Leading the rally was Justin Wright-Foreman, who finished with a game-high 40 points, two short of the Sea Bears franchise record, to go with six rebounds and three assists.

Scottie Lindsey was the only other Winnipeg player to reach double digits as he scored 10 points to go with five rebounds, one steal and one block.

The biggest question for the home team entering Monday night was whether the 11 days off between their last game would be a rest well served or result in a rusty start. It was clear as early as the first quarter that the time off had done the Stingers well, as they began the game on a 13-4 run and moments later followed it up with a 10-0 run.

Edmonton’s defence sparked much of the hot start as they forced seven turnovers out of Winnipeg for 11 points off those misplays. The Stingers subsequently led 25-17 thanks to their strong play on both ends.

And the lead only grew from there for Edmonton. Leading 32-24 at the 7:41 mark of the second quarter, the Stingers went on a 13-0 run helping them finish the half up 56-37.

Edmonton shot 60 per cent from the field and distance through the first half while holding the Sea Bears to marks of 38 and 35 per cent, respectively. Miller led that charge as he shot an efficient four of five from the field through the first two quarters for 14 points.

It only got more difficult for Winnipeg after the break as mid-way through the third quarter, starting centre Chad Posthumus was forced to exit the game with a foot injury.

Yet, the Sea Bears were able to respond even without their veteran leader thanks to the play of Wright-Foreman. The guard scored eight points in the frame for Winnipeg, helping spark a 9-2 run that cut what was once a 21-point lead down to 12, trailing 70-58 after three.

That was only the start of the scoring explosion for Wright-Foreman, as he caught fire in the fourth quarter. Last year’s MVP runner-up scored 18 points in the final frame, hitting five triples – none of which were more important than the last one which gave Winnipeg an 84-83 lead in Target Score Time – its first since the first minute of the ball game.

Despite being on the verge of crumbling, the Stingers remained poised and took care of business the same way they had built their lead up to that point: attacking the rim and forcing mistakes with ball pressure.

The final six Edmonton points all came at the basket, including Hornsby’s game-winning put-back. Edmonton finished the game with 50 paint points (plus-26) on 50 per cent shooting from inside the arc.

Part of that game-saving run was also Trey McGowens intercepting a pass and flying the other way for a transition layup. It was the final of 25 turnovers (plus-24) the Stingers forced for 23 points.

With the regular season wrapped up the next time both squads return to action will be for the postseason.

The Sea Bears will visit the Calgary Surge on Friday at 8:30 p.m. CT for the West Play-In, the winner of which will head to Edmonton and take on the Stingers for the West Semifinal on Sunday.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

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Sea Bears Visit Stingers in Potential West Semifinal Preview

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 14:39:13 GMT

By Zulfi Sheikh, CEBL

The Edmonton Stingers welcome the Winnipeg Sea Bears to Edmonton EXPO Centre on Monday night for a third and final regular-season matchup.

Live coverage begins at 8 p.m. CDT on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

There may not be playoff implications entering the contest with both teams locked into the two and four seeds in the Western Conference, but the outcome could be telling depending on how things shake out.

Following the regular season finale, Winnipeg will visit the Calgary Surge for the West Play-In. Should they win, they will face Edmonton in the Conference Semifinal. A win for either team could be a timely confidence booster heading into the postseason and potential matchup down the road.

The Stingers enter the matchup with plenty of rest and on the heels of a bounce-back performance. Edmonton picked up a 91-87 win over the Saskatchewan Rattlers on Jul. 18 that snapped a three-game skid.

It was an efficient outing for the Stingers, led by Brody Clarke’s 22 points, nine rebounds and two steals, and Nick Hornsby’s 21 points, six rebounds and eight assists. The duo spearheaded Edmonton’s rim-running assault as the squad shot 52 per cent from inside the arc for 60 paint points (plus-18), helping the Stingers overcome the fact they were outshot from the field and distance.

Meanwhile, Winnipeg is coming off an 87-83 loss to the Calgary Surge that snapped a two-game win streak.

The Sea Bears outshot the Surge from the field and distance and led all the way into Target Score Time, but it was their struggles on the glass that cost them the game. Calgary racked up 55 rebounds (plus-19), 25 of which came on the offensive end (plus-17) for 17 second chance points on 13 extra shot attempts.

Despite the narrow loss, the Sea Bears depth shined through as the bench scored 44 points (plus-20). Leading the second unit was Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson with 18 points on seven-of-nine shooting from the field through 17 minutes of action.

Both squads have a win against the other this season entering Monday’s matchup.

Edmonton won the first game 97-87, leading by as many as 21 points in a wire-to-wire victory. A major catalyst for the Stingers was their dominance at the rim, shooting 62 per cent inside the arc for 58 paint points (plus-24) and collecting 47 rebounds (plus-13) for 10 extra shot attempts.

Meanwhile, the Sea Bears took the rematch -- a high-scoring affair that came down to the wire. Once the dust settled, Winnipeg earned a 102-101 victory. Leading the way was Justin Wright-Foreman, who scored a game-high 34 points on 60 per cent shooting from the field and distance to go with five rebounds, five assists and two steals.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

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Sea Bears Locked into Road Playoff Game After 87-83 Loss to Surge

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 15:22:31 GMT

By Dillon White, CEBL

The Calgary Surge secured a home playoff game with an 87-83 bounce-back win over the Winnipeg Sea Bears at WinSport Event Centre on Thursday.

With the win, Calgary will host either the Western Conference Play-In or the Western Conference Semifinal, while Winnipeg is now locked into fourth place after the loss and will head to either Calgary or Edmonton for the Play-In round.

A high-scoring first half turned into a defensive slugfest in the second as the Surge rebounded, in more ways than one, from a 111-104 loss to the Sea Bears on Tuesday.

Sean Miller-Moore’s ability to attack the rim helped Calgary to victory with a game-high 22 points, to go along with five rebounds. The first bucket of the game for “Rugzy” gave him 800 all-time points in the CEBL. He said togetherness was the key to victory.

“We went into [Target Score Time in the last game] kind of negative – not getting stops. And you know, that's not a great feeling. So that was kind of what we locked into, and I'm glad we got it done,” Miller-Moore said.

Kyler Edwards added 16 points, nine rebounds and three steals for the Surge while Stefan Smith came off the bench to score 15.

Calgary’s defence held league-leading scorer Justin Wright-Foreman in check for the majority of the contest. The Winnipeg star finished with 15 points on 4-18 shooting from the field.

Surge head coach Tyrell Vernon said the team denied, doubled and changed coverages to the best of its ability to limit Wright-Foreman.

“He’s probably one of the toughest matchups in the league and I think Corey [Davis Jr.] did a great job on him today,” Vernon said.

Two players with a Calgary connection made major contributions off the bench for Winnipeg in the loss. Former Calgary Dino Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson knocked down a team-high 18 points while former Surge player Mason Bourcier added 12 points.

After breaking the franchise’s single-game point record in Tuesday’s matchup with Calgary, Winnipeg’s offence was limited to just 12 points in the fourth.

“Down the stretch, we kind of got out of our flow,” Ogungbemi-Jackson said. “They were switching a lot of ball screens, and we were going one-on-one a little bit – myself included – and I feel like we didn't get quality shots in Target Time.”

The Surge also dominated the rebounding battle and finished with 17 second-chance points.

“The offensive rebounds kind of kept us afloat,” Vernon said.

Winnipeg head coach Mike Taylor also credited Calgary’s work on the glass.

“The 25 offensive rebounds were a big help to them. That shows great desire from their team. They were really physical – our guys battled, but that gave them a lot of extra possessions. So, credit to Calgary and their extra effort,” Taylor said.

Calgary started the game slow offensively and found itself trailing 11-3 as the midpoint of the first quarter approached. However, the Surge shooters began to heat up.

Triples from Smith, Edwards, Gabe Osabuohien and a pair from Davis Jr. gave Calgary the lead. Inside finishes from Smith and Miller-Moore late in the frame helped the Surge to a 23-20 lead after 10 minutes.

With Wright-Foreman on the bench to start the second, Ogungbemi-Jackson paced the offence with eight consecutive points for Winnipeg, tying the game each time. Calgary took back the edge with another trifecta from Davis Jr. and held on until Bourcier tied the game twice with a catch-and-shoot three and a lefty finish.

Despite several ties, Calgary kept regaining its lead with 10 triples from six different players in the opening 20 minutes – including three each from Edwards and Davis Jr. Smith capped off the quarter with an inside finish off a beautiful pass from Marlon Johnson Jr.

Wright-Foreman was limited to just one field goal in the first half and the Sea Bears were down 53-47 at the break.

The Surge stayed ahead for the majority of the third quarter, but Winnipeg kept close and took advantage late in the period. Back-to-back buckets from Ogungbemi-Jackson provided the Sea Bears with their first lead since the first quarter and a catch-and-shoot triple from Lindsey allowed the visitors to take a one-point lead into the final frame.

Defence took over in the fourth. After a layup from Miller-Moore to open the quarter, the Sea Bears went on an 8-0 run to force a timeout from Vernon. Edwards drilled a contested corner three to bring it back to a one-possession game, and Miller-Moore cut the deficit to 78-77 ahead of Target Score Time.

Miller-Moore got to the rim again to take back the lead for Calgary at the outset of Target Time. After a goaltending call was reversed, Smith connected on a catch-and-shoot triple to extend the advantage. A spin move got Miller-Moore to the hoop once more for a finish that put Calgary three points away from victory.

Smith and Davis Jr. were able to end the game at the free throw line to improve Calgary’s record to 11-8, while Winnipeg fell to 9-10.

Both teams will have their regular-season finale in the coming days. Calgary visits Scarborough at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday and Winnipeg heads to Edmonton for a 7 pm. MT showdown on Monday.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

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Surge and Sea Bears meet again in potential playoff preview

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 14:22:05 GMT

By Dillon White, CEBL

The fourth-place Winnipeg Sea Bears (9-9) will visit the third-place Calgary Surge (10-8) on Thursday in a crucial Western Conference matchup that also serves as a potential playoff preview.

In the second half of a home-and-home, the Surge will play in front of a home crowd for the final time of the regular season at WinSport Event Centre. The game is set for 8 p.m. CDT on Game+, NLSE, and streaming live on CEBL+ and TSN+.

The first half of the home-and-home on Tuesday saw the Sea Bears even the season series with the Surge in a 111-104 comeback win in front of over 11,000 fans at Canada Life Centre.

The victory provided Winnipeg with back-to-back wins and snapped a four-game winning streak for Calgary. It also avenged a 110-78 loss to the Surge in the only previous meeting between the two squads this season in June.

An efficient night from the field, beyond the arc, and free-throw line powered the Sea Bears to a franchise record for most points in a game. Winnipeg trailed by as many as 13 points in the contest but fought back to clinch the conference’s final post-season spot.

Calgary head coach Tyrell Vernon attributed the loss to defence and turnovers – something the Surge will have to adjust ahead of the rematch.

“We’re not built for outscoring teams,” Vernon said after the game. “We’re not the 112-, 110-[point] type of team. We gotta grind it out a little bit more, keep flying around defensively. Multiple efforts — that’ll be the change.”

Depending on the outcome, Thursday’s contest could be the final home game of the season for Calgary with a matchup in Scarborough for the regular season finale on Sunday. While both the Sea Bears and Surge have playoff spots clinched, a lot could change in the Western Conference based on tonight’s result.

Calgary can clinch a top-three finish in the West with a win which would also mean a home playoff game and a chance to move up.

If the Sea Bears win, it would lock in a rematch with the Surge for the West Play-In. Winnipeg would also own the tiebreaker against Calgary and hold the upper hand to host heading into the final game of the season.

Vancouver and Edmonton each have a vested interest in the result as well, with both squads clinching a top-two finish in the conference with a Winnipeg win.

Player spotlight

Winnipeg guard Justin Wright-Foreman and Calgary guard Corey Davis Jr. will look to showcase their dual-threat abilities on Thursday.

Each player finds themselves among the league’s top five in assists per game and demonstrated why in the previous matchup.

Davis Jr. dished a game-high 10 assists on Tuesday, setting the CEBL record for assists in a season with 114. Meanwhile, Wright-Foreman forked out nine dimes in the win, while dropping a game-high 24 points.

The Sea Bears’ star is no stranger to pacing an offence, as he is poised to finish in the league's top-two in points per game for the second consecutive season.

Davis Jr., however, outperformed his season average with a team-high 20 points in the loss on Tuesday. The Calgary facilitator has proven himself a lethal shooter this season, placing top-five in three-pointers made at roughly a 40 per cent clip.

Milestone Watch

● Winnipeg’s Alex Campbell is eight steals away from 100 for his career, including playoffs

● Winnipeg’s Chad Posthumus is seven rebounds away from 500 for his career, including playoffs

● Winnipeg’s Mason Bourcier is two assists away from 200 assists for his CEBL career

● Calgary’s Davis Jr. is five assists ahead of Vancouver’s Tazé Moore for the regular season record

● Calgary’s Sean Miller-Moore is two points away from 800 for his career, including playoffs

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

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Sea Bears Soar to Playoff Spot with Comeback Victory Over Surge

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 03:56:40 GMT

By Myles Dichter, CEBL

The Western Conference playoff field is set.

Once down 13 points, the Winnipeg Sea Bears came back to beat the Calgary Surge 111-104 on Tuesday to clinch the conference’s final post-season spot in front of 11,051 rowdy home fans at Canada Life Centre – the second-largest crowd in CEBL history.

The Sea Bears’ scoring output set a new franchise record, surpassing the previous mark of 110 set last season. The win also pushed Winnipeg to 9-9 on the season and eliminated the last-place Saskatchewan Rattlers from playoff contention.

“I just want to give all the credit to the players,” Sea Bears head coach Mike Taylor said. “They really competed. They believed. It’s been a mark of these guys all summer, and what a great comeback. And to win your way to the playoffs is something special. It’s a great accomplishment for these guys.”

Meanwhile, Calgary saw their four-game winning streak come to an end as they fell to 10-8. The third-place Surge still have a shot at improving their playoff seeding but would now need to win out to do so.

Head coach Tyrell Vernon said the biggest change he’d like to see moving forward is on the defensive end.

“We’re not built for outscoring teams. We’re not the 112, 110-[point] type of team. We got to grind it out a little bit more, keep flying around defensively. Multiple efforts — that’ll be the change,” Vernon said.

For much of the contest, defence for both clubs appeared to be optional.

Calgary took a 33-29 lead after the first 10 minutes as its offence hummed from the tip with crisp passing leading to open looks.

The second quarter provided more of the same, and as the Sea Bears’ offence stalled, Calgary took advantage and built up a 13-point edge heading into the locker room — its biggest lead of the game.

For most of the third quarter, the point differential stayed around that 10-point mark. But in what seemed like the blink of an eye, the game shifted. Winnipeg ripped off a 10-2 run to end the frame, which had the fans out of their seats and getting loud.

While the Surge still led 87-82 heading into the final frame, momentum had tilted in the Sea Bears’ favour. And slowly but surely, Winnipeg reeled in its West rival, eventually taking a 102-96 lead into Target Score Time.

Fittingly, point guard Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson, who seemed to spark the second-half comeback, iced the game with a free throw.

“Not to say that we want to come from behind to win games, but we show a lot of fight. We’ve shown a lot of character over the course of the season, especially in games like this,” he said. “It felt like there was no panic. You could tell we were poised, and that’s what we need going into the playoffs.”

Starter Justin Wright-Foreman led Winnipeg with 24 points and nine assists.

“All game we just played hard. It wasn’t anything special. There’s times where have lapses, but overall today was a gritty win,” he told sideline reporter Heather Morrison after the game. “Just believe. That’s all we can do.”

Calgary turned the ball over 15 times, which Vernon cited among the reasons for Winnipeg’s comeback.

“I think we got comfortable in the first half with what was working for us, and then instead of giving that same energy and intensity to it in the third and fourth quarter, I think we took our foot off the gas a little bit,” Vernon said.

Surge guard Corey Davis Jr. set a record of his own as his 10 assists pushed him to 114 for the season, topping the previous benchmark set by the Rattlers’ Tony Carr two years ago. Vancouver’s Tazé Moore is sitting on 109 dimes for the season.

“I attribute it to all my teammates,” Davis Jr., said. “Without them scoring the basketball, I can’t do that, so they do a good job of filling lanes and getting to open spots. I just find them, and they make them. It feels good.”

Davis Jr. recorded a double-double by adding 20 points as well, while Stefan Smith added 17 off the bench.

The Surge are expecting to have two key players in Gabe Osabouhein and Trhae Mitchell back from Summer League shortly.

“It’s been a part of the CEBL all year,” Vernon said. “Someone comes in, we just got to integrate them, get them back in, kind of throw them out there and see what works. We’re excited to have those guys back, but at the same time, there’s certain things this group has to clean up as well.”

Winnipeg didn’t lose any players to Las Vegas but has overcome its own roster turnover through the season, including the release of reigning MVP Teddy Allen.

“There’s been a lot of changes, and they’ve kept working. They’ve really got themselves together in a short time. We’ve been through some ups and downs,” Taylor said.

“But it’s different if you back your way into the playoffs with another team losing. When you win it, you earn. And we’ve earned it.”

The Sea Bears can now look ahead to the post-season, where a first-round rematch against the Surge is suddenly appearing likely.

First, though, the teams will duel it out once again on Thursday in Calgary.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

X: @680CJOB

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Sea Bears Eye Postseason Berth in First Contest of Home-and-Home with Surge

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 14:20:02 GMT

By Myles Dichter, CEBL

A late-season home-and-home series between Calgary and Winnipeg presents opportunity for both clubs.

The Sea Bears host the first half of the two-game set against the Surge on Tuesday at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available at seabears.ca/tickets. The game will also be broadcast live on TSN and Next Level Sports & Entertainment, TSN+, CEBL+ and Courtside 1891.

For Winnipeg (8-9), the stakes are simple — a win in any of the team’s final three games of the season results in a playoff berth. Win both games against Calgary and a home playoff game is on the table, too.

Meanwhile, a victory for the Surge (10-7) in either game against the Sea Bears means at least one post-season contest will be played in Calgary. The Surge, though, are riding a four-game winning streak and may have higher ambitions as they sit just one game behind second-place Edmonton in the West and two back of first-place Vancouver, whose final three games are all on the road.

Even though Calgary appears to have momentum on its side, Winnipeg may have a continuity advantage.

While the Sea Bears were not affected by the NBA’s Summer League, the Surge lost three rotation players to Las Vegas — two of whom, in guard Trhae Mitchell and forward Gabe Osabouhein, were expected to return to the team ahead of Tuesday’s tilt.

Head coach Tyrell Vernon said he’s hoping not to shake things up too much.

“Those guys were with us when we started making our turn and won some games with us as well. So we just got to sit down, see what’s best for us going forward for the next couple matchups and go from there,” he said after Calgary’s most recent victory.

Winnipeg’s roster turnover came earlier in the season, when the team cut reigning MVP Teddy Allen and former NBA player Byron Mullens. Its biggest addition was Justin Wright-Foreman, who has helped right the ship with a league-leading 26.3 points per game while dishing 6.4 assists per contest too.

The teams have met just once so far this season, with Calgary romping to a 110-78 victory on June 9. But that contest was still in the Sea Bears’ Teddy Allen era.

Now, Winnipeg has two games to solidify its place in a loaded Western Conference playoff bracket.

When Calgary guard Sean Miller-Moore is right, he is among the foremost scoring forces in the league.

But the Surge’s four-game win streak has presented a mixed bag for the Toronto product known as “Rugzy.”

In order, Miller-Moore struggled with nine points on 13 shots in a win over Edmonton, missed the Bandits game with a lower-body injury, returned but scored just two points again Saskatchewan, then finally broke out with a 24-point effort in the team’s latest triumph over Montreal.

Miller-Moore still leads the team with 15.6 points per game, but the Surge’s championship hopes may rest on whether their star player is fully healthy, and if so, whether he can be the offensive star he’s proven to be in the past.

Milestone Watch

-Winnipeg’s Chad Posthumus is nine rebounds away from 500 for his career, including playoffs

-Winnipeg’s Mason Bourcier is eight assists away from 200 for his career, including playoffs

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

X: @680CJOB

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears Earn Narrow 97-93 Win Over Rattlers, Inch Closer to Playoff Berth

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 04:42:06 GMT

By Zulfi Sheikh, CEBL

The Winnipeg Sea Bears (8-9) came away victorious Saturday following a nail-biter against the Saskatchewan Rattlers (6-12) to extend their lead for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

With the victory, the Sea Bears are now two games ahead of the Rattlers for the fourth seed in the West. Winnipeg and Saskatchewan tied their season series at two games apiece, but the Rattlers claimed the head-to-head point differential and own the tiebreaker. So, despite being two games down with just two games left, the Rattlers’ playoff hopes aren’t dead just yet.

Leading Winnipeg in the win was Justin Wright-Foreman, who finished with 24 points and six assists off the bench. He was helped by Simon Hildebrandt who finished with a career-high 19 points on 50 per cent shooting from both the field and distance to go with seven rebounds, and Scottie Lindsey who had a double-double (15 points, 11 rebounds) in the victory.

“Fortunately, today the will from the team was fantastic,” Sea Bears head coach Mike Taylor said after his team snapped a four-game losing streak. “We got it done … I love the direction of the team.”

On the other side, Teddy Allen spearheaded a Rattlers starting five that all scored over double digits as he finished with 24 points, six rebounds and five assists. Backing up the reigning MVP in his return to Winnipeg was Cody John who put up 15 points and James Montgomery who racked up 14 points on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting effort.

“Playoff implications was our motivation, but obviously it wasn’t enough,” Rattlers head coach Larry Abney said following his team’s third consecutive loss.

Entering the night, it was no secret what a win could do for both teams’ playoff hopes. Which is why the first 10 minutes of the game were as closely contested as many expected.

Both squads shot under 45 per cent from the field as defence appeared to be the focus for two squads that usually rank in the bottom three when it comes to limiting opponents scoring. Had it not been for a buzzer-beating Stephane Ingo layup, that made it 23-19, the Sea Bears would’ve led by just one possession ahead of the second.

Things would stay just as tight throughout the following frame, but it was the Rattlers who ended up on top once the dust settled. Saskatchewan used an 8-0 run to take back the lead, holding on as they went into halftime up 46-44.

Unsurprisingly, it was Allen who sparked the effort as he scored seven points in the second quarter – putting him up to a game-high 12 points at halftime.

“Obviously Teddy is fantastic player,” Hildebrandt said postgame when asked about the emotions playing against his former teammate in Winnipeg for the first time. “He’s obviously a huge part of the game plan, but we tried to treat it like any other game.”

Not to be outdone however, Wright-Foreman led a Sea Bears response coming out of the break. Last year’s scoring champ put up eight points in the third quarter, none more important than a buzzer-beating, half-court triple that tied things up at 70-70 and got a sold-out Canada Life Centre crowd on its feet.

Winnipeg made sure to take advantage of the heroics by their scoring leader, taking an 88-86 lead into Target Score Time, but nearly let things slip away at the end.

After finding themselves within just one basket of the win, it took 10 shot attempts to finally seal the deal. A chaotic sequence that included six rebounds for Winnipeg ended in a Sea Bears victory when Chad Posthumus got a layup to drop right underneath the basket.

Fitting that an intense effort to secure extra possessions on the glass is how Winnipeg ended up with a win, considering it was an area of strength all night.

The Sea Bears finished plus-17 on rebounds, grabbing an impressive 32 (plus-20) on the offensive glass. The result of their effort was 31 second chance points (plus-19) and 18 extra field goal attempts – which ended up making all the difference as Winnipeg eked out a win despite being outshot from the field, distance and charity stripe.

“When you look at a team’s will … 32 offensive rebounds in unbelievable,” Taylor said when reflecting on his team’s effort. “That is a fantastic number, and it just shows these guys wanted it bad, so I’m really proud.”

The Sea Bears will stay home and host the Calgary Surge on Tuesday for their final contest in front of a Winnipeg crowd this regular season.

For the Rattlers, they’ll visit the BlackJacks on Thursday for the second of a three-game season-ending road trip.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

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X: @680CJOB

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Rattlers’ Allen Makes Return to Winnipeg for Final Regular Season Matchup with Sea Bears

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 14:01:09 GMT

By Zulfi Sheikh, CEBL

The Winnipeg Sea Bears will host Teddy Allen and the Saskatchewan Rattlers for the two teams’ final regular season matchup of the year Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. CDT.

Tickets are still available at seabears.ca/tickets. Live coverage is also available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+, and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. The game will also be broadcast live on Game+ in Canada and NLSE in the U.S.

The reigning league MVP will be playing in front of a Winnipeg crowd for the first time since being released by the Sea Bears and later signing with Saskatchewan. And although Allen remains one of the CEBL’s top scorers, averaging 25.9 points per game, his individual production hasn’t turned Saskatchewan into a conference powerhouse.

With Allen at the helm, Saskatchewan has lost four out of five games, is on a two-game skid, and sits at the bottom of the West. In their most-recent 91-87 loss to the Edmonton Stingers, the Rattlers’ interior defence ended up costing them above all else. The Stingers shot 52 per cent from inside the arc while scoring 60 points in the paint on 31 assists.

Despite the loss, there were positives for Saskatchewan to take into Saturday’s matchup. For one, Cody John has raised his level of play since the departure of Jalen Harris. The Mississauga, Ont. product has stepped into a lead role and is averaging 18.1 points per game through the team’s last seven contests – well above his 11.5 average this season.

There’s also the fact that their lone win during the Allen era came against the Sea Bears just over a week ago. The 96-84 home victory not only kept Saskatchewan in the hunt for a playoff spot, but it also snapped a seven-game losing streak. Unsurprisingly, Allen led the way as he finished with 21 points, five rebounds and six assists.

Meanwhile, Winnipeg is looking to clinch a playoff berth with a win over Saskatchewan. But not just any win - they’ll need to do it by at least 19 points in order to claim the tiebreaker over the Rattlers and officially clinch a spot in the postseason.

The Sea Bears might have their sights set on claiming a playoff spot with a blowout win, but a win of any sort will be just as welcome. They have lost four games in a row, sit just 1.5 games ahead of the Rattlers in the standings, and have erased the momentum that was built from their four-game win streak prior to that.

Winnipeg is coming off back-to-back losses to the Vancouver Bandits, and like Saskatchewan, defensive struggles have been the catalyst for their skid. The Sea Bears have given up more than 100 points in three of their last five contests, and in their home-and-home set against the Bandits, they conceded 102.5 points per game on a 53 per cent clip.

After giving up more than 100 points in two consecutive contests, the Sea Bears now give up an average of 96.2 points per game, the most in the CEBL.

The Sea Bears’ saving grace, like the Rattlers, is the fact their star guard remains one of the top performers in the league. Justin Wright-Foreman continues to lead the CEBL in scoring, averaging 26.5 points per game while also averaging the third-most assists (6.5).

As productive as last year’s MVP runner-up has been, he’s also been giving a lot of that back on the other end. Wright-Foreman averages 4.3 turnovers a game, the most in the CEBL.

The Rattlers hold the edge this year’s season series, winning two of three contests between the West rivals. But take those results with a grain of salt. Saskatchewan’s first victory came in its season opener when Harris and Elijah Harkless were on the squad, scoring 23 and 22 points each – while the Sea Bears still had Allen and were without Wright-Foreman.

Come the second matchup, a 103-101 win for the Sea Bears, Allen hadn’t yet signed with the Rattlers following his release from Winnipeg.

Meanwhile, the game was Wright-Foreman’s season debut and entrance into the yearly series. In that contest, he dropped 30 points. In fact, through two games against his former squad this season, last year’s scoring champ and MVP runner-up is averaging 30.5 points per game.

Expect Allen and Wright-Foreman to have plenty to say in the final regular season matchup between the two squads, both having plenty to gain with a win.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

X: @680CJOB

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears Announce Opening of Upper Deck for Regular Season Finale July 23

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 17:48:13 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday the opening of Canada Life Centre’s upper bowl for their final regular-season home game Tuesday, July 23 against the Calgary Surge. The move comes in response to high demand as the club nears the finale of its second campaign.

The Sea Bears opened the 300 level for the first time in 2023 for their Aug. 4 home playoff matchup with the Edmonton Stingers. That contest saw a season-high 10,580 fans pack Canada Life Centre. Tuesday’s game will be the first time since then that the team has opened the upper level.

Labelled “Fan Appreciation Night,” the game will feature additional giveaways, contests and game-day programming. Fans will have the chance to win VIP on-court experiences and meet the full roster of Sea Bears players for post-game autographs. For more information about Fan Appreciation Night, click here .

“We’re excited to create the opportunity for more fans to join us as we cap off what has been a fantastic second season of Sea Bears basketball,” said Jason Smith, the team’s president.

The game will mark the first half of a home-and-home series with the Surge, who currently sit one place above Winnipeg in the Western Conference’s third seed. Having already picked up a win against the Sea Bears at WinSport Arena on June 9, Calgary can secure the seeding tiebreaker by winning either of the back-to-back matchups.

Tickets in the 300 level start at $18 plus taxes and fees. To reserve yours, visit seabears.ca/tickets.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

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Sea Bears Fall to Bandits 103-92

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 15:33:11 GMT

By Josh Kozelj, CEBL

The Vancouver Bandits (12-5) feel right at home in the Langley Events Centre, knocking off the Winnipeg Sea Bears (7-9) 103-92 to earn their ninth victory in their own building this season.

Less than a week after swiping the first game of this home-and-home series, Bandits big man Mitch Creek once again erupted for a game-high 31 points and 11 rebounds.

“He comes from a very, very high level,” Bandits head coach Kyle Julius said of Creek, who has played in the NBA and for the Australian national team. “He has played at the level that all of these players in the CEBL are trying to get to … He’s probably one of the best bigs in the league.”

The win marked Vancouver’s third victory in four matchups against Winnipeg this season. Prior to this season, the Bandits had never beaten the Sea Bears, losing all four games to the team in their inaugural campaign.

CEBL MVP candidate Tazé Moore chipped in with 25 points, six rebounds and two assists — falling one assist shy of tying the CEBL’s single-season record (110). Nick Ward also scored 16 points and grabbed six boards off the bench as the Bandits managed to hold a major advantage on the glass, outrebounding the Sea Bears 50-32. Vancouver also won the rebound battle 42-33 in their last game against Winnipeg.

“That’s a credit to the Bandits,” Sea Bears head coach Mike Taylor said after the game. “Nick Ward, and the addition of Creek, makes this front court really, really difficult.”

The Bandits asserted their dominance in the paint right from the opening tip.

Creek, who matched his 31-point performance against Winnipeg from last weekend, registered eight of Vancouver’s first 12 points as the Bandits looked for the big man early and often. Creek scored the team’s first points on a hook shot, and, following a Moore jumper from the free throw line, he scored a pair of layups on back-to-back possessions.

“There’s a reason why he has the resume he has, getting paid the money he gets paid,” Ward said of Creek.

“He’s a leader. He’s a hell of player. Left hand, right hand, jump shot - you can’t stop him.”

In total, the Bandits outrebounded the Sea Bears 15-6 in the first quarter, six of which came on the offensive glass.

But they only converted those extra opportunities into two second chance points.

Coupled with the fact that Winnipeg got reliable scoring — and three-point shooting — from Wright-Foreman, the Sea Bears managed to take the lead multiple times and not let the rebound discrepancy put them in an early deficit.

Wright-Foreman scored eight of his team-high 18 points in the first, including a pair of triples. The Bandits, however, didn’t commit their first shooting foul of the game until the final second of the quarter, and scored their first triple of the game — a Zach Copeland stepback — with less than a minute left to take a 25-21 lead heading to the second.

After the break, the Bandits quickly went on a 11-4 run and started to create some separation. The Sea Bears, despite leading by as many as five points in the first, struggled to get anyone going aside from Wright- Foreman.

Starters Emmanuel Akot and Scottie Lindsey, who combined for 35 points in their last contest against Vancouver, mustered up only four first-half points. Although Lindsey collected 12 second half points, the four other Sea Bears starters shot only 27 per cent in the first half.

The Bandits, after dominating the glass in the first, also started to get out on the fast break in the second.

They built up a double-digit lead on the back of six quick transition points, including a put-back slam by Kur Jongkuch that made it a 13-point game. After scoring two points on the break in the first, the Bandits quadrupled that number in the second. They also built on their lead on the glass, taking a 30-16 lead in points scored in the paint by the end of the half.

Winnipeg also only mustered seven points in the first six minutes of the second quarter.

Despite the deficit growing, the Sea Bears bench managed to serve as a lifeboat for Winnipeg’s offence.

Simon Hildebrandt knocked down his second triple of the contest with less than three minutes left in the quarter. Winnipeg’s reserves combined for nearly half (19) of the team’s first-half points (40). Hildebrandt finished with 15 points and four rebounds.

“I thought we got a lot of great contributions from the bench,” Taylor said. “The starters got off to a great start, but we went through that stretch where we didn’t score and a couple of them got frustrated. That’s where we weren’t together like we need to be.”

But the Bandits extended the lead to 20 by the end of the quarter.

A few possessions after Creek — who knocked down a pair of triples in the quarter — converted two of three free throws from a trip to the line, Diego Maffia threw up a lob to Jongkuch on the break that brought the crowd to their feet. The Bandits then got back on defence, used a double-team to force a contested shot from Wright- Foreman, before Duane Notice caught a streaking Creek down the court to add a layup and make it a 60-40 game at half.

Although the Sea Bears held Creek to only two points in the third, the Bandits extended their lead as soon as the game resumed. Vancouver scored four straight points to open the frame, including an uncontested Moore drive to the hoop that forced Taylor to call a timeout less than a minute into the quarter.

Hildebrandt then drew a foul on a layup, converting the free throw for the natural three-point play, to bring Winnipeg to within 15 points with roughly one minute left in the third — marking the closest they had come to Vancouver since the second quarter. Vancouver took an 82-65 edge into the final quarter.

The Sea Bears then continued to chip into the lead, coming within single digits in the fourth largely on the back of the team’s bench performance — Winnipeg’s reserves outscored Vancouver’s bench 50-17 — and a strong second-half outing from Lindsey.

The Bandits ended up taking a 10-point lead heading into Target Score Time, and although Winnipeg came within five points of Vancouver at one point with the game clock turned off, Moore sealed the game with the help of the Bandits’ strength on the glass.

After missing the potential game-winner, Creek collected the miss – Vancouver’s 17th offensive rebound of the game – and found Moore, who swished in a floater to halt Winnipeg’s comeback bid.

The victory also helped Vancouver keep pace with the Edmonton Stingers for first place in the Western Conference. Edmonton also earned their 12th victory of the season earlier tonight in Saskatchewan.

But Vancouver holds two games in hand, and will look to increase their win total in an east coast road trip that is set to begin next Thursday in Brampton. Winnipeg is slated to return home Saturday night for a date with the Rattlers.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

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Sea Bears to Battle for Playoff Seeding in Second Half of Home-and-Home With Bandits

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 14:28:41 GMT

By Josh Kozelj, CEBL

The Vancouver Bandits (11-5) are searching for a sweep in the second half of a home-and-home series against the Winnipeg Sea Bears (7-8) tonight at the Langley Events Centre.

The game tips off at 9 p.m. CT, with live coverage available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

The Sea Bears will look to avenge a three-point loss suffered on Saturday night, led by a 31-point outburst by Vancouver forward Mitch Creek. The Bandits previously knocked off Winnipeg at home on June 13 before losing by four points on the road six days later.

Despite joining the team roughly halfway through the season, tonight’s matchup will mark the third time that Justin Wright-Foreman has played against the Bandits. He’s been a major factor in every one of those contests.

Wright-Foreman has scored 29 or more points in each of his three games against the Bandits this season, including his most recent 31 point, seven assist performance last weekend. The Brooklyn, N.Y. product, who leads the league in points per game (27.4) and sits second in assists (6.6), shot 11-19 from the field in the 102-99 loss.

The loss also dropped the Sea Bears to below .500 for the first time in roughly one month.

Winnipeg rattled off four consecutive wins between June 19 and July 4 after falling a season-low two games under .500 on June 16. During that span, American-born guard Scottie Lindsey emerged as another reliable scoring option for the Sea Bears.

The former Saskatchewan Rattler, who ranked in the top five in league scoring in his lone CEBL season in 2022, is shooting better than 34 per cent from deep and averaging 14 points in roughly 25 minutes of action since he joined the team. Lindsey and Emmanuel Akot, who chipped in with 18 points on Saturday, will need to provide steady secondary scoring if the Sea Bears hope to snap their four-game losing streak tonight.

Following his team’s last game, Lindsey said the Sea Bears have to maintain their focus on the defensive side of the court (Winnipeg is giving up a CEBL-high 95.7 points per game) if they want to avenge their previous loss to Vancouver. The Bandits went on a 16-6 run in the third quarter last weekend prior to taking a nine-point lead heading into Target Score Time in the fourth quarter.

“Little details are super important at that time of the game — especially if it’s a one-point game or two-point game — we just have to be more sharp,” he said after the game.

Vancouver, meanwhile, has been riding at or near the top of the Western Conference standings all season.

Heading into tonight, Vancouver sits one game ahead of the Edmonton Stingers for first place in the Western Conference — and an automatic spot in Championship Weekend — with four games remaining in the regular season. A win would secure the Bandits at least a top three finish in the conference.

The squad has been led by an MVP-caliber campaign from Tazé Moore, who missed the team’s last game against the Sea Bears on Saturday but is expected to play tonight. The former Portland Trail Blazer leads the CEBL in assists (8.2) and is tied for first in rebounds per game (8.7). Moore is also averaging 17.5 points per game in his first season on the west coast.

Tonight will also mark the debut of Marcus Carr, a former University of Texas standout who joined the roster earlier this week. Carr, a Toronto product, earned All-Big 12 honours in 2023 and previously played for Bandits head coach Kyle Julius. He is coming back from an injury suffered earlier in the year.

“Marcus is an elite Canadian guard,” Julius said in a statement. “I have had the pleasure of watching him grow and develop from a young age. He has always been tough and had a relentless work ethic.”

Following the game, Vancouver will have one week off before travelling to Brampton for the first of a three-game east coast swing to cap off the regular season. Winnipeg is slated to return home for a date with Saskatchewan on Saturday night.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

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Sea Bears Sign Returning Big Man Stephane Ingo

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 14:45:59 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that 6-9 forward Stephane Ingo has signed to return to the team for the remainder of the season. The Mississauga, Ont. product made his professional debut with the Sea Bears last year, averaging 1.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 13 appearances.

Ingo served as a two-season team captain of the University of Maine Black Bears from 2020 to 2022, leading the team in blocks for three straight seasons after a redshirt freshman year. His most productive season came in a nine-game 2020 campaign that saw him average 10.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks before being cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a graduate student in 2022, he joined the Marist College Red Foxes, starting 31 games and once again leading his team in blocked shots.

“Stephane Ingo will add length and mobility to our frontcourt,” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager Mike Taylor. “Steph is very intelligent and an excellent team player. He provided quality depth last summer, and we’re excited to welcome him back to help us finish the season strong.”

The 25-year-old set season highs of six points, five rebounds and three blocks while averaging 8.3 minutes per game last season. His season-best scoring performance came in 10-minute, +21 effort June 2 at Scarborough in which he shot a perfect three for three from the floor.

Following the conclusion of the 2023 CEBL season, Ingo joined the McMaster University men’s team coaching staff as an analytics specialist. He progressed to the CEBL coaching ranks as a video coordinator with the Brampton Honey Badgers after the team named Marauders lead assistant Sheldon Cassimy their head coach for the 2024 season. Ingo will depart from his role with Cassimy’s staff in Brampton to join the Sea Bears.

“I’m excited to be back with the team and to help them make a playoff push for the best fans in the CEBL,” said Ingo. “I’m going to bring defence and energy every time I step onto the floor.”

Ingo joins the Sea Bears ahead of a five-game stretch of Western Conference matchups to close out the club’s regular-season campaign. After wrapping up a home-and-home series with the Bandits Thursday night in Vancouver, the team will return home to face the Rattlers on Saturday, July 20. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets.

###

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

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Winnipeg Sea Bears release forward Shane Osayande

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 19:00:01 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears have released forward Shane Osayande.

The team is grateful for Osayande’s contributions to the club on the floor and in the community for the past two years.

"We thank Shane for his work over the last two summers and appreciate his help in establishing the Sea Bears organization. We wish Shane all the best for his future," said head coach and general manager Mike Taylor.

"We are looking for every opportunity to improve our team and help our playoff chances."

The team is back in action this Thursday, July 18 in Vancouver. Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. CT.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

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X: @680CJOB

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears Fall to Bandits in Tight Next-Basket-Wins Contest

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 05:39:45 GMT

By Dillon White, CEBL

The Vancouver Bandits emerged victorious in a back-and-forth nailbiter against the Winnipeg Sea Bears at Canada Life Centre on Saturday.

Justin Wright-Foreman, the league’s top scorer, paced the Sea Bears’ offence with 31 points and a game-high seven assists on 11-19 shooting.

Emmanuel Akot contributed 18 points in a starting role, while Scottie Lindsey made big plays down the stretch and finished with 17. Lindsey said it was the defence late in the game that made the difference on Saturday.

“Little details are super important at that time of the game – especially if it’s a one-point game or two-point game – we just have to be more sharp,” Lindsey said.

Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson was the only other Winnipeg player to hit double figures with 15 points off the bench, all coming in the first half.

Despite the loss, Sea Bears head coach Mike Taylor was proud of the effort and competitiveness.

“There's a lot of little details we can clean up, but at the end of the day, we had possession with a chance to win,” Taylor said.

In just his second game of the season, Bandits forward Mitch Creek was a nuisance inside and led the team to a 102-99 triumph with 31 points and eight rebounds. He said the Vancouver ball movement played a big factor in the win.

“You just try and play the game the right way. I'm not trying to mix it up too much … just trying to be a little bit smarter than everyone else, and then allow my teammates to get some great looks as well,” Creek said.

With Tazé Moore out for the contest and Koby McEwen also leaving the game early, Nick Ward and Diego Maffia stepped up for Vancouver.

Ward’s 22 points on 10-12 shooting allowed him to surpass current Sea Bear Alex Campbell for the Bandits’ all-time regular-season points record.

Meanwhile, Maffia was scorching hot from beyond the arc, netting 14 points on 5-7 shooting from the floor and 4-6 from three to go along with six assists.

“That’s standard Diego. Unfortunately, he doesn't get as many minutes as he could on our team, but, he does that all the time,” Bandits head coach Kyle Julius said.

Despite an off night, Zach Copeland managed 12 points and eight rebounds, in addition to the Target Score winner.

“I thought that our guys just stayed poised and we were pretty focused during Target [Score] Time,” Julius said.

Vancouver controlled the early stages of the game and didn’t trail during the first quarter. Creek and McEwen led the way for the Bandits’ offence early, and a Copeland turnaround jumper gave the squad a 10-point advantage.

However, Ogungbemi-Jackson caught fire after missing just his second free throw of the season. The hometown hero got going from the mid-range before knocking down a contested three. Ward closed out the frame playing bully ball and provided the Bandits with a 30-23 lead after one.

Wright-Foreman heated up in the second quarter and closed the gap to just two points with a triple. Ogungbemi-Jackson tied it with a lefty finish to force a Julius timeout. Another three shortly after from Wright-Foreman gave Winnipeg its first lead of the night.

After going back and forth for several possessions, Wright-Foreman knocked down another triple, this time with contact, to complete a four-point play. Vancouver pulled even again late in the half, but Ogungbemi-Jackson and Wright-Foreman connected on back-to-back trifectas to head into the locker room with a 54-48 lead.

Overall, Winnipeg hit seven threes in the opening 20 minutes. McEwen’s pair of contested jumpers from beyond the arc in the first quarter were the only threes of the half for Vancouver. The Bandits shot 54 per cent from the field overall, but just 20 per cent from long range. Vancouver also turned the ball over nine times in the first half, while Winnipeg was careful in possession and didn’t record a turnover.

After a cold start, Lindsey kicked off the third quarter with another four-point play for Winnipeg to extend the lead to double digits.

The Bandits stayed resilient and went to work inside with Creek and Ward, who helped Vancouver tie the contest at 68 after a 16-6 run. Maffia also caught fire for the Bandits and connected on three trifectas to power the team to a 77-73 lead after 30 minutes.

Creek was impossible to stop inside early in the fourth and after missing a few jumpers, he added an open three. The Bandits led 92-83 in the final frame and looked poised to take an advantage into Target Score Time, but a pair of clutch Lindsey triples helped Winnipeg even the score at 92 before the final stretch.

To begin Target Score Time, Creek scored in transition to give the Bandits the advantage. Simon Hildebrandt was fouled on a three and made a pair of free throws before an unsportsmanlike foul on Ward gave Winnipeg another two shots and the ball.

The Sea Bears came away with one point from the charity stripe and Maffia answered with another clutch three for Vancouver. The two sides traded buckets until the game was tied at 99 with Vancouver in possession.

A failed pass into the high post and a lengthy video review gave the Sea Bears the basketball with a chance to win, but Wright-Foreman couldn’t get the roll on a layup. Copeland came back the other way with a contested three to end it.

Vancouver improves to 11-5 and return to first place in the Western Conference standings, while Winnipeg drops to 7-8 in fourth place.

The Bandits and Sea Bears will wrap up this home-and-home series on Thursday at 7 p.m. PT at Langley Events Centre.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

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Sea Bears and Bandits Jostle for Playoff Positioning in First Leg of Home-and-Home

Sat, 13 Jul 2024 14:06:56 GMT

By Dillon White, CEBL

A pair of Western Conference squads will look to get back in the win column on Saturday night in a star-studded showdown.

The fourth-place Winnipeg Sea Bears (7-7) will host the second-place Vancouver Bandits (10-5) at Canada Life Centre in the first half of a home-and-home.

The game is set for 7:30 p.m. CDT. Tickets are still available at seabears.ca/tickets.

The host Sea Bears look to push above .500 and return to form after back-to-back losses. Prior to a 96-84 defeat against Saskatchewan on Thursday and an 80-73 loss to Montréal last Friday, Winnipeg found itself on a four-game winning streak.

One of those victories came against the Bandits, who enter Saturday’s contest teeter-tottering between wins and losses for the past seven games. Vancouver dropped a close contest with Calgary on Thursday after a decisive win over the Rattlers on Sunday.

The Bandits’ top-ranked offence and defence (in points per game) proved its worth in the 99-70 rout of Saskatchewan. However, Vancouver had to crawl back from 17 down in the second quarter and seven down in Target Score Time against Calgary only to see the comebacks squandered by a Jordy Tshimanga winner.

After the game, Bandits head coach Kyle Julius said the team’s performance was “not good.” The Vancouver bench boss will look for another bounce-back win in the third matchup with Winnipeg this season.

In the wake of the last meeting with Sea Bears on June 19, Julius cited a flat performance as part of the reason for an 88-84 loss.

Winnipeg star Justin Wright-Foreman went off for 32 points in that contest, including a deep game-winning three at Canada Life Centre. The Sea Bears limited each Vancouver player to less than 20 points, a far cry from the first meeting of the season at Langley Events Centre.

Wright-Foreman, the league’s top scorer in points per game, was tough to deal with in that contest, combining with then-Sea Bear Teddy Allen for 53 points. However, Vancouver’s stars came to play as well with Koby McEwen, Nick Ward and Tazé Moore putting together 73 points to lift the Bandits to a 112-91 victory.

Moore led the way with a triple-double that included 35 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists. The Bandits’ star has showcased his all-around game throughout the campaign and already has one of the most impressive regular seasons in CEBL history. He recently joined former Rattler Tony Carr as the second player in league history to tally 100 rebounds and 100 assists in the same regular season. Moore also has a chance to break Carr’s single-season assist record of 110 on Saturday with four more helpers.

A pair of new faces will look to make an impact on the season series between the Sea Bears and Bandits.

NBA-experienced Aussie Mitch Creek made his debut with Vancouver against Saskatchewan and netted 24 points to go along with seven rebounds. Creek will look to keep the offence flowing on Saturday as Winnipeg gets to defend him for the first time.

The Bandits will also have to deal with sharpshooting Scottie Lindsey for the first time this season. Lindsey has complemented Wright-Foreman with 13.3 points per game in four outings.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

X: @680CJOB

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears fall 96-84 to Rattlers

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 04:34:12 GMT

By Zulfi Sheikh, CEBL

The Saskatchewan Rattlers (6-9) finally tasted victory again after a month of losses as they picked up a 96-84 win over the Winnipeg Sea Bears (7-7) on Thursday night.

The Rattlers may still be fifth in the West despite the win, but as they snapped a seven-game losing streak they remain within striking distance. Teddy Allen led the charge as he finished with 21 points against his former squad, hitting five threes on a 41 per cent clip while racking up five rebounds and six assists. Emmanuel Bandoumel and Cody John also chipped in with 19 and 18 points, respectively.

It was an especially notable victory for John, as the CEBL veteran surpassed 600 career points all-time (regular season + playoffs) with a three in the fourth quarter before eventually making the game-winning basketball.

“It was an amazing feeling,” John said after the milestone performance. “This was our best win as a team, and we have to carry it forward.”

For the Sea Bears, the defeat marked a second consecutive loss as they gave up more ground to the Calgary Surge, who moved ahead of Winnipeg after their victory Thursday night, and Rattlers who narrowly sit behind Winnipeg in the West standings.

Justin Wright-Foreman returned to form despite the loss as he finished with a game-high 31 points on 55 and 62 per cent shooting from the field and distance to go with seven assists. Scottie Lindsey and Emmanuel Akot off the bench were Winnipeg’s only other double-digit scorers as they chipped in with 17 and 13 points each.

The biggest question entering the contest was which of Allen and Wright-Foreman was going to strike first in the heavyweight matchup, and to the surprise of everyone in attendance at the SaskTel Centre, it was neither of them. Emmanuel Bandoumel took the honour of throwing the game’s first punch as he scored eight points and went 2-for-2 from beyond the arc in the opening quarter.

He spearheaded a 20-6 run that was as close to an early knockout blow as the home crowd could’ve asked for.

Offensively, it was one of Saskatchewan’s strongest quarters all season as it shot 61 per cent from the field and hit five threes on a 50 per cent clip. Meanwhile, the Sea Bears offence which ranked fourth in the CEBL, was held to 31 per cent shooting and just one made three on seven attempts (14 per cent) as they trailed 31-15 after the first quarter.

“We dug ourselves into a hole,” Winnipeg head coach Mike Taylor said postgame. “We didn’t come out with the defensive intensity that we needed … those extra opportunities gave the Rattlers a lead.”

Allen did get involved throughout the second as he hit three triples in the frame, subsequently leading to a game-high 16 points to go with four rebounds and four assists at halftime. His effort kept the Rattlers offence red-hot as they shot 46 per cent from the field and 45 per cent from distance to lead 52-31 at the break.

“It just felt good to win with this group,” Allen said after the victory. “There’s always those rubbing it in vibes with your old team, but that’s the competitor I am, and they know I’ll be competitive but it’s all in the spirit of the game and they know I have love for them.”

Meanwhile, Winnipeg’s offence kept sputtering as it shot 34 per cent from the field in the first half and hit one triple on 12 attempts. It didn’t help that the Sea Bears also got outworked on the glass, giving up 30 rebounds (-13) through the game’s first 20 minutes – subsequently eliminating opportunities to generate extra possessions necessary for a comeback.

Coming out of halftime, the Sea Bears were gifted an opening as Allen picked up a fourth foul less than two minutes into the third quarter, forcing him to watch from the sideline. With the league MVP relegated to the bench for the remainder of the frame, Winnipeg did its best to cut down the deficit.

Wright-Foreman made sure to do his part, hitting three consecutive threes as part of a 13-point frame. The 2023 scoring champ’s offensive outburst helped Saskatchewan cut what was once a 23-point deficit down to 70-58 before the final frame.

“We fought back,” Taylor said when asked about his team’s effort late in the game. “I liked our effort in the third quarter, we played with a better pace … but these games are so competitive you have to start strong.”

And although the Sea Bears cut the lead down to as low as 10 points in the fourth quarter, they couldn’t get the necessary stops to bring it any closer.

Saskatchewan took an 87-75 lead into Target Score Time and made quick work of the stoppage frame. Allen scored five of the nine necessary points, James Montgomery knocked down a pair of free throws and then John got a game-sealing transition layup to fall.

What was most impressive for the Rattlers as they snapped the longest active losing streak in the CEBL was their production on the glass. Saskatchewan racked up 51 rebounds in the game and were plus-eight on offensive boards. The Rattlers 18 offensive rebounds were well above the 9.6 they usually average and it generated 10 more shot attempts for them compared to the Sea Bears.

UP NEXT

The Sea Bears head back to Winnipeg, taking on the Vancouver Bandits on Saturday for the first of back-to-back matchups.

For the Rattlers, they continue a three-game homestand on Sunday by taking on the Calgary Surge.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

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Familiar Faces Meet as Sea Bears Visit Rival Rattlers

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 14:54:27 GMT

By Zulfi Sheikh

The Winnipeg Sea Bears visit the Saskatchewan Rattlers on Thursday for the third of four matchups between the conference rivals this season.

Live coverage from SaskTel Centre begins at 7:30 p.m. CST / 8:30 p.m. CDT ET on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

It’s one thing for two Western Conference rivals to face off yet again. It’s another when both squads are being led by familiar faces turned foes. When Winnipeg and Saskatchewan went head-to-head a year ago, the two squads were led by MVP Teddy Allen and runner-up Justin Wright-Foreman -- and although that remains true, the two American guards have now switched sides.

Wright-Foreman signed with the Sea Bears mid-way through the 2024 season, and a couple games into his arrival, Allen was released and subsequently picked up by the Rattlers. Now, two of the most prolific scorers in league history face off yet again, this time donning what they once considered enemy colours.

For the Sea Bears, things have been trending in an upward direction since the switch-up. Winnipeg had won four games in a row, earning third place in the West, before losing their most-recent contest to the Montréal Alliance.

On Friday, the Sea Bears suffered a seven-point loss to the bottom-of-the-East Alliance, and although they might have been averaging 91.5 points per game entering the night, they managed only 73 points, a season low.

The Sea Bears shot a lowly 36 per cent from the field and 19 per cent from beyond the arc against the Alliance. It also didn’t help that Winnipeg gave the ball up 17 times for 30 points off said turnovers (plus-17).

Meanwhile, the Rattlers are also coming off a season-low scoring performance. But for them, a 99-70 loss to the West-leading Vancouver Bandits also marked a seventh consecutive defeat, putting them on the verge of the longest skid of any team this season.

Against the Bandits, it was the Rattlers’ scoring production that wasn’t able to keep up. Defensively, they did a serviceable job holding the league’s top offence (93.1 points per game) to 41 per cent from the field and a modest 35 per cent from distance. But Saskatchewan was far behind as they shot 31 per cent from the field and hit just six threes (minus-six) on a 21 per cent clip. And like the Sea Bears in their last game, the Rattlers did themselves no favours by turning the ball over 21 times for 21 points off said giveaways.

It comes as no surprise that the two players to watch in this contest are Allen and Wright-Foreman.

The reigning MVP still has plenty to prove. His addition hasn’t snapped the Rattlers’ losing streak, and although the guard is leading the league in scoring (26.4 points per game, tied with Wright-Foreman), Saskatchewan will want to see that individual success translate into wins sooner rather than later.

In his two games with the Rattlers, Allen has averaged 19.5 points, but his efficiency has left plenty to be desired, shooting an average of 24.5 per cent from the field in that span. He’ll have to hope the added boost of facing his old team for the first time since his release will be enough motivation to get Saskatchewan back in the win column.

For Wright-Foreman, it’ll be a true reunion with his old squad. He returns to SaskTel Centre for the first time since leading the Rattlers and CEBL in scoring last season (29.2 points per game) with the added incentive of earning his new squad a win with vital playoff seeding implications. Calgary sits half a game behind Winnipeg for the West’s third seed, and with the closing stretch of the regular season around the corner, every in-conference matchup has the potential to shake up the standings.

The guard also needs a bounce back after his scorching stretch of play came to a screeching halt against Montréal. Wright-Foreman scored over 30 points in three of the Sea Bears’ four consecutive wins, averaging 29.5 points per game in that span, but scored just 16 points on six-of-22 shooting (27 per cent) in their loss to the Alliance.

If the Sea Bears are going to take advantage of the fact that the Rattlers give up the third-most points in the league (93.6), they’ll need Wright-Foreman to look like the player who was on pace to lead the CEBL in scoring for a second consecutive season.

Stakes couldn’t be any higher with both squads tied at one win apiece this season. A win on Thursday would put the victor a step closer to owning a potential tiebreaker should playoff seeding come to that.

Saskatchewan took the first matchup (94-86), whereas Winnipeg won a month later (103-101).

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

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Alliance Battle Back to Snap Sea Bears’ Win Streak

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 05:42:09 GMT

By Myles Dichter

Two streaks were snapped on Friday in Montreal.

The Alliance beat the Sea Bears 80-73 at Verdun Auditorium to erase a five-game win drought, while Winnipeg suffered their first loss in five contests.

Montreal improves to 4-10 with its first victory since June 16, while Winnipeg falls to 7-6 after its first defeat since the same date.

Winnipeg now finds itself in a tight race to book a return visit to Montreal amid the loaded Western Conference, as both Calgary and Saskatchewan lurk .

The Sea Bears, whose winning streak came fully at home, dropped to 1-5 on the road with Friday’s loss.

“We’ve played several games in a row at home and we knew that Montreal has a great environment here in Verdun Auditorium with great fans, great support and lots of energy,” head coach Mike Taylor said. “We knew the [Alliance] would be really motivated after some of the slow results lately, so we expected the team to jump on us, and they did.”

Two nights after going off for 34 points, Justin Wright-Foreman managed just 16 on six-for-22 shooting. Emmanuel Akot and Mason Bourcier added 15 and 13 points, respectively, off the bench.

Wright-Foreman expressed frustration with the officiating but said blame for the loss ultimately lay with the team.

“I feel like we just missed shots. I feel like we just weren’t in rhythm to start the game and, again, I don’t want to say it was this fault or that fault. It was mostly our fault because we dug ourselves that hole,” he said. “We’re the ones that control our emotions. We can control some of the things that we can personally do with our talent, so I just feel like we didn’t do that today and all the outside stuff got to us.”

The next task for the Sea Bears is to begin a new winning streak – and, eventually, get back to Montreal.

“We want to build on this,” Alliance guard Ahmed Hill, who scored a game-high 31 points, said. “We just went 0-5 so now we can try to get 5-0. We just want to build, have a lot of confidence, have our fans come in here and we just want to light it up on (August) 9.”

On the court on which Championship Weekend will be held, Montreal and Winnipeg provided a back-and-forth battle in which both teams saw leads evaporate.

The Alliance led by as many as 15 points in the first quarter and held a 32-18 advantage at the end of 10 minutes.

Ever so slowly, though, the Sea Bears chipped away, narrowing the gap to nine points at halftime and, on the back of their stingy defence, took a lead of their own into the fourth quarter.

Winnipeg stretched their advantage as large as six, but Montreal responded right back to go up 71-68 in Target Score Time.

“Our main thing was to just stay poised and not get rattled, because that’s when things start to snowball,” Hill said.

Alliance guard Jordan Bowden showed that poise not long after, faking a dribble handoff above the arc and diving to the basket for the winning layup.

For Montreal, whose last five losses were decided by eight points or less – including a one-point defeat against Ottawa on Thursday — the victory may have provided reassurances that they can close out tight games.

“We fought, which was great. Coming off a back-to-back with a team sitting here waiting for us, having scouted us really well - to come out and compete like that, it’s impressive,” Alliance head coach Derrick Alston Sr. said.

Bowden, Montreal’s leading scorer for the season, took a step back in this game and acted as more of a distributor with six points, six rebounds and eight assists.

Instead, it was Hill who made six of his nine three-pointers to pace Montreal. But Alston Sr. said Hill’s biggest contribution may have been off the court.

“All week he’s just been so positive, and in the locker room today he was amazing, just the way he was talking in the huddles, not letting the guys get down on themselves and basically refusing to lose,” he said.”

Forward Chris Smith added 18 points on the strength of 11 free throw attempts, of which he converted nine.

Despite sitting last in the Eastern Conference, the Alliance already know they’ll be in the semifinals playing at home as hosts of Championship Weekend.

A win over the surging Sea Bears may provide confidence that that automatic spot is more than just a courtesy.

Both teams are back in action on Thursday when Winnipeg visits former teammate Teddy Allen and the Saskatchewan Rattlers, while Montreal heads to play the East-leading Niagara River Lions.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

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Red-Hot Sea Bears Seek Fifth Straight Win in Visit to Montreal

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 14:33:29 GMT

By Myles Dichter

Winnipeg is set to make its only visit of the regular season to Montreal. The idea is to, eventually, schedule a return for Championship Weekend in August.

The Sea Bears and Alliance clash in their lone game of the season on Friday at 7 p.m. CT at Verdun Auditorium. Live streaming coverage is available on CEBL+, TSN+, RDS.ca and the RDS App.

It’s a battle of two teams heading in opposite directions. The Sea Bears have won four straight games, while the Alliance have dropped five in a row.

Yet, due to Montreal’s automatic semifinal spot as host of Championship Weekend, there’s a chance Friday’s tilt could also represent a CEBL Final preview.

At 7-5, Winnipeg sits third in the Western Conference, two games back of first-place Vancouver.

Their recent resurgence has been fueled by major roster changes, with reigning MVP Teddy Allen waived and replaced by Justin Wright-Foreman, whose point-per-game average is nearly identical to Allen’s at just over 28.

The Sea Bears also released ex-NBA player Byron Mullens and brought in G League champion Noah Starkey, who saw 16 minutes of action in his CEBL debut on Wednesday.

Winnipeg’s winning streak hasn’t come easily, with a pair of double-digit comebacks mixed in with its most recent triumph over Edmonton in which it surrendered a 16-point lead before fighting back in Target Score Time to eke out the one-point victory.

All of those games came with the comfort of being home, too. The Sea Bears are just 1-4 away from Canada Life Centre.

“To really ensure we keep climbing up the standings, we need to get more wins on the road, and that’s the next challenge for our guys,” head coach Mike Taylor said after the win over Edmonton.

The challenge in Montreal, meanwhile, is to keep focused on the regular season, even knowing they’re automatically one win away from the Finals.

Alliance head coach Derrick Alston Sr. admitted after a recent loss that that knowledge could be affecting his team’s mindset.

“Just trying to find a way to keep them motivated,” he said. “I know a few guys in the locker room are a little nervous right now. Because at the end of the day, it’s a job, and if you don’t do your job, change is coming. That’s from me all the way down to the last guy on the bench.”

Still, Alston Sr.’s team has been right in games – none of the losses during this skid have come by more than eight points, and Thursday’s setback against BlackJacks saw the Alliance come within a bucket of the win before Ottawa’s Lloyd Pandi ended the game.

Montreal seems close to snapping its drought – but a tough foe in Winnipeg awaits.

As Wright-Foreman goes, the Sea Bears tend to follow.

In their most recent game, a 10-0 run surrendered just before Target Score Time came as the American started forcing shots and turning the ball over.

But it was also the league’s scoring leader who settled down after the clock turned off and hit three clutch free throws to push the Sea Bears past their rival Stingers.

Another steady game from Wright-Foreman could nudge him further into MVP consideration.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

X: @680CJOB

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears to Partner With Buckets & Borders, Payworks for Grand Opening of New Downtown Court Sunday

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 17:51:04 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears are proud to partner with Buckets & Borders and Payworks to debut a new outdoor court space at the corner of Donald St. and River Ave. in a grand opening ceremony this Sunday, July 7 at 11 a.m. In addition to unveiling the new court, the four-hour event will feature free youth programming, all-ages basketball contests, food, giveaways, a live DJ and more.

Initially announced in April, the restoration project includes the addition of an entirely new court alongside a refurbishment of the space’s existing court with new backboards, stanchions and rims.

Dubbed “the Mayfair Project,” the initiative represents one step in the Sea Bears’ commitment to enhancing basketball in the Winnipeg community ahead of hosting CEBL Championship Weekend, a weekend-long celebration of the sport, in Summer 2025.

See the full agenda for the grand opening below:

11:00 a.m. – Opening Ceremony, Free Youth Programming

12:00 p.m. – Live DJ, Food, Basketball Festival Commences

12:30 p.m. – Three-Point and Two-Ball Competition, Giveaways

2:00 p.m. – Local All-Star Game

“We’re honoured to have the opportunity to get more kids into the game of basketball and provide safer spaces for them to learn, grow and play,” said Sea Bears President Jason Smith. “We’re looking forward to bringing the Sea Bears out to the Mayfair court and connecting with youth at these great community spaces.”

“Buckets & Borders’ mandate is to improve communities and bring people together through basketball,” said Justin Lee, the organization’s CEO and co-founder. “We're grateful to work with leading community-minded organizations like the Winnipeg Sea Bears and Payworks to bring this two-court restoration to life. The Mayfair courts encompass the love for the game of basketball in Winnipeg and will be a space for youth to play and be introduced to the game for years to come."

“Payworks is thrilled to participate in The Mayfair Project and honoured to give back to the city we’ve called home for almost 25 years,” said Payworks President and CEO JP Perron. “The Mayfair Project will bring far more to the neighbourhood than just beautiful basketball courts. This shared space will have its own sense of community, where all are welcome to gather, grow and be inspired. We look forward to The Mayfair Project being a space that motivates and encourages those that use it to take chances and – most of all – have a lot of fun in doing so.”

The project was made possible in part by funding from the provincial government.

The Sea Bears look forward to connecting with the community at the event to celebrate the opening of the new shared space.

The team will play their next home game when they host the Vancouver Bandits for a 7:30 p.m. CT matchup on Saturday, July 13. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets.

###

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 20-game regular season schedule. In the team’s inaugural season, it placed second in the Western Conference and set new records for CEBL attendance on three occasions. The organization became the first in CEBL history to win four major awards: MVP (Teddy Allen), Sixth Man of the Year (Jelani Watson-Gayle), U SPORTS Player of the Year (Simon Hildebrandt) and Coach of the Year. The front office subsequently was awarded the 2023 CEBL Franchise of the Year. Winnipeg lawyer and businessman David Asper is the organization's owner and chairman.

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

X: @680CJOB

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears Fend Off Stingers’ Comeback Attempt for Fourth Straight Win

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 04:47:38 GMT

By Myles Dichter

The Sea Bears surrendered a 16-point lead and trailed heading into Target Score Time, but came back to earn a home victory over the Edmonton Stingers for the first time in franchise history in a 102-101 thriller at Canada Life Centre on Wednesday.

It marks the third come-from-behind victory in a four-game winning streak for Winnipeg, who now sit at 7-5 and in sole possession of third place in the West following Calgary’s loss to Brampton earlier today.

“We’ve had three outstanding comebacks. We played really well for a majority of the game tonight, but give Edmonton credit. You could see why they’re really good on the road and successful. They play really well together,” Sea Bears head coach Mike Taylor said. “But again, our guys stepped up and found a way to win. And it doesn’t have to be pretty. They just find a way to win and I’m really proud of the team.”

After controlling play for about 35 minutes, Winnipeg held a 90-83 lead as Target Score Time came within sight. But a sudden 10-0 Stingers run turned the tables on the game and put the Sea Bears on the ropes.

Winnipeg hung tough after the clock turned off, but Edmonton still gave themselves two chances to put the game away with a single point after taking a 101-99 lead.

First, the Stingers’ Trey McGowens stepped out of bounds, turning the ball over. Edmonton then intentionally fouled, ensuring the Sea Bears could not win with a three-pointer.

But Edmonton’s strategy backfired when Justin Wright-Foreman made both attempts before the Stingers turned the ball over a second time, this time on an errant pass by McGowens.

Wright-Foreman drew a shooting foul on the Sea Bears’ ensuing possession, made the first free throw, and the Sea Bears escaped with the dramatic win.

“We just had mental lapses. I think that’s our Achilles’ heel. Sometimes on the court … we don’t think, which is sometimes a good and a bad thing and we put ourselves in tough spots sometimes,” Wright-Foreman said.

“But as you can see during [Target Score Time], all of that goes out the window. And that’s when the real ‘not thinking’ happens and we just play.”

Winnipeg’s victory, in some ways, was an encapsulation of a season which has seen the team release reigning MVP Teddy Allen and more recently NBA veteran Byron Mullens.

After their 3-1 start to the campaign, the Sea Bears suffered a four-game losing streak – only to respond now with four straight victories.

“We made a lot of progress in the last four games. We’re kind of using the adversity that we’ve been through to redefine ourselves and it’s really about team,” Taylor said.

“There were a lot of tough times, and we will not defend it. We had a lot of in-fighting for that four-game stretch, but we made some strong organizational decisions. We’ve got a team that’s really connected and together now and I just couldn’t be prouder of us.”

Wright-Foreman led the Sea Bears with 34 points to go with five assists and five rebounds.

Centre Noah Starkey, who won the G League championship as a member of the Oklahoma City Blue, debuted for the Sea Bears and played 16 minutes off the bench, scoring one point and adding three rebounds.

Winnipeg’s Alex Campbell connected on four triples, surpassing 200 for his career, including playoffs. The Brampton, Ont., product finished with 12 points, leaving him four shy of 1,000 for his regular-season career.

“We come in every day, and we put the work in and that’s just one example,” Wright-Foreman said. “So, we just come in, be tough every day, and that’s who we are.”

Edmonton, meanwhile, falls to 9-4 and out of a first-place tie with Vancouver in the stacked Western Conference.

McGowens paced the Stingers with 27 points and six rebounds while chipping in four assists. But after setting the CEBL record with 10 three-pointers in his last game, Stingers guard Elijah Miller failed to make a single one as he was held to just two points.

“We dug ourselves in a hole. We fought back hard, though, and we really came together, and then it just came down to those last two turnovers at the end. We felt like we kind of over-passed at the end. But we learn from it. We got a little room, so we’ll be better,” McGowens said.

The loss marked Edmonton’s first road defeat of the season. Stingers head coach Jordan Baker said that his team ultimately put itself into too big a rut over the first three quarters of the game.

“Credit to our guys for showing some character and no quit, but we need to be tighter in the first 30 minutes to make it so we don’t have to battle back so much,” he said.

The first half featured plenty of offence as the Sea Bears made 50 per cent of their shots, including an eight-for-17 mark from deep that was punctuated by Wright-Foreman’s second-quarter buzzer-beater to put Winnipeg up nine at halftime.

Winnipeg increased its field-goal percentage in the second half, but was outdone by Edmonton’s 73 per cent mark from within the arc. However, the fast-paced game also meant plenty of turnovers, with Winnipeg coughing the ball up 17 times and Edmonton 16 times.

In the end, it was those empty possessions that cost Edmonton.

And Winnipeg, like it has so often recently, battled adversity to leave with a win.

Both teams are back in action on Friday as Edmonton begins a three-game homestand when it hosts Vancouver, while Winnipeg pays a visit to Montreal.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

X: @680CJOB

Instagram: wpgseabears

Resurgent Sea Bears Set to Collide With Stingers in Winnipeg

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 14:46:16 GMT

By Myles Dichter

Two of the hottest teams in the CEBL are set to square off in Winnipeg.

The Winnipeg Sea Bears, winners of three straight at 6-5, will host the Edmonton Stingers, who have won five of their last six games, tonight at Canada Life Centre at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available at seabears.ca/tickets.

Every game in the loaded Western Conference has come with a sense of urgency and stakes this season – and Wednesday’s contest is no different as the Sea Bears put their 5-1 home record to the test against the Stingers’ 6-0 road mark.

Winnipeg has surged since its major mid-season move when the team signed Justin Wright-Foreman and days later released reigning MVP Teddy Allen.

In five games, Wright-Foreman has transformed the Sea Bears by nearly matching Allen’s point production (Wright-Foreman is at 27 points per game, while Allen was at 28.1) and adding 7.2 assists per game to boot.

The American set a CEBL record with 16 dimes to vault the Sea Bears over Niagara in the team’s most recent game. He is also averaging a league-leading 36.4 minutes per game.

Despite their recent success, though, Winnipeg is still tied for third in the Western Conference. What’s more, the fifth-place Saskatchewan Rattlers, who sit just 1.5 games back of the Sea Bears, signed Allen on Tuesday.

It means every contest is critical for the Sea Bears, who will face their ex-teammate twice over their final nine games.

Edmonton, meanwhile, is tied atop the West with Vancouver at 9-3 after both teams earned victories on Canada Day.

With a bye to the West final available to the regular-season conference champion, the battle atop the table is nearly as important as the one for the final playoff spot.

Where Wright-Foreman often shoulders much of the scoring load for Winnipeg, the Stingers’ scoring depth can make it difficult to predict who will lead the charge on a given night.

On Monday, it was Elijah Miller going off for 30 points to beat a short-handed Rattlers team, but Miller isn’t even among the team’s top five scorers. No player on the team averages 30 or more minutes per game, either.

Winnipeg and Edmonton are ranked third and fourth, respectively, in points per game. But the Stingers are the third-stingiest team in the league on defence, surrendering only 86 points per contest. The Sea Bears have had their struggles on that end of the floor, allowing 10 more points per game, the worst mark in the league.

Stingers guard Elijah Miller had made 14 three-pointers in 11 games before Monday.

He nearly doubled that total in a win over the Rattlers, connecting on a CEBL-record 10 triples on just 12 attempts.

Miller, a Rexdale, Ont. product, is now shooting 49 per cent from beyond the arc for the season. He could come out shooting in his first contest since setting the record.

For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets. Live broadcast coverage is available on Game+, while you can stream the game on CEBL+ and TSN+.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

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Sea Bears Ink NBA G League-Champion Centre Noah Starkey

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 18:34:48 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday the signing of 6-11 American centre Noah Starkey. The 27-year-old product of Hutchinson, Kan. joins the team after averaging 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds through a 22-game championship run with the NBA G League’s Oklahoma City Blue this season.

A five-season professional veteran, Starkey began his career with three seasons of FIBA play in Portugal, Montenegro and Germany before returning to his home country to play his most recent two campaigns in the G League.

Starkey will join the Sea Bears for the team's home matchup with the Edmonton Stingers tomorrow night at 7 p.m.

Starkey was named Great Athletic Conference Defender of the Year in both of his final two seasons at Southern Nazarene University, an NCAA DII program in Bethany, Okla. As a true senior in 2018-19, he posted career-best averages of 15.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, also setting the Crimson Storm’s single-season block record with 67 on the year.

“Noah is a big, physical centre who plays hard and does traditional big man things,” said Mike Taylor, the Sea Bears’ head coach and general manager. “Noah helped the OKC Blue to win the G League Championship this season with his steady, team-oriented, blue-collar style of play. We’re excited to add Noah to our big man rotation and believe he will make a positive impact in the paint on both ends.”

“I’m excited to join the team and get to work,” said Starkey. “Winnipeg is a great organization with passionate fans, and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.”

In 2019-20, Starkey joined Portugal’s FC Porto for his first professional campaign. In eight contests for the club, he made two starts and averaged 7.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He completed another eight-game stint the following year with KK Lovćen 1947 in Montenegro, starting three games and posting averages of 10.0 points and 6.0 rebounds.

The 2021-22 season was Starkey’s longest as a pro, as he suited up in 29 games with the Kirchheim Knights of Germany’s second-tier Pro A league. There, he averaged 7.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game.

Starkey was selected by the Oklahoma City Blue with the 12th pick in the second round of the 2022 G League Draft. Splitting time that year between the Blue and the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the Indiana Pacers’ G League affiliate, he averaged 5.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 27 games.

Returning to the Blue this season, Starkey helped the team to its first-ever G League title in a finals victory over the Maine Celtics. In his nine starts on the season, he averaged 11.1 points per game and recorded three double-doubles, including a dominant performance of 20 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Jan. 10.

“I think I can help the team by playing to my identity and by working to make that fit with the success the team has had already,” Starkey remarked.

The Sea Bears’ release of Byron Mullens on June 28 paved the way for the signing of Starkey, who will fill the team’s third and final American roster spot. The import trio of Justin Wright-Foreman, Scottie Lindsey and Starkey have all been added to the roster since the beginning of the season in May.

The Sea Bears will conclude their current homestand when they host the Edmonton Stingers for a 7 p.m. CT matchup on Wednesday, July 3. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets.

###

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 20-game regular season schedule. In the team’s inaugural season, it placed second in the Western Conference and set new records for CEBL attendance on three occasions. The organization became the first in CEBL history to win four major awards: MVP (Teddy Allen), Sixth Man of the Year (Jelani Watson-Gayle), U SPORTS Player of the Year (Simon Hildebrandt) and Coach of the Year. The front office subsequently was awarded the 2023 CEBL Franchise of the Year. r is the organization's owner and chairman.

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

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Sea Bears release centre Byron Mullens

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 16:00:01 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday the release of centre Byron Mullens. Mullens has averaged 7.7 points in 18.2 minutes of play per game this season.

Following positive internal discussions, Mullens has chosen to pursue opportunities in the Asian market where he is in contract talks with several teams.

“We have agreed to release Byron for him to meet personally with teams and have the flexibility to travel overseas to achieve his goal. Byron was outstanding with our young players and I enjoyed working with him in Winnipeg,” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor.

“We appreciate Byron helping our team this season and we wish him success in locking down his next contract and into the future.”

The Sea Bears are next in action Wednesday, July 3 at Canada Life Centre when they take on the Edmonton Stingers. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets .

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 20-game regular season schedule. In the team’s inaugural season, it placed second in the Western Conference and set new records for CEBL attendance on three occasions. The organization became the first in CEBL history to win four major awards: MVP (Teddy Allen), Sixth Man of the Year (Jelani Watson-Gayle), U SPORTS Player of the Year (Simon Hildebrandt) and Coach of the Year. The front office subsequently was awarded the 2023 CEBL Franchise of the Year. r is the organization's owner and chairman.

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

X: @680CJOB

Instagram: wpgseabears

Justin Wright-Foreman Sets CEBL Record in Sea Bears' 94-82 Win Over River Lions

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 04:11:44 GMT

By Kyle Ramnarine

Justin Wright-Foreman’s 22 points and CEBL single-game record 16 assists led the Winnipeg Sea Bears (6-5) to their third consecutive win with a decisive 94-82 victory over the Niagara River Lions (6-4) on Thursday night.

Wright-Foreman, who also had six rebounds in the win, waited until the picture-perfect moment to make history. Tied for the previous league record of 15 assists (Marek Klassen) and with Winnipeg one point away from the Target Score of 93, he dished the ball underneath to Emmanuel Akot who delivered the game-winning layup and a new league record for Wright-Foreman in dramatic fashion.

Despite his record and overall outstanding play, Wright-Foreman remained humble when asked about his performance against Niagara.

“I don’t know if I played my best game,” Wright-Foreman said. “I feel like I have areas where I need to improve. I’m proud of the records, but I’m more proud of my teammates for stepping up and helping me. In all ways, not just on the court, but just mentally and physically, whatever I need they’re there.”

“So, the 16 assists are because of them,” he added.

The Sea Bears improved to 5-1 at home and extended their winning streak to three as they were firing on all cylinders against the River Lions.

Just like in their previous game, Winnipeg’s bench also came up big, outscoring Niagara’s bench 48-21.

“I absolutely loved the game, because so many guys made solid contributions,” head coach Mike Taylor said about how important the bench is to the team. “The bench points are important, but it was the bench defence as well. I’m really pleased with the team effort - this was about as good a team effort as you can have, with five players in double figures.”

Despite being down by as much as eight early in the first, Winnipeg was able to find their footing and battle back to end the quarter leading 21-20.

The second quarter was all Winnipeg, as they shot 53 per cent from beyond the arc and outscored Niagara in bench points 30-4. The Sea Bears led 47-37 heading into the half.

“We expect contributions from everyone, and that’s just me holding everyone accountable as well,” Wright-Foreman said about the bench’s production. “We had big minutes from Chad and Akot … big, big contributions from Mason off the bench. We really appreciate them, and they did a great job today.”

Niagara couldn’t find an answer to Winnipeg, as the Sea Bears kept their pressure on throughout the second half and finished with a 94-82 victory.

Niagara head coach Victor Raso vocalized his disappointment after the game.

“I’m disappointed in our performance, honestly,” Raso said. “I kind of blame myself. I think I should’ve been a little harder on the guys. We had a tough injury week, but when we got out here, our approach wasn’t correct, and I’m upset with them for how we approached the game. But I blame myself more than them.”

The Winnipeg Sea Bears will look to extend their win streak to four when they host the Edmonton Stingers this Wednesday. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

X: @680CJOB

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears Set to Clash at Home Against East-Leading River Lions

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 14:37:44 GMT

By Kyle Ramnarine

The Winnipeg Sea Bears (5-5) host the Niagara River Lions (6-3) Thursday in a cross-conference class that tips off 7 p.m. tonight at Canada Life Centre.

The Sea Bears are looking to carry over the momentum from their 103-101 victory that saw them come back from 27 down against the Saskatchewan Rattlers.

Justin Wright-Foreman led the way for Winnipeg, continuing his hot start with the club with 30 points, four three-pointers and six assists.

The Sea Bears’ bench also came up huge for them in the victory against the Rattlers, outscoring Saskatchewan’s bench 40-16.

Winnipeg is looking for some revenge against the River Lions who walked away with a 101-94 victory on June 6.

The River Lions have been rolling this season, sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference with an undefeated record at home and riding a current two-game winning streak.

In their last game, they nearly relinquished an 18-point lead to the Montreal Alliance. However, it was the heroics of Aaryn Rai who knocked down some clutch free throws to secure the victory.

Jahvon Blair and Nathan Cayo combined for 42 points. Blair had 21 points, three assists and two rebounds, while Cayo had 21 points, four rebounds and two assists.

The River Lions bench also showed out in the win, outscoring the Alliance’s bench 35-12.

Two high-scoring guards in Blair and Wright-Foreman are set to go toe-to-toe.

Blair is currently averaging 19 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists for the River Lions, while Wright-Foreman is posting 28.3 points per game, 5.0 assists, and 2.8 rebounds for the Sea Bears.

Both guards are currently leading their respective teams in scoring per game, and they can flip the switch on offence when needed while also helping create for their teammates.

The game will also feature unique programming to celebrate Filipino Heritage Month. Tickets are still available at seabears.ca/tickets.

Live coverage is also available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. It will also be televised in Canada on Game+.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

X: @680CJOB

Instagram: wpgseabears

From PBA to Pro: Shawn Maranan Showing Hometown Tenacity Trumps All

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 14:00:00 GMT

By Cameron Johnsen

For as long as he can remember, Shawn Maranan has known that basketball is in his DNA.

The University of Winnipeg Wesmen star and Sea Bears guard has been around the game since he was a toddler. It’s a passion that was sparked and nurtured by his dad, who went from taking his son to the gym for men’s league games to coaching him as a young player in Winnipeg’s Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

“They taught me everything,” Maranan said of his parents. “My dad played in a bunch of men’s leagues, and he would always take me to the gym. It was with Filipino teams, too, so just growing up around the culture really got me to where I am today.”

Maranan’s parents immigrated to Canada from the Philippines, where basketball reigns supreme in popularity. The enthusiasm extends to Manitoba’s Filipino population of over 90,000 – the largest proportion of any province.

“Basketball is really in our blood,” he summarized.

Where many coach’s kids might have received special treatment, Maranan says his dad demanded discipline and accountability from his son. If anything, he was tougher on his son than the other kids.

“My dad was hard on me. Any time somebody else would make a mistake, he’d put that on me,” he remembered.

“That really helped me in the future – he really taught me how to win.”

At the PBA, the community gathered around basketball. The rowdy crowds of Canada Life Centre aren’t a new phenomenon for Maranan.

“I’m definitely used to big crowds. It was always a packed gym growing up,” he smiled.

Maranan’s ability on the court became apparent early on, as he would often hold his own against kids four or five years older than him playing in the PBA. The small kid who would dominate his bigger, older opponents with skill and intelligence, he became a well-known face among the Winnipeg basketball community.

His passion for the game vaulted him to stardom at Sisler High School, during which time he averaged over 20 points per game leading Team Manitoba in the 2017 Canada Summer Games.

But his success was going overlooked. He wasn’t getting the looks from collegiate coaches that he had worked so hard for. He graduated without a program to continue his career with. For the first time in most his life, he didn’t have a jersey to put on, or an elite team to lace up for.

Searching for purpose outside of the game, Marnan took a job working late shifts at the airport’s Enterprise Rent-A-Car. With each car he cleaned, he felt his dream of playing professionally slipping. There was a fire growing inside of him. He knew he just needed a chance.

“I went through a lot of adversity working all those days and all those hours. It really made me hungry. It gave me another perspective on life and a mindset to never take anything for granted,” he explained.

“I always told myself that when I do get an opportunity, I’m going to take it and give it my 100 per cent effort every day.”

It was almost as though, just down Portage Avenue, Mike Raimbault heard him.

After speaking with Maranan’s high school coach, the University of Winnipeg bench boss invited the restless young guard to join in on a team workout. He couldn’t have imagined where that call would take them both.

“When Shawn came to work out with us, you could see that he had a lot of tools to be successful at our level, but he would also need to work hard to develop,” Raimbault recalled.

“We offered him a chance to come in and work his way up and he really embraced that.”

One practice turned into a week of practices, and quickly, Maranan became a mainstay in the Wesmen locker room. He made the roster as a walk-on the following year.

“He played a back-up role his first year but was ready to take the lead when the time came and has done a tremendous job ever since.”

Maranan’s rise within the Winnipeg program has been meteoric. After averaging only 1.5 points per game in sparing playing time in his first year with the team, he burst onto the scene as a sophomore and never looked back. Now a conference all-star, he most recently earned his second straight Wesmen Male Athlete of the Year Award after leading the team to the Canada West Championship Final this season.

Just like the short kid punching above his weight against older players in the PBA, Maranan’s commitment to honing his mental acumen for the game has helped him to excel at the University of Winnipeg.

“He really understands his teammates and puts them in the best situations for them to be successful. He works hard to see how teams are defending and knows how to attack and find advantages,” explained Raimbault.

“He makes the game so much easier for all of his teammates, myself included,” he added.

Maranan says that being a coach’s son played an important role in developing his prowess as a floor general.

“It’s definitely influenced [my play style]. Me being a point guard, you have to set the table for everybody,” he remarked.

Once hoping for a look from a college coaching staff, Maranan was starting to catch the eyes of professional teams. After spending time with the Sea Bears as a practice player last summer, the team selected him 28th overall in the 2024 CEBL Draft ahead of this season.

“When I look back on it, I feel like God put me in that position to get me to where I am today,” he said.

Making good on his promise to himself, Maranan is giving his first professional opportunity everything he has. He says he’ll use the season to learn as much as he can in hopes of continuing his professional career after he graduates from the U of W next year.

Fortunately for Maranan, the Sea Bears’ roster is full of players who have succeeded on the professional path that he’s looking to follow. Even more fittingly, his backcourt mates Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson and Mason Bourcier have done so from the Canada West ranks.

“I played against Mason a few years back when he was at Trinity Western. He was a talented player in our conference, and he’s been helping me out a lot talking to me about the game and the stuff outside the game that comes with basketball,” he said. “He’s been an amazing teammate and an amazing person, and I’m glad I get to share the court with him every day.”

From being uncertain about his future in basketball five short years ago to playing professionally with his hometown across his chest today, Maranan’s journey makes him a role model for every kid in his community with a dream of pursuing the same goal.

“At the PBA, I remember looking up to a lot of players who played at the university or pro levels. It’s kind of weird how I’m in that position now where I get to be the person who’s looked up to,” he admitted.

“I embrace it. I want the younger generation to know that it doesn’t matter how tall we are, how fast we are or how strong we are – as long as you give it your 100 per cent effort, you’re going to get the results that you want.”

While still in the early stages of his pro career, Maranan’s story has made an impact that will far outlast his time as a player. His work ethic and perseverance are representative of the passion for basketball shared by so many others in Winnipeg and the Filipino community.

He’ll be the first to say that his journey is just one part of a much larger movement.

“I know there’s going to be more. I know there’s a lot of great Filipino hoopers on the come-up.”

The Sea Bears will continue their current homestand tonight at 7 p.m. against the Niagara River Lions in a game that will celebrate Filipino Heritage Month. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets .

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

X: @680CJOB

Instagram: wpgseabears

CEBL to expand regular season to 24-game format in 2025

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 15:39:58 GMT

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 .

###

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

X: @680CJOB

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears Erase 27-Point Deficit to Stun Rattlers 103-101

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 05:43:21 GMT

By Kyle Ramnarine

The Winnipeg Sea Bears (5-5) fought their way back from down 27 points to pull out a 103-101 win over the Saskatchewan Rattlers (5-5) on Saturday night.

The Rattlers were up for most of the game and took a 93-83 lead into Target Score Time. However, the Sea Bears turned up the dial, capping off a 15-2 run to take their first lead of the game at 96-95.

From there, it was like the 12 ^th round of a heavyweight fight, with both teams exchanging buckets and lead changes. Winnipeg guard Justin Wright-Foreman continued to show that he is one of the most clutch players in the CEBL, hitting timely shots, trash talking, and pacing the Sea Bears’ offence with 30 points and six assists on the night.

“When you start talking to me, I just tap into a whole different person,” Wright-Foreman said when asked about the trash talk during the game. “So, I would advise people to stop doing that.”

With the game tied at 101-101, and the Target Score set at 102, it was ultimately Winnipeg local Emmanuel Akot who fought for the offensive board and put it back for the game-winning layup.

Wright-Foreman and Akot led the charge for Winnipeg’s comeback, combining for 53 points. Akot’s 23 points were accompanied by five rebounds and five assists.

“Emmanuel is a really talented player – he’s very versatile. He can guard any position on the floor,” Winnipeg head coach Mike Taylor said after the game. “He can guard a centre, he can guard a wing, he can guard a point guard. His defensive versatility is a big plus for our team, we started to really focus on that and take advantage of that in recent games.”

It seemed that the Rattlers were running away with the game early, dominating Winnipeg in the first quarter to a score of 30-13. They carried that momentum straight into the second, scoring 27 points in the quarter to lead 57-36 at the half.

“What makes them really good is they’re great individual one-on-one players,” said Taylor on the Rattlers. “You saw they got it going that first half. They got rhythm, they got too comfortable and now that they have Bryson Williams, they have guys who can score in the post."

Winnipeg had a monumental task ahead of them at halftime.

“Coach always tells us what we need to do and what we need to fix,” Wright-Foreman said on his coach’s message at halftime. “Great credit to him, because he finds a way and knows how to press the button.”

The Sea Bears came out of the locker room a different team after halftime, outscoring the Rattlers 31-17 in the third before completing the comeback in the fourth quarter and Target Score Time.

“I didn’t want to lose, I’m going to be honest,” Wright-Foreman said about helping the team make the comeback. “I did not want to lose. They were sitting there and talking all game, and I'm going back and forth with them.”

“You know, just hearing little chirping. But this is something when you grow up you think about,” he said on beating his former team is such dramatic fashion.

Both the Sea Bears and Rattlers will play the Niagara River Lions in their next contests. The Sea Bears will look to carry their recent momentum forward against the River Lions on Thursday. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets .

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

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Sea Bears Look to Keep Momentum Against Rival Rattlers

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 15:43:53 GMT

The resurgent Winnipeg Sea Bears (4-5) will look to ride the momentum of Wednesday’s come-from-behind win as they host their rival Saskatchewan Rattlers (5-4) tonight at Canada Life Centre. It will be the second of four meetings between the CEBL’s two prairie clubs this season.

The Sea Bears are coming off a thrilling come-from-behind victory that saw them overcome a 12-point deficit late in the fourth quarter to best the league-leading Bandits 88-84 Wednesday night.

It was an ending eerily similar to the last time these two teams met at Canada Life Centre, as Justin Wright-Foreman, last year’s CEBL MVP runner-up with Saskatchewan who joined Winnipeg on June 10, pulled up for a deep three to ice the game in an affair that was decided by only a basket.

Wright-Foreman led the charge for the Sea Bears with a season-high 32 points to go with five rebounds and four assists. He’ll look to keep his foot on the gas as he faces off against his former squad for the first time tonight.

The Rattlers are seeking to snap their two-game losing streak after dropping a 105-77 decision Thursday to the Calgary Surge.

Despite the departure of Wright-Foreman, Saskatchewan has seen no shortage of production from their guards this season. Former Toronto Raptor and Scarborough Shooting Star Jalen Harris has shouldered much of the scoring load for Larry Abney’s group, breaking the league single-game scoring record with a 45-point explosion in a June 12 win against Brampton.

Harris and Wright-Foreman rank among the league’s top scorers, at 26.7 and 27.7 points per game, respectively. It should make for an explosive matchup between the two point guards tonight.

Ontario Clipper Elijah Harkless followed Abney, his coach in the G League, from California to Saskatoon to form a strong backcourt continent with Harris. The former UNLV Rebel is averaging 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists in a strong campaign with the Rattlers thus far.

The Sea Bears have received vital contributions from their new additions, too. Local product Emmanuel Akot, who played two games with Ottawa last season and recently wrapped up a postseason run with Heroes Den Bosch in the Netherlands, chipped in 15 points, three rebounds and four assists on Wednesday night.

Winnipeg will look to avenge their season-opening loss to the Rattlers on May 22. That contest saw Harris lead Saskatchewan to a 94-86 home victory with 23 points.

Though the Saskatchewan roster looks largely the same as it did in that matchup, Winnipeg has undergone some sweeping changes. Following the addition of Wright-Foreman, the team released 2023 league MVP Teddy Allen on June 17. They announced this morning the signing of 6-6 guard Scottie Lindsey, who averaged 19.8 points per game with the Rattlers in 2022, to fill their third American import spot alongside Wright-Foreman and Byron Mullens.

The Sea Bears assuaged any reservations that they would lose a step without Allen by besting the league’s top team in Vancouver in their first game without their leading scorer. The victory came with an upswing in their transition offence and paint defence, as they reached season highs in steals (seven) and fast break points (27) while limiting the Bandits to only 24 paint points.

Aside from limiting each team’s dynamic scoring star, physicality will be a key factor in tonight’s contest. Saskatchewan draws a league-high 20.4 fouls per game, translating to another league high in 24.1 free throw attempts per game. They also edge out the Sea Bears in rebounding at 38.3 per game, compared to Winnipeg’s 36.7. The battle down low and on the glass should be instrumental in picking up a victory tonight.

Following tonight’s matchup, the Sea Bears will wrap up their homestand in a date with the Niagara River Lions on June 27. The River Lions will travel to Saskatoon to face the Rattlers in their next contest June 29.

Tickets are still available at seabears.ca ahead of tip-off at 7:30 p.m. CT. Live coverage is also available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+, Game+ and on the Sea Bears mobile app.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

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Sea Bears Add American Three-Point Marksman Scottie Lindsey

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 13:00:00 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Saturday the signing of 6-6 American guard Scottie Lindsey. The product of Hillside, Ill. ranked top-five in the CEBL in scoring as a member of the Saskatchewan Rattlers in 2022, and most recently spent time with the NBA G League’s Windy City Bulls.

Lindsey returns for a second season in the CEBL after a one-year hiatus, during which time he suited up for the Maine Celtics, Long Island Nets and Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League. His most productive stretch came in his 29-game campaign with the Celtics last season that saw him make 15 starts and average 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 30.1 per cent shooting from deep.

In his 16 games with the Rattlers in 2022, Lindsey solidified his status as one of the league’s preeminent three-and-D wings. His 19.8 points per game tied for fourth in the CEBL with Rattlers teammate Tony Carr, with the pair joining forces to lead the Rattlers to the league’s fifth seed and a playoff berth.

“We are excited to add Scottie Lindsey to our team,” said Mike Taylor, Sea Bears head coach and general manager. “Scottie will give us more versatility and CEBL experience, and his three-point shooting and ability to attack closeouts will help him fit into our system well.”

The 28-year-old enjoyed a successful four-year collegiate career at Northwestern University, where he averaged a team-high 15.2 points per game on 36.2 per cent three-point shooting as a senior in 2017-18. In his junior season the year prior, he helped lead the Wildcats to the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. He finished his career inside the Wildcats’ all-time top 20 in career points.

After joining the Detroit Pistons for the 2018 NBA Summer League, Lindsey signed with the Grand Rapids Drive, the team’s NBA G League affiliate. He suffered a season-ending leg injury in December after averaging 10.5 points through 15 games.

The next year, Lindsey joined the G League’s Erie Bayhawks, where he averaged 10.4 points and 37.1 per cent from three in 30 contests. He made his first overseas venture that summer to play with Benfica in Lisbon, Portugal for nine games.

In October of 2021, Lindsey was selected 17th overall in the G League draft by his home-state Windy City Bulls. He averaged 11.4 points and 4.5 rebounds through 33 games with the club before making his CEBL debut with the Rattlers that summer.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to get back on the court and join this team,” said Lindsey. “I've had great talks with the coaching staff and I’m excited to get to work with this organization.”

“I just want to impact winning,” he added. “This is already a talented team, and I’m here to do whatever it takes to help facilitate getting wins.”

The signing of Lindsey is the latest move in a re-shuffling of the Sea Bears’ group of American import players. After adding the league’s current top scorer in Justin Wright-Foreman and waiving forward Darius Days on June 10, the team announced the release of 2023 league MVP Teddy Allen on Monday. Lindsey will fill the last of the team’s three American spots alongside Wright-Foreman and centre Byron Mullens.

Lindsey will be inactive for Winnipeg Saturday as they tip off the third contest in a four-game homestand that they have split 1-1 thus far. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets .

###

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

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Wright-Foreman, Sea Bears Snap Losing Skid With Thrilling 88-84 Win Over Bandits

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 04:04:52 GMT

By Zulfi Sheikh

Justin Wright-Foreman’s game-high 32 points helped the Winnipeg Sea Bears (4-5) snap a four-game losing skid as they fought back for an 88-84 win over the league-leading Vancouver Bandits (7-2) on Wednesday.

It was a season-high night for last year’s MVP runner-up in just his third game as a Sea Bear. And none of his baskets were more important than the last one, as Wright-Foreman banked in a deep three for the game-winner before turning to the Canada Life Centre crowd and letting out a well-earned “I’m him.”

His heroics helped Winnipeg overcome the fact they had blown a 13-point third quarter lead and trailed by 12 heading into Target Score Time.

“I always think a win is possible,” said Wright-Foreman when asked what went through his mind during the game’s final moments. “No lead is safe, [especially] in Target Time.”

“I feel like today we did an overall team effort to win this game … it’s about all of us as a group and that was most impressive.”

Wright-Foreman was backed up by Emmanuel Akot’s 15 points off the bench, Simon Hildebrandt’s 10 points and David Muenkat’s seven-point, 12-rebound performance.

On the other side, the Bandits’ furious second-half rally ultimately fell short as they saw a franchise-best five-game win streak come to an end. Vancouver was led by Duane Notice’s season-high 19 points off the bench, while Koby McEwen, Tazé Moore and Zach Copeland each pitched in with 17, 15 and 14, respectively. James Karnik narrowly missed out on a double-double with nine points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

“It sucks to lose,” Notice said postgame. “But it’ll be another lesson for us, especially being on the road and learning how to play together. And knowing us, we’re going to fight through the adversity and get back at it.”

The biggest question mark heading into the game was what this Sea Bears team would look like without Teddy Allen, having released the guard on Monday.

And the early returns were as positive as Winnipeg fans could’ve hoped for as they began the game on a 14-3 run. Most surprisingly, it was sparked by their defensive effort. A ball club that typically gives up a league-high 98.8 points per game held the Bandits to just five made baskets on 35 per cent field goal shooting in the opening frame.

“Everyone was connected,” Taylor said on what clicked defensively as they led 28-18 after the first quarter. “They were defending within the system and trusting all five guys were giving maximum effort … a unified defence.”

And although the Bandits weren’t phased by their slow start, promptly hitting a barrage of threes in the second quarter to cut the lead down to as few as three points, Winnipeg had a response of their own.

The Sea Bears answer came in the form of Wright-Foreman, as the import replied to Vancouver’s five made threes in the frame by scoring 11 points to rebuild the home team’s lead.

Any doubts over how the Sea Bears would account for the absence of Allen’s league-leading 28.1 points per game were quickly dispelled thanks to the leadership of Wright-Foreman. Last year’s MVP runner-up finished the first half with 19 points as Winnipeg held onto a 46-37 lead.

“We were not playing with a lot of life,” Julius said of the Bandits’ first half play. “We lost all our fifty-fifty battle. We were flat.

“We haven’t been down like that at the half all year. It’s a good test.”

And it’s safe to say Vancouver passed that test despite giving up an 8-0 run and trailing by as many as 13 points in the third.

Trailing 57-44 at the 4:39 mark of the frame, the Bandits went on a 16-1 run to take their first lead all night. The outburst was spearheaded by Notice who hit back-to-back threes as part of nine points in the frame.

Normally considered a glue guy, Notice took over the scoring load with usuals McEwen, Copeland and Moore all having inefficient nights. And he easily outpaced his usual output of 5.5 points per game as Vancouver led 64-62 headed into the fourth thanks to his effort.

“Not at all surprised,” Julius said on the Bandits’ captain taking charge in the third quarter. “He works on his game as hard as anyone I’ve been around. He’s a winner and showed that tonight.”

It appeared the Bandits had all but sealed the victory through the first six minutes of the final frame as they went on a 14-4 run and lead 78-66 prior to Target Score Time.

That was when Winnipeg’s defence, dormant since the first quarter, woke up and led the improbable comeback. The Sea Bears began the stoppage period on a 9-0 run, forcing the Bandits to miss their first five shots.

From there, Winnipeg capitalized. Alex Campbell and Muenkat hit back-to-back triples to give the Sea Bears an 85-84 lead before forcing a contested heave from Moore on the other end, allowing Wright-Foreman to then take and drill the game-winning dagger.

“Target Score Time is a player’s game,” Taylor said on his impressions of the Sea Bears in the game-winning moments. “We have to go out there and turn up our [defence] and make plays, and they did it.”

When it mattered most, Winnipeg’s defence stepped up - something they have struggled to do for most of the season. They held the league’s second-best scoring team (92.8 points per game) to well below their usual pace on 41 per cent shooting from the field while forcing 18 turnovers for 21 points.

The 84 points scored by the Bandits were the second fewest put up by the West’s top squad in 2024 and only the second time the Sea Bears have held an opponent under 80 points this season.

“I’m so proud of the team effort, and we were rewarded today,” Taylor concluded. “The game smiled down on us with that last shot.

“To knock off the hottest team in the league after we’ve been struggling … I’m really proud of our team.”

The Sea Bears stay put in Winnipeg as they host the Wright-Foreman’s former Saskatchewan Rattlers on Saturday for the third of five consecutive home games. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets .

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

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Sea Bears Look to Turn Page on Season Against Top-Seeded Bandits

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 13:57:21 GMT

By Zulfi Sheikh

The new-look Winnipeg Sea Bears (3-5) aim to end a four-game skid as they welcome the West-leading Vancouver Bandits to Canada Life Centre on Wednesday night.

For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets .

Although the Western Conference rivals met less than a week ago, a lot has changed since Vancouver’s 112-91 victory.

Notably, Winnipeg will be without Teddy Allen after parting ways with him Monday . At the time of his release, Allen led the league in average scoring (28.1 points per game) and was second in minutes (34.2), made threes (3.3) and free throw percentage (89.8).

His individual offensive production hadn’t translated to team success like in 2023 however, as the Sea Bears enter Wednesday on a four-game losing streak and sporting the league’s weakest defence. Winnipeg is giving up 98.8 points per game, the most in the CEBL, and through their losing streak have seen that number jump to 105.

The 112 points conceded to the Bandits last Thursday was the most given up by any team this season. Vancouver shot 56 per cent from the field, 51 per cent from three (14 of 27) and 88 per cent from the free throw line (16 of 18).

Despite the Sea Bears doing plenty offensively – scoring the third-most points per game in the CEBL (91.3) – their gaps on defence have proven too large. Allen’s CEBL-leading turnover rate (4.3) contributed to that.

The end of the Allen era comes at the beginning of Justin Wright-Foreman’s tenure in Winnipeg. The Sea Bears announced the signing of last year’s MVP runner-up last Monday , and he has since averaged 25.5 points, five rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in his first two contests with the club. Against the Bandits, Wright-Foreman finished with a team-high 29 points on 52 per cent shooting to go with six assists.

On the other side, the Bandits sport the best record in the CEBL and are in the midst of a league-best five-game win streak – their longest in franchise history.

It’s been a balanced showing for Vancouver as they rank second on both offence (92.8 points per game) and defence (82.6 points allowed per game).

And in the Bandits’ most recent victory, they avenged the lone blemish on their record to this point, picking up a 98-85 win against the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Taking on the only team to hand them a loss appeared to be something the Bandits took personally.

Vancouver, despite being outproduced in the paint and on the glass, was able to snag the win thanks to a late surge. The Bandits’ edge from distance (+8 made threes) kept them in the ball game, and come the fourth quarter, their defence carried them to victory. Saskatchewan was held to just nine points in the fourth quarter as Vancouver extended its win streak.

The Bandits were once again led by Tazé Moore, their do-it-all point guard. The import finished with a game-high 25 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and two steals. It was nearly a second consecutive triple-double after logging a monster line of 35 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists against Winnipeg the game prior.

Moore has steadily strengthened his early MVP case as the lone player in the top three for average points (21), rebounds (8.8), assists (8) and minutes (33.2) per game. There’s also the fact Vancouver remains undefeated with Moore in the lineup, as he was a scratch due to illness in their loss to the Rattlers.

Although there’s plenty of dynamism in the backcourt for fans to enjoy in this matchup, keep an eye on a battle inside the paint.

Winnipeg’s Byron Mullens, the league’s second-leading shot blocker (2.3) will look to slow down Nick Ward, the CEBL’s fifth leading scorer (18.9). The Vancouver forward took round one of the heavyweight bout, as Ward finished with 20 points, eight rebounds and two blocks compared to Mullens seven points and nine rebounds.

If the Sea Bears are going to turn around their defensive woes, the former first-round NBA draft pick will have to lead the charge. Mullens can do that by shutting down Ward in tonight’s matchup.

For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets . Live coverage begins at 7 p.m. CT on TSN and on NLSE in the United States. Fans can also stream the action on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+, Courtside 1891 (outside North America) and on the Sea Bears mobile app.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

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Winnipeg Sea Bears release Teddy Allen

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 14:37:58 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced today that the team has released Teddy Allen from the organization, effective immediately.

"Teddy Allen has been a valued member of our team, and we sincerely appreciate his contributions during his tenure with the Sea Bears. However, after careful consideration and many discussions, it has become evident that there is a misalignment of values and vision of the path forward for the club," said head coach and general manager Mike Taylor.

"The decision to release Teddy Allen was very difficult, however it was made with the best interests of the organization in mind. We remain committed to maintaining a cohesive and forward-thinking team environment that aligns with our core values and objectives. Our organization dedicates itself to upholding high standards of team, integrity, respect and consideration for our community," added team president Jason Smith.

The Winnipeg Sea Bears thank Teddy Allen for his dedication and efforts and wish him the best in his future endeavours.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

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Stingers Fend Off Late Sea Bears Rally in 97-87 Victory

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 23:45:27 GMT

By Josh Kozelj

A pair of double-doubles helped the Edmonton Stingers (6-2) hold off the Winnipeg Sea Bears (3-5) on Sunday afternoon, marking their fourth victory at Canada Life Centre since the start of last season.

Nick Hornsby, who knocked down a free throw line jumper in Target Score Time to seal the game, recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Brody Clarke racked up a team-high 17 points and 10 rebounds — five offensive — in a little over 21 minutes of action.

Both big men also shot better than 60 per cent from the field. And as a team, Edmonton had six players score in double figures in the 97-87 victory.

“We came out, executed the game plan and tried to make life difficult for their main guys,” said Edmonton head coach Jordan Baker after the game. “That was the key to our success as we got out to an early lead and held on.”

As Edmonton fed the ball to multiple players, Winnipeg saw the bulk of their scoring fall on their two guards: Justin Wright-Foreman and Teddy Allen. Allen led all scorers with 39 points, while Wright-Foreman scored 22 points in his second game as a Sea Bear but committed seven turnovers.

“They are great scorers and they got some great role players with them,” Hornsby said. “We tried to shut them down, but they did their jobs and scored. But with the other guys, we did our job knowing the scouting [report] and knowing what they’re good at.”

The rest of Winnipeg’s starting lineup combined for only four points, and the team’s next highest scorer, Emmanuel Akot, recorded seven points.

Clarke started the game like a man on mission, scoring five of his team’s first seven points, including the opening three-pointer. A few possessions later, a pump fake and drive to the hoop gave Edmonton an early 7-1 advantage. Wright-Foreman and Allen combined for eight of Winnipeg’s first 10 points, but a disparity on the glass started to become a problem for the Sea Bears.

Winnipeg, who gave up 221 combined points in their last two games on the road, gave up 29 points in the opening quarter and were outrebounded 12-5. The trend continued into the second quarter, which saw Edmonton extend their lead to double digits.

As a team, Edmonton shot 80 per cent inside the arc in the half, and had nearly as many offensive rebounds (seven) as Winnipeg had total (eight) at one point in the second quarter. Davion Warren, who finished with 13 points and five rebounds, extended the lead to 11 with layups on consecutive possessions in the first few minutes of the second quarter.

Ultimately, Edmonton beat Winnipeg 47-34 on the glass and scored nine more second chance points. The Stingers also outscored the Sea Bears 58-34 in the paint.

“[Coach] Baker was just being on us getting to the boards,” Hornsby said. “He challenges a couple of us and a lot of the guards to get rebounds.”

Mason Bourcier provided a spark on the defence off the bench for the Sea Bears. The 6-4 guard hauled in a couple of rebounds and forced an Edmonton turnover early in the quarter with active hands on defence.

“If you told my younger self I’d be playing with a Justin Wright-Foreman and Teddy Allen, he’d be like, ‘shoot, I don’t even need to touch the ball.’ That’s what he’d be saying,” Bourcier said. “I don’t have a 6’8” wingspan. It’s pure heart. I’ve watched enough film to see angles, and it comes down to intention.”

But any time the Sea Bears tried to claw back in the game, the Stingers responded.

A backdoor cut from Clarke later in the frame extended Edmonton’s lead to 20. As Wright-Foreman struggled to find his footing in his first home game as a Sea Bear — shooting 2-7 from the field with five turnovers in the first half — Allen knocked down a pair of triples on back-to-back possessions to make it a 54-41 game, bringing the crowd of roughly 9,000 fans to their feet for the first time. Allen had 19 points at the break.

But with less than a minute left, poor defensive communication on an inbound play led to an open Warren at the top of the arc, who knocked down a three to help Edmonton take a 59-41 lead at the half.

The Stingers started the second half slow, committing three personal fouls and three turnovers within the first four minutes. Winnipeg, however, couldn’t capitalize on the offensive end, converting two field goals — an Allen three and layup — in five minutes.

Clarke continued to be a big presence in the paint. The Toronto product hauled in three offensive boards on two Edmonton possessions — sandwiched between a strong defensive stop that led to a Wright-Foreman missed three with the shot clock running out.

After falling behind by as many as 21 points, Winnipeg went on a 6-0 run to end the third. And minutes before Target Score Time, slick ball movement led to an open Bourcier three-pointer that cut the lead to 11. Once again, though, the Stingers responded – this time with a Mindaugas Kačinas and-one jumper on a set play out of an inbound. Edmonton then took an 88-75 lead into Target Score Time.

With the game clock turned off, Winnipeg got to within 10 points of the lead, but the Stingers responded with a quick 5-2 run before Hornsby nailed the clinching bucket.

“We were getting good looks and [I’m] confident in myself and my ability. I felt like I was playing pretty well. It’s a good shot for me, and I took the shot,” Hornsby said.

The Sea Bears will look to snap a four-game losing streak in a Wednesday night showdown against the Vancouver Bandits on TSN. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets .

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

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Sea Bears Return Home for Father’s Day Showdown with Edmonton Stingers

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 13:21:04 GMT

By Josh Kozelj

The Winnipeg Sea Bears (3-4) will look to snap a three-game losing streak in a sold-out Father’s Day matinee against the Edmonton Stingers (5-2) at 2 p.m. CT at Canada Life Centre.

Live coverage is available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the Sea Bears mobile app. It will also be televised on NLSE in the United States.

The game is a rematch of the 2023 Western Conference Play-In, which saw the Stingers end the Sea Bears’ inaugural campaign with a six-point road victory last August. In total, Edmonton took three of four meetings from Winnipeg last season.

However, the Sea Bears recently reinforced their roster with the addition of Justin Wright-Foreman, who scored a team-high 29 points on 52 per cent shooting from the field in a losing effort to the Vancouver Bandits on Thursday night.

Wright-Foreman and Teddy Allen, the reigning league MVP who sits second in the CEBL with 26.6 points per game, combined for 53 of Winnipeg’s 91 points against Vancouver. But the team struggled to get the ball moving in the loss, combining for 11 total assists — an aspect that head coach Mike Taylor is looking to improve heading into this afternoon.

“Teddy and Justin are going to score, but it’s about the way we’re playing together,” Taylor said after Thursday’s game. “For us, it’s about teamwork. We need to try and integrate our new guys.”

One of those newcomers, Alex Campbell, the Vancouver Bandits’ all-time leading scorer, had his most productive performance as a Sea Bear on Thursday. The Brampton, Ont. product scored a season-high 15 points and hauled in seven rebounds. But aside from Campbell, Allen and Wright-Foreman, the rest of the Sea Bears roster mustered up only 23 combined points.

Although some familiar leaders — Brody Clarke and Nick Hornsby — have returned to Edmonton, it’s been a couple of fresh faces that have carried the load offensively. Davion Warren, who has recently completed two seasons in the NBA G League, leads the Stingers with 14.4 points per game.

Edmonton-born Ben Krikke has also found opportunities in few minutes, registering 12.9 points in just under 19 minutes per game, while Clarke and Hornsby are averaging 10.6 and 10.0 points per game respectively.

The Stingers snapped a two-game slide in their last time out, a 91-84 victory over the Calgary Surge on Friday night, on the back of a couple of strong bench performances.

Michael Nuga, who averaged a hair over 13 points per game in a reserve role with the Saskatchewan Rattlers last season, led all scorers with 18 points in 17 minutes off the bench. Krikke matched Nuga’s 18 points, converting eight of nine shots from the field and knocking down the clinching bucket in Target Score Time. All in all, the Stingers bench outscored the Calgary bench 41-19.

Jacob Evans III also recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 boards.

The Stingers have shown a stout defence to this point, giving up the third fewest points per game in the league (85). Much of that effectiveness has come from generating turnovers and transition scoring opportunities.

Edmonton has four players — Warren, Evans III, Hornsby and Adika Peter-McNeilly — who average more than one steal per game. Their active hands will present a challenge to Teddy Allen, who commits the most turnovers in the CEBL (4.4 per game).

Wright-Foreman scored 55 points across two games against Edmonton last year as a member of the Saskatchewan Rattlers, including a 37-point outburst in a win last July.

After today’s game, Edmonton will return home for a date with the Ottawa BlackJacks on Thursday night. Winnipeg, meanwhile, is slated for a rematch with the Vancouver Bandits on their home court this Wednesday. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

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Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears Fall to Bandits 112-91

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 06:33:32 GMT

By Josh Kozelj

Taze Moore’s triple-double helped the Vancouver Bandits (6-1) remain undefeated at home with a 112-91 victory over the Winnipeg Sea Bears (3-4) on Thursday evening at Langley Events Centre.

The win marked Vancouver’s first-ever triumph over the Winnipeg Sea Bears, and increased their lead to one game in the Western Conference over the idle Saskatchewan Rattlers. With the victory, Vancouver is also two wins away from matching their win total from all of last season.

Moore, who finished with a game-high 35 points, 15 rebounds and 16 assists, recorded the fifth triple double in CEBL history and first in Bandits history. He shot more than 70 per cent from the field and committed only four turnovers. His 35 points were also a franchise record.

“I don’t normally single guys out in the locker room for an offensive performance, but that was special,” said Bandits head coach Kyle Julius after the game. “He did it without being selfish. He picked and chose his times – he kept moving the ball.”

Before tonight, there had only been three triple-doubles in league history There were two this evening, also including one by Niagara’s Omari Moore earlier tonight.

Moore’s performance spoiled Justin Wright-Foreman’s return to the CEBL. Wright-Foreman, who averaged nearly 30 points per game with Saskatchewan in 2023, finished with 29 points in his first game with Winnipeg. His backcourt mate, reigning league MVP and current league scoring leader Teddy Allen, racked up 24 points.

Koby McEwen also had 24 points and six triples.

“For a first game, I thought [Wright-Foreman] was good,” said Sea Bears head coach Mike Taylor. “It’s a work in progress, but I think overall, it was really positive for him.”

Despite Moore’s strong game, Wright-Foreman’s presence was evident right from opening tip.

The 2023 CEBL scoring leader drew heavy attention at the top of the key before setting up Alex Campbell in the corner with a three to draw first blood for the Sea Bears. But after the bucket by Campbell — the Bandits’ all-time leading scorer making his first return to Vancouver tonight — the momentum started to swing in favour of the Bandits.

Moore, who was one assist shy of recording a triple double in the first half, knocked down a three from the centre court logo to edge the Bandits ahead 14-12 later in the frame. The former Portland Trail Blazer then started an effective give-and-go game with Nick Ward, who finished with 20 points and eight rebounds.

On back-to-back possessions to end the first quarter, Moore found space penetrating in the paint to set up Ward with easy layups under the hoop. He ended up assisting on four of Ward’s buckets in the first half.

While Moore and Ward excelled in their own two-man game, Julius also credited his team’s chemistry in the victory tonight.

“That whole locker room is full of great chemistry. If you come to practice, you’ll see there’s great chemistry,” Julius said. “Taze wasn’t even at practice the last three days, he was at NBA workouts. We added some new stuff, we showed him this morning and he picked it up quite quickly.”

After taking a 28-21 lead into the second quarter, Teddy Allen cut Vancouver’s lead to four. But a pair of consecutive triples by Koby McEwen capped off a 10-0 Bandit run. Wright-Foreman, who missed seven of his first nine shots in the first quarter, tried to keep Winnipeg in the game. The Brooklyn, N.Y. product scored 10 points in the quarter — highlighted by a hesitation three pointer from the top of the arc that chipped Vancouver’s lead to 16 points by halftime.

The Sea Bears continued to erase the deficit in the third quarter on the backs of Allen and Wright-Foreman.

The duo combined for 15 points in the frame, however, Moore notched his triple-double with an assist on a Duane Notice three to give the Bandits a 13-point lead at the break. Shortly after securing his 10 ^th assist of the game, he went on an individual 5-0 run, highlighted by a spin move in the post with Wright-Foreman in defence.

The Bandits went on a 10-0 run to begin the fourth. And while Allen and Wright-Foreman did their best to keep Winnipeg within striking distance, Vancouver took a 103-82 lead heading into Target Score Time.

The Sea Bears then rallied to within 16 points, but Moore quickly closed the door, scoring the Bandits final seven points, including the game-clinching three pointer.

As a team, Winnipeg struggled to get anything going behind the three point line, shooting 28 per cent on 35 attempts. They also only combined for 11 total assists compared to Vancouver’s 21.

“I look down at the box score and see 11 assists as a team, so we need to get the ball moving better,” Taylor said. “I love the way we fought back in the third quarter, but we’ve been playing from behind a lot the last two games.”

Vancouver, meanwhile, shot more than 50 per cent from both three and the field overall.

The two teams will square off again next Wednesday in Winnipeg.

Following their sixth win of the season, Vancouver will host Saskatchewan on Saturday night.

Winnipeg, who has now lost three games in a row, will travel home for the first of five straight games at Canada Life Centre. The Sea Bears will play the Edmonton Stingers on Sunday. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

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Instagram: wpgseabears

Justin Wright-Foreman to Make Sea Bears Debut Against League-Leading Vancouver Bandits

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 14:59:51 GMT

By Josh Kozelj

The new-look Sea Bears are set to clash with a Western Conference rival on national television tonight.

The Vancouver Bandits (5-1) are hosting the Winnipeg Sea Bears (3-3) at 9:30 p.m. CT at the Langley Events Centre on TSN. The game will also be available for streaming on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+, and the Sea Bears and CEBL mobile apps, as well as televised on NLSE in the United States.

The game will mark Justin Wright-Foreman’s debut for Winnipeg. The Brooklyn, N.Y product, who signed with the Sea Bears on Monday, led the league with 29.2 points per game as a Saskatchewan Rattler last season. He is set to team up in the backcourt with reigning CEBL MVP Teddy Allen.

Both players averaged more than 25 points per game last season en route to headlining the All-CEBL First Team roster.

“Last year was my first year in the CEBL. I didn’t know what to expect and had the greatest experience of my life,” Wright-Foreman said after arriving in Winnipeg earlier this week.

The addition of Wright-Foreman comes at a crucial time for Winnipeg, as the team has lost two consecutive games after winning three of their first four to start the season.

Allen is leading the CEBL in points per game (27) through his first six contests. But backcourt mate Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson has also picked up steam offensively. Ogungbemi-Jackson, who is averaging 18 points and six assists per game in his first season with the Sea Bears, has scored a combined 42 points in his last two games.

Alex Campbell, the all-time leading scorer in Bandits history, will also play his first game against his former team tonight.

Since entering the CEBL last season, the Sea Bears are 4-0 against the Bandits. This is the first matchup between these two teams this season. They will square off again next week on June 19 in Winnipeg.

The duo will match up with a Bandits squad that has proved to be the class of the Western Conference this year.

One year after falling just short of the CEBL Championship Game, Vancouver has been off to a blistering start in hopes of returning to Championship Weekend — riding a three-game win streak heading into tonight’s contest. Vancouver is also 3-0 at home to start the year.

The Bandits knocked off the Calgary Surge 70-65 in their last outing, holding 2023 CEBL All-Canadian Sean Miller-Moore to nine points on 3-14 shooting. Returnee Nick Ward has led the way for the Bandits this season, averaging a hair over 18 points per game and shooting more than 60 per cent from the field.

Guard Curtis Hollis also bolstered Vancouver’s perimeter in his season debut last Friday, scoring 21 points and grabbing six boards in a five-point win over the Surge. The six-foot-six guard from Arlington, Tex. also knocked down three of his four triples.

He’ll be joined in the backcourt by Zach Copeland, Koby McEwen and former Sea Bear Glen Yang.

Both Winnipeg and Vancouver will look to play around their star guards.

Vancouver’s Tazé Moore and Copeland are averaging 34.8 and 33.9 minutes per game, respectively – the highest two marks in the league. They will be the first to match up with the newly minted tandem of Allen and Wright-Foreman in the backcourt.

Prior to the Wright-Foreman addition, the Sea Bears are averaging the second most points per game (92) in the league. But Winnipeg has had trouble keeping the ball out of their own hoop, giving up a CEBL-high 96.8 points per game.

Vancouver’s team defence, meanwhile, is surrendering only 80.8 points per game — second best in the league. It will be a stout unit for the Sea Bears’ new lineup to face in their first game action.

Following this game, Winnipeg will travel home for a date with the Edmonton Stingers on Sunday. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75 per cent 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

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X: @680CJOB

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Join us for SEA BEARS WEEK 🐻‍❄️

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 16:33:33 GMT

SAVE 15% on tickets with a bundle to attend all three games! You’ll also receive exclusive pricing on an optional iconic tee.

PLUS you and a plus one could win exclusive early access to Canada Life Centre to watch player warmups from courtside seats on June 22. Attend all three games during Sea Bears and be automatically entered to win!

Also take advantage of our 2x entries for the See the Bears contest from June 16 - 22 only. All entries for the all-inclusive trip to Churchill (valued at $17,600) made in-game during the jumbotron game will be automatically doubled.

We're also encouraging Manitobans to wear their Sea Bears gear to work. Take a photo with your colleagues and tag us on social media for your chance to win 10 tickets for your work group to our July 3 game.

Surge ride hot-shooting quarter to 110-78 win over Sea Bears

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 16:35:10 GMT

Calgary put up 35 points in the third quarter, more than doubling Winnipeg’s production in the frame, as the Surge (2-3) picked up a commanding 110-78 win over the Sea Bears (3-3) on Sunday afternoon.

After two quarters of play, and with both teams knotted up, Calgary broke the game wide open as six players combined to hit nine triples in the third. It resulted in the most points put up by any team this year – well above the Surge’s usual scoring average (83.4).

“They played for each other,” Calgary head coach Tyrell Vernon said after his team’s largest win of the season. “When you treat the game, and those you play with, the right way, good things happen.”

Sean Miller-Moore led the way for Calgary with a game-high 25 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals to go along with his game-winning basket. Meanwhile, Malcolm Duvivier dropped 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting off the bench and Mathieu Kamba added 17 points with five made threes.

On the other side, Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson led the Sea Bears in scoring for a second consecutive game as he finished with 18 points on 58 per cent field goal shooting. Teddy Allen bounced back from an eight-point early exit performance, as he put up 16 points, but struggled efficiency wise shooting 42 per cent from the field and racking up a game-high six turnovers.

“(Tied) at halftime, we were outplayed in the second half,” Winnipeg head coach Mike Taylor said after his team’s second consecutive loss. “Disappointed in our defensive effort … we didn’t make the necessary adjustments, we allowed them to get hot.”

It was a neck-and-neck affair through the opening frame between Winnipeg and Calgary as neither team carved out a lead after 10 minutes. Miller-Moore made just one field goal in the frame, but it was an impactful one, as his layup at the first quarter buzzer tied things up at 25-25.

That trend continued throughout the second quarter as neither team sustained a lead larger than a possession before the Surge and Sea Bears went into halftime knotted up yet again at 46 apiece.

Had it not been for Winnipeg’s three-point shooting bailing them out, however, they likely would’ve faced a deficit much earlier in the ball game. The Sea Bears hit nine threes (+4) on a 56 per cent clip in the first half, which helped them overcome the fact that they turned the ball over 10 times for nine points.

It wasn’t until the third quarter that Calgary broke the stalemate as they opened the frame on a 14-0 run and earned them the game’s first, and only, double-digit lead. After doing much of their offensive work inside the paint throughout the first half, the Surge got hot from beyond the arc to go into the fourth up 81-62.

“Guys are starting to understand who’s good at what,” Vernon said of his team’s season-high 17 made threes. “Putting guys into positions naturally, so I don’t have to call plays, which makes it harder for other teams to gameplan for.”

A strong third quarter being Calgary’s catalyst for victory was a redemption of sorts after the same frame cost them just two days prior. Against the Vancouver Bandits on Friday the Surge managed to score just 10 points (-10) as they went on to narrowly lose 70-65.

Calgary made sure not to squander the 19-point lead they earned in the third as they extended the gap all the way up to 32 points throughout the fourth quarter and Target Score Time as Miller-Moore finished things with a left baseline fadeaway.

The Surge may have propelled themselves to victory with a strong offensive showing in the second half, but it was their consistent defence that made it possible in the first place. Calgary held the league’s No. 2 scoring offence (94.8 points per game) to their lowest point total of the year, forced them into a season-high 23 turnovers and limited Winnipeg to just 32 points in the second half.

“Energy and effort,” Vernon said when asked how his team has picked things up defensively as of late. “We don’t point fingers, we just take care of each other and hold each other’s energy accountable.”

Up Next

The Sea Bears head west to visit the Vancouver Bandits as they wrap up a four-game road trip on Thursday.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

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Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears Sign 2023 CEBL Scoring Champion Justin Wright-Foreman

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 14:54:39 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Saturday the signing of 2023 CEBL scoring champion, guard Justin Wright-Foreman. The six-foot Brooklyn, N.Y. product led the league with 29.2 points per game representing the Saskatchewan Rattlers last season, setting the highest scoring average in league history and finishing second to Winnipeg’s Teddy Allen in MVP votes.

“I’m ready to get to work. Last year was my first year in the CEBL. I didn’t know what to expect and had the greatest experience of my life. Now being here in Winnipeg, my mind is even more on winning a championship and growing as a player and person,” said Wright-Foreman.

Allen and Wright-Foreman finished the 2023 season as far and away the top two scorers in the CEBL. The next closest contender was Chaundee Brown Jr., who averaged a full six points fewer than the second-ranked Allen. The pair of new teammates are the most productive scorers the league has ever seen, being the only two to average over 25 points in a season.

“Adding Justin Wright-Foreman to our Sea Bears roster gives us another elite offensive talent and player with NBA experience. We saw what Justin could do last summer introducing himself to Winnipeg with a game winner. The idea of pairing last summer’s top two CEBL MVP candidates on the same team in the same Sea Bears colours is the exciting stuff dreams are made of,” said Mike Taylor, head coach and general manager of the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

Wright-Foreman is now the second former NBA draft pick to join the Sea Bears this season, after Byron Mullens. Wright-Foreman was selected 53rd overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz. Since then, his pro career has spanned the NBA and NBA G League as well as international leagues in France, Turkey, Germany, China, Mexico and Italy.

In a four-year career at Hofstra University, Wright-Foreman emerged as one of the premier scorers in collegiate basketball. His 27.1 points per game as a senior ranked second across all of NCAA DI, earning him Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Year honours and multiple pre-draft workouts with NBA teams.

Following the draft, Wright-Foreman signed a two-way deal with Jazz. He went on to appear in four games with Utah and 36 with the team’s G League affiliate Salt Lake City Stars in 2020. He remained a reliable scorer in the G League, posting double-figure point averages at his subsequent stops with the Erie BayHawks (12.8), Birmingham Squadron (12.3) and Westchester Knicks (14.6).

No stranger to FIBA play, Wright-Foremean made his first venture into the international arena with Chorale Roanne of France’s LNB Pro A in 2021. He showed little trepidation in one of the world’s best overseas leagues, scoring 16.9 points per game in a starting role through 12 contests.

In fall 2021, Wright-Foreman joined Petkim Spor of the Turkish Basketball SuperLeague. There, he averaged 16.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists through 14 games. That summer, he played a brief stint with Brose Bramburg of the German Basketball Bundesliga.

Wright-Foreman signed with the Rattlers in 2023 coming off of his most productive G League campaign, a 36-game stint with the Westchester Knicks. The electrifying scorer took the league by storm, re-setting Saskatchewan’s single-game scoring record on multiple occasions and ending the season atop the league’s per-game scoring leaderboard. He scored 30 or more points in nine of his 18 CEBL games, with his highest total coming in a 39-point outburst against Brampton on July 17.

The 26-year-old has also represented the United States on the 2022 FIBA World Cup and 2024 AmeriCup qualifying teams.

“Improving our roster has been a goal this off-season and we hit our mark with our current roster, but signing Justin takes us to another level. We look forward to welcoming Justin to Winnipeg and creating even more dynamic action that Sea Bears fans can be proud of,” said Taylor.

###

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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.

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears visit Surge for Matinee game

Sun, 09 Jun 2024 14:50:35 GMT

The Winnipeg Sea Bears (3-2) continue a four-game road trip by visiting Calgary to take on the Surge (1-4) at WinSport Event Centre on Sunday afternoon.

Live coverage begins at 2:00 p.m. local / 3:00 p.m. CT available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

When the 2023 regular season came to a close last July, the Sea Bears and Surge sat next to each other atop the Western Conference. Call it coincidence or fate, but through a quarter of this year and both squads are yet again right next to each other – but at the bottom of the West this time.

Granted, Winnipeg has gotten off to a much better start than Calgary, rattling off a three-game win streak to stay above .500. They haven’t been without their struggles though as evidenced in their 101-94 loss against the Niagara River Lions on Thursday.

The Sea Bears biggest challenge – aside from having to play the second half of that game without Teddy Allen due to ejection – was trying to keep up on the glass. By the end of the seven-point loss, Winnipeg gave up 53 total rebounds (-10), nearly half of which (20) came on the offensive end.

And getting beat on boards appears to be a theme so far through their two losses. Against the Saskatchewan Rattlers, in a season opening loss, the Sea Bears gave up 56 rebounds and were minus-seven on the offensive glass.

Even in the loss however, Winnipeg was able to show positive signs. Namely, their offensive production kept pace despite not having Allen’s usual 30 points. Thanks to standout performances from Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson (24 points, six assists) and David Muenkat (16 points, eight assists) the Sea Bears proved they can still score the second-most points per game in the CEBL (94.8) even without their top man.

Meanwhile, the Surge appeared to be finding form with an impressive 17-point victory over the Rattlers for their first win of the season on Wednesday but followed it up with a 70-65 loss to the Vancouver Bandits two days later.

What made the biggest difference in Calgary’s lone victory was their offensive production. The 102 points scored against Saskatchewan was by far the most they’ve put up this season and well above their usual 83.4 points per game that ranks third lowest.

It took season-high performances from Sean Miller-Moore (27 points, eight rebounds, four assists) and Malcom Duvivier (18 points on 7-of-9 shooting) to propel them to victory and will likely be what they need more of to keep up with Winnipeg’s high-powered offence.

Even with just one win to this point, the Surge appear to be trending in the right direction at least. They may not be the league’s leading defence from a season ago but through their last two games things have looked much sharper on that end.

After giving up 100.3 points per game through their first three games, Calgary has limited opponents to just 77.5 points since.

Key Matchup

A major catalyst for the Surge’s turnaround has been the play of Mathieu Kamba. Playing for his hometown team has appeared to propel his defensive game as the guard is second in the league, averaging 2.2 steals. Over Calgary’s previous two games he’s seen that bump up to 3.5 which has spearheaded the Surge to just under eight steals per game as a team, third most in the CEBL.

Which is why Kamba has guarded some of the league’s best on a nightly basis and why he’ll likely have the unenviable task of guarding Allen after his quietest game of the season. The reigning league MVP and top scorer will surely be looking for a bounce back performance after putting up just eight points, his lowest point total in a game this season, through just 14 minutes of action.

Outside of that one blip, Allen had been averaging 34.5 points per game.

2023 season series

Although the first quarter of this season hasn’t been kind to the Surge, they can take solace in the fact that entering Sunday they hold a 2-1 all-time record against the Sea Bears.

Unsurprisingly, a big reason why the Surge found success was their ability to make things challenging for Allen.

In their two wins, the Surge held the 2023 league MVP to 18.5 points on 40 per cent shooting from the field. Allen was limited to just 14 points in Calgary’s 96-82 win on June 20, his second lowest scoring total of the season and one of just four times he failed to put up at least 20 points.

A stark difference from the 37 points he dropped in Winnipeg’s lone 100-75 win of the series.

Stream the game live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the Sea Bears mobile app available for iOS devices.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 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

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River Lions Snap Sea Bears’ Win Streak

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 03:19:16 GMT

By Zulfi Sheikh

Jahvon Blair’s 21 points helped the Niagara River Lions (2-2) pick up a 101-94 win on Thursday night, snapping the Winnipeg Sea Bears’ (3-2) three-game win streak in the process.

Niagara got contributions from everyone in the victory as every player to check in scored at least five points. Aaryn Rai did the most damage after Blair, as he put up 20 points, five rebounds and two steals off the bench and T.J. Lall chipped in with 14 points and eight rebounds.

Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson led the way for Winnipeg as he put up a game-high 24 points and six assists. Eighteen of those points came in the second half as the lead guard stepped up in the absence of Teddy Allen, who was ejected late in the second with just eight points.

David Muenkat had his best game as a Sea Bear, putting up 16 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Mason Bourcier joined the other two as Winnipeg’s only other double-digit scorer with his 13 points on a perfect four-of-four shooting.

Fans were treated to a back-and-forth affair right from the opening tip as Winnipeg and Niagara traded leads 10 times throughout the opening quarter. The Sea Bears led by as many as six points through the frame, but by the time the dust settled, the River Lions were up 35-31.

Niagara finished the quarter on an 11-5 run, courtesy of three consecutive triples, before Jordan Tchuente wrapped up the effort with a steal and bucket in the final seconds. He scored the River Lions’ final five as part of 10 points in the first quarter.

The exchanging of leads didn’t continue throughout the second quarter, however, as Niagara went ahead by as many as 14 points before going into halftime up 61-52. It wasn’t their production from outside the arc like in the first that helped the River Lions take the game’s first double-digit lead, but instead a strong inside game.

Niagara finished the first half plus-18 on points in the paint, overcoming the fact that they didn’t hit a single three in the second quarter. It was an adjustment on their part, reacting to Winnipeg’s drop coverage and using the open space in the mid-range, finishing the half with 17 two-point makes on a 61 per cent clip.

By the end of the game, the River Lions’ edge scoring inside ballooned to a +30 advantage on paint points.

“It’s exactly what we expected,” Niagara head coach Victor Raso said after the game on seeing Winnipeg in a drop coverage. “We did a great job against it, we scored at the rim over and over … it’s what we prepared to do.”

Meanwhile, Allen was held scoreless in the frame and was clearly frustrated by that fact, as he was tossed at the 2:55 mark following a second technical foul. If facing a nine-point deficit wasn’t challenging enough for the Sea Bears coming out of halftime, they ended up having to do it without the league’s top scorer (34.5 points per game).

Winnipeg got the lead down to as low as two points before the end of the third quarter, which ended with them trailing 78-72. The Sea Bears’ biggest adjustment came on the defensive end as they switched into a zone defence that paid immediate dividends.

The River Lions went scoreless through the first two minutes of the third and put up 17 total points, their fewest in any of the four quarters.

It wasn’t just their ability to get stops that swung momentum in favour of Winnipeg. It was also the leadership of Ogungbemi-Jackson. The Sea Bears’ guard scored nine points in the frame as he got things within striking distance.

Winnipeg’s comeback effort continued in the fourth as a Hildebrandt triple at the 6:59 mark capped off an 8-3 run and cut the lead down to just one point. The valiant push did little to waver Niagara, as they responded like they had all night. The River Lions used an 11-3 run of their own to go into Target Score Time ahead 92-83.

And although Ogungbemi-Jackson’s six points in the stoppage period led one last push for Winnipeg, they ultimately saw their win streak come to an end following a Blair layup that was blocked but called a goaltend.

The Sea Bears tried to overcome the absence of Allen as best they could, with all nine of their players scoring in the end. But it wasn’t their offence that fell short. It was their defence, specifically on the glass. Winnipeg finished minus-10 on rebounds and gave up 20 offensive boards (-5) to Niagara.

It allowed the River Lions to score 22 second chance points (+11) and put up 10 extra field goals inside the arc.

Winnipeg looks to get back in the win column on Sunday as they stay on the road for a third consecutive game, taking on the Calgary Surge at 3 p.m. CT. Stream the game live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the Sea Bears mobile app available for iOS devices.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 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

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Sea Bears visit River Lions for Second Game of Back-to-Back

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 14:59:37 GMT

By Zulfi Sheikh

The Winnipeg Sea Bears (3-1) continue a four-game road trip as they visit the Niagara River Lions (1-2) at the Meridian Centre on Thursday night.

Live coverage begins at 6 p.m. CT available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the Sea Bears mobile app available for iOS devices.

It’ll be the first of two matchups for the cross-conference opponents and Winnipeg’s second game is an many days. The Sea Bears are the first team this year to go through a back-to-back as they follow up a nail-biter against the Brampton Honey Badgers on Wednesday.

Winnipeg rolled into the CAA Centre yesterday and withstood just about every punch thrown by Brampton as they came out with a 92-90 victory for a third consecutive win.

Had it not been for another heroic performance from Teddy Allen, however, things might’ve ended differently. The reigning league MVP finished the game with 30 points, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter, including a game-winning floater in Target Score Time.

Allen is yet to score less than 27 points in a contest this year and through four games, he leads the league in scoring. His 34.5 points per game are almost a full 10 points more than the second-leading scorer.

The American guard helped the Sea Bears overcome a game they nearly gave away due to a season-high 17 turnovers which gifted Honey Badgers nine extra points. It was an uncharacteristic showing from a team that entered the day averaging the fewest turnovers in the league.

On the other side, Niagara enters the night looking to bounce back from a 95-87 loss to the Scarborough Shooting Stars in what was a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Final.

There were silver linings for the River Lions to build on however, as they got two standout performances that they’ll hope happen again. Jahvon Blair came off the bench and led the game in scoring, potting 22 points in 24 minutes of action. It was a season-high performance for the third-year CEBL guard and until 2022 league MVP Khalil Ahmad returns from his overseas season, it’s the type of output Niagara will need more of.

Meanwhile, Elijah Lufile also had his best game of the year as he put up 15 points on seven-of-eight shooting and grabbed eight rebounds against his former team. The 2023 champion will be equally necessary against Winnipeg as he’ll have to match up against two of the league’s premier big men in Byron Mullens and Chad Posthumus.

Keys to Victory:

Three-point shooting: It sounds simple to say the team that hits more shots from beyond the arc is likely to win, but in this game, it could be a big swing factor. Neither team shoots with much efficiency from distance. Winnipeg (31.1) and Niagara (31.5) rank second and third last, respectively, when it comes to three-point conversion rate.

Rebounding: Despite the Sea Bears entering the matchup with more size in their lineup, the River Lions are statistically the better team on the glass. Niagara leads the CEBL, averaging 43.7 rebounds per game while ranking top-two on both the offensive and defensive side. In their loss to the Shooting Stars, rebounding was one of the few advantages as they grabbed 17 offensive rebounds (+3) and earned 18 second-chance points as a result.

Giving up extra possessions appears to be a trend for Winnipeg in tight ball games. Their lone loss and Wednesday’s two-point win are the only games where opponents have grabbed more offensive rebounds than them. Against Brampton they gave up 19 offensive rebounds (-4) for 15 second-chance points.

2023 Season Series:

If last year’s lone matchup is any indication, fans will be in for a treat. Winnipeg took their first-ever contest against Niagara by overcoming a 17-point deficit midway through the third quarter in what ended up being a three-point win.

Unsurprisingly, Allen led the way with a game-high 28 points to go with six rebounds, six assists and three steals as his Sea Bears came out with a 93-90 victory.

Stream the game live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the Sea Bears mobile app available for iOS devices.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 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

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Sea Bears Hold off Honey Badgers in 92-90 Nailbiter

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 21:55:07 GMT

By Zulfi Sheikh

Teddy Allen’s 30-point performance helped the Winnipeg Sea Bears hold off the Brampton Honey Badgers for a 92-90 win on Wednesday.

The 2023 CEBL MVP scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, including the game-winning basket as he propelled the Sea Bears to a third consecutive victory.

“We put him in positions to get him in the right spots so he can make those amazing plays,” Chad Posthumus said postgame on Allen’s fourth-quarter heroics. “They were throwing everything at him … for him to still make those plays, it’s awesome. We have all the confidence in the world with him.”

Allen was one of five double-digit scorers on the night. Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson chipped in with 16 points and nine assists and Byron Mullens added 13 points and eight rebounds. Off the bench, Chad Posthumus and David Muenkat (in his Sea Bears debut) put up 17 and 10 points, respectively.

On the other side, the Honey Badgers were led by Javonte Cook’s 16 points and eight assists in what ended up being their third consecutive loss. Brampton also got solid contributions from Shamiel Stevenson and Petros Melissaratos, who chipped in with 16 and 15 points, respectively.

Brampton guard L.J. Thorpe was inefficient in his return to the lineup after a two-game absence. The starting guard finished with 15 points on two-of-13 shooting with six turnovers.

Winnipeg had built an early nine-point lead in the first quarter, thanks to strong starts from Mullens and Allen, who scored eight points apiece. But Brampton quickly cut that gap to just one point in the final two minutes of the frame thanks to back-to-back Lucas Siewert triples and an 8-0 run.

Not to be outdone, however, the Sea Bears promptly built their lead back up to five points on consecutive layups from Allen and Posthumus to enter the second quarter up 24-19.

It was Winnipeg’s strong inside game that brought them success throughout the opening quarter, as they shot 70 per cent in the painted area, missing just three shots. It was an uncharacteristically efficient start attacking the basket for a team that typically converts 48.9 per cent of their two-pointers this season, the second lowest mark in the CEBL.

Winnipeg finished the game shooting 58 per cent from inside the arc.

The Honey Badgers continued to chip away at the Sea Bears’ lead in the second and, like in the first, the rally charge was led by Siewert. The Brazilian scored seven points in the frame, not only matching Mullens’ game-high 13 points at the half, but also keeping Brampton within a possession as they trailed 42-40 at the break.

Aside from Siewert’s scoring punch, it was also the Honey Badgers defensive effort that allowed them to remain within striking distance. The Sea Bears entered the night averaging the fewest turnovers per game (11.3) but were forced into nine throughout the first two quarters.

“Our defence is always our number one thing,” Honey Badgers’ head coach Sheldon Cassimy said following the game. “It’s what we hang our hat on, especially with our strength and physicality on the perimeter.”

It wasn’t until the 4:12 mark of the third that a Melissaratos putback officially completed the comeback, overcoming an eight-point deficit and giving the Honey Badgers their first lead since it was 9-8 midway through the first.

Although that lead didn’t last, Brampton’s effort was enough to keep things tied 66-66 ahead of the fourth and get the franchise-record crowd on their feet. The large crowd and the early tipoff time were a result of Brampton’s second annual School Day Game that hosted students from 27 schools in the Peel School Board and Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board.

“[The fans] propelled us,” Cassimy said with a smile when asked what sparked their rally. “They gave us the energy that we needed … being able to play for them really helped us come back.”

Despite a close affair, Allen decided it was time to take over. He had nine of his 11 points in the frame before Target Score Time as the Sea Bears went into the period up 82-80 before the American guard eventually ended things with a floater.

“Our team faced a lot of adversity today,” Sea Bears head coach Mike Taylor said after the game. “They just wouldn’t go away … we hung in there, kept making plays, and they kept coming back. I’m thankful our guys made one more in the end.”

“I think [a game] like this is valuable,” Cassimy said. “The errors and deficiencies don’t always get addressed when you’re constantly winning, I think now we’re able to address things early, and we’ll get better.”

The Sea Bears won’t get any time to bask in the win, as they return to action Thursday against the Niagara River Lions in their first back-to-back of the season. Live coverage will be available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the Winnipeg Sea Bears mobile app available for iOS devices.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 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

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Sea Bears to match up against Honey Badgers in first game of road trip

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 01:14:04 GMT

By Zulfi Sheikh

The Winnipeg Sea Bears are looking to build off two straight home wins as they embark on a four-game road trip starting Wednesday morning at the CAA Centre in Brampton.

Live coverage begins at 10:00 am CT and fans can stream the game on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the Winnipeg Sea Bears mobile app available for iOS devices.

Wednesday’s school day matchup for Winnipeg and Brampton will be the lone contest between the cross-conference opponents and a point of intersection for two teams trending in opposite directions.

In facing the Sea Bears, the Honey Badgers kick-off a three-game homestand with the hopes of returning to their early season form. Brampton won back-to-back contests at home to open the year and once they left the CAA Centre, they’ve not only been winless, but they’ve also lost hold of their singular-lead over the East.

And although it’s early, for a team that’s two years removed from a championship and coming off a disappointing 8-12 campaign in 2023, there’s no time like the present.

Both losses have left little to feel inspired about, losing by 43 and then 18 points, but in fairness to Brampton they’ve been missing starting guard L.J. Thorpe through both games. It’s evident that without their second-leading scorer (16.5 points per game) and top assist man, the Honey Badgers have lost some momentum.

In their most recent loss to the Alliance, the lack of a surehanded ball handler was clear as Brampton turned the ball over a season-high 24 times.

With Thorpe’s status uncertain heading into Wednesday’s contest, others will need to step up for the Honey Badgers to get back in the win column. And for what it’s worth, that is where there appears to be a silver lining for the team.

Shamiel Stevenson got his first start of the season in absence of Thorpe and had his best outing of the year. The third year CEBL guard finished Sunday’s game with a season-high 24 points on 62 per cent shooting from the field and 50 per cent from deep to go with five rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal. The breakout performance makes Stevenson a prime candidate for an increased role should Thorpe’s absence continue.

On the other side, Winnipeg is starting a four-game road trip by taking on Brampton. After losing their first game of the season, the Sea bears bounced back by winning a nail-biter against the defending champion Scarborough Shooting Stars then taking down the Ottawa BlackJacks by 13 points.

The biggest improvement for Winnipeg through their back-to-back wins was cleaning up unforced errors. In their seasoning-opening loss to the Saskatchewan Rattlers, the Sea Bears turned the ball over 17 times, the same amount they did in their next two games combined.

Beyond that, Winnipeg has also remained one of the top rebounding squads for a second consecutive season. Their 44.3 boards a game is second in the CEBL, and it allows them to get multiple scoring opportunities out of a given possession. Despite sitting at the bottom of the league in field goal (40.1) and three-point percentage (28.9), the Sea Bears still average the second-most points per game (96).

Key Matchup

Fans watching this game will be treated to a face-off between two of the premier scorers in the entire league, when Zane Waterman and Teddy Allen go head-to-head.

Waterman saw a return to form against the Alliance as he put up a game-high 28 points on 9-of-12 shooting to go with eight rebounds. The import forward has now put up 27-or-more points in three of four contests and is averaging the third most points in the CEBL (22.5).

Meanwhile, Allen has been on a torrid pace of his own, leading the league with his 36 points a game. The 2023 league MVP has already put up two consecutive 40-point performances and is coming of a 27-point night in the Sea Bears win over the BlackJacks.

Both players like to score inside and out and battle on the glass. So, there ought to be plenty of instances where they get in each other’s way.

2023 Season Series

The cross-conference opponents faced off twice last season and split the series one win apiece. And since it was Winnipeg’s inaugural season, the 1-1 tally also reflects their all-time head-to-head record.

The games were drastically different as the Honey Badgers took the early matchup, winning a low-scoring 75-71 contest in June, while the Sea Bears came away with a 110-89 victory two weeks later. The most noticeable contrast between Winnipeg’s win and loss was the productivity of Allen.

In their win, the 2023 CEBL MVP put up 40 points while hitting a league record tying nine threes. Meanwhile, in the Sea Bears’ loss, Allen finished with 18 points -- one of just four times he was held under 20 points last season – on seven-of-24 shooting from the field and one of seven from distance.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 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

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Four Sea Bears Score in Double Figures as Winnipeg Tops Winless BlackJacks 93-80

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 15:03:39 GMT

By Steven Loung

Four Sea Bears scored in double figures as Winnipeg (2-1) used stout fourth-quarter defence to cruise past the Ottawa BlackJacks (0-3) 93-80 Saturday night at Canada Life Centre.

League MVP Teddy Allen came into Saturday’s contest averaging a league-best 40.5 points per game, but had to work for what he got on Saturday. He was eight of 19 from the floor, not making a three-pointer until he drilled a couple of difficult long-range shots in Target Score Time to finish two for seven from distance.

Despite the shooting struggles, last season’s CEBL MVP still managed to stuff the box score, finishing with six rebounds and six assists to go along with the 27 he dropped.

“I pride myself on making the right read,” said Allen after the game.

“Teddy commands such attention from the defence. It’s a situation where he can set players up and create opportunities for his teammates,” Sea Bears head coach Mike Taylor added.

“From my standpoint, I’m really pleased with the way Teddy played. I think he did a great job defensively. He rebounded well. Teddy’s more than just a scorer, and when you don’t have your hot shooting game going, you have to find other ways to contribute, and he did that really well tonight.”

In an off night for Allen offensively, his teammates made key contributions on both ends of the floor. Allen wouldn’t have had the opportunity to play the hero in Target Score Time if his team hadn’t dug in defensively.

Winnipeg entered the fourth quarter clinging to a 68-65 lead but, on the back of their defence, were able to comfortably take things into Target Score Time ahead 84-76.

The Sea Bears held the BlackJacks to just five of 13 shooting in the fourth quarter and only one for four in Target Score Time. They were effective forcing turnovers and drawing charges, including a sequence where Allen and Mason Bourcier drew two on back-to-back Ottawa possessions.

“He was doing all the little things, without scoring, to win,” said Taylor of Bourcier, who was part of the unit that closed the game out for the Sea Bears. “He really made his teammates better, and that’s why we had him out there.”

Also shining for Winnipeg was former NBA first-round draft pick Byron Mullens, who enjoyed his best CEBL game since joining the league this season. The 35-year-old finished with 19 points and eight rebounds on eight-of-16 shooting, doing most of his damage in the second and third quarters while Allen was still trying to work through his off shooting night.

NBA G League import Darius Days added a strong performance with a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double. His 14 retrieves were just one shy of tying Allen and Posthumus for the Sea Bears' single-game record.

Local product Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson rounded out the Sea Bears starters to score in double figures, finishing with 20 points on six-of-10 shooting, and closing out the game with three made free throws, sending the 8,514 fans in attendance at Canada Life Centre home happy.

“We love Sea Bears Nation. They support us so well,” said Taylor. “Tonight, when we weren’t clicking offensively, you could still feel the energy with everyone supporting us. There’s something special happening here in Winnipeg.”

On the flip side, after yet another loss, the BlackJacks find themselves in a tough 0-3 hole to start the season, despite an excellent game from Ibrahim Watson, who finished with 23 points on 10-of-19 shooting, and newcomer Isaih Moore, who put up a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double in his second-ever CEBL game.

Those positives are cold comfort for Ottawa, however, as they continue to navigate the early portions of this season without key starters Deng Adel and Zena Edosomwan, who are currently completing their professional seasons overseas, and also without starting guard Yasiin Joseph, who didn’t play due to injury.

“We’re always evaluating the situation. We know that some of our players have been having success overseas and we’re waiting for them to arrive,” said Ottawa head coach James Derouin. “With the guys that we have, I’m proud of the way that they’re fighting.”

Ottawa will continue their road trip heading to Montreal to face the Alliance in a matchup that will see one of the two winless squads finally pick up a much-needed victory. Winnipeg will begin a four-game road trip in Brampton against the 2-1 Honey Badgers on Wednesday before returning home to face the Edmonton Stingers on Wednesday, June 19. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 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

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Teddy Allen Looks to Continue Hot Start as Sea Bears Host Winless BlackJacks

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 14:09:27 GMT

By Steven Loung

Coming off a pair of 40-point outbursts to begin the season, Teddy Allen and the Winnipeg Sea Bears (1-1) are looking to keep their momentum rolling at home as they host the Ottawa BlackJacks (0-2) Saturday. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. CT at Canada Life Centre.

Allen, last season’s CEBL MVP, is in fine form to begin the season, averaging 40.5 points per game with a 40-point performance to begin the season against the Saskatchewan Rattlers, followed up by 41 in Winnipeg’s last game versus the defending-champion Scarborough Shooting Stars.

Following up on a thrilling come-from-behind home victory that saw them win on an Alex Campbell three, the Sea Bears will meet the BlackJacks, who are off to a rough start to the season and could be in for another tough matchup in what will assuredly be a raucous Canada Life Centre.

The Sea Bears fans packed the arena with 9,116 last game, the second-largest attendance ever for a regular-season CEBL contest.

“Honestly, I’ve been in a lot of arenas in my career and that was one of the loudest I’ve ever heard,” said Winnipeg guard Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson after the Sea Bears’ win over the Shooting Stars. “It felt like your head was going to fall off.”

The Sea Bears will look to pick up their first-ever win against a squad that bested them 98-86 at TD Place in their lone matchup last season. Allen led the way for Winnipeg in that contest with a 26-point, 10-rebound effort.

Ottawa has had a difficult time finding offence over their first two games, averaging 83 points per game, the third-fewest in the league. They couldn’t keep up with the Edmonton Stingers in their home opener on Wednesday, falling 92-84.

Both Ottawa and Edmonton entered Target Score Time knotted at 81 apiece, but the BlackJacks only managed three points during the finishing period, dooming their chances.

A bright spot for Ottawa, however, is newcomer Isaih Moore, who made his CEBL debut Wednesday. The 6-10 Moore, who played 10 games with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA G League last season, finished Wednesday’s game with 22 points and six rebounds on eight-of-12 shooting.

The addition of Moore looks to give the BlackJacks a much-needed offensive lift as Ottawa still remains without 2023 starters Deng Adel and Zena Edosomwan, who are currently completing their professional seasons overseas, and possibly starting guard Yasiin Joseph, who was forced to exit Wednesday’s contest with an elbow injury.

The Sea Bears will also be seeing additional reinforcements heading their way, but not in time for Saturday’s game. Local product Emmanuel Akot will be coming home to play for the Sea Bears this season after the conclusion of his season with Heroes Den Bosch of the BNXT League. The 6-8 wing suited up in two games with the BlackJacks last season. David Muenkat, a St. Francis Xavier graduate currently playing overseas in Frankfurt, will also join the team after wrapping up his current playoff run.

The action begins at 7:30 p.m. CT at Canada Life Centre. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets. Live coverage is available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 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

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Sea Bears sign versatile wing, Winnipegger Emmanuel Akot

Tue, 28 May 2024 14:52:06 GMT

WINNIPEG – After 10 years on the road, Emmanuel Akot is coming home to play.

Akot, a six-foot-eight forward from Winnipeg who played five seasons of NCAA Division I basketball, has been signed by the Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League for the 2024 season. He will join the team as soon as his season in the BNXT League is complete.

“I'm excited to be back in Winnipeg and can't wait to get started with the Sea Bears. Growing up in this city, I've been fortunate to have received nothing but love and support from the community. To be able to compete for the city that has given me so much is an incredible honour. We've got a passionate fan base, and we're committed to giving them a team they can be proud of,” said Akot.

“We are extremely excited to add another top talent from Winnipeg, Emmanuel Akot, to our roster. Emmanuel gives us outstanding versatility and another quality Canadian player for our rotation. In these early stages of his professional career, we are excited to see Emmanuel grow and develop his game as a Sea Bear,” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor.

Originally a student-athlete at Kildonan East Collegiate, the 25-year-old Akot set off on a journey in basketball that took him to the American southwest and eventually to the Netherlands, where he played the 2023-24 professional season with Heroes Den Bosch of the top-flight Dutch/Belgian league, BNXT.

In Den Bosch, Akot averaged 7.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists this past season.

“This year in Den Bosch Netherlands, Emmanuel has played very well and put together a solid rookie season. We look forward to Sea Bears Nation cheering for another one of their own this summer when Emmanuel joins us in June,” said Taylor.

After playing prep for two seasons at Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Ut., Akot was a five-star commitment to the Arizona Wildcats, where he played two seasons for one of the top programs in the NCAA. Akot made four starts as a freshman in 2017-18 and played 48 games in Tucson before transferring to Boise State for the 2019-20 season.

With the Broncos, Akot was named an honourable mention all-Mountain West and was named to the Mountain West all-tournament team in 2021-22.

In two seasons in Boise, Akot averaged 9.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 36.7 per cent from three.

In 2022, Akot used his COVID-year eligibility and transferred to Western Kentucky, where he started all 31 games in ‘22-23 for the Hilltoppers as a Super Senior. He averaged 10 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and shot 31.6 per cent from three.

Akot appeared in two games last summer with the CEBL’s Ottawa Blackjacks.

Akot is the tenth professional player signed by the Sea Bears this spring with former NBA centre Byron Mullens and G League all-star Darius Days coming to terms in the past few weeks. The team also announced the signings of Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson , David Muenkat , Chad Posthumus , Alex Campbell , Mason Bourcier , and Shane Osayande . The team signed 2023 CEBL MVP, import Teddy Allen on Feb. 7 and drafted developmental players Simon Hildebrandt, Tyler Sagl and Shawn Maranan on April 11.

The Sea Bears will be back in action this Saturday, June 1 at Canada Life Centre for the team’s third game of the 20-match slate. Tickets can be found at seabears.ca .

###

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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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Sea Bears Stun Shooting Stars 109-106 in Thrilling Home-Opener Victory

Sat, 25 May 2024 04:36:07 GMT

By Myles Dichter

Teddy Allen lived up to his nickname, Teddy Buckets, on Friday. But head coach Mike Taylor has another suggestion: Triple-Double Teddy.

The Sea Bears star scored 41 points while adding nine rebounds and six assists in Winnipeg’s home opener at Canada Life Centre, a thrilling 109-106 victory over the reigning champion Scarborough Shooting Stars.

“I’ve been a part of a couple of [Target Score finishes] and that’s one of the best of them, for sure,” said Sea Bears guard Alex Campbell, whose 75 games in the league are more than anyone.

Naturally, then, it was Campbell who kept his cool to seal the win.

As for Allen, his stat line at the end of the game wasn’t quite a triple-double. But Taylor’s idea — that his star player needs to become more of a distributor — proved effective when it mattered most.

With the teams tied at 106, the next made shot would determine the winner. Scarborough (0-1) had the first shot at glory, and a messy possession ended with off-season addition Jackson Rowe drawing a reach-in foul.

But a raucous Sea Bears crowd — at 9,116 fans, the second-largest attendance ever for a CEBL regular-season game — got loud when it mattered most, and Rowe came up short on both of his free throws.

“Honestly, I’ve been in a lot of arenas in my career and that was one of the loudest I’ve ever heard. It felt like your head was going to fall off,” said Sea Bears guard Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson.

The misses breathed new life into Winnipeg (1-1), and Allen raced down the floor with the ball. As the defence keyed in on the reigning MVP, it left Campbell open in the corner.

Allen moved the ball to the top Canadian scorer in CEBL history, who calmly swished the three-pointer and sent the home side into a frenzy.

“This was just a storybook beginning to our season here at home,” said Winnipeg head coach Mike Taylor. “You’ve got the defending champions coming in, you’ve got a sellout and you’ve got a team that you believe in. Then to fall behind in [Target Score Time], the assist from the home crowd to impact the free-throw shooter and then to have Alex hit a big three, I’m just so thankful and so proud of the guys, proud of the city.”

Allen put it more succinctly.

“Electric,” he told TSN reporter Nikki Reyes in a post-game interview. “The atmosphere was electric.”

Allen’s focus on spreading the ball around was on display from the team’s second offensive possession of the game, when he threaded a pass inside for Darius Days, who was fouled on a layup attempt.

The moment seemed to set the tone for the remainder of the game, which featured multiple twists and turns.

Both teams held double-digit leads and saw them erased, with the Shooting Stars coughing theirs up in the first half while the Sea Bears nearly gave the game away in the fourth quarter.

Scarborough eventually entered Target Score Time up five points, but Winnipeg once again clawed back to tie the game at 103.

Shooting Stars guard Kadre Gray, another off-season addition from Ottawa, nailed a deep three-pointer to put his new team on the brink of victory, but Allen answered right back with a towering trey of his own, setting up the wild final sequence.

“I’m really proud of the way they battled,” said Scarborough head coach Devan Blair, who was debuting behind the bench. “For that being [Winnipeg’s] second game, home opener, crowd’s rocking. For us to be able to come back in that fourth quarter and take the lead into [Target Score Time], have a chance to win. Those guys showed a lot of heart. They battled. Extremely proud of them.”

While the Shooting Stars only returned two players from last year’s championship squad for this game, the new group looked strong.

But they didn't figure out a way to stop the reigning MVP.

Excluding his late free-throw misses, Rowe made positive impacts throughout, en route to a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double. Gray added 17 points of his own off the bench to go with nine assists.

It was former G-Leaguer Tevian Jones who came alive late, sparking the fourth-quarter rally and pacing his squad with 18 points.

Meanwhile, the Shooting Stars also avoided an injury scare when the high-flying forward Hason Ward seemed to bend his knee awkwardly and left the game. Ward missed just one play and was able to finish out a strong debut featuring 12 points and seven blocks.

But this game was all about the Sea Bears, who risked falling into an early 0-2 hole after coming up short in their season opener against the Saskatchewan Rattlers on Wednesday.

Campbell’s winning bucket gave him eight points for the game and 1,002 for his career, including playoffs, while Allen’s assist marked his 100th in the league. Campbell becomes the first Canadian in history to log 1000 career CEBL points.

The NBA-experienced starting frontcourt of Byron Mullens and Darius Days continued to show their strength as they combined for 21 points and 13 rebounds.

And Ogungbemi-Jackson, the Sea Bears' captain on Friday, provided the kind of scoring support that was missing against the Rattlers. The Winnipegger scored 19 points while adding 10 rebounds and six assists as the team’s starting point guard.

“It was big. I felt like we obviously didn’t play our best game against Saskatchewan. I wasn’t happy with the way we came out - I thought we could play much better,” Ogungbemi-Jackson said. “And even though we brought it back to a close game, I thought it was really, really important for us to get this game on our home floor.”

The Sea Bears will enjoy a full week off before hosting the Ottawa Blackjacks in their next game on Saturday, June 1. Click the button below for tickets:

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 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

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Sea Bears Look to Bounce Back at Home Against New-Look Shooting Stars

Fri, 24 May 2024 14:16:46 GMT

By Myles Dichter

When the Winnipeg Sea Bears face the defending-champion Scarborough Shooting Stars in their 2024 home opener on Friday, little besides their opponents’ 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 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.

Winnipeg 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 to the Edmonton Stingers 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 … we have a 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.

Kyree Walker, a 6-6 American forward and Danilo Djuricic, a forward from Brampton, Ont., will be counted upon to hold the fort down for Scarborough until they’re rejoined by Cat Barber, the CEBL’s all-time leading scorer, and 6-9 Toronto forward Kalif Young, both of whom are currently wrapping up their seasons in overseas pro leagues.

There’s even a change behind the bench, as head coach Chris Exilus was promoted into the front office. He's succeeded by Devan Blair, who serves as head coach of the NBA G League’s Westchester Knicks as well as the Barbados national team.

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.

In the teams’ lone meeting last season, Allen went off for 42 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.

Stream the game live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app, or listen live on 680 CJOB Radio , the official radio broadcast partner of the Sea Bears.

Milestone watch

● Winnipeg’s Alex Campbell 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 June 2 last season.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 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

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Travel Manitoba & Winnipeg Sea Bears partner to give away all-inclusive trip to Churchill

Wed, 22 May 2024 15:56:30 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that they will partner with Travel Manitoba to offer a new “See the Bears” in-game contest during the 2024 season. The contest will give fans the chance to win a trip to see the team’s namesake polar bears as part of an all-inclusive round-trip tour of Churchill, Man.

Accommodating up to four people and valued at over $4,000 per guest, the prize package includes:

· A round-trip flight from Winnipeg to Churchill, with breakfast on board

· Two-night accommodations at Polar Inn and Suites

· A full-day Tundra Buggy Excursion

· A full-day Coastal Roads & Hidden Trails Wildlife tour

· A Nights Under Lights yurt experience and cultural presentation

· Transportation to and from Churchill Airport

· Meals in Churchill

To enter, fans will scan an in-game QR code to play the “Where’s Churchill?” picture game featuring Winnipeg’s beloved polar bear mascot displayed on the jumbotron in mystery locations across Canada. After submitting their guesses, fans will be able to virtually enter their contest ballot. The contest will run throughout the summer, with one opportunity to enter at each Sea Bears home game. Entries will be limited to one per person per game.

The contest winners will be drawn following the 2024 season, with the round trip to take place from Nov. 3 to 5, 2024 with Heartland International Travel and Tours

The Sea Bears encourage fans to enter for a chance to visit the magnificent animals after which the team was named.

Travel to and from Winnipeg’s Kivaliq Air Charter Terminal, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, insurance or expenses of a personal nature are not included in the package. To get in on your chance to win this exclusive experience, join the team for any home game this season and be sure to scan the QR code in-game.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 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

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Sea Bears Tip Off Second Season in Prairie Matchup with Rattlers

Wed, 22 May 2024 15:00:44 GMT

By Myles Dichter

In the Prairies, the 2024 CEBL season is set to start with a bang.

The Saskatchewan Rattlers host the Winnipeg Sea Bears on Wednesday as both teams eye improvement on their 2023 campaigns. The game begins at 8:30 p.m. CT at Saskatoon’s SaskTel Centre, with live coverage available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices. It will also be televised nationally on Game+ and available on NLSE in the United States.

During their inaugural season, the Sea Bears took two of three games against their midwestern rivals en route to a 12-8 record and second place in the Western Conference.

But Winnipeg’s success out of the gates was halted in the playoffs during a nail-biting loss to the Edmonton Stingers.

Even still, the Sea Bears enjoyed a brighter season than the Rattlers, who limped to an 8-12 record and missed the playoffs entirely.

It promises to be a fascinating battle between the reimagined Rattlers against the steady Sea Bears.

Winnipeg was content to keep its core intact with reigning MVP Teddy Allen back aboard for a second season.

The Phoenix product averaged 27.2 points per game last season, fueled by his league-leading 191 three-point attempts — nearly 30 more than second place.

Memorably, the Sea Bears star tied the CEBL single-game scoring record with 42 points in a June contest at Scarborough before raining down a record-tying nine three-pointers against Brampton 13 days later.

But Allen proved to be more than just a shooter over the course of the season as he also slotted top-10 in the league in both rebounds and steals while playing in all 20 games for Winnipeg.

Joining him in all but one of those games was veteran CEBL big man Chad Posthumus, a hometown Winnipegger whose 55 career appearances have featured 6.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. The Canadian, who spent time with the national 3x3 team, led the league in offensive rebounding last season.

Surrounding Allen and Posthumus is a rejigged supporting cast featuring a pair of players with NBA experience.

Byron Mullens, 35, arrives in Manitoba a veteran of 189 NBA games, the last of which came in 2014 with the

Philadelphia 76ers. In the year prior, Mullens averaged more than 10 points per game across 53 games and 41 starts with the Charlotte Bobcats, including a 25-point performance off the bench in a March win against a Toronto Raptors team that featured Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.

Darius Days’ experience in the world’s top men’s pro basketball league is slightly different, with just four games for the Houston Rockets in 2023 under his belt. The 24-year-old from Florida was named to the G League’s second team and all-rookie team in 2022-23.

For the Rattlers, the 2023 season marked the fourth straight without a playoff win after the franchise hoisted the first-ever CEBL championship trophy in 2019.

In an effort to recapture that magic, the team recently brought back president Lee Genier, who served in the same role between 2018 and 2020. Genier promptly re-signed vice-president of basketball operations, Barry Rawlyk, who returns for his sixth season with the club.

Under Rawlyk’s continued guidance, the Rattlers made a notable coaching change, hiring Larry Abney from the G League’s Ontario Clippers. Abney, a New York local who enjoyed a 12-year pro career across the world, also previously served in a player development role with the Clippers.

Meanwhile, Rawlyk’s major on-court splash was his move to import former Toronto Raptors guard Jalen Harris.

Harris, of Dallas, spent the past two seasons with the Scarborough Shooting Stars, averaging nearly 20 points per game across 22 appearances with the club.

The former NBA second-round draft pick should be feeling good heading into his debut season in Saskatchewan, too, after he exploded for 50 points in his 2024 G League finale with the Windy City Bulls.

Harris should enjoy plenty of support around him on the court.

A pair of Ontario Clippers, Elijah Harkless and Bryson Williams, are following their coach, Abney, across the border as well. Both players held significant roles under Abney, each averaging over 20 minutes per game. Harkless and Williams are both new to the CEBL, though the latter won’t make his debut until June as he completes his pro season in Israel.

Maurice Calloo, however, knows the CEBL quite well as he enters his third season in the league. The Windsor, Ont. product appeared with the Guelph Nighthawks in his rookie campaign in 2022 before moving across the country with the franchise and playing for the Calgary Surge in 2023, where he helped the team to a 12-8 record and CEBL Final appearance.

The 6-10 Calloo shot over 40 per cent from beyond the arc in nine games with the Surge, averaging 5.8 points across 14.2 minutes per contest.

“It’s a natural rivalry,” Sea Bears bench boss Mike Taylor said of his team’s first matchup. “In those rivalry games anything can happen, and we’ll be ready.”

The action tips off at 8:30 p.m. CT. Live streaming will be available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices. The game will also be covered live on 680 CJOB Radio, the official radio broadcast partner of the Sea Bears.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 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

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

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X: @680CJOB

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears 2024 Season Preview: Experienced Additions, Returning Talent will be "Match Made in Heaven"

Tue, 21 May 2024 21:34:36 GMT

By Cameron Johnsen

Mike Taylor and his Winnipeg Sea Bears didn’t know how to feel as they walked through the tunnel at Canada Life Centre for the final time last summer.

An unknown commodity just four months prior, the Sea Bears had defied expectations in their inaugural season. They had won the most games of any expansion team in CEBL history. They had been met with incredible support from the city and multiple record-setting crowds. But with a play-in loss to the Edmonton Stingers on Aug. 4, 2023, they had fallen short of their goal to compete for a league title at CEBL Championship Weekend.

As disappointing as the abrupt end to their season was, Taylor knew that it was only the beginning. The buzz around Winnipeg’s new professional team was spreading through the larger basketball world. As the team’s head coach and general manager, he had something to sell now.

“We had a lot of unknowns last year,” he said following the opening practice of the team’s pre-season training camp last Monday. “When I got in front of players and coaches last year, I talked about the idea of what Winnipeg would be. Now, you can see the great support we have here in Winnipeg – it’s helped us attract the players we have now.”

After inking a two-year extension to remain with the Sea Bears through 2025, the reigning CEBL Coach of the Year went to work building on top of the foundation that his team had set in their first season. That started with bringing back league MVP Teddy Allen.

The 6-6 guard from Phoenix, Ariz. was the centrepiece of the Sea Bears’ offence in 2023, averaging 27.6 points per game and tying the league’s single-game scoring record with 42 points June 2 against Scarborough. “Teddy Buckets” became a Winnipeg fan favourite on the court and in the community.

Allen, who re-signed with Winnipeg as one of their protected players in February, said he didn’t think twice about returning to continue what the group started last season.

“It just felt like a family,” he said. “A lot of the time in pro sports, there’s a lot of turnover. So, when you have a great relationship with an organization and a community, it’s just something you want to build on.”

Taylor says that Allen’s early re-signing gave him and his staff the time they needed to find the best talent to play around him.

“Once we signed Teddy, we knew teams were going to be focused on stopping him. He set scoring records, earned the MVP and was such a big part of our success last year. But we wanted to try to put players in place around him that complement him.”

Taylor had more than just an idea of the Winnipeg Sea Bears to pitch to free agents this time, and it showed. He added Canadian professional veterans Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson, Alex Campbell, Mason Bourcier and David Muenkat alongside two NBA-experienced big men in Byron Mullens and Darius Days. The new additions bring a combined 40 years of professional experience, something Taylor says has helped the group to hit the ground running.

“We’ve got more experience on the roster this year, and you can feel it. They’re picking things up quickly, and we’ve made a lot of progress in our system,” he said.

Quarterbacking it all is Ogungbemi-Jackson, a local product who has played more than 300 professional games in Europe over the last decade. The former University of Calgary guard has averaged double-figure scoring in all nine of his pro seasons, and hopes that his veteran savvy will help him bring a steady leadership to the team.

“At the end of the day, it’s basketball. Once we get on the floor, I think that’s when my experience will come into play, and it’ll happen naturally,” he said. “I’m just trying to lead where I can and be myself, and the guys are accepting me with open arms.”

Though he’s seen his share of action overseas, this will be the first time as a pro that Ogungbemi Jackson runs through the tunnel to the roar a hometown crowd.

“I still don’t know what that moment is going to be like, but I’ve been dreaming about it,” he smiled.

Ogungbemi-Jackson joins Winnipeggers Chad Posthumus, Simon Hildebrandt and Shawn Maranan to form a strong local contingent on the Sea Bears.

“We feel like we’ve upgraded the Canadians and the import players,” Taylor said. “The Canadian pieces on the perimeter gave us the opportunity to use the import spots on frontcourt three-point shooting and playmaking.”

The ability to stretch the floor at all five positions figures to add new depth to the Sea Bears’ offence around Allen. Mullens and Days both logged marks better than 35 per cent from distance in 2022-23.

“We wanted to make our offence multi-dimensional and more difficult to guard,” Taylor explained. “Byron is a great three-point shooter as a five man, so he’s a different matchup for a lot of teams in the league. Darius also has an outstanding three-point touch and can score inside and out.”

The scouting reports showed complimentary skillsets, but the roster was only a sheet of paper until the team tipped off training camp on May 13. Allen says that the team’s veteran additions have meshed well with the returning players since hitting the floor together.

“It starts on a personal level,” he noted. “You have to try to get to know each other personally so that you can have better chemistry on the court, and I think that so far, we’ve done that,” he said.

“It’ll be a match made in heaven with all the new guys,” he added.

Days, an LSU graduate who has spent his two professional seasons on a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets, is also impressed with how the group has gelled in camp.

“We’re going to be really good,” he said. “I’ve played on a couple really good teams, and I’m excited about this team.”

“We love the roster on paper, and what training camp has shown is that these guys have a willingness to work together,” Taylor said. “They’re all committed to the system and making the game easier for each other.”

Winnipeg will begin their season on the road Wednesday, May 22 in a prairie matchup with the Saskatchewan Rattlers. The Rattlers bested Winnipeg 99-96 in their last meeting July 11, and have added NBA G-Leaguers Jalen Harris and Elijah Harkless ahead of the 2024 season.

“It’s a natural rivalry,” Taylor acknowledged. “It’ll be an improved Rattlers team, and in those rivalry games, anything can happen. We want to get off to a great start, and that game is dominating our focus right now.”

After that lone road matchup, they’ll return to Canada Life Centre to face the defending league-champion Scarborough Shooting Stars in a sold-out home opener on Friday, May 24. Scarborough has re-signed the CEBL’s all-time leading scorer in Cat Barber while also bringing over veterans Kadre Gray and Jackson Rowe, two players who made the league All-Canadian team last season.

“When you play the defending champs, you want to show what you can do,” Taylor said. “We know there are good teams who have improved, but we feel like we’ve improved.”

“What we’re really excited about is the fan support here,” he added. “Winnipeg has been so good to us, and we’re really excited to get into Canada Life Centre with a brand-new court and sellout crowd and take on the defending champions in that home opener.”

With CEBL Championship Weekend moving to the Eastern Conference in Montreal this season, the Western Conference’s top seed will receive an automatic bye to the championship semifinals. Taylor says it’s hard for his team to ignore the opportunity to punch their ticket during the regular season.

“Our organization’s dream goal is to win a CEBL Championship. We want to earn the right to go to Montreal and give ourselves a chance, and that’s the easiest way to get there,” he said.

Winnipeg’s chance at the coveted top seed will likely come down to the final contests of the regular season. The team’s schedule ends with a stretch of seven straight games against in-conference opponents.

“We know we have a lot of work ahead of us, but these are the things we’re setting out for.”

From the buzz around training camp, one thing is clear: this year’s Sea Bears squad looks poised to take the next step toward that dream goal.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 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

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Sea Bears Announce Season-Opening Roster

Tue, 21 May 2024 14:24:34 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League announced the roster with which the team will open the 2024 season. The Sea Bears travel to Saskatoon today for the first game of their sophomore season against the Saskatchewan Rattlers tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m. CT. Fans can catch the game on CEBL+ , TSN+ and 680 CJOB .

All announced and professional signings aside from David Muenkat have been named to the team's season opening roster. Muenkat remains with the Fraport Skyliners of the German Pro A league as they continue their playoff run and will join the team when Skyliners' season is complete.

New to the team is Daren Watts, a member of the Manitoba Bisons, who has made the team's 2024 season opening roster after a successful training camp. Brandon Bobcat Elisha Ampofo, Winnipeg Wesmen Donald Stewart and local U SPORTS players Noah Simpson and Lamar Everd will remain with the team as practice players. Due to injury, draft pick Tyler Sagl has also been placed with the team's practice squad.

Per CEBL policies, the club can make a maximum of eight roster transactions throughout the 2024 season (up until 24 hours prior to tip-off of the team's 16th game). This includes adding or removing players as well as moving athletes to or from the practice squad.

After the Sea Bears' season opener in Saskatoon, the team will return home to face the defending CEBL champions, the Scarborough Shooting Stars on Friday, a match which has sold out. Tickets for the team's nine remaining home games can be found here.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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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Sea Bears to Host Summer Series Youth Basketball Camp in Brandon

Wed, 15 May 2024 14:44:50 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that they will partner with Brandon University to host the next iteration of their Summer Series of youth basketball camps. Sea Bears players and coaches will head to Brandon on Sunday, May 26 to coach youth at the Jumpstart Multi Sport Court. The free camp is open to kids from ages nine to 14 and will run from 1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Registration is now open at seabears.ca .

Since the inception of the Sea Bears Summer Series in 2023, the one-day camps have served over 300 Winnipeg youth. The Brandon camp will be the sixth in the Summer Series and will mark the team’s first offering outside of Winnipeg. Sea Bears players and coaches will work with Brandon Bobcats women’s head coach Jaime Taggart to run the programming.

The Sea Bears community engagement team will be on site to bring fun for the whole family with giveaways and activities like cornhole, pop-a-shot and more. Sea Bears merchandise will be available for purchase at the event.

The Sea Bears have also partnered with Alt Hotel Winnipeg to give away a “Hoop Dreams” prize package at the camp. Valued at $380, the package includes a full overnight experience for a pair of visiting Sea Bears fans: two tickets to the team's June 16 home game against Edmonton, overnight accommodations at Alt Hotel, a game-day parking spot, two t-shirts and a $100 Winnipeg Downtown Biz gift card. All attendees, registered in the camp or not, will be able to enter the draw.

Those registered to participate in the camp are asked to bring their own outdoor basketball, if possible. In the event of rain, the camp will be moved to Healthy Living Centre at 2010 Louise Ave.

For registration, visit seabears.ca . Spots are limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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Sea Bears announce 2024 Training Camp Roster

Mon, 13 May 2024 04:08:15 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) begins their pre-season training camp Monday morning at the Sport Manitoba complex in downtown Winnipeg, Man. The team also announced their training camp roster, which brings a combined 55 years of professional experience in the NBA, CEBL, NBA G League and overseas professional leagues.

The team will welcome back CEBL MVP Teddy Allen for season two. Allen averaged 27.2 points last season en route to the league's top honour. The Phoenix, Ariz. product saw similar scoring success overseas in the British Basketball League (BBL) this winter, pouring in over 22 points per game with the Leicester Riders in an effort that earned him a place on the league’s Team of the Year. Allen returns to the Sea Bears looking to build on a season in which he tied the CEBL single-game records in scoring (42 points June 2 at Scarborough) and three-pointers (nine June 15 vs. Brampton).

Byron Mullens and Darius Days are two additions to watch, both bringing NBA experience with them to Winnipeg. It marks the first time the Sea Bears have rostered players from the NBA.

Days, a Florida local, has played nearly 100 games in the NBA G League with the Houston Rockets affiliate Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He was named to the G League’s second team and all-rookie team in 2022-23, earning him a call-up to the Rockets that lasted four games.

Mullens was selected 24 ^th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks, who traded his draft rights to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Boasting nearly 200 career NBA games, his most productive years came with the then-Charlotte Bobcats, where he averaged double-figure scoring in 2012. Mullens most recently played with the New Taipei Kings of Taiwan’s P.League+, where he averaged 19.9 points and 13.7 rebounds over three seasons.

A strong contingent of Winnipeg pros join these three. Headlining the local talent are professional veterans Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson , Chad Posthumus and draft picks Simon Hildebrandt and Shawn Maranan .

Ogungbemi-Jackson is returning to Winnipeg from one of the top overseas leagues, VTB United, where he ranked second in points per game with 18.9. Posthumus, the 2023 CEBL's top offensive rebounder, returns after representing Canada in FIBA 3x3 tournaments this offseason.

Hildebrandt, the reigning CEBL U SPORTS Player of the Year, comes off a strong sophomore collegiate campaign that made him the first player in Manitoba Bisons program history to earn back-to-back Canada West First Team All-Star honours.

Maranan joins the team through the draft this year after spending time on the Sea Bears practice squad last season. The University of Winnipeg Wesmen star led his squad to a nationals Final 8 appearance and was named the Wesmen Male Athlete of the Year.

Winnipeg's training camp roster features eight local products in total. Lamar Everd, Noah Simpson, Donald Stewart and Daren Watts have all made marks on their respective U SPORTS teams, with the latter two featuring prominently in the Manitoba Bisons (Watts) and Winnipeg Wesmen (Stewart) rivalry.

Elisha Ampofo suited up for Manitoba's third U SPORTS school, the Brandon Bobcats. The guard from Milton, ON averaged 13.4 points per game this past season.

Shane Osayande , Alex Campbell , Mason Bourcier and Tyler Sagl round out the team's Canadian talent. Returning Sea Bear Osayande averaged 12.2 points and 8.4 rebounds for Al Shamal of the QBL this past winter. Campbell will look to put a firm stamp on his CEBL legacy as the all-time Canadian scorer. Bourcier joins the team from his first overseas stint in the BBL and bring elite playmaking skills to the team. Sagl, who was drafted in the second round by the Sea Bears for the second straight season, showed strong contributions from three in limited minutes last year.

David Muenkat is not on the training camp roster and will join the team once his season with the Fraport Skyliners of the German Pro A league is complete.

As per CEBL guidelines, the team will select its 10 active roster players and two to four non-active players upon the completion of training camp.

After Sea Bears training camp, the team will head to Saskatchewan to take on the Rattlers on May 22. The team’s home opener is slated for May 24 at Canada Life Centre against the defending CEBL champions, the Scarborough Shooting Stars, a match which has sold out. Tickets for the team's nine remaining home games can be found here.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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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Sea Bears sign former NBA first round draft pick, Byron Mullens

Wed, 08 May 2024 21:25:00 GMT

WINNIPEG – A long-serving NBA big man is going to make Winnipeg his home this summer.

The Winnipeg Sea Bears are excited to announce the signing of seven-foot centre and former first-round NBA draft pick, Byron Mullens ahead of the 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League season.

“I’m looking forward to playing in front of the great Winnipeg fans I’ve heard so much about. We’re going to do everything we can to bring a championship to the city,” said Mullens.

Mullens spent five seasons in the NBA after being selected 24th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2009 NBA Draft. Traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder on draft day, Mullens went on to play 189 games in the NBA with the Thunder, Charlotte Bobcats, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers.

The 35-year-old averaged 7.4 points and 4.2 rebounds across five NBA seasons, with his most significant contributions coming in Charlotte where he played 118 games from 2011 to 2013. In the 2012-13 season, Mullens averaged career bests of 10.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for the Bobcats. That season, he recorded eight double-doubles and scored in double figures 30 times, including a 25 and 18 performance against Boston on Feb. 11, 2013.

Mullens was signed by the Clippers in the 2013 off-season and later traded to the 76ers.

“His career is well-documented, from being a top high school player in the nation to NBA first round pick and five-year NBA career to stops in several top leagues overseas. Byron has accomplished so much in the game throughout his career and we are very excited to welcome him to Winnipeg. We believe Byron will love Sea Bears Nation and become a player our fans love to watch,” said Mike Taylor, head coach and general manager of the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

A product of Canal Winchester, Ohio, Mullens played one collegiate season at Ohio State and was named to the all-Big Ten freshman team in 2008-09 after being one of the nation’s most highly-touted high school recruits.

Mullens comes to Winnipeg most recently from the New Taipei Kings of the Taiwanese P. League+ where he averaged 18.1 points and 10.7 rebounds in 14 games in 2023-24.

All told, he has appeared in 367 professional games across the NBA, NBA G-League, Taiwan, Turkey, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom and Greece.

“Adding Byron Mullens, a true veteran who has played at the highest levels all over the world, is an important step for our young organization,” said Taylor.

“Byron gives us a talented seven-footer who can stretch the floor with outstanding shooting touch and brings great experience to our front court.”

Mullens is the ninth professional player signed by the Sea Bears this spring, and the second with NBA experience. The franchise recently announced the signing of G League all-star Darius Days , and previously signed Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson , David Muenkat , Chad Posthumus , Alex Campbell , Mason Bourcier , and Shane Osayande . The team signed 2023 CEBL MVP, import Teddy Allen on Feb. 7 and drafted developmental players Simon Hildebrandt, Tyler Sagl and Shawn Maranan on April 11.

Mullens becomes the third American import signed thus far by the Sea Bears, after Allen and Days. The maximum number of American players any CEBL team can maintain on their active roster is three.

The Sea Bears open the 2024 campaign on the road in Saskatoon, Sask. on May 22. They return to Winnipeg for their home opener on May 24 against the defending CEBL champions, the Scarborough Shooting Stars, in a contest which is now sold out. Flex packs , season tickets and single game tickets for all other games are available now.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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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Sea Bears Announce Sellout of 2024 Home Opener

Wed, 08 May 2024 16:46:22 GMT

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that tickets for the team’s first home game May 24 against the defending league-champion Scarborough Shooting Stars have sold out.

The demand comes in the wake of a five-sellout 2023 season that saw the Sea Bears reset the CEBL’s single-game attendance record on three separate occasions. An all-time league high of 10,580 fans filled Canada Life Centre for the team’s Aug. 4 play-in matchup with the Edmonton Stingers, the final contest of the Winnipeg’s inaugural season.

“We are honoured to see the early excitement for the return of Sea Bears basketball to Canada Life Centre,” said team president Jason Smith. “We hope to continue packing our home venue full of energetic fans as more teams visit Winnipeg from across Canada this summer. We already knew that Sea Bears fans are the best in the nation, and we've worked hard to plan a season-long lineup of entertainment for them. We hope that fans will join us at one of the nine remaining regular-season home games this summer.”

Tickets are still available for the Sea Bears’ following home game, a June 1 matchup with the visiting Ottawa BlackJacks. For tickets, visit seabears.ca .

The Sea Bears are also gearing up for a series of community celebration games, starting June 19 when the team celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day, continuing with Pride Night June 22 and wrapping up June 27 when the organization celebrates Filipino Heritage Month.

The team opens training camp Monday, May 13 at Sport Manitoba in Winnipeg before heading to Saskatchewan to take on the Rattlers May 22.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

Social Media:

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Winnipeg Sea Bears & Basketball Manitoba purchase new court, send historic surface into retirement

Mon, 06 May 2024 18:09:17 GMT

WINNIPEG – Basketball Manitoba and the Winnipeg Sea Bears are welcoming a new, world-class calibre court to Manitoba.

With the presence of the pro team in Winnipeg and the need for a top-tier basketball court in Manitoba higher than ever, Basketball Manitoba and the Winnipeg Sea Bears have partnered to purchase a new portable hardwood basketball court for use well into the future.

The new court comes from the recent NCAA Women’s Final Four held in Cleveland, OH where it was used for fan interactions at the event. The court is manufactured by Connor Sports and is identical to the floors used at this year's NCAA March Madness, by NBA teams (Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets), was used at the recent FIBA World Cup held last summer and will be the style of court used at this summer's Olympic Games in Paris. It’s currently being rebranded and lined to meet the needs of the Sea Bears and other international competitions.

The court will replace the team’s inaugural season surface at Canada Life Centre this summer.

The previous surface will soon see retirement after 60 years of serving as the foundation for the province’s basketball heritage, seeing the province’s and the world’s most elite athletes traverse its surface and serving as the centerpiece for historic events.

Originally constructed in 1955, this storied court moved to Manitoba in 1966 from its original location at Moorehead State University in North Dakota. Its journey marked the beginning of an era that would see it witness countless historic moments and host some of the sport's most renowned figures.

One of the court's crowning moments occurred during the 1967 Pan Am Games when it took center stage at the old Winnipeg Arena. Among the notable players who took to its hardwood was Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Fred Ingaldson, alongside Team USA basketball legends Wes Unseld and Jo Jo White.

The court became synonymous with prestigious events such as the Golden Boy Classic, which inaugurated its presence at the Winnipeg Arena in 1970. In 1971, the court found a new home at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, rebranded as the Wesmen Classic. Notable local players, including Ken Opalko, Belaineh DeGuefe, Joe Ogoms, Martin Riley, Ross Wedlake, Bob Town, Rick Watts and Randy Kusano, among countless other local players made basketball history on the court.

In 1983, the court welcomed the NBA, hosting an exhibition game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Denver Nuggets. Icons of the game, such as Julius "Dr. J" Erving and Alex English, graced the court, adding to its illustrious history.

The court's significance grew with time, as it played a pivotal role during the 1999 Pan Am Games, once again held at the Winnipeg Arena. Among the notable players were Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame members Todd MacCulloch and Keith Vassell, as well as future San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginóbili and the Toronto Raptors’ Doug Smith.

The court also became a regular host for NBA exhibition games in the 1990s and 2000s. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, and Golden State Warriors, among others, showcased their talents on its surface, featuring players like Dominique Wilkins, Chris Mullin, and Tim Hardaway.

In a historic basketball moment in 1995, the court bore witness to the inaugural "Naismith Cup," where the Toronto Raptors faced off against the Vancouver Grizzlies for the first time ever. Notable players such as Alvin Robertson, Damon Stoudamire, Benoit Benjamin, and Bryant "Big Country" Reeves left their

mark on the court during this landmark event in Canadian basketball history.

The court's use extended beyond NBA basketball, serving as the home court for the Winnipeg Thunder (1992-1994) and Winnipeg Cyclone (1995-2001) teams. Notable players such as Joey Vickery, Eric Bridgeland and Dan Becker, coached by Tom Nisalke, Henry Bibby and Darryl "Chocolate Thunder" Dawkins, solidified their legacies on its hardwood. Acting as the Winnipeg Sea Bears’ inaugural court in 2023, the surface played a role for all three Winnipeg professional basketball teams.

In 1996 and 1997, the court journeyed to the Keystone (Westoba) Centre in Brandon for the Canada Basketball National Championships and the Canada Games, respectively, further cementing its status as a symbol of basketball presence in Manitoba.

Even Hollywood recognized the court's significance. In 2001, it starred in the ESPN movie “A Season on the Brink” alongside actors Brian Dennehy and several locals playing roles such as players and referees in the basketball scenes. Its final cinematic appearance came in 2022 in “Champions”, with opening

scenes filmed at the Canada Life Centre. The court also hosted the Harlem Globetrotters countless times, further solidifying its status as a stage of basketball entertainment in Manitoba.

In 2016, the court found itself on the University of Winnipeg Axworthy RecPlex soccer field, hosting the Canada Basketball National Championships, where local talents like Emmanuel Akot and Daniel Sackey and newly signed Sea Bear Mason Bourcier showcased their skills.

The inaugural Winnipeg Sea Bears season 2023 was played on the court at the Canada Life Centre in downtown Winnipeg, breaking league attendance records in several games that hit the hardwood.

As the final chapter draws near, the court's last official event will be at the Parkland Recreation Complex for the 2024 Manitoba Games in Dauphin, Manitoba from August 11-17.

The new court will help Basketball Manitoba attract other world-class basketball events to the province well into the future. Basketball Manitoba recognizes and is grateful for the financial support provided by the Province of Manitoba via the Arts, Culture, and Sport in Community Fund to solidify the acquisition of

the new court.

While there may still be some casual future use of the court, one thing is clear: the legacy of Manitoba's historic hardwood court will forever be etched in the annals of basketball history.

The Sea Bears open the 2024 campaign on the road in Saskatoon, SK on May 22. They return to Winnipeg for their home opener on May 24 against the defending CEBL champions, Scarborough Shooting Stars. Flex packs , season tickets and single game tickets are available now.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About Basketball Manitoba

Basketball Manitoba operates as the recognized Provincial Sports Organization for basketball in Manitoba. Its core responsibility revolves around ensuring equitable access to basketball programs for all Manitobans while fostering widespread enjoyment of the sport. A central focus of Basketball Manitoba's endeavours is promoting and developing basketball throughout Manitoba. Its membership comprises players, coaches, and referees registered through their respective associations, collectively contributing to the dynamic basketball landscape within the province.

More information about Basketball Manitoba can be found at http://www.basketballmanitoba.ca .

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Winnipeg Sea Bears and 680 CJOB partner to broadcast select games in 2024

Thu, 02 May 2024 16:50:47 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears and 680 CJOB, Winnipeg’s news and information leader, announced Thursday a partnership that sees the popular Winnipeg radio station broadcast select Sea Bears games in 2024, starting with the team’s season opener in Saskatoon on May 22.

680 CJOB will live broadcast six Sea Bears games on the 2024 slate, including four home and two away match-ups. The full schedule can be found below.

May 22 at Saskatchewan Rattlers (8:30 p.m. CT)

May 24 vs Scarborough Shooting Stars (7:30 p.m. CT)

June 9 at Calgary Surge (3:00 p.m. CT)

June 19 vs Vancouver Bandits (7:00 p.m. CT)

July 3 vs Edmonton Stingers (7:00 p.m. CT)

July 23 vs Calgary Surge (7:00 p.m. CT)

Fans can also catch regular segments with Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor on 680 CJOB’s The Start , The Jim Toth Show and The CJOB Sports Show with Christian Aumell .

680 CJOB broadcasts live on AM radio, and streams online here , Radioplayer, Tune In, Apple Music, Stingray and My Tuner.

The Sea Bears open the 2024 campaign on the road in Saskatoon, SK on May 22. They return to Winnipeg for their home opener on May 24 against the defending CEBL champions, Scarborough Shooting Stars. Flex packs and season tickets are available now. For more information on single game tickets, visit seabears.ca/2024-game-tickets

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About CJOB

680 CJOB is part of the Corus Entertainment Network.

Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that develops and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. Engaging audiences since 1999, the company’s portfolio of multimedia offerings encompass 33 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, digital and streaming platforms, and technology and media services. Corus is an internationally-renowned content creator and distributor through Nelvana, a world class animation studio expert in all formats and Corus Studios, a globally recognized producer of hit scripted and unscripted content. The company also owns full-service social digital agency so.da, lifestyle entertainment company Kin Canada, and children’s book publishing house, Kids Can Press. Corus’ roster of premium brands includes Global Television, W Network, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, Magnolia Network Canada, The HISTORY® Channel, Showcase, Adult Swim, National Geographic, Disney Channel Canada, YTV, Global News, Globalnews.ca, Q107, Country 105, and CFOX, along with streaming platforms STACKTV, TELETOON+, the Global TV App and Curiouscast. Corus is the domestic advertising representative and an original content partner for Pluto TV, a Paramount Company, which is the leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service. For more information visit www.corusent.com.

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Sea Bears sign G-League all-star with NBA experience

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 14:57:39 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears have bolstered their frontcourt with the signing of an NBA G League all-star.

The Sea Bears are pleased to announce the signing of Darius Days, a 6-foot-7 forward who recently completed his second season with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the G League.

Days, who played four games with the NBA’s Houston Rockets in 2022-23, averaged 16.0 points and 6.9 rebounds across 45 regular season and Showcase games with the Vipers in 2023-24.

In March, Days was named the G League Player of the Month after he averaged 25.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and one steal as the Vipers went 8-2 in that span.

In 2022-23, he was named second-team all-NBA G League and first-team all-rookie after he burst into the pro game averaging 21.9 points and 9.2 rebounds, while shooting 35.9 per cent from three in 47 games with the Vipers.

“Darius brings NBA experience and outstanding three-point shooting to our front court. After being recognized as second team G League all-star and earning a spot on the G-League All-Rookie team in 2022-2023, Darius played a strong 2023-2024 with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and we are excited about his potential in Winnipeg,” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager Mike Taylor.

Days, a product of Raleigh, Florida, made his pro debut in 2022, averaging 13.7 points and 10 rebounds over three games with the San Antonio Spurs NBA Summer League squad.

That earned Days a two-way contract from the Miami Heat, who waived him in October 2022. Shortly after, Days was signed by the Rockets to another two-way deal, and he has remained in the Rockets organization since playing five games with Houston’s 2023 Summer League team.

“I’m excited to get the ball rolling. I’m ready and I know the Winnipeg fans are as well. Come show your support and pack the area every game. Everything we’re trying to do is for you and the city,” said Days.

A classic 3-and-D-style two-way player, Days has made 33.4 per cent from three over 92 G League regular season and Showcase games the past two seasons and has averaged 1.1 steals per game in that span.

In college, Days was a four-year player with the Louisiana State Tigers and started 91 of 92 games his final three years in Baton Rouge. He was named second-team all-SEC as a senior in 2022 when he averaged 13.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals.

He is one of only 10 players in LSU history with 1,300 points and 800 rebounds joining the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Bob Pettit, and Glen Davis.

“Darius fits well with our roster pieces and has received high praise from his coaching staffs at LSU and RGV. Our Sea Bears coaching staff is looking forward to working with Darius and I believe Sea Bears Nation will love their new power forward,” said Taylor.

Days is now the eighth professional player signed by the Sea Bears this season, after Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson , David Muenkat , Chad Posthumus , Alex Campbell , Mason Bourcier , and Shane Osayande . The team signed 2023 CEBL MVP, import Teddy Allen on Feb. 7 and drafted developmental players Simon Hildebrandt, Tyler Sagl and Shawn Maranan on April 11.

Days is one of two American imports signed thus far by the Sea Bears. The maximum number of American players any CEBL team can maintain on their active roster is three.

The Sea Bears open the 2024 campaign on the road in Saskatoon, SK on May 22. They return to Winnipeg for their home opener on May 24 against the defending CEBL champions, Scarborough Shooting Stars. Flex packs and season tickets and single game tickets are available now.

###

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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.

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Entire inaugural coaching staff returns to Winnipeg Sea Bears for season two

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 16:29:15 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced Wednesday that their entire 2023 coaching staff will return for the 2024 season. The six specialists will resume their roles under head coach and general manager Mike Taylor after helping the team to a West-leading 12-8 record in its inaugural season.

Winnipeg’s Mike Raimbault will re-join the team as an assistant coach after leading his University of Winnipeg Wesmen men’s team to a Canada West silver medal and the U SPORTS elite eight in both 2023 and 2024. Raimbault, a product of Brandon, MB, was a standout for the Bobcats before making his coaching debut there. He also earned a CCAA championship and CCAA Coach of the Year award in 2010 with the University of Northern British Columbia.

Ryan Thomson out of the University of Lakehead (Thunder Bay) is poised to pick up where he left off with the Sea Bears last season. The assistant coach and assistant general manager has led the Lakehead Thunderwolves program for six years and spent time under Taylor with the then-Fraser Valley Bandits before coming to Winnipeg for the team’s inaugural season.

The team’s analytics coach is William Gatchalian, who has made a name for himself in the Canada Basketball high performance program. Gatchalian spends his winters with the Brock Badgers men’s team, most recently seeing a promotion to lead assistant coach.

Josh Reddy will return to oversee operations and video coordination for the team. Reddy has also spent time with Canada Basketball and won back-to-back Canada West titles as an assistant for the Victoria Vikes. Most recently, Reddy made the move to Winnipeg full time to assist Raimbault with the Winnipeg Wesmen.

Tevin Juwan Brown will return to Winnipeg to head up the team’s player development program. Brown has been the lead video coordinator and player development coach with the Texas Legends of the NBA G League since 2022. Brown has trained several NBA athletes, such as Buddy Hield and Julius Randle.

“I absolutely love our coaching staff and am both thankful and excited to have everyone back on board for Sea Bears season two. We came together quickly last year and worked together extremely well. We are now focused to push our team to the next level,” said Taylor.

“I believe strongly in our coaching staff and enjoy the daily activities with them. We love to see our Sea Bears players develop, but I also love to see our coaches develop too. We have a lot to look forward to and a lot to work for and I am looking forward to take on the challenge of CEBL 2024 with our outstanding Sea Bears coaching staff.”

The Sea Bears open the 2024 campaign on the road in Saskatoon, SK on May 22. They return to Winnipeg for their home opener on May 24 against the defending CEBL champions, Scarborough Shooting Stars. Flex packs and season tickets are available now. For more information on single game tickets, visit seabears.ca/2024-game-tickets

###

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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.

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears sign top three scorer in elite overseas league, Winnipegger Ogungbemi-Jackson

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 14:55:46 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday they have signed Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson, a Winnipegger who has garnered major accolades overseas. Most recently, the skilled guard averaged 18.9 points per game for Tsmoki-Minsk, good for third in the VTB United League, often considered one of the top five international leagues.

This past winter, he also became the seventh player in VTB United history to score more than 600 points in a season.

Ogungbemi-Jackson’s roots trace back to Winnipeg, where he led his Garden City Collegiate Gophers to back-to-back provincial titles. The humble and hard-working guard established a standard for work ethic while bussing to the school hours before the morning bell to get hundreds of shots up each day.

“I am estatic to be joining the Winnipeg Sea Bears this season! Playing professionally in my hometown where I was born and raised is a dream come true and something I never knew would be possible. I can’t wait to play in front of my friends and family and this amazing fanbase. I plan to bring my leadership, my talent and competitiveness to help us compete at the highest level every night,” said Ogungbemi-Jackson.

Ogungbemi-Jackson played his post-secondary ball with the Calgary Dinos, where his coach described his impact as “ridiculous.” The team-first workhorse still holds the record for steals in program history with 197 and ranks third all-time in points (1799). From there, the 5-foot-10 guard launched into a successful pro career, using his dedication, work ethic and high IQ to rocket him through several top-tier European leagues.

Ogungbemi-Jackson was named Guard of the Year in the Portuguese LPB, his first pro league, in just his second season. He went on to average 17.8 points per game in back-to-back seasons from 2019-2021, first in the Finnish league Korisliiga then in the Dutch Basketball League in the Netherlands. In the latter year, he was named the league’s Import Player of the Year. The following season, he scooped up an All-Star nod at the FIBA Europe Cup while playing for the Bakken Bears before helping his team win the Danish Basketball League championship.

“When we talk Winnipeg basketball and the best players the city has produced, one name consistently pops up: Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson. After playing all over the world, we are thrilled that Jarred will join our Sea Bears organization and have the chance to play in front of family and friends in Winnipeg, his hometown,” said Mike Taylor, head coach and general manager of the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

“Jarred brings outstanding point guard play, excellent three-point shooting and tremendous experience to our team. Just as important, Jarred is a homegrown talent who can inspire the next generation of Winnipeg players to pursue their basketball dreams. Jarred is a big part of making the Sea Bears Winnipeg's team.”

Ogungbemi-Jackson is now the seventh professional player and sixth Canadian signed by the Sea Bears this season, after Chad Posthumus , Alex Campbell , Mason Bourcier , and Shane Osayande . The team signed 2023 CEBL MVP, import Teddy Allen on Feb. 7 and drafted developmental players Simon Hildebrandt, Tyler Sagl and Shawn Maranan on April 11.

The Sea Bears open the 2024 campaign on the road in Saskatoon, SK on May 22. They return to Winnipeg for their home opener on May 24 against the defending CEBL champions, Scarborough Shooting Stars. Flex packs and season tickets are available now. For more information on single game tickets, visit seabears.ca/2024-game-tickets

###

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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.

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears partner with Buckets & Borders, Payworks to restore Mayfair court

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 13:53:04 GMT

WINNIPEG – Buckets & Borders , the Winnipeg Sea Bears and Payworks have partnered together to restore two basketball courts close to the city’s core. The organizations aim to remove barriers, connect community and build a platform for more youth to be introduced to the game and reap the positive benefits of it.

Dubbed “the Mayfair Project,” the partnership will see the public court at the corner of River Avenue and Donald Street refurbished with new backboards, standards and rims; and a second, completely new, court added next to it to expand access to basketball in the area. A local Winnipeg artist will then complete a full on-court mural to completely revitalize and enliven the downtown space.

The announcement comes at the heels of the CEBL (Canadian Elite Basketball League) awarding Winnipeg Championship Weekend in 2025. This project will be one of the community initiatives undertaken in conjunction with the full weekend celebration of basketball. It aims to leave a lasting positive impact in the city at the grassroots level of the game.

“We’re honoured to have the opportunity to get more kids into the game of basketball and provide safer spaces for them to learn, grow and play. We’re looking forward to bringing the Sea Bears out to the Mayfair and St. John’s courts this summer, and connecting with youth at these great community spaces,” said Jason Smith, president of the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

The court is scheduled to be completed by Friday, July 5 ^th . The organizations will hold a grand opening on Sunday, July 7 ^th to celebrate with the community.

“Buckets & Borders mandate is to improve communities and bring people together through basketball. Last year we completed our first Winnipeg based project, restoring the outdoor basketball court at St. John's Park. We're grateful for the opportunity to return to Winnipeg and drive impact through the game we love alongside our partners at Payworks and the Winnipeg Sea Bears,” said Justin Lee, CEO and founder of Buckets & Borders.

The restoration at St. John’s Park, highlighted by Jordan Stranger’s “Fly Like An Eagle” mural, has given the area new life. Winnipeg Sea Bears players and coaches already plan to hold a free youth basketball clinic on that court later in the summer.

“Payworks is thrilled to participate in The Mayfair Project, and honoured to give back to the city we’ve called home for almost 25 years. The Mayfair Project will bring far more to the neighbourhood than just beautiful basketball courts. This shared space will have its own sense of community, where all are welcome to gather, grow, and be inspired. This will be a place where Winnipeggers of all ages can be proud: of the challenges they’ve met on the court, of their enthusiasm and progression of their skills, and of how they’ve united in working together for a common goal. We look forward to The Mayfair Project being a space that motivates and encourages those that use it to take chances and – most of all – have a lot of fun in doing so,” said Payworks President and CEO JP Perron.

The Mayfair Project will soon put out a call for local artist. Please stay tuned to the Sea Bears social media (below) for more information.

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About Buckets & Borders

Buckets & Borders (B&B) is a non-profit organization that uses basketball as a means to improve communities and bring people together. A core part of B&B’s mandate is to restore basketball courts with
full scale art pieces completed across the surface of the court. The objective is to create inclusive spaces
that celebrate multiculturalism tell the stories of the communities in which the courts are being restored.

More information can be found at bucketsandborders.com .

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 20-game regular season schedule. In the team’s inaugural season, it placed second in the Western Conference and set new records for CEBL attendance on three occasions. The organization became the first in CEBL history to win four major awards: MVP (Teddy Allen), Sixth Man of the Year (Jelani Watson-Gayle), U SPORTS Player of the Year (Simon Hildebrandt) and Coach of the Year. The front office subsequently was awarded the 2023 CEBL Franchise of the Year.

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears select two Winnipeggers in CEBL draft

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 16:27:52 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears have drafted three familiar players, two of whom are Winnipeg products, in the expanded CEBL draft. The team welcomed back CEBL U SPORTS Player of the Year, Simon Hildebrandt, with their first round pick (eighth overall).

“I’m extremely grateful to run it back with the best fans in the league. The team has already made some huge additions and I’m excited to be a part of this group for season two,” said Hildebrandt.

Hildebrandt won the CEBL award for the best U SPORTS player in 2023 after averaging 5.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per contest. He was one of only four Sea Bears to touch the court in every game last season, playing a key role on the Western-leading team at just 20 years old.

The six-foot-nine grad of Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute followed that up by leading his Manitoba Bisons to a 13-7 record while recording 16.1 points per game in his U SPORTS season.

“Simon Hildebrandt played a very important part in our inaugural season, winning the CEBL U SPORTS player of the Year award and earning a major role in our Sea Bears team. Who can forget his game winning shot at Canada Life Centre against Montreal. We are extremely excited to welcome him back and continue our teamwork into year two. Simon is a fantastic young man who perfectly represents our organization and connects us with the city, his hometown of Winnipeg. Personally, I believe in Simon completely and am looking forward to work with him again this summer,” said Mike Taylor, head coach and general manager of the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

With the team’s second round draft pick (13th overall), they re-selected Tyler Sagl of the Lakehead Thunderwolves in the Ontario University Athletics league. Sagl averaged 12.8 points per game this past U SPORTS season. With the Sea Bears last summer, the three-point shooting threat was effective in his limited minutes, helping the team to a +27 in 60 minutes of play.

“I’m excited to return to Winnipeg this summer to continue the work we started in year one. I can’t wait to be back with the team and the best fans in the CEBL,” said Sagl.

“We are very happy to welcome Tyler Sagl back to our team after selecting him again in the U SPORTS draft. Tyler played his role extremely well last summer and his hard work was rewarded when he helped us win games against Vancouver and Niagara. Tyler brings excellent three-point shooting and size for position on the wing. We are looking forward to our continued cooperation with Tyler and pushing him closer to his potential,” said Taylor.

The team’s third round draft pick (28th overall) is Shawn Maranan, who led his Winnipeg Wesmen on an inspiring run to nationals this season, picking up several major individual accolades in the process. Maranan, a Canada West second-team all-star, had 21 points, 18 assists and six rebounds in his team’s Canada West semi-final win over the Calgary Dinos. The five-foot-eight guard followed that up with a 34-point, 11-assist effort in the Canada West finals, where the Wesmen came up just short of the title.

The point guard earned another All-Star nod at the U SPORTS national championships, where he put up 46 points in the Wesmen’s two games.

“I’m super blessed and thankful to be able to officially put on that jersey this summer. But what makes it even better is being at home and representing the city of Winnipeg. I look forward to the season as this opportunity fulfills my childhood dreams of playing professionally in front of my friends and family,” said Maranan. =

The Sisler High School grad is also a two-time University of Winnipeg Wesmen Male Athlete of the Year.

“We are pleased to make Shawn Maranan our third round pick in the 2024 CEBL draft. Shawn has been a leader and playmaker for the University of Winnipeg and we are very happy with our connection with the Wesmen. We hope Shawn can gain great experience with us this summer and return to his Wesmen better than ever as he earns legend status at the University of Winnipeg in his career,” said Taylor.

The Sea Bears open the 2024 campaign on the road in Saskatoon, SK on May 22. They return to Winnipeg for their home opener on May 24 against the defending CEBL champions, Scarborough Shooting Stars. Single game tickets are on sale now and moving fast. Get in the action this summer by getting yours now .

###

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 20-game regular season schedule. In the team’s inaugural season, it placed second in the Western Conference and set new records for CEBL attendance on three occasions. The organization became the first in CEBL history to win four major awards: MVP (Teddy Allen), Sixth Man of the Year (Jelani Watson-Gayle), U SPORTS Player of the Year (Simon Hildebrandt) and Coach of the Year. The front office subsequently was awarded the 2023 CEBL Franchise of the Year.

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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.

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears announce community celebration games for 2024

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 14:04:00 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced the dates of the team’s community celebration games for 2024. This year, the organization will host special activities at their June 19, June 22 and June 27 games in honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day, Pride and Filipino Heritage Month respectively.

Fans can expect special performances at the team’s MNP pre-game parties, community-based concourse activations, celebratory music and food offerings, and captivating halftime shows.

The team will release the game’s headliners closer to each game.

The Sea Bears will also celebrate Father’s Day on their only afternoon game Sunday, June 16. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Canada Life Centre with MNP pre-game festivities getting underway at 11 a.m. at True North Square.

Celebration Nights

June 19 @ 7:00 PM – celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 22 @ 7:30 PM – celebrating Pride presented by Johnston Group

June 27 @ 7:00 PM – celebrating Filipino Heritage Month

The Sea Bears open the 2024 campaign on the road in Saskatoon, SK on May 22. They return to Winnipeg for their home opener on May 24 against the defending CEBL champions, Scarborough Shooting Stars. Flex packs and season tickets are available now. For more information on single game tickets, visit seabears.ca/2024-game-tickets

###

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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.

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears win bid to host Championship Weekend in 2025

agogishvili@cebl.ca (Aaron Gogishvili) — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 15:30:00 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that the Winnipeg Sea Bears, in collaboration with the Province of Manitoba and City of Winnipeg, have secured hosting rights for the league’s 2025 Championship Weekend (CW25). For the first time ever, fans at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg will witness the crowning of a CEBL Champion in August 2025.

A celebration of culture, music, community and Canadian basketball, the CEBL’s Championship Weekend has become Canada’s biggest annual basketball event. The weekend includes the top CEBL teams competing to win the league championship trophy, a concert lineup showcasing exciting musical performers, minor basketball events, and an array of activities designed to engage a cross-section of the local community.

“The basketball community in Winnipeg has demonstrated overwhelming support for the Sea Bears and the CEBL since day one, and they continue to establish Winnipeg as a basketball hotbed, quickly setting the standard for excellence in our league,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “The decision to award Winnipeg as host of 2025 Championship Weekend was an easy one and we can’t wait to celebrate the biggest Championship Weekend ever with our fans and partners at Canada Life Centre next summer.“

The Sea Bears set multiple CEBL attendance records at Canada Life Centre in 2023, including the single-game record of 10,580 fans on August 4 against Edmonton in the Play-In round of the playoffs, the single-game regular season record of 8,230 fans on July 29 against Edmonton, and the full-season attendance record of 65,609 over 11 total games. Now the franchise will make history again by hosting Winnipeg’s first-ever professional basketball championship final in 2025.

“From the moment we launched the team we’ve talked about building it from the ground up,” said David Asper, Owner and Chairman of the Sea Bears. “Hosting the national CEBL Championship is another step in that process and I’m confident that by showcasing Canada’s top teams in a basketball festival, Winnipeg fans will once again elevate the league and the sport.”

The best way for fans in Winnipeg to secure tickets for CW25 is to become a Sea Bears season ticket member . In addition to having their seats reserved for CW25, all current and new season ticket members will receive preferred pricing and first access to the best available seats via an exclusive pre-sale window for additional CW25 tickets. All fans are encouraged to sign up for more information on CW25, including first access to ticket presale information and festival events, by visiting cebl.ca/CW25 .

“Manitoba is having a moment, and the Sea Bears are part of the excitement our province is feeling,” said Hon. Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba. “We’re proud to host Championship Weekend next year and we’re ready to showcase the kind of hospitality and sports excellence our province offers. This event will bring economic activity to our downtown, attract tourists and promote our province. My family is looking forward to it – and I’ll keep working on my three-pointer in preparation.”

A recent report developed by Tourism Winnipeg forecasts the economic impact of CEBL Championship Weekend in Winnipeg exceeding a $5 million infusion into the local economy and supporting more than 1,300 jobs. CW25 joins the Grey Cup as the second major sporting championship scheduled to come to the city in 2025, making for a fun-filled year for Winnipeggers.

“Winnipeg has some of the best sports fans in the country and they enthusiastically welcomed our new basketball team,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham, City of Winnipeg. “The Sea Bears made an immediate impact on our city and downtown, becoming the hot ticket last summer. The 2025 CEBL Championship Weekend will not only showcase the incredible talent in the CEBL but also highlight Winnipeg’s passion for sports. We look forward to welcoming fans from across Canada to our city for an unforgettable weekend of basketball.”

Winnipeg has hosted countless successful major sporting championships, historic games and premier events over the years, most notably football (four Grey Cup games: 1991, 1998, 2006, 2015), hockey (Game 3 of the 1972 Summitt Series, various Canada Cup games, 1999 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, 2017 Heritage Classic), soccer (2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup), curling (three World Championships: 1978, 1991, 2003 and The Brier five times: 1940, 1952, 1970, 1998, 2008), two Pan American Games (1967, 1999) and the 50th Canada Summer Games (2017).

Previous host cities of CEBL Championship Weekend include Saskatoon (2019), Edmonton (2021), Ottawa (2022) and Vancouver (2023), while Montreal is slated to host in August 2024. The 2023 CEBL Championship Weekend crowned the Scarborough Shooting Stars as league champions, with all three weekend contests played in front of sellout crowds of 5,000 fans at Langley Events Centre. More details on tickets and general event information can be found at cebl.ca/championshipweekend or by following the CEBL’s Championship Weekend social media account @CEBLCW on Instagram and Twitter .

###

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 20-game regular season schedule. In the team’s inaugural season, it placed second in the Western Conference and set new records for CEBL attendance on three occasions. The organization became the first in CEBL history to win four major awards: MVP (Teddy Allen), Sixth Man of the Year (Jelani Watson-Gayle), U SPORTS Player of the Year (Simon Hildebrandt) and Coach of the Year. The front office subsequently was awarded the 2023 CEBL Franchise of the Year.

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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 Canada Life Centre

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears re-sign Canadian shot blocker, Osayande

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 14:58:10 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that they have re-signed six-foot-seven Canadian forward Shane Osayande. Osayande became a reliable figure for the Sea Bears last season, starting on seven occasions in the team’s Western conference leading regular season run.

Osayande finished the season tenth in the league for average blocks at 0.9 per game in 13.4 minutes played, establishing himself not only as a rim protector, but effective rebounder. The international pro has averaged 9.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in his career, which spans Germany, Spain, Lebanon, Venezuela, Canada and Qatar.

After leaving the Sea Bears, the Toronto, ON product put up five straight double-doubles to start his season with Al Shamal of the Qatar Basketball League (QBL).

“I am delighted to announce my decision to re-sign with the Winnipeg Seabears. The opportunity to continue my journey with this amazing organization fills me with great satisfaction. I am eager to contribute to our collective pursuit of excellence alongside my dedicated teammates and esteemed coaches. I can’t wait to see all the fans and familiar faces soon,” said Osayande.

Osayande brings championship experience with him, already having won the CEBL trophy with the Saskatchewan Rattlers in 2019 and earning the Palestinian Basketball League championship in 2022.

“We are happy to re-sign Shane Osayande for the 2024 CEBL season. Joining us mid-season last summer, Shane made a positive impact for us doing the dirty work defensively. Shane was an excellent teammate, adds athleticism and CEBL Championship experience to our front court and provides important roster continuity. We are very excited to have Shane Osayande back in a Sea Bears uniform this summer!” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor.

Osayande has also garnered several personal accolades as an All-Star in the QBL (2023) and a Canada West First Team All Star (2017). The latter accolade came in his third year with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, when he averaged 17.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.

He is also a member of the Palestine National Team.

Osayande is now the fifth Canadian signed by the Sea Bears this season, after Chad Posthumus , Alex Campbell , Mason Bourcier , and David Muenkat . Under CEBL rules, all teams must have at least two Canadians on the court at all times and a minimum of six to eight Canadians on their active roster (depending on the size of their full active roster). The team also signed 2023 CEBL MVP, import Teddy Allen on Feb. 7.

The Sea Bears open the 2024 campaign on the road in Saskatoon, SK on May 22. They return to Winnipeg for their home opener on May 24 against the defending CEBL champions, Scarborough Shooting Stars. Flex packs and season tickets are available now. For more information on single game tickets, visit seabears.ca/2024-game-tickets

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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.

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

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New CEBL draft format unveiled for 2024

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 17:00:01 GMT

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.

The priority of selection in round one will be in the reverse order of how each team finished the 2023 regular season, thus the Winnipeg Sea Bears will have the draft's eighth overall pick. The following rounds will revert to a 'snake format' in reverse order of the previous round, giving Winnipeg the 13th and 28th overall picks in rounds two and three.

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. 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.

The full 2024 CEBL Draft order is as follows:

“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 Sea Bears open the 2024 campaign on the road in Saskatoon, SK on May 22. They return to Winnipeg for their home opener on May 24 against the defending CEBL champions, Scarborough Shooting Stars. Flex packs and season tickets are available now. For more information on single game tickets, visit seabears.ca/2024-game-tickets

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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.

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears sign defender, high-flying scorer Muenkat

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 16:00:00 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that they have signed Canadian forward and award-winning defender, David Muenkat. The six-foot-seven Brampton, ON product returns to the CEBL after averaging more than 10 points and six rebounds in under 25 minutes per game in the German Pro A league.

The former first overall draft pick (2022 to Scarborough) was a university stand-out, finishing his U SPORTS career in 2023 with several major accolades. Muenkat was named the country’s Defensive Player of the Year and an AUS first-team all star.

The high-flying forward is also known for his acrobatic dunks and gravity-defying drives.

“I’m excited to bring my game to Winnipeg. The love that the fans show their team is one of the main reasons why I wanted to play here. I look forward to winning games and giving them a lot to cheer for,” said Muenkat.

“We have all seen Vince Carter in his Toronto Raptors days marketed as 'half man, half amazing'. Now we have our own 'half Muenkat, half amazing' in Winnipeg. David is an exciting player capable of highlight plays with his elite athleticism and we are looking forward to seeing him reach new heights at Canada Life Centre,” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor.

Muenkat was a member of the championship-winning Scarborough Shooting Stars last season, where he averaged 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds in 17.3 minutes per game.

“David has played very well in Germany this season, a country I know well. I have enjoyed following David's development in Frankfurt and several of my coaching friends have given us excellent recommendations,” said Taylor.

Muenkat was a runner-up for the CEBL U SPORTS Player of the Year award (the same award won by Simon Hildebrandt last season) in 2022.

Muenkat is now the fourth Canadian signed by the Sea Bears this season, after Chad Posthumus , Alex Campbell , and Mason Bourcier . The team signed 2023 CEBL MVP, import Teddy Allen on Feb. 7. For Muenkat's full stats and bio, please click here.

“Now our fantastic Sea Bears fans can get excited about more eye-catching entertainment this summer with Teddy Buckets’ threes, the Beast from River East’s offensive rebounds, three and D production from high-character Alex Campbell, winning plays on both ends by hard-nosed Mason Bourcier and elite dunks from Half Muenkat, Half Amazing. I can't wait for training camp to begin,” said Taylor.

The Sea Bears open the 2024 campaign on the road in Saskatoon, SK on May 22. They return to Winnipeg for their home opener on May 24 against the defending CEBL champions, Scarborough Shooting Stars. Flex packs and season tickets are available now. For more information on single game tickets, visit seabears.ca/2024-game-tickets

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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.

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

X: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

CEBL on TSN broadcast schedule announced

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 18:00:00 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Canadian Elite 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.

Winnipeg will host three of these nationally televised games on the 2024 slate and be featured in one away match-up. See below for list of dates. Additionally, all 107 CEBL games in 2024 will be streamed live on TSN+ , the network’s stand-alone digital streaming service.

Sea Bears fans are encouraged to make and bring signs for all home TSN games. To stay in the know on single game ticket information, click here .

2024 WINNIPEG SEA BEARS TSN BROADCAST SCHEDULE (REGULAR SEASON)

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

Twitter: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

KidSport Manitoba proudly announces new partnership with the Winnipeg Sea Bears

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 16:27:17 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears have officially become KidSport Manitoba’s Basketball Champion, helping to remove the financial barriers in sport for kids across our province. Basketball is the fifth largest sport that KidSport supports in Manitoba. With this new partnership, we hope to help this sport continue to thrive and grow.

As KidSport Manitoba’s Basketball Champion, the Winnipeg Sea Bears are committed to helping more kids who want to play basketball get that chance. Building on the momentum of the Winter Sea Bears camp in January, kids supported by KidSport Manitoba will collaborate again with the Sea Bears and their players later this year to sink 10,000 free throws to raise $10,000! This fundraising goal would ensure that 20 kids can enjoy basketball in 2024.

KidSport is a national not-for-profit organization made up of provincial and regional chapters that provide financial assistance for registration fees to under-privileged kids aged 18 and under to participate in organized sport. In 2023, KidSport Manitoba granted $539,587, to 1,506 kids across the province. Of that number, KidSport funded grants for $50,253 to 144 kids to play baskteball alone.

KidSport believes all kids should have the opportunity to develop healthy lifestyles, no matter the financial barriers that may exist. Staying physically active helps encourage children to maintain healthy habits throughout their whole lives. The challenges that come with playing sports also teach children valuable life lessons and skills, including leadership, practice, hard work, dedication, and self-confidence.

Quotes

“KidSport grants are significant for families as the cost of sport rises. The Winnipeg Sea Bears are helping give more children across the province the opportunity to get on the court alongside their peers and experience the joy of basketball. To continue providing more kids the chance to play, fundraising is critical and we are sincerely grateful for the Sea Bears’ support in this partnership.”
Janet McMahon, President & CEO, Sport Manitoba

"Empowering young athletes through sport is a slam dunk for a brighter future. In collaboration with the Winnipeg Sea Bears, our Kidsport partnership aims to instill the values of teamwork, respect, inclusivity and fair play.”
Lisa Tinley, Chair, KidSport Manitoba Provincial Advisory

“Our organization is honoured to support the amazing work done by KidSport. Helping all kids get in the game is vitally important, not just to us, but to all our communities. The benefits of sport are life-changing and life-long and no child should have to sit on the sidelines due to cost.”
Jason Smith, President, Winnipeg Sea Bears

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About KidSport

Sport Manitoba is a not-for-profit organization and the lead planning, programming and funding agency for the development of amateur sport in Manitoba. Located at 145 Pacific Avenue in Winnipeg, Sport Manitoba partners with over 100 organizations to deliver sport in the province and is responsible for programs including the Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro, Sport Manitoba Coaching, Team Manitoba, Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, Fit Kids Healthy Kids, and KidSport. Services provided include the Sport Manitoba Clinic, Sport Manitoba Performance, Sport Manitoba Fitness Centre, and the Paul Robson Resource Centre for Leadership and Coaching.

KidSport is a national charity administered in Manitoba by Sport Manitoba which provides support to children in order to remove financial barriers that prevent them from playing organized sport. KidSport believes that no kid should be left on the sidelines and all should be given the opportunity to experience the positive benefits of organized sports.

Canada Life is a leading insurance, wealth management and benefits provider focused on improving the financial, physical and mental well-being of Canadians. For more than 170 years, individuals, families and business owners across Canada have trusted us to provide sound guidance and deliver on the promises we’ve made. As of January 1, 2020, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life became one company – Canada Life, and today, we proudly serve more than 13 million customer relationships from coast to coast to coast.

About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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Sea Bears sign Canadian playmaker Bourcier

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:57:02 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that they have signed Canadian point guard Mason Bourcier, who will return to the CEBL for his fourth year after spending the winter with the Manchester Giants of the British Basketball League.

This will be the first time the young guard will does not enter the league through the U SPORTS draft. The university stand-out played three seasons in the CEBL through the league’s developmental program. Before graduating from Trinity Western University in 2023, Bourcier broke the Canada West record for triple doubles and currently holds the title for single-season assists per game. In his senior season, he averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.7 assists en route to a First Team All Star selection.

Last summer, the all-around threat helped Calgary to a CEBL finals appearance in the team’s first season. Bourcier averages 4.8 points and 3.8 assists in his 71-game professional career.

“I am excited to play for an amazing fan base and to work with the coaching staff and organization that is centered around player experience and development,” said Bourcier.

“We have watched Mason grow as a player over the last two years, and I believe he is a great fit for our team in Winnipeg,” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor.

“Mason played extremely well against us last season and we identified him as a player who can really help our team and represent our organization in a first-class way.”

Bourcier has a knack of rising to the occasion: both his season highs with the Surge and Giants came in key match-ups. The Kelowna, BC product put up 15 points in his team’s semi-final win over Vancouver at the 2023 CEBL Championship Weekend and 16 against the BBL’s top team, the London Lions on Dec. 17.

“We see Mason as a rising talent as a point guard who plays unselfishly on offense and competes on defense. He also has the size and shooting ability to play as a shooting guard as well, so versatility is one of Mason's strengths. Mason has played very well as an overseas rookie for the Manchester Giants in the British Basketball League this winter, and I believe he is primed for an excellent summer with us in Winnipeg,” Taylor said.

“Personally, I am really looking forward to working with Mason after talking with him and following him for the last two years. I believe Sea Bears fans will love Mason and his style of play.”

Bourcier becomes the third Canadian signed by the Sea Bears this season, after Chad Posthumus and Alex Campbell . The team signed 2023 CEBL MVP, import Teddy Allen on Feb. 7.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

Twitter: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears sign 2x Bandits MVP Alex Campbell

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 15:46:45 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that they have signed Canadian guard Alex Campbell, a four-year CEBL vet and two-time winner of the Vancouver Bandit’s Most Valuable Player award.

The addition of Campbell greatly strengthens the club’s Canadian talent and adds another veteran presence to the team. Campbell averages 11.8 points per game, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in a nine-year professional career that spans Spain, France, Finland and Canada.

“I’ve heard nothing but great things about the city of Winnipeg and how they support the team, which is always a plus when playing in the CEBL. Outside of having the opportunity to play for coach Mike Taylor before, it was a no-brainer wanting to be a part of this organization,” Campbell said.

“There truly was an electric feel in Canada life Centre when I played here last summer, and now that I’m on this side of the fence, I’m looking forward to going war with these fans and giving back the same energy and intensity they give us on the court to impact winning. Winnipeg, let’s get it!”

The Brampton, ON product excels on both sides of the ball, often ranking among his team leaders in various offensive and defensive statistical categories. The 2021 CEBL All-Canadian brings championship experience to Winnipeg, having captured the 2019 title and finals MVP honours with the Saskatchewan Rattlers.

“I am very excited to sign Alex Campbell, who has been one of my favourite CEBL players to work with. I see Alex as a great addition to our team because of his championship experience and two-way style of play,” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor.

The high IQ guard played his collegiate years at Niagara College and the University of Windsor, where he graduated an OUA All-Star after averaging 21.5 points per game in his senior season. For his full bio and statistics, please click here.

Off the court, he founded and leads Camp Campbell, a community-based initiative that uses his life story to educate and inspire youth through the game of basketball.

Campbell’s signing is the third for the Winnipeg Sea Bears this offseason. The team announced the re-signings of Chad Posthumus on Feb. 15 and Teddy Allen on Feb. 7.

“I believe Alex can be a great fit with Teddy Buckets on the wing. Alex is a high character player who will represent the Sea Bears in a first-class way. We can’t wait to welcome Alex and his family to Winnipeg!” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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.

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

Twitter: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Sea Bears re-sign inaugural team captain Posthumus

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 15:54:18 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that they have signed Winnipegger Chad Posthumus for the 2024 season. Posthumus was the first-ever signing for the club after their inception in 2023 and served as the captain of the inaugural team.

He made history by sinking the Sea Bears’ first-ever Target Score game-winning basket at Canada Life Centre on May 27, 2023. Posthumus led the CEBL in offensive rebounds last season with 70, while averaging 6.7 points per game.

A leader on and off the court, Posthumus helped the Sea Bears to a 12-8 regular season record last summer, tied for best in the Western Conference.

“I’m thrilled to be staying here at home in Winnipeg for a second season of Sea Bears basketball! Last year was just the beginning. We’re building something special and I cannot wait to get back to playing in front of the best fans in the CEBL,” Posthumus said.

Posthumus is a veteran of the professional game, averaging more than 10 points per game over the last 10 years for teams in Canada, Japan, Argentina and Mexico. The big man brings with him a wealth of CEBL experience, having played for several organizations, including the championship-winning Saskatchewan Rattlers in the league’s first season (2019). Also a member of Team Canada, Posthumus has donned the maple leaf in the World Cup and AmeriCup.

“Chad is a key figure for our Sea Bears team on and off the floor. He has contributed so much to the start of our team on the court including his memorable game-winning put-back in our inaugural game. Chad has also helped our organization in countless ways off the floor in the city and region,” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor.

Posthumus averaged 8.7 points for Moorehead State in the NCAA Division I after a year each with the University of British Columbia and Howard College. Deemed one of the top high school players in the country, Posthumus averaged 39 points, 25 rebounds and seven blocks for the River East Collegiate Kodiaks in his senior year.

The Posthumus’ family’s ties to the game run deep. Chad’s mother, Diana, was also a member of the Canadian National Team and she spent her university years suiting up for the Winnipeg Wesmen.

Posthumus is passionate about giving back to his community as a KidSport Ambassador, community speaker, and advocate for those living with type one diabetes.

“In my opinion, Chad perfectly embodies what we would like the Sea Bears to be about: good people representing Winnipeg’s own professional basketball,” Taylor said.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

Twitter: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Winnipeg Sea Bears re-sign CEBL MVP

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 16:00:00 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that they have signed reigning CEBL MVP Teddy Allen for the 2024 season. Allen had a historic campaign in 2023, writing his name in league record books as he led the inaugural Sea Bears to a conference best 12-8 regular season record.

Allen put up 27.2 points per game, becoming one of just two players to average greater than 25 points in the CEBL since its inception. Despite being known best for his uncanny scoring ability, the league MVP contributed all over the floor. Allen finished the season among the league’s top 10 in nine major statistical categories, including points, assists, defensive rebounds, steals, three-point field goals, free throw percentage and minutes. He led all CEBL guards in average rebounds with 7.9 retrieves per game.

Allen’s MVP season was highlighted by a 42-point performance against his former team, Scarborough on June 2, 2023. That mark, coming against the team that would go on to win the 2023 CEBL Championship, tied the league record for single game scoring. Less than two weeks later, he matched another CEBL single-game high when he sunk nine three-pointers against the defending league champs Brampton Honey Badgers.

“I can’t wait to get back to work with the family in Winnipeg, where we started something extremely special last year. We have the best fans and organization,” Allen said.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Off the court, Allen drove the message of togetherness and family, which became the cornerstones of the Sea Bears’ inaugural season persona.

“We are so excited to sign Teddy Buckets back in Winnipeg. His record-breaking season MVP season was an important part of helping us establish the Sea Bears in our first year. Winnipeg showed it loved Teddy and now we see how much Teddy loves Winnipeg. I can’t wait to see him take it to the next level at Canada Life Centre this summer,” said Mike Taylor, Sea Bears head coach and general manager.

“Teddy was a leader and MVP for us in our first year as a franchise and I am excited to see him write his story in Winnipeg.”

Prior to his time in the CEBL, Allen spent time with the Denver Nuggets’ NBA Summer League team and the Wichita Sky Kings of The Basketball League.

He finished out his NCAA career averaging 19.6 points per game with the New Mexico State Aggies and earning the Western Athletic Conference’s prestigious “Player of the Year” title. He’s well-known for his 37-point effort that led the Aggies in a 2022 March Madness upset of the fifth-seeded UConn Huskies. In total, he averaged 18.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 119 university/college games throughout his time at New Mexico State, Nebraska, West Virginia and Western Nebraska CC.

Allen is currently competing for the Leicester Riders in the British Basketball League, where he was named Player of the Month for December, averaging 23 points per game and leading his team to a 3-1 record.

“Signing Teddy gives us a great starting point to rebuild our roster for the 2024 CEBL season and we love the continuity it provides for our team,” Taylor said.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.

About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 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.

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

Twitter: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Celebrating our women in sport - Profiles

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 18:00:40 GMT

To celebrate National Women in Sport Day, the Winnipeg Sea Bears are highlighting some of the incredible women who lead and inspire in the world of sport every day. The women of the Sea Bears front office play leading roles in both the organization and their communities, helping more girls stay in sport and reach their goals.

Megan Noonan

Megan Noonan, the Sea Bears’ Director of Basketball Operations, is a alumni of the Winnipeg Wesmen basketball team. The sharp-shooting guard is still among the leaders in career three-pointers for Canada West. Noonan has broken through glass ceilings already in her short time in the professional sporting world, becoming one of just a few women to hold a similar title in the CEBL. Noonan is passionate about keeping girls in sport, which she does through coaching the girls’ U-15 Evolve Basketball program. She is also a member of Mini Ballers, helping young kids develop movement fundamentals and a love for the game.

Stef Lasuik

Stef Lasuik, the Sea Bears’ Director of Marketing & Communications, has worked to amplify women’s profile in sports from a marketing perspective for several years. The former high-level golfer and hockey player is also one of few women to earn a similar title in the league. In addition to leading golf camps for women and youth, Lasuik volunteers her time assistant coaching for the Churchill Bulldogs girls high school hockey team. In her role overseeing Sea Bears offseason initiatives, she pushes equal opportunity and coverage for women and men in the team’s partnerships.

Mia Hildebrandt

Mia Hildebrandt, the Sea Bears’ Manager, Marketing & Community Engagement, is an alumni of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and Durham College, where she played collegiate volleyball. The OCAA all-star continues to give back to girls aspiring to walk in her footprints through volunteer coaching with Winman 17U girls. Through leading Sea Bears’ community initiatives, Hildebrandt is working toward ensuring young girls have more opportunities to connect and stay connected to sport.

Hailey Lavarias

Hailey Lavarias, the Sea Bears’ Office Administrator, is an alumnus of the Manitoba Bisons Soccer program. The former Manitoba Soccer Player of the Year plays a pivotal role in ensuring all front office operations run smoothly. In addition to contributing to the Sea Bears’ youth programs, Lavarias coaches Valour FC skills camp for children.

Dr. Gail Sawa

Dr. Gail Sawa is the team’s on-site doctor and the physician at Sport Manitoba. Dr. Sawa, who holds six degrees and diplomas, including one from the Olympic Committee, has a special interest in musculoskeletal disorders and sport medicine.As an athlete, Dr. Sawa has been involved in sport from a young age including elite artistic gymnastics, track and field, as well as rhythmic gymnastics where currently, she’s a coach and also a master’s competitor in the sport.

Kelly Chambers

Kelly Chambers is the team’s on-site head athletic therapist. Chambers earned multiple degrees before obtaining her national certification in 2014. Chambers’ multi-sport background has helped her work in a variety of sports. Her main two growing up were artistic gymnastics and soccer. Chambers uses both restorative and preventative methods with her athletes, helping them get back to the sports they love.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

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 .

Social Media:

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Winnipeg Sea Bears announce 2024 schedule

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 17:52:30 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have released the team’s 2024 schedule. The club is slated to start the season on the road before returning to Canada Life Centre for their home opener on May 24 ^th .

The 20-game set will give Winnipeg fans their first looks at defending champions Scarborough, as well as Ottawa, two teams that didn’t visit the heart of the country last season.

It also features four match-ups each against western conference rivals Saskatchewan and Vancouver. Winnipeg completed the four-game sweep of the Vancouver Bandits in their inaugural season and went 2-1 against the Saskatchewan Rattlers in an intense series that saw the league’s two top scorers go toe-to-toe.

The Sea Bears will continue to make their home at Canada Life Centre, where fans can expect the same high-energy atmosphere that made the 2023 season so special. Fans can also look forward to themed games, which will be announced at a later date.

Sea Bears Nation will get their last chance to take in a regular season home game July 23 when the team hosts the Calgary Surge at Canada Life Centre. Winnipeg then completes the double-header in Calgary before wrapping up the regular season in Edmonton on July 29.

The postseason will begin in August with the third and fourth-ranked teams in each conference squaring off in a play-in game. The winners will advance to face the conferences’ second seeds in the quarterfinals. Quarterfinal victors, the Championship Weekend host (Montreal) and the first seed in the west all earn a spot at Championship Weekend, which is comprised of the semifinals and Championship game and runs August 9-11.

Season tickets and flex packs for this summer are available now. Single game tickets will go on sale in April.

To view the full schedule, please click here.

All games, including playoffs, will be live streamed on CEBL+ , and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices). A schedule of nationally televised games will be released at a later date.

Highlights:

· Home opener: May 24 vs. Scarborough at Canada Life Centre

· Ten weeks of fast-paced action, with 10 games at home and 10 on the road

· Six home weekend games (Friday, Saturday or Sunday) and four during the week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday).

· Sea Bears week from June 16 – June 22

· Last regular season home game: July 23

Home Schedule

May 24 (Friday) vs. Scarborough

June 1 (Saturday) vs. Ottawa

June 16 (Sunday) vs. Edmonton

June 19 (Wednesday) vs. Vancouver

June 22 (Saturday) vs. Saskatchewan

June 27 (Thursday) vs. Niagara

July 3 (Wednesday) vs. Edmonton

July 13 (Saturday) vs. Vancouver

July 20 (Saturday) vs. Saskatchewan

July 23 (Tuesday) vs. Calgary

Teddy Allen named British Basketball League's Player of the Month

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 22:37:00 GMT

Winnipeg Sea Bears fan favourite and reigning CEBL MVP seeing success overseas

Teddy Allen, or "Buckets," as Winnipeg fans affectionately know him, has been named the Player of the Month for the British Basketball League in his first weeks of play with the Leicester Riders.

Allen made a splash in his British debut on Dec. 15, putting up 32 points against the Caledonia Gladiators. He helped his team to a 3-1 record after his arrival in December, averaging 23 points, five rebounds and two assists in that span.

The reigning CEBL MVP also shot an astounding 55.2 per cent from beyond the arc.

As he did in Winnipeg, Allen is causing a stir of excitement overseas.

Free agency for the 2024 CEBL season begins Feb. 1, and the Winnipeg Sea Bears hold the first rights to negotiate with Allen. Per CEBL policy, every player in CEBL basketball plays on a one-year contract, with each team signing its full roster in the months before training camp in May.

Basketball In Manitoba Sees A 23% Year-Over-Year Growth; Sea Bears And Team Canada Help Drive New Growth Into The Game

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 18:25:52 GMT

Manitoba's basketball landscape is ablaze with excitement as it witnesses an extraordinary 23% year-over-year growth in participation across all age groups and genders. This surge, propelled by the establishment of the Winnipeg Sea Bears professional basketball team, the stellar success of Team Canada at the FIBA World Cup and a continued rebound from the pandemic, underscores the sport's burgeoning popularity in the province.

The work to manage this growth is shouldered and supported by the many volunteer-driven basketball associations, leagues, and clubs that make up the Basketball Manitoba membership in delivering the basketball experience to the new and returning players, coaches, and officials. Without the broad framework of the basketball delivery system in Manitoba, none of this new growth would be realized.

The Winnipeg Sea Bears, in their inaugural season, have captured not only victories on the court but also the hearts of fans, serving as aspirational figures for young talents. Their influence, coupled with Team Canada's global triumphs, has ignited a basketball renaissance in Manitoba, fostering a sense of community pride and unity.

However, amidst this positive growth, the basketball community needs help meeting the increased demand for coaches, referees, and facilities. The strain on these essential elements underscores the need for more individuals to step up and actively support the sport's continued expansion.

"We celebrate the tremendous growth in basketball participation and know that with the Sea Bears becoming an integral part of the basketball community, along with increased success for our national basketball teams at the international levels, the future of basketball in Manitoba is bright!" said Basketball Manitoba President Sara Gillis. She added, "We must also acknowledge the strain on crucial elements like coaches, referees, and facilities. We encourage basketball community members to consider taking up roles as coaches or referees to help nurture and sustain this remarkable growth."

"We could not be more excited to see the growth of this amazing sport in our province. Basketball provides countless benefits for children and youth, and we're fortunate to have played a small part in inspiring more kids to participate. Basketball Manitoba and its members have done a tremendous job overseeing the game and its well-being. We remained focused on working with them and doing our part to give more people the opportunity to learn and play," said Jason Smith, President of the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

"Basketball continues to see tremendous growth in Canada, and following inspiring international performances from our men's and women's national team programs, as well as the success of the Winnipeg Sea Bears inaugural season, the game will undoubtedly continue to experience a rise in participation and popularity across Manitoba," said Michael Bartlett, President & CEO of Canada Basketball. He added, "On behalf of Canada Basketball, I'd like to commend the entire Manitoba basketball community for their efforts, and we look forward to continuing to work together to grow the game across the province."

Basketball Manitoba emphasizes the importance of community involvement to ensure that the sport remains accessible and enjoyable for all. Aspiring coaches and referees are welcomed and vital to maintaining the positive momentum basketball has gained in the province.

As we revel in the achievements of Manitoba basketball, let us collectively work towards strengthening the foundation of the sport by fostering a supportive community of coaches, referees, and facilities.

For those interested in getting involved, please check out the options and details shown here :

https://www.basketballmanitoba.ca/2021/01/get-involved.html

Chad Posthumus earns spot on Team Canada for AmeriCup 3x3

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 21:43:31 GMT

Sea Bears centre earns another Team Canada nod, makes first appearance in 3x3 international play

Sea Bears centre and Winnipeg's own Chad Posthumus has been named to the men’s team that is representing Canada at the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2023 in Puerto Rico this weekend.

Posthumus joins a Canadian team looking to improve on its sixth place finish in the tournament last year.

“Representing Canada on the world stage is an incredible honour,” said Posthumus. “I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity and am going to do everything possible to bring home a gold medal!”

Posthumus is no stranger to representing Canada. Posthumus was a key member of the team that earned Canada World Cup qualification in 2022 and is a longstanding member of the national team. But this is his first foray into the 3x3 game at this level.

“I love how my style of play is very tailored to the 3x3 format. The physicality, emphasis on rebounding and fast pace has allowed me to excel here. This experience will also benefit my five on five game,” Posthumus said.

Pool play takes place Friday through Saturday with the medal rounds on Sunday. Team Canada’s first game is set for Friday at 5:30 p.m. CT. against Jamaica. The full matchup schedule is available on the official FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup website .

Fans interested in watching the action can do so on Youtube at the FIBA 3x3 channel.

Canada’s Men's team is currently ranked 14th FIBA 3x3 Federation Rankings.

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Winnipeg Sea Bears, Winnipeg Wesmen and Manitoba Bisons launch Winter Sea Bears initiative

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 19:40:52 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears, in partnership with the University of Winnipeg, the University of Manitoba, and Manitoba Blue Cross are launching a new initiative aimed to give underserved children more opportunities to learn the game of basketball.

The organization has created the 'Winter Sea Bears' presented by Manitoba Blue Cross , an offseason program that will connect underserved children with high-quality basketball instruction through clinics with University of Winnipeg Wesmen, University of Manitoba Bisons, and Sea Bears players and coaches.

The goal of the program is to give youth a place to learn skills so that they may develop lifelong habits and reap the benefits of sport and activity.

The Sea Bears, Wesmen and Bisons want all children to feel cared for and connected to their community, regardless of their ability or socioeconomic status.

The Winter Sea Bears’ first camp is scheduled for Nov. 29 ^th at Sport Manitoba. Youth enrolled with BGC Winnipeg (formerly the Boys and Girls Club) will have the opportunity to learn under Sea Bears head coach Mike Taylor, CEBL U SPORTS Player of the Year, Simon Hildebrandt, Jennifer Kallon of the Wesmen, and other members of both the men’s and women’s university programs.

Quotes:

“We saw just how powerful basketball was in uniting community this past season and want to continue that work year-round. This initiative allows us to reach more youth and give them all the benefits that come with active participation in sport, from the mental and physical attributes to life learnings and skills,” said Jason Smith, president of the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

“We are excited to be able to partner with the Winnipeg Sea Bears on an initiative that will be positive for not only the sport of basketball, but for so many in our community as well. The Sea Bears have taken great lengths to make themselves a prominent and positive contributor to our city, and we are honoured to be asked to help further that work by being partners in the Winter Sea Bears camps,” said Dave Crook, Athletic Director, Wesmen Athletics.

“Sport is a powerful way to connect people of different backgrounds and experiences. We are thrilled to partner with the Sea Bears, help serve others in our community and share experiences,” said Bisons Athletic Director Gene Muller. “Our student-athletes were once aspiring youth who dreamed of playing university or pro basketball. We hope that their experiences and mentorship can be a driving force for developing the next generation," said Gene Muller, Director of Athletics and Recreation, University of Manitoba.

###

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 during October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow @CEBLeague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

Twitter: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

Winnipeg Sea Bears re-sign Head Coach & General Manager Mike Taylor

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 16:34:10 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have re-signed 2023 CEBL Coach of the Year Mike Taylor for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

The Sea Bears have given Taylor a fulltime, year-round contract, a rarity in the CEBL. Taylor joins Kyle Julius of the Vancouver Bandits as the only head coaches signed to yearlong multi-year deals.

Taylor served as the inaugural head coach and general manager for the Sea Bears in 2023, leading the team to a 12-8 record to tie for the best in the Western Division. The veteran coach helped the expansion Sea Bears establish themselves as a scoring threat that averaged a western-leading 90.1 points per game.

In Taylor’s first tenure as a CEBL general manager, he signed three players that would go on to win prestigious CEBL major awards, including the league’s top accolade in Most Valuable Player, Teddy Allen. The team’s first overall draft pick, Simon Hildebrandt, was named U SPORTS Player of the Year while British import, Jelani Watson-Gayle, earned Sixth Man of the Year honours. With Taylor rounding out the list as Coach of the Year, his Sea Bears became the most-awarded team at a CEBL Championship Awards Ceremony.

The passionate coach also made history as the first to challenge a call under new CEBL rules on June 29 ^th against Niagara.

Taylor’s strong commitment to the Winnipeg community will continue and amplify with this new deal. He will look to build off the success of his player and coaches’ clinics from 2023, offered free to Manitoba basketball enthusiasts. Taylor took part in a second clinic on Oct. 20 to share insights with local coaches and will lead a youth camp for underserved children on Nov. 29.

Taylor’s return to the team comes after spending time as a colour commentator for the FIBA World Cup in Manila, Philippines.

Previously to joining the Sea Bears, Taylor served as the head coach for the CEBL’s Fraser Valley Bandits and coached the Polish National Team. The established bench boss has already seen a wealth of success and accolades, including raising the Polish team’s rank from 42 to 13. He led the squad to a top eight finish at the World Cup in 2019.

Off the court, Taylor is known as a positive, friendly person whose coaching style brings teams together to create environments in which athletes excel. The family man hailing from Jacksonville, FL, has two sons with his wife, Alice.

Quotes

“I love Winnipeg and am so excited to continue building the Sea Bears organization on and off the floor. Last summer was a dream come true, and I am thankful for owner David Asper, president Jason Smith and everyone in our organization. Our outstanding coaching staff and our talented players made our first season something special. Winnipeg showed us so much love and Sea Bears fans gave us record-breaking support. Sometimes, you just fit with people, a city or a team and I feel that way about Winnipeg. I am really excited about the challenges ahead and pursuing our dream goal of a CEBL Championship together,” Winnipeg Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor.

“We are thrilled to welcome reigning CEBL Coach of the Year Mike Taylor back to Winnipeg through the 2025 season. Mike represents the values and work ethic we want to foster at our organization and he has fit in seamlessly, creating a winning culture in our very first year. He has been extremely dedicated to both the team and our community, holding coaching clinics and player camps throughout the summer. His two-year contract extension will allow us to continue this vital programming year-round, and will provide additional opportunities to expand our community engagement going forward,” said Jason Smith, president of the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

###

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 during October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow @CEBLeague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

Twitter: @wpgseabears

Instagram: wpgseabears

"I know what I want to do." Sea Bears draft picks changed by CEBL experience

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 14:37:24 GMT

It’s the same gym. Same dull-blue, red, and yellow bleachers. Same two-toned hardwood floor. But what’s same is now different for Simon Hildebrandt , peering at the Manitoba Bisons crest through polished eyes.

It was only a year ago that Hildebrandt took the university basketball scene by storm. He breathed new life into the Bisons men’s program, capping off a thunderous season with the prestigious Dr. Peter Mullins trophy, awarded to the best U SPORTS rookie from coast to coast to coast.

It was hard to imagine how it could get any better. But just a few months later, the 20-year-old would find himself jogging through the smoke-filled tunnel at a professional basketball game, running straight into the spotlight while his name in LED lights circled 10,580 screaming fans.

“It’s just a fantastic opportunity I was given with the organization. They all had faith in me to be out there and make those plays. It’s just an unforgettable experience,” he remarked after the game.

Hildebrandt was named to the starting line-up of the Winnipeg Sea Bears for the team’s most important game of the season: a do-or-die playoff match on August 4 ^th that had the city out in droves. Fans broke their own CEBL attendance record for the third time that season. And, with international veterans on the bench, it was the young Winnipegger who was standing on the court for opening tip.

With the lights now faded and the confetti swept away, Hildebrandt is back to his reality: hauling a bag full of books and his laptop across the University of Manitoba campus, working toward his degree in the Asper School of Business while suiting up for his hometown Bisons.

While the grind hasn’t changed, Hildebrandt has. A year ago, he was a fresh-faced rookie in U SPORTS, learning as he went but not truly in tune with what it takes to turn the sport into a profession. This season is different.

“I feel like I’m just so much more mentally locked in and mentally prepared entering practices and games.”

The lesson ‘it starts in practice’ has never rung truer for the young phenom.

“That’s probably the biggest takeaway. That two-hour practice window is not enough to sustain being a pro. You have to find your times to just keep getting better.”

After speaking to media and signing autographs post home games this summer, it was Hildebrandt who was often back on the court in his sweat-soaked game shorts, taking guidance from former G-League pro EJ Anosike.

With his own fresh perspective comes lessons for his team. Hildebrandt is eager to share what he’s learned with his comrades in the brown and gold.

“Being more of a leader, I’m trying to share all the wealth that I learned this summer with my teammates this year and just seeing if we can elevate everyone as a whole,” said Hildebrandt before a Bisons pre-season tournament in early October.

That tournament featured a marquee match-up between the Sea Bears’ history-making inaugural season draft picks: Hildebrandt, who went first overall, and Tyler Sagl , a sharp-shooting guard from Lakehead University who was taken in the second round of the U SPORTS / CEBL draft.

Sagl echoes Hildebrandt’s thoughts on their CEBL experience, and says it’s given him more confidence. The CEBL is, after all, one of the few leagues that combines top-tier international pros with collegiate athletes in an atmosphere where the different levels, backgrounds and experience somehow all work together to create an electric on-court product.

And now that the duo have returned to U SPORTS for their regular seasons, they’re seeing just how transformational one summer can be.

“Coming back here, you feel more comfortable making plays and doing things you usually wouldn’t do.”

“You know what you’ve done all summer, you’ve put in all this work with these pros and you’re like, ‘I’m ready to go.’ I know what I want to do,” said Sagl.

“Everybody moves that slight bit slower, everybody’s a little bit shorter, a bit less experienced than guys who’ve done it for a few years and made a career out of it,” detailed Hildebrandt.

As they take the U SPORTS court for the first time since their lives as pros, there’s one more thing that will be different: target score time . Their games will no longer end with the thrill and anxiety of a game-winning basket, a marquee of the CEBL.

“It might be a little weird,” laughed Hildebrandt.

Hildebrandt is slated to open his sophomore U SPORTS season tonight when the Bisons host provincial rival, Brandon Bobcats at Investors Group Athletic Centre. The women's game tips off at 6 p.m. with the men's game to follow at 8 p.m. They'll rinse and repeat for a rematch on Friday. Click here for tickets.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears
The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 20-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman.

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73 percent 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. 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 .

Winnipeg Sea Bears named 2023 CEBL Franchise of the Year

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 17:00:01 GMT

Team president, Jason Smith, honoured as 2023 Team Executive of the Year

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears are honoured to add two more accolades after a historic inaugural season. The organization has been named the 2023 CEBL Franchise of the Year, while the team’s president, Jason Smith, has been selected as the Team Executive of the Year, the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday afternoon.

“This is truly an award for our city. Our amazing fanbase has come together and created something special in Winnipeg. We continue to be blown away by their support and are committed to creating wonderful experiences for them on and off the court for years to come,” said Smith.

“We’re very honoured and grateful. This success proves that it takes a village, and I want to acknowledge our staff and the league staff who helped us bring the Sea Bears to life in Winnipeg. Equally important, we wouldn’t be successful without our corporate partners and fans. This is our village and once again we say a hearty thanks to all," said David Asper, Winnipeg Sea Bears owner and chairman.

“Jason turned every challenge into a solution, maximizing the efforts and creativity of our front office staff to bring professional basketball back to Winnipeg in an outstanding way.”

These awards come shortly after the Sea Bears took home four of six major player/coach awards. In August, the team was honoured with the Most Valuable Player (Teddy Allen), the Sixth Man of the Year (Jelani Watson-Gayle), the U SPORTS Player of the Year (Simon Hildebrandt) and the Coach of the Year (Mike Taylor).

Today, the CEBL revealed all four 2023 Business Award Winners, which also include the Edmonton Stingers (Community Champion) and Calgary Surge (Digital Excellence).

Award winners were voted on by different variations of groups comprised of league and team executives, including but not limited to the CEBL’s Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer, and all 10 team presidents.

2023 CEBL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS:

FRANCHISE OF THE YEAR
Awarded to the franchise that best represents the values of the CEBL through good internal governance, engagement in the community, commitment to innovation, success on the basketball court and with revenue generation, demonstration of a long-term vision for sustainable business growth, and promotion of Canadian basketball.

Winner: Winnipeg Sea Bears

TEAM EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Awarded to a team executive who best lives the values of the CEBL by leading with integrity and good governance, fosters a positive organizational culture, leads a franchise that has demonstrated success on the basketball court, in the community and with the overall performance and development of their club’s business during the past year, demonstrates a long-term vision to grow their franchise in its market, and contributes to the success of the league beyond their own club while being an inspiration and valued colleague to peers around the CEBL.

Winner: Jason Smith, President, Winnipeg Sea Bears

In the team’s inaugural season in 2023 under the leadership of Owner and Chairman David Asper and President Jason Smith, the Sea Bears set strong roots in Winnipeg setting the franchise up for sustainable long-term growth. The club set multiple CEBL attendance records at Canada Life Centre this summer, including the single-game record of 10,580 fans on August 4 against Edmonton in the Play-In round of the playoffs, the single-game regular season record of 8,230 fans on July 29 against Edmonton, and the full-season attendance record of 65,609 over 11 total games.

The Sea Bears finished the CEBL season with a 12-8 record which tied for second-best in the entire league and earned the right to host a home playoff game. Their roster featured home-grown talent in Winnipeg-born forwards Chad Posthumus and Simon Hildebrandt who became heavily involved on the court and in the community throughout the season. The club also hosted a series of youth summer camps in partnership with Manitoba Blue Cross, welcoming kids of all ages and genders to join sessions free of charge and receive complimentary gear.

COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD
Awarded to the franchise that has demonstrated a dedication to and understanding of local communities through notable, creative, and sustainable outreach that prioritize the CEBL values of innovation, inclusion, diversity, and meaningful experiences for fans and others.

Winner: Edmonton Stingers

The Stingers ran numerous impactful initiatives in Edmonton in 2023, including replacing over 500 mesh nets around the city, raising $500,000 to refurbish public school courts, and providing 400 new basketball shoes to a local charity for youth athletes. Their more than 1,000 hours spent in the community so far this year also featured programs like their Stingers Showcase high school games, Stingers Hoop Bus, and numerous camps and clinics. The Stingers Foundation, a registered non-profit charitable arm of the club, was officially launched earlier this year and will be running the team’s portfolio of community projects moving forward.

DIGITAL EXCELLENCE AWARD
Awarded to the franchise that best delivers graphic and video content that demonstrates excellence in quality of presentation and appeal, creativity and innovation, and overall consistency, while driving interactive engagement with designated targeted audiences that show a measurable impact for followers, partners, and for the franchise’s business and brand awareness. Voted 40% by quantifiable measures in-season from May 1 to August 31 and 60% by vote.

Winner: Calgary Surge

The Surge sustained monumental growth across their digital platforms in the team’s inaugural season in Calgary, including a 65.9% growth in social media followership during the season and 104% growth in newsletter subscriptions (highest league-wide). The club was also top three in the league in most quantifiable digital metric categories in 2023 and have conveyed a consistent brand voice and visual identity from the team’s inception that stemmed from an online grassroots campaign that generated thousands of responses and led to ‘Surge’ being selected as the team’s name in late 2022.

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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears
The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 20-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman.

More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook .

About the CEBL
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73 percent 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. 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 .

Two Sea Bears to represent the West at CEBL Clash

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 15:44:28 GMT

Chad Posthumus and AJ Hess headed to CEBL Clash on Saturday, August 26

Two Winnipeg Sea Bears will represent the West Team at the CEBL Clash later this month in Québec City. Winnipegger and Sea Bears captain Chad Posthumus will join teammate AJ Hess at the game meant to exhibit high-level CEBL talent.

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced the 10-man rosters Friday for the East and West teams taking part in the Clash. The Clash is a showcase game featuring 20 players from around the league scheduled for Saturday, August 26 at 2 p.m. at Videotron Centre.

All 10 CEBL franchises will be represented at the game, including four players from the Montréal Alliance, three from the Calgary Surge, two from the Brampton Honey Badgers, Ottawa BlackJacks, Scarborough Shooting Stars, Vancouver Bandits and Winnipeg Sea Bears, and one from the Edmonton Stingers, Niagara River Lions and Saskatchewan Rattlers.

Team East, coached by Chris Exilus of the 2023 CEBL Champion Shooting Stars, includes two of Scarborough’s newly crowned CEBL champion players Kyree Walker and Elijah Lufile, three Québec-born Alliance stars in Nathan Cayo, Elijah Ifejeh and Alain Louis, All-Canadian Jackson Rowe from the Blackjacks, and CEBL All-Star and the league’s first player to reach 1,000 career points, Ahmed Hill of the Alliance.

Team West, led by Nelson Terroba of this year’s CEBL Western Conference Champions, features three of Calgary’s stars in All-Canadian Sean Miller-Moore, Terry Henderson Jr., and Montreal native Jordy Tshimanga. Meshack Lufile of the Stingers will also suit up as a member of Team West and take on his brother Elijah.

The full team rosters of players scheduled to appear are as follows:

TEAM EAST

#0 Jahvon Blair Niagara River Lions

#8 Nathan Cayo Montréal Alliance

#9 Ahmed Hill Montréal Alliance

#14 Maxime Boursiquot Ottawa BlackJacks

#16 Kyree Walker Scarborough Shooting Stars

#21 Elijah Ifejeh Montréal Alliance

#23 Alain Louis Montréal Alliance

#30 Jackson Rowe Ottawa BlackJacks

#32 Elijah Lufile Scarborough Shooting Stars

#54 Prince Oduro Brampton Honey Badgers

TEAM WEST

#0 Sean Miller-Moore Calgary Surge

#4 Cody John Brampton Honey Badgers

#6 Alex Campbell Vancouver Bandits

#11 Terry Henderson Jr. Calgary Surge

#13 Marlon Johnson Jr. Vancouver Bandits

#15 Malik Benlevi Saskatchewan Rattlers

#16 Meshack Lufile Edmonton Stingers

#21 Chad Posthumus Winnipeg Sea Bears

#30 AJ Hess Winnipeg Sea Bears

#32 Jordy Tshimanga Calgary Surge

The CEBL Clash will be televised to a national audience on TSN live from Videotron Centre in Québec City. Tickets for the Clash are on sale now at ticketmaster.ca . The game will also be available to stream on TSN+ and free on CEBL+ Powered by BetVictor.

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 percent 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. 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 Donate Cambrian Credit Union 50/50 Proceeds to BGC Winnipeg and True North Youth Foundation

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 15:00:00 GMT

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have donated the proceeds from their 2023 Cambrian Credit Union 50/50 program to BGC Winnipeg and the True North Youth Foundation (TNYF), two of Winnipeg’s leading youth charities. The Sea Bears would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to their fans for participating in the draws, which will now help countless youth in the community.

The Sea Bears announced on June 7 a two-year partnership with BGC Winnipeg, which included a $60,000 donation from team owner and chairman David Asper toward enhanced year-round basketball programming for underserved local youth. Also pledged was 70 per cent of the team’s Cambrian Credit Union 50/50 proceeds to further support youth basketball camps and clinics.

Formerly known as the Boys and Girls Club of Winnipeg, BGC Winnipeg provides underserved children from the ages of 6-18 with the chance to play organized basketball entirely free of charge, covering uniforms, shoes, transportation and coaching fees. Basketball is the organization’s largest and fastest-growing program.

“Our kids have been thrilled to follow the very successful first season of the Sea Bears,” said BGC Winnipeg president and CEO Ron Brown. “Basketball is an integral part of our sport programming and the 50/50 proceeds from Sea Bears games will help to ensure that there are no barriers for our members who want to play. Thank you to the Sea Bears and their fans for providing this support!”

Sea Bears players also participated in activities with BGC Winnipeg during the regular season as part of the team’s ongoing commitment to the community.

All the remaining funds will go to the TNYF, the charitable arm of True North Sports and Entertainment. The TNYF strives to provide consistent and innovative programming through its core programs, the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy (WJHA), Camp Manitou and Project 11. These programs take a “hand up over hand out” approach in encouraging youth to achieve their full potential through enriching educational, sports-based and character-building programming that addresses key physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs.

“We congratulate the Sea Bears on their exciting inaugural season and express our gratitude for making the True North Youth Foundation a part of it through their in-game 50/50 program,” said Dwayne Green, executive director of the True North Youth Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity of Sea Bears fans, this donation will go a long way to support underserved Manitoba youth with long-term resources and mentorship that will have a significant positive impact on the course of their lives.”

The TNYF is proud to have positively impacted more than 111,000 Manitoba youth over the past year.

The Sea Bears organization will now turn their focus to planning and community initiatives before the team takes the court again for the 2024 season. Be sure to follow @wpgseabears on all social channels for regular content and updates.

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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 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. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow @CEBLeague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

Twitter: @wpgseabears

Instagram: @wpgseabears

Sea Bears Honoured with Four Winners at 2023 CEBL Awards

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 04:28:40 GMT

WINNIPEG – Four members of the 2023 Winnipeg Sea Bears have been honoured with major accolades at the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s (CEBL) end-of-season award ceremony.

The CEBL announced the winners late Wednesday night in a banquet ceremony to kick off Championship Weekend in Pitt Meadows, B.C.

Entering the ceremony, the Winnipeg Sea Bears were represented by finalists for four of the seven major awards. Teddy Allen, Mike Taylor, Jelani Watson-Gayle and Simon Hildebrandt were each named one of two finalists for the league’s Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year and U SPORTS Player of the Year, respectively. Each of the four nominees walked away as the winning candidate, completing a sweep of their nominated categories and making the Sea Bears the most-awarded team on the night.

Read more about each of the Sea Bears’ honourees below:

Teddy Allen – 2023 CEBL Most Valuable Player

American guard Teddy Allen was named the CEBL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) after a historic season leading the Sea Bears.

The engine of Winnipeg’s offence, Allen’s 27.2 point-per-game average in the regular season made him one of only two players in league history to post an average over 25. Saskatchewan’s Justin Wright-Foreman, Allen’s co-finalist for the award, led the league this year with his 29.2 per-game mark.

Allen’s electric scoring performances were sights to behold for Sea Bears fans. The six-foot-six phenom found the bottom of the basket in every way – attacking the rim, drilling tough midrange shots and punishing perimeter defenders with a league-high 70 three-point makes.

The Phoenix, Ariz. product contributed far more than just scoring, though, posting the highest rebounding average of any guard with his 7.9 retrieves per game. His halfcourt scoring was only bolstered by his defensive ability, with his team-high 1.6 steals per game setting up countless high-flying dunks and alley-oops in transition. Winnipeg’s leading scorer was also their top facilitator, averaging a team-high 3.6 assists per game.

“Teddy Buckets” regularly reset the record books while representing Winnipeg. His 42-point outburst against the Scarborough Shooting Stars tied Brandon Sampson for the CEBL single-game scoring record in a statement win over his former team. Less than two weeks later, he tied another single-game record – this time for three-pointers – with nine in a 40-point effort against the defending league champion Brampton Honey Badgers. Allen’s 35 points in the Sea Bears’ playoff matchup against Edmonton were a single-game playoff record, cementing his name atop both the regular-season and playoff scoring leaderboards.

Allen played in all 21 of the Sea Bears’ games, finishing the season among the league’s top 10 in nine major statistical categories. Winnipeg’s iron man, Allen led the CEBL in minutes per game (35.9), playing all 40 regulation minutes on six occasions.

“Teddy’s contributions to our team this year are the epitome of what it means to be the Most Valuable Player,” said Taylor. “He immediately established himself as our go-to guy and leader. His record-setting performances in scoring and three-pointers may have caught everyone's attention, but I'm also proud of Teddy's growth as a leader. His love to play is just as apparent as his scoring talent.”

Mike Taylor – 2023 CEBL Coach of the Year

Sea Bears head coach and general manager Mike Taylor was honoured as the CEBL’s Coach of the Year. Ranked third-to-last in the CEBL’s opening championship odds by the league’s sports betting partner BetVictor, the Sea Bears earned a playoff berth with the CEBL’s second-best record under Taylor’s guidance.

After leading the then-Fraser Valley Bandits in his first Canadian campaign last year, Taylor was drawn to helm the newly minted Sea Bears by the opportunity to serve as both head coach and general manager. Drawing on nearly 30 years of coaching experience in the NCAA, Europe and NBA G League, Taylor built the Sea

Bears’ on-court product – from the roster, to the playbook, to the coaching staff – from scratch.

Nearly nine months after Taylor’s hiring in December, the team now stands having completed one of the most successful inaugural campaigns in league history.

With 12 wins, Winnipeg tied the Scarborough Shooting Stars’ 2022 season for the best record ever by an expansion team. In Taylor’s hands, the Sea Bears boasted one of the league’s most potent offences en route to a second-place finish in the CEBL’s new Western Conference.

In addition to building and coaching a winning roster, Taylor made community involvement a core principle of his team. The Sea Bears offered five days of free youth basketball programming led by coaches and players as part of their Sea Bears Summer Series of programs. Taylor’s players made opportunities to give back to the community part of their daily routine, regularly appearing at cultural fairs, local businesses and for youth organizations like BGC Winnipeg. Taylor’s staff also hosted a free coaching clinic to help educate and develop the city’s up-and-coming local coaches.

"These awards come as a result of a fantastic team effort," said Taylor on the honours received by him and his team. "Something special happened in Winnipeg this summer. From David Asper's vision, to Jason Smith and everyone in the front office, to our outstanding coaching staff, to all of our players and our fantastic Sea Bears fans who fell in love with the team."

"I'm so proud of everyone and thankful for everything. The CEBL is so much fun, and we are showing everyone what a special place Winnipeg can be."

“Coach Taylor came into a new organization and estab lished a winning mentality instantly,” said Sea Bears president Jason Smith. “His emphasis on togetherness and loyalty shone through every facet of Sea Bears basketball and helped to guide our organization in its formative days. His ability to prepare, manage and execute laid the foundation for this team and the successes we saw this first season, and we thank him for all his hard work and dedication.”

Jelani Watson-Gayle – 2023 CEBL Sixth Man of the Year

British guard Jelani Watson-Gayle received CEBL Sixth Man of the Year honours for a league-best campaign off the bench. The six-foot-one London product averaged 12.5 points per game in 19 regular-season contests, leading all active players without a start for their team.

Watson-Gayle was a cool-headed closer for the Sea Bears, knocking down five of the team’s 12 game-winning shots in target score time. The sharpshooter also finished as the league’s top three-point shooter with an incredible mark of 49 per cent from deep. His 50 total threes ranked seventh on the league leaderboard.

The 24-year-old finished the season as Winnipeg’s third-leading scorer and ranked second on the team in assists with 3.5 per game.

“Jelani gave our team a big boost off the bench with his dynamic playmaking and clutch shots. His five game-winning baskets showed the winner that he is,” Taylor said. “We’re all tremendously proud of Jelani, and he’s more than deserving of this award.”

Watson-Gayle signed June 23 to join Brussels Basketball of Belgium’s BNXT League for the fall/winter season. He will travel to join the team immediately as they prepare for the league’s September tipoff.

Simon Hildebrandt – 2023 CEBL U SPORTS Player of the Year

University of Manitoba Bison and reigning U SPORTS Rookie of the Year Simon Hildebrandt continued to make noise on the national stage in his first professional season, earning the title of CEBL U SPORTS Player of the Year.

The 20-year-old Winnipegger averaged 5.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per contest while playing a key role for his hometown’s new team. The first overall pick in the CEBL’s 2023 U SPORTS Draft, Hildebrandt showed few signs of rookie inexperience as one of only four Sea Bears to play in all 21 games this season.

Hildebrandt thrived in his trusted role, regularly providing a spark for the Sea Bears with timely shots and key performances. On July 8 against Edmonton, he poured in a season-high 19 points in a RE/MAX Player of the Game effort.

Not long after, the hometown hero knocked down a thrilling target score time winner on his home floor with a pullup jump shot to ice the visiting Montreal Alliance on July 14.

Hardly afraid of the spotlight, Hildebrandt notched his first-ever professional double-double with 11 points and a season-high 11 rebounds in the Sea Bears’ August 4 playoff matchup with the Stingers.

“Simon played a key role in our success this summer,” said Taylor. “As a 20-year-old playing with older, more experienced professionals, he demonstrated an outstanding work ethic and an excellent attitude to learn new things. We are all very proud of the work Simon has put in all summer to play at the high level he has and to now receive this award.”

Winnipeg is the first team in league history to be honoured with four major awards at the ceremony.

“We are very lucky that our lives intersected with special people like Mike, Teddy, Simon and Jelani as we built our team,” said Sea Bears owner and chairman David Asper. “I’m just so happy to see them earn the recognition they deserve.”

Also announced at the awards banquet were the all-CEBL first and second teams, which included Allen and Sea Bears forward E.J. Anosike, respectively.

“We could not be prouder of this team. To bring four major awards back to Winnipeg in our inaugural season is truly special,” said Smith.

“These accolades are a testament to the work put in by each player, on and off the court, and to the leadership established by our head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor. My sincere congratulations go out to Teddy, Jelani, Simon and coach Taylor for this well-deserved recognition.”

The annual awards are voted on by the league’s head coaches, general managers, assistant coaches, internal media personnel and select league broadcasters. Team representatives are prohibited from voting for a player or coach from their own team.

2024 season tickets are available now! For more information, visit seabears.ca/tickets.

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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 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. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow @CEBLeague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

Social Media:

Facebook: /wpgseabears

Twitter: @wpgseabears

Instagram: @wpgseabears

Three Winnipeg Sea Bears named finalists for prestigious CEBL Awards

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 18:40:01 GMT

Simon Hildebrandt, Jelani Watson-Gayle and Teddy Allen contenders for end-of-season awards

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) are proud to announce three of the team’s players have been named finalists for the league’s end-of-season awards.

Teddy Allen, Jelani Watson-Gayle and Simon Hildebrandt are all under consideration for prestigious titles.

Allen has been named one of two finalists for Most Valuable Player, a title sung to him by adoring Sea Bears fans each time he visited the charity stripe this season. The nod is unsurprising after Allen averaged 27.6 points per game for a team that led the West for much of the season. His ability to score was superhuman, softly placing it off the glass regardless of the two or three defenders draped all over him.

As much as he epitomized the nickname he came to town with (“Buckets”), Allen also got it done all over the floor, forcing opponents into turnovers he’d run back for layups or dunks to break the decibel meter at Canada Life Centre.

He gave fans plenty more to cheer about in several historic nights: first putting up a league-record tying 42 points in Scarborough then going off for a CEBL single-game record of nine threes at home against Brampton.

In addition to finishing as the league’s second-leading scorer on a contending team, Allen also finished the season in the top ten in each of the following categories:

· Three points made: 72 (1 ^st )

· Average defensive rebounds: 6.5 (T-4 ^th )

· Assists: 77 (T-9 ^th )

· Total rebounds: 167 (5 ^th )

· Average total rebounds: 8.0 (T-7 ^th )

· Average steals: 1.7 (7 ^th )

· Free throw percentage: 80.5 (5 ^th )

· Average minutes: 36.1 (1 ^st )

· Total minutes: 757:00 (1 ^st )

His rebound-per-game mark is the highest of any guard in the CEBL.

“In our inaugural season here in Winnipeg, Teddy immediately established himself as our go-to guy and leader. His record-setting performances in scoring and three pointers made caught everyone's attention, but I'm also proud of Teddy's growth as a leader. His love to play is just as apparent as his scoring talent. Sea Bears Nation loved watching Teddy Buckets and his performance helped elevate everyone on our team,” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor.

Saskatchewan’s Justin Wright-Foreman has also been named a finalist for this award.

Jelani Watson-Gayle has been named a finalist for the CEBL Sixth Man of the Year Award.

Watson-Gayle didn’t need the moniker of “starter” to quickly establish a name for himself in a new city. Sea Bears fans were eager to see the London, UK product sub into the game, trusting his sound scoring ability and two-way fundamentals would soon make an impact regardless the situation.

But what really captured the hearts of the Sea Bears faithful was his laser focus and tendency to come through big when his team needed him the most. Watson-Gayle scored five of the team’s 12 game-winning baskets. He put up an otherworldly 49 per cent three-point average in the regular season, nearly five per cent higher than his nearest competitor.

“All summer long, Jelani Watson-Gayle gave our team a big boost off the bench with his dynamic playmaking and clutch shots. Leading the CEBL in three-point shooting percentage and scoring average off bench (12.5 PPG) are one part of the story. Even more impactful were Jelani's five game-winning baskets/free throws that showed the winner he is,” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor.

Eddie Ekiyor of the Niagara River Lions is the other finalist for this award.

Simon Hildebrandt has been named a finalist for the U SPORTS Player of the Year Award.

In his first pro season, Hildebrandt showed few signs of his youth, picking up big minutes in key moments for his highly-ranked squad. The Winnipeg, MB product stepped into the limelight right away, putting in 29 minutes during the team’s season opener when fellow Winnipegger Chad Posthumus exited early due to foul trouble. Hildebrandt stuck to his game in front of a record-setting CEBL crowd, notching 13 points and going 50 per cent from the field.

Hildebrandt, often one of the last to leave the gym after wins and losses alike at Canada Life Centre, earned the RE/MAX Player of the Game title after a win in Edmonton on July 8, when he scored 19 points on five of eight from beyond the arc. Hildebrandt has also accounted for a Target Score winner, putting his stamp all over the team’s regular season success.

“Simon Hildebrandt played a key role in our success this summer and had some highlight moments for us including his game winner against Montreal and an 11-point 11-rebound double-double in his first start during our playoff game. As a 19-year-old playing with older, more experienced professionals, Simon demonstrated an outstanding work ethic and an excellent attitude to learn new things. Most important, as a Winnipeg kid, he is a fine young man. We are all very proud of Simon,” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor.

David Walker of the Scarborough Shooting Stars has also been named a finalist for this award.

The winners will be announced Wednesday, August 9 in Pitt Meadows, BC at the CEBL Awards banquet, which kicks off Championship Weekend.

Award nominees and 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 are prohibited from voting for a player or head coach from their own team.

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