WINNIPEG'S OWN POSTHUMUS FIRST OFFICIAL SEA BEAR

On Thursday, the expansion Sea Bears made the 6-foot-11, 270-pound forward the first signing in franchise history.

“The opportunity to do that now is just amazing,” said Posthumus, who played at River East Collegiate before embarking on a world tour that has taken him to leagues in Japan, Argentina and Canada. “It’ll be very special to see all my family and friends that will be able to come to my games and watch (me play) at a very high level. Obviously, a lot of people are still unfamiliar with the CEBL but it’s one of the top leagues in the world for talent.

“You have all the guys coming in from Europe that aren’t playing in the summer and are trying to stay in shape. Plus, you’ve got all the NBA guys that are maybe trying to make the roster next year and didn’t quite make it the year before.”

Posthumus has experience in the CEBL, which has been in business since 2019. He played the 2021 and ‘22 seasons with the Ottawa BlackJacks and recently suited up for the Brampton Honey Badgers, the league’s representative at the Basketball Champions League Americas competition.

While with the Honey Badgers, Posthumus was introduced to Mike Taylor, recently named general manager and head coach of the Sea Bears.

“He was actually an assistant coach on our Champions League team so we’ve actually gotten to know each other quite well over the past couple of months,” said Posthumus. “He’s awesome. He’s a great guy, extremely knowledgeable, very high basketball IQ and just a really good person overall. I think that’s gonna fit in perfectly here in Winnipeg.”

Posthumus made a good impression on Taylor, too.

“I think Chad is perfect as the first Sea Bear signing,” said Taylor. “His presence and size as a post player will help our roster. I think he’s experienced playing in the league… and he’s a great known personality in the city. He’ll bring a lot more to the table on the floor and off the floor.”

Posthumus also played for the CEBL’s Saskatchewan Rattlers and Edmonton Stingers while he waited for the league to plant roots in Winnipeg. In November, owner David Asper announced the Sea Bears would begin play in 2023. Each team plays a 20-game regular season, running from May to August.

“Honestly, when the CEBL came about five years ago, there was a hope Winnipeg would have a team earlier than even now,” said Posthumus. “I was definitely hoping that this would be a possibility before the end of my career, so having the opportunity now is awesome.”

But his arrival in Winnipeg is not intended as a swan song.

“It sounds kind of crazy but I probably (want) another five to eight years playing for sure,” said Posthumus. “I’m hoping to run until the wheels fall off… Aside from a couple years ago when I had hip surgery after a freak injury in basketball. I was sidelined for about a year and a half with a labrum tear… I take particularly good good care myself.

“I’m in the gym lifting weights least four or five days a week. My diet — I’ve actually been a vegetarian the last five (or) six years now and I think that’s definitely contributed and helped with my longevity.”

Most recently, Posthumus was a member of Canada’s senior team that closed out a FIBA World Cup Americas qualifier event in Caracas on Sunday with a 74-57 win over host Venezuela.

The Canadians had already qualified for the World Cup this summer in Japan, Philippines and Indonesia.

However, the national team representing Canada in August and September is expected to be transformed with access to NBA talent.

“I think, realistically, it’ll be a very tough roster to crack,” said Posthumus. “I think there’s actually gonna be a lot of guys that are current NBA players on that roster, just based upon the talent that we have in Canada nowadays… If there’s room for an extra big guy like me, I’ll likely get a training camp invite and see where I’m at.”

Taylor expects to have 16 players signed for the opening of training camp May 19. The club, he said, is currently negotiating with several Canadian and international players.

Two players believed to be interested in playing for the Sea Bears are local products Keith Omoerah and Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson.

Omoerah, a former Manitoba Bisons, and Ogungbemi-Jackson, formerly of the Calgary Dinos, are veterans of the European pro leagues.

“We’re definitely interested in guys like that,” said Taylor. “Any time we have players that come from the Winnipeg area that have established himself overseas or having playing experience, you’re always very interested. The challenge with both of those guys is they’re currently signed and playing in France, so they’re not available until their season ends (in June).”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca