The CEBL is Back: Season 6 Tips Off
A preview for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League season is here, boasting the most NBA and G-League Experience ever.
As we approach the warmer weather months, it’s time for another season of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) to tip off. This is the sixth year for a league that continues to grow, with a variety of Canadian and international talent that boast experience overseas, in the NBA, G-League, NCAA, U SPORTS, and with Team Canada. This year, the CEBL reported that of the 140 players on training camp rosters, 10 have NBA experience, 43 have G-League experience, and 22 have played for Team Canada before.
If you’re unfamiliar with the league, its goal is to grow and showcase Canadian basketball. In fact, over 75% of players in the league are Canadian. Each team will play 20 games this season, with some key matchups including the season opener and “Battle of Alberta” between Edmonton and Calgary on May 21 at 7pm ET and a rematch of last year’s championship game between Calgary and Scarborough on May 29 at 7pm ET.
On April 11, the CEBL Draft results were announced. Each year, teams draft players from eligible post-secondary schools in Canada in an attempt to develop and bolster talent at that level. This year was the first year that each team drafted 3 players and teams were able to select from U SPORTS or CCAA players. Ismaël Diouf was taken first overall by the Montreal Alliance and Jerry Jr. Mercury was selected by the Niagara River Lions, the first CCAA player to be selected. Queen’s University led draftees with 3, including brothers and OUA champions Luka and Cole Syllas, the former headed to Niagara and the latter headed to Brampton.
Last season, the Scarborough Shooting Stars emerged victorious, taking a tough road to the championship through a play-in game and beating the higher seeded Ottawa Blackjacks and Niagara River Lions before taking on the West 1-seed Calgary Surge to emerge with a 12-point victory. Scarborough native Isiaha Mike took home the Finals MVP in that contest. Teddy Allen won League MVP for the expansion franchise Winnipeg Seabears, averaging 29-5-4. Both will seek to repeat their titles this season, but with the talent in the league, neither will be an easy feat.
Last September, I wrote a recap of some of the highlights of the season and included a bit more of the league rules that can give you some other insight into the league and last season as well. If you’re all up to date on last season then its time to look forward to this year.
So far, the Alliance are seen as the favourite to win the championship according to the CEBL’s betting partner, followed closely by the defending champions Scarborough, and a tie for Calgary and Niagara with the third best odds. The Alliance have the benefit of home court advantage in the playoffs, with Verdun Auditorium in Montreal being the home of the championship this season.
Ahmed Hill is one of the premier players for the Alliance, playing in his second season for Montreal. Last year, he averaged 20-4-2, earning CEBL second-team honours. Previously, he played for the G-League affiliate for the Hornets, and has played internationally in Germany, Greece, and Poland. He is joined by Montreal natives Alain Louis who played collegiately at Carleton University, winning three national championships before joining the Alliance to average 9-4-5 last season and Elijah Ifejeh, a key member of the team who averaged 6-5-1 last year. Ismaël Diouf, this year’s number 1 pick of the CEBL draft averaged 10-6 during his collegiate season and led Laval to a National Championship, earning MVP honours in the tournament.
For Scarborough, Cat Barber leads the charge, averaging 20-4-5 last season, earning CEBL First Team honours. He’s joined by Kadre Grey, CEBL 2023 Canadian Player of the Year and CEBL All-Canadian Team who played last season in Ottawa and averaged 16-4-6. Now, Grey returns to Toronto alongside other Toronto natives Jackson Rowe, and Kalif Young, who is playing in his fifth season in the CEBL. Young has also played internationally for Team Canada. While they did lose a few of the players from their championship run, including former Raptor Jalen Harris who has moved on to the Saskatchewan Rattlers, they still maintain a strong case for a repeat title.
Calgary was an expansion team last season, already finding massive success by making it to the finals in the playoffs last season in Vancouver. Brampton native Sean Miller-Moore returns for his fourth season (second with Calgary) to follow up his 16-3-3 stats, earning CEBL All-Canadian Team honours. Stefan Smith, who represented Team Canada in a U17 tournament returns for the second year in a row as well after averaging 15-5-5. Justin Jackson returns as well, boasting experience in the G-League and NBA Summer league. Gabe Osabuohien, Justin Lewis, and Billy Preston Jr. will round out the roster, all having a variety of NBA and G-League experience as well.
Omari Moore is one of the international players in the league, hailing from California and San Jose state where he played four years and was named Mountain West Player of the Year in 2023. He signed a contract with the Raptors 905 on October 30 and appeared in 29 games for them, averaging 9/4/4 in 28 minutes. He’ll suit up for the Niagara River Lions this summer, alongside Khalil Ahmad who won 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, Clutch Player of the Year, and All CEBL First Team honours. Ahmad led the league in steals and target-score shots and averaged an impressive 19-3-6 in only 16 games. Along with Moore and Ahmad, they will be joined by returning players AJ Davis, Eddie Ekiyor, and TJ Lall who all played a large role on the team last year, and Nathan Cayo who played the last two CEBL seasons for Montreal, and the Memphis Hustle this past winter.
Of course, this is just a highlight of four of the teams in the league, but any one of the 10 could emerge as the league-leader this season. The best way to know is to start following the league, its teams and players. I’ll most likely be back with a recap later on, so stay tuned for that as well.
This will be the third year for me attending games, and if you get the chance I hope you take the time to go. Tickets are reasonably priced, and the atmosphere and level of play makes it a really fun experience. The arenas make an effort to include fun in-arena content as well, showcasing local talent in half-time shows. Nothing will beat target time either, where for the remaining four minutes of the game are traded for a target score that creates some edge-of-your-seat-high-stakes basketball.
If you’re not able to go in person, there are more than 50 games being broadcast nationally on TSN and Game+. Or, you can utilize CEBL+ to watch games online with an account for free.
In short, there’s no better time to start supporting the CEBL than right now.