SASKATCHEWAN PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL CLUB ANNOUNCES 2026 SEASON SCHEDULE

Inaugural CEBL Champions Set to Usher in a New Era as Eighth Season Approaches January 15, 2026 – Saskatoon, SK – The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced their official 2026 regular season schedule today. Fans can expect a reimagined experience, featuring an exciting new look on and off the court, as well as enhanced in-arena entertainment and fan engagement. The team will open the 2026 season at home on Thursday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. CST, welcoming the Vancouver Bandits to SaskTel Centre. For the complete schedule, visit therattlers.ca/schedule . The CEBL’s eighth season marks the beginning of a new era for the league as well with the introduction of a full in-market playoff model and the first best-of-three CEBL Finals series in league history. The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club’s 2026 regular season will feature 24 games, including 12 home games and 12 on the road, running from May 14 to August 3. Following the regular season, the playoffs will begin with single-elimination Conference Semifinals on Thursday, August 6, followed by single-elimination Conference Finals on Saturday, August 8, with higher-seeded teams hosting each round. The season will conclude with a best-of-three CEBL Finals series from August 12–16, marking the league’s first multi-game championship series. The lower seed will host Game 1, while the higher seed will host Games 2 and 3, if necessary. For more information on the playoff format, visit cebl.ca/playoffs . Fans can now secure their 2026 season tickets and for a limited time, enter for a chance to win two courtside seats to the Home Opener. Don’t miss this opportunity to be among the first to experience the Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club’s exciting new gameday experience and enjoy an unforgettable night of live basketball and entertainment. For full details on tickets and promotions, visit therattlers.ca/courtsidegiveaway . Fans are encouraged to follow team channels as several marquee announcements will be made in the coming weeks. About the Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club (previously Saskatchewan Rattlers) tipped off their inaugural season at SaskTel Centre in May 2019 and went on to win the inaugural Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) championship. The team are active members of the community, participating in countless events that connect the team with diverse communities through sport, entertainment, and arts and culture. The team has restored over 100 basketball nets across the city to make basketball more accessible to youth. For more information, visit www.therattlers.ca . About the CEBL The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada’s professional basketball league, with 10 member clubs across six provinces. Blending global innovation with local connection, the league is redefining how the game is played and experienced while rooting its teams deeply in communities coast to coast. With a fan base of 4.1 million Canadians – up 57 per cent since 2022 – the CEBL has cultivated Canada’s youngest basketball audience, with more than half of its fans aged 34 or younger. Its rapid growth reflects its ability to connect authentically with a new generation of basketball fans while expanding the sport’s cultural footprint nationwide. In 2025, the CEBL featured 17 players with NBA experience, and nearly 70 per cent of its athletes were Canadian – the highest proportion of domestic talent in any professional sports league in the country. To date, nearly 40 players have signed NBA contracts following CEBL seasons, which run from May through August. Visit CEBL.ca or follow @cebleague on social media. Media Contact: Mitchell Start; [email protected]

January 13, 2026 – Saskatoon, SK – The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club has notified General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Barry Rawlyk that his contract will not be renewed following the conclusion of the 2025 season. During his seven seasons with the franchise, Barry brought a deep familiarity with Canadian basketball and long-standing relationships across the province that supported the club’s operations and player development. He also served as the Lead Assistant Coach during the franchise's 2019 Championship season. The organization wishes Barry and his family well as he moves on from the team and appreciates his willingness to support a smooth transition. The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club has already begun recruitment for a new General Manager. A new era of basketball in Saskatoon will be unveiled soon. About the Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club (previously Saskatchewan Rattlers) tipped off their inaugural season at SaskTel Centre in May 2019 and went on to win the inaugural Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) championship. The team are active members of the community, participating in countless events that connect the team with diverse communities through sport, entertainment, and arts and culture. The team has restored over 100 basketball nets across the city to make basketball more accessible to youth. For more information, visit www.therattlers.ca . About the CEBL The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada’s professional basketball league, with 10 member clubs across six provinces. Blending global innovation with local connection, the league is redefining how the game is played and experienced while rooting its teams deeply in communities coast to coast. With a fan base of 4.1 million Canadians – up 57 per cent since 2022 – the CEBL has cultivated Canada’s youngest basketball audience, with more than half of its fans aged 34 or younger. Its rapid growth reflects its ability to connect authentically with a new generation of basketball fans while expanding the sport’s cultural footprint nationwide. In 2025, the CEBL featured 17 players with NBA experience, and nearly 70 per cent of its athletes were Canadian – the highest proportion of domestic talent in any professional sports league in the country. To date, nearly 40 players have signed NBA contracts following CEBL seasons, which run from May through August. Visit CEBL.ca or follow @cebleague on social media. Media Contact: Mitchell Start Senior Manager of Operations; [email protected]

Canadian Basketball Ventures L.P. (CBV), the corporate entity that owns the Saskatchewan Rattlers, announced today that Lee Genier will be concluding his tenure as President. Lee has been pivotal in shaping the Rattlers since the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s (CEBL) inception in 2019. His leadership, vision, and unwavering dedication have helped build a strong foundation for professional basketball in Saskatchewan and have fostered meaningful connections with fans and the broader Saskatoon community. During his second term as President, Lee once again brought passion and commitment to the organization, contributing to its growth and presence both on and off the court. “It’s been an incredible honour to lead the Saskatchewan Rattlers and contribute to the growth of the CEBL,” said Genier. “I’m proud of what we’ve built together—from the passionate fan base to the strong community ties—and I look forward to cheering on the team as it continues to thrive.” CBV and the Rattlers sincerely thank Lee for his impactful leadership and many contributions. We wish him continued success and fulfillment in his future endeavours.

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced the winners of the 2025 CEBL Awards and the All-CEBL Teams at an event held at The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre (The MET) in Winnipeg, MB, on Thursday evening — the first official event of 2025 Championship Weekend (CW25) . The Vancouver Bandits took home four awards, including forward Mitch Creek, who earned top honours as Most Valuable Player. Centre Tyrese Samuel was named both Canadian Player of the Year and Clutch Player of the Year, while Kyle Julius secured Coach of the Year honours for the second consecutive season. This also marked the second straight year the Bandits swept the CEBL’s top three awards (MVP, Canadian Player, and Coach), repeating the feat achieved by Tazé Moore, Koby McEwen, and Julius in 2024 . The full list of award winners is as follows: 2025 CEBL Award Winners Most Valuable Player: Mitch Creek (Vancouver Bandits) Canadian Player of the Year: Tyrese Samuel (Vancouver Bandits) Coach of the Year: Kyle Julius (Vancouver Bandits) Sixth Man of the Year: Zane Waterman (Ottawa BlackJacks) Defensive Player of the Year: Jameer Nelson Jr. (Calgary Surge) Developmental Player of the Year: Isaac Simon (Saskatchewan Rattlers) Clutch Player of the Year: Tyrese Samuel (Vancouver Bandits) Fox 40 Officiating Recognition Award: Karl Toulouse Creek’s leadership and production were instrumental in Vancouver’s league-best 19-5 record this season. He finished second in the CEBL in scoring with 24.4 points per game, ranked third in three-point percentage (48.6%), and fourth in field goal percentage (58.4%). The 6-foot-5 Australian's 488 total points were the second-highest in the league in 2025 and the fourth-most ever recorded in a single CEBL season. He also ranked among the league's top 10 in several other categories, including free throws made (2nd – 110), field goals made (3rd – 171), minutes played (6th – 687.7), and steals (9th – 30). In his first CEBL season, Samuel was a dominant force for the Bandits and the only player in the league to average more than 20 points (21.4) and 10 rebounds (10.8) per game. Despite playing just 15 games, the Canadian big man tied for the league lead with six Target Score Winners, earning the Clutch Player of the Year award via a tiebreaking vote over Calgary’s Sean Miller-Moore. He also led the CEBL in field goal percentage (65.9), ranked third in rebounds per game, and tied for third with eight double-doubles. Julius led Vancouver to a .792 winning percentage (19-5) in 2025 — the highest ever over a full, non-pandemic-shortened CEBL season — even with the league’s longest and most demanding schedule to date (24 games). The Bandits posted a league-best +250 point differential, more than 50 points ahead of the next closest team, while boasting the top-ranked offence and fourth-ranked defence. Vancouver finished first in total points (2,372), field goals made (868), field goal percentage (48.2), three-pointers made (277), three-point percentage (38.4) and assists (558), and ranked second in steals (208). Despite their high-paced offence, the Bandits committed the third-fewest turnovers (328) and allowed the fourth-fewest points (2,122). Waterman played a significant role off the bench for the Ottawa BlackJacks this summer and was a key contributor to the team’s strong second-half surge, helping secure second place in the Eastern Conference. In just 14 games, he was part of nine wins, averaging 15.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 23.1 minutes per game, while shooting 52.9 per cent from three-point range. Nelson Jr. delivered a strong two-way performance for Calgary in 2025, making a particularly significant impact on defense. He set a new CEBL single-season steals record with 57 in just 19 games and added five blocks. His 3.0 steals per game led the league by a full steal over MVP runner-up Sean East II, and his total steals shattered the previous record of 44 set by Lloyd Pandi in 2024 by 13. He also showcased his offensive prowess last Saturday in the Western Conference Semifinal against Vancouver, scoring a CEBL playoff-record 39 points in a 105-103 Surge win to secure a berth at CW25. Simon contributed valuable minutes for the Saskatchewan Rattlers in 2025, emerging as the top performer among this year’s class of Developmental Players. He appeared in all 24 games — including six starts — and averaged 4.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per contest. Simon will return to the University of Alberta Golden Bears for the upcoming U SPORTS season. Toulouse, a day-one member of the CEBL as Manager of Minor Officials, was honored with the Fox 40 Officiating Recognition Award. He oversees 150 minor officials across all 10 CEBL markets, audits numerous games nationwide to ensure statistical accuracy, and has attended every CEBL Championship Weekend to support score table staff. A member of the Toronto Raptors stats crew since the team’s inception in 1995, Toulouse exemplifies the spirit of basketball development in Canada through more than 30 years of dedication and high-level performance. The 2025 All-CEBL First, Second, and All-Canadian Teams were also revealed at the CEBL Awards: All CEBL First Team: Greg Brown III (Calgary Surge), Mitch Creek (Vancouver Bandits), Sean East II (Edmonton Stingers), Javonte Smart (Ottawa BlackJacks), Donovan Williams (Scarborough Shooting Stars) All CEBL Second Team: Khalil Ahmad (Niagara River Lions), Jameer Nelson Jr. (Calgary Surge), Tyrese Samuel (Vancouver Bandits), Simi Shittu (Winnipeg Sea Bears), Terquavion Smith (Scarborough Shooting Stars) CEBL All-Canadian Team: Keon Ambrose-Hylton (Edmonton Stingers), Quincy Guerrier (Montréal Alliance), Sean Miller-Moore (Calgary Surge), Tyrese Samuel (Vancouver Bandits), Simi Shittu (Winnipeg Sea Bears) Award nominees, winners and All-CEBL First, Second, and All-Canadian Teams 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 Award Rings of the CEBL; a custom trophy from protocole, crafted from maple and solid metal with a silkscreened CEBL logo; and a special gift from the league’s partner, Foot Locker. The Conference Finals doubleheader at CW25 on Friday, August 22 will feature the defending champion Niagara River Lions taking on the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the East matchup at 5 p.m. CDT / 6 p.m. ET, followed by the host Winnipeg Sea Bears facing the Calgary Surge in the West tilt at 7:30 p.m. CDT / 8:30 p.m. ET. Ticket and event information is available at cebl.ca/championshipweekend . - CEBL - About the CEBL A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73 per cent of its rosters being Canadian and more than 15 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 . Media Contacts : Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations Canadian Elite Basketball League (905) 730-4691 | [email protected] Kyle Warrener – Manager, Communications & Content Canadian Elite Basketball League (905) 870-1262 | [email protected]

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday the individual award nominees for the 2025 CEBL Awards, taking place on Thursday, August 21 at 7 p.m. CDT at The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre (The MET) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The CEBL Awards serve as the first official event of 2025 Championship Weekend (CW25) , which runs from August 21 to 24. Most Valuable Player finalists Mitch Creek of the Vancouver Bandits and Sean East II of the Edmonton Stingers headline the list of nominees revealed across six player award categories. In total, eight individual CEBL awards will be presented in 2025. 2025 CEBL Award Finalists Most Valuable Player: Mitch Creek (Vancouver Bandits), Sean East II (Edmonton Stingers) Canadian Player of the Year: Sean Miller-Moore (Calgary Surge), Tyrese Samuel (Vancouver Bandits) Sixth Man of the Year: Chris Smith (Edmonton Stingers), Zane Waterman (Ottawa BlackJacks) Defensive Player of the Year: Greg Brown III (Calgary Surge), Jameer Nelson Jr. (Calgary Surge) Developmental Player of the Year: Aaron Rhooms (Edmonton Stingers), Isaac Simon (Saskatchewan Rattlers)