Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that the club resigned 6-foot-11 Julian Roche for the 2024 season. The Saint John, New Brunswick-native will return to the CEBL for his third season, while adding length to the Rattlers front court. “Julian put together a nice campaign with us last year, and after a season overseas – we are expecting him to play an even larger roll this season,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk. “He is a big body athlete that is willing to learn and put in the necessary work to continue his growth as a professional We are very happy to have him back this season.” During his three-year professional career, Roche has played with four teams in Switzerland, Germany, and Canada. He has a career average of 7.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 18.7 minutes in 95 games.
Sixth season of CEBL action tips off May 21 at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on TSN The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday its 2024 CEBL on TSN broadcast team that will cover the 20 nationally televised games announced in March, beginning with the first game of the season Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. MT / 9 p.m. ET when the Calgary Surge host provincial rival the Edmonton Stingers at Scotiabank Saddledome. A crew that again includes current and former NBA broadcasters like the legendary Chuck Swirsky (Chicago Bulls), Rod Black (original Raptors television play-by-play broadcaster), Amy Audibert (Miami Heat), Paul Jones (Toronto Raptors) and Nikki Reyes (Raptors sideline reporter for TSN) will be joined by three-time NBA Champion and Chicago Bulls radio colour commentator Bill Wennington, and head coach of the Windsor Lancers women's basketball program and former general manager and head coach of the Hamilton Honey Badgers (now Brampton Honey Badgers), Chantal Vallée. CBC host Heather Morrison (Saskatchewan Rattlers), and Joe Raso and Dhanung Balsara of CEBL+ also return to the CEBL on TSN broadcast team in 2024, while CEBL+ sideline reporter Esfandiar Baraheni joins the crew for the first time. 2024 CEBL ON TSN BROADCAST TEAM Chuck Swirsky – Play-By-Play Chuck Swirsky has served as the radio play-by-play voice of the Chicago Bulls for the past 16 seasons following 10 years in that capacity with the Toronto Raptors (1998-99 to 2007-08). He has broadcast more than 2,100 NBA games. Swirsky's association with Chicago sports started in 1979 with his WCFL AM 1000 talk show and has also included broadcasting Chicago White Sox games. He was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 and into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the WGN Radio Walk of Fame in 2018. Swirsky has called play-by-play for University of Michigan basketball and football. Swirsky grew up in Bellevue, Washington and gained his Canadian citizenship in January 2008. Rod Black – Play-By-Play As a Canadian sports broadcaster for over 40 years, Rod Black has been a part of some of sports most iconic events, including multiple Olympic Games and PGA tournaments. He was on the mic for the Toronto Raptors inaugural season television broadcasts. Following a lengthy career with TSN and CTV that included calling Toronto Blue Jays games and leading the pregame coverage of their 1992 and 1993 World Series championships, Black currently broadcasts numerous sports on both a national and regional level around the world. He currently handles play-by-play duties for the CEBL’s Scarborough Shooting Stars. Amy Audibert – Analyst Returning to the CEBL for her fifth season, Niagara Falls native Amy Audibert is currently serving as an analyst on the Miami Heat radio/TV broadcast team. Prior to her South Florida appointment, Audibert was the courtside reporter/analyst for Sportsnet's national coverage of the Toronto Raptors. Amy proudly was the studio analyst for the NBA's first-ever all-female broadcast, which was aired on TSN. Audibert’s on-air experience encompasses calling basketball games for many networks and many leagues, including, the WNBA, the NBA G- League, FIBA, NCAA Men's and Women’s college hoops. Paul Jones – Analyst Paul Jones is Canadian sportscaster who has served as a play-by-play and colour analyst for Toronto Raptors radio broadcasts since the team’s inaugural season in 1995. He appears on the weekly basketball show Hoops on Raptors NBA TV and is a co-host on the show Double Dribble. Jones has also served as studio analyst and sideline reporter for the Raptors and the Canadian Senior Men’s National team on TSN, CTV, and Rogers Sportsnet. Joe Raso – Analyst Joe Raso, Sr. Director, Basketball Operations for the CEBL, returns for his sixth year on the league’s broadcast staff. Raso has been involved in all levels of basketball for more than 35 years. He is the all-time winningest head coach in McMaster University history, where he coached his teams to four OUA championships and four silver medals at the CIS (now U SPORTS) National Championships. Raso has also worked on the international level as the Head Scout for the Canadian Men’s National Team and was an assistant coach with the program for four years. Raso has experience as a TV analyst for the CEBL, FIBA, CBC, Sportsnet and TSN. Chantal Vallée – Analyst Chantal Vallée is the current head coach of the Windsor Lancers women's basketball program and a former general manager and head coach of the Hamilton Honey Badgers (now Brampton Honey Badgers) – the first woman to hold those roles simultaneously for a men's professional basketball team. Since 2005, the Montreal, Quebec native has built one of the top women's basketball programs in the country at the University of Windsor, a tenure that includes 10 consecutive trips to the OUA final four while earning nine straight OUA medals following the 2016-17 season, and capturing five consecutive CIS (now U SPORTS) national titles in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. Vallée has also contributed as a colour commentator for basketball on prominent Canadian broadcasting channels, including CBC, CTV, Sportsnet, TSN, and RDS. Her broadcasting resume includes significant sporting events such as the 2012, 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2019 NBA Playoffs. Bill Wennington – Analyst Bill Wennington recently completed his 21 st season as colour commentator for all Chicago Bulls radio broadcasts, partnering with Chuck Swirsky to broadcast Bulls games on WSCR 670 AM and the Bulls Radio Network. He was also a sideline reporter for FOX SportsNet Chicago during the 2002-03 season. A 13-year veteran of the NBA, Wennington spent six seasons with the Bulls (1993-94 through 1998-99), which included three World Championships. The native of Montreal was also a member of the 1984 and 1992 Canadian Olympic Teams and was recently inducted into the Quebec Basketball Hall of Fame and the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame. He played his college basketball at St. John’s University and was inducted into the school’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. Heather Morrison – Sideline Reporter Heather Morrison, a member of the CEBL’s Saskatchewan Rattlers broadcast team, is a broadcaster and public speaking coach from Saskatoon. This is Morrison’s fourth season with the CEBL. She is the founder and president of Deliver Your Best public speaking coaching. She has also handled sideline coverage for Canada West Football and spent three years as an associate producer with CBC Saskatchewan, where she also hosted radio programs and was a television weather reporter. Last season Morrison had the honour of covering the CEBL's Western Conference Finals and Championship Weekend. Nikki Reyes – Sideline Reporter Nikki Reyes is an anchor for TSN’s SportsCentre and a sideline reporter for Toronto Raptors coverage on TSN. She was also an Anchor/Reporter on Sportsnet in Toronto and at NESN in Boston covering the Celtics, Bruins and Patriots. Dhanung Bulsara – Sideline Reporter Dhanung Bulsara, commonly known as ‘D', enters his fourth season with the CEBL as a sideline reporter. For the past three seasons, Bulsara has patrolled the sidelines covering home games for the Guelph Nighthawks (2021, 2022), Brampton Honey Badgers and Niagara River Lions. Last season saw him draw his first of multiple assignments on TSN, covering nationally televised games for the league. This past summer also saw Bulsara make his debut as the in-game host for the Toronto Blue Jays. He has previous experience as the Raptors 905 in-game host, spending two seasons with the team. Esfandiar Baraheni – Sideline Reporter Esfandiar Baraheni has been a basketball reporter, writer and producer for over five years, working with publications like TheScore, Bleacher Report, TSN, Spotify, and Raptors Republic — specializing in covering the Toronto Raptors and the rest of the NBA.
Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that the club signed 6-foot-8 Somto Dimanochie for the 2024 season. The Canadian forward made his professional debut in 2022 after being selected by the Edmonton Stingers in the CEBL Draft. The York University alumni returns for his third CEBL season with the Saskatchewan Rattlers. “Somto is a player with great potential that ran into some injury problems last year in the CEBL,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk. “He brings a combination of size and athleticism that is rare in this league. We look for him to raise the level of competition on our team.” Dimanochie played two consecutive seasons with the Edmonton Stingers; 2022 11th overall pick, and 2023 fourth overall pick. During his time in the CEBL, he averaged 2.5 points, 1.2 rebounds, 0.3 assists, and 5.9 minutes in 13 games. His 2023 season was cut short due to injury, and he spent the 2023-24 season training for his return.
New national partnership aims to keep CEBL players hydrated and at peak performance on and off the court The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and Electrolit unveiled Tuesday a multi-year partnership that establishes Electrolit® as the Official Hydration Partner of the CEBL and its 10 member clubs. Electrolit's role as the Official Hydration Partner of the CEBL ensures all 10 CEBL teams have access to premium hydration products, reflecting the league's dedication to player health and peak performance. Electrolit’s scientific formula, great taste and variety of flavors will provide an essential resource for athletes and coaches, ensuring they are hydrated and ready to compete and the highest level. “Our partnership with Electrolit is a testament to our shared commitment to excellence and elite athletic performance both on and off the court,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “Hydration plays a vital role in performance, injury prevention and recovery for all athletes competing at any level. By integrating high-quality hydration solutions league-wide, we're able to offer our players a premium hydration solution that will allow them to consistently perform at their peak.” As part of this partnership, Electrolit becomes the presenting partner of all CEBL training camps where players will get their first sample of Electrolit products. 2024 CEBL Training Camps, presented by Electrolit, open across the league in mid-May. The 2024 CEBL season tips off Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. local / 9 p.m. ET when the Calgary Surge host provincial rival the Edmonton Stingers in a nationally televised (TSN) game at Scotiabank Saddledome. Season tickets and flex packs are now available league wide with priority seating access and preferred pricing. Ticket information for all CEBL games, including single-game tickets, can be found by visiting cebl.ca/tickets . More than 50 CEBL games will be broadcast live nationally on TSN and Game+ this season. Fans can also livestream all regular season, playoff and Championship Weekend games on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices.
Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that they have teamed up with SMBA as their official 50/50 partner for all 2024 home games. Continuing our involvement in youth sport at the grassroots level was a goal for us this season. SMBA will retain proceeds from the 50/50 tickets purchased to continue to develop and grow youth basketball in our community. We are looking forward to seeing the local basketball community this season at SaskTel Centre starting at our home opener on May 22nd. We invite our all teams to utilize our group discounts which are available in all bowl sections.
Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that the club signed 6-foot-8 California-native Bryson Williams for the 2024 season. The American forward made his professional debut playing in the NBA Summer League with the Miami Heat. Williams will make his CEBL debut in Saskatchewan, reuniting with Elijah Harkless and Coach Larry Abney after their season with the Ontario Clippers (Los Angeles Clippers affiliate). “Bryson is a major signing for us and is expected to be a significant contributor to the success of our team through both his play and leadership in the locker room,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk. “His versatility as a power forward will cause difficult match-ups for opponents. I am excited to see his impact this season.” During his professional career, Williams has played two seasons with five teams in the NBA, NBA G League, NBA Summer League, France, and Israel. He has a professional career average of 9.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 assist, and 21.9 minutes while playing in 95 games.
Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that the club signed 6-foot-3 California-native Elijah Harkless for the 2024 season. The American guard made his professional debut with the Ontario Clippers (Los Angeles Clippers affiliate) during the 2023-24 NBA G League season under the leadership of Saskatchewan Rattlers head coach Larry Abney. “We are really excited about signing an emerging talent like EJ,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk. “He has just begun to scratch the surface of what he can do as a professional basketball player. The CEBL is seen as a league where potential future NBA players emerge, and with the high-ceiling EJ has, he is definitely in that category.” Harkless made his professional debut with the Ontario Clippers after being selected 23 rd overall in the 2023 NBA G League Draft. During his rookie season, he played 20 games while averaging 11.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 22.6 minutes and shooting 47.5% from the field. Harkless set professional career game-highs of 25 points (Jan. 29), eight rebounds (twice), 11 assists (twice), and three steals (Mar. 7). He ranked third on the roster for three-point shooting with 26 made shots while shooting 42.6 from behind the arc. Harkless will make his international debut with Saskatchewan Rattlers this May.
RDS coverage features eight live televised games, including five Montreal Alliance regular season games and all three C2W4 contests, with 14 total games streamed on RDS.ca/RDS app
Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that single-game tickets are now available to purchase for each of the 2024 home games via Ticketmaster . The Rattlers will host 10 games and one potential playoff game at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The season opens at home on May 22 when they face off against their conference-rival, the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The 2024 schedule will feature live performances, in-game fan activities, and new fan-focused venue additions. They will host theme games throughout the season including Kisiskâciwan Day on June 20 celebrating Indigenous culture and communities , and a Crops and Hops Night on July 18 celebrating the Saskatchewan agriculture community and attendees of Ag in Motion on their last day of the event. More theme games will be officially announced leading up to the season. Individual game tickets range from $20 in the Fang Zone section to $95 for seating in courtside row 2 (All row 1 options are sold out). Flex Ticket Bundles and Group tickets can be purchased to access bulk discounts. Season tickets range from $175 in the Fang Zone to $850 for courtside row 2 (All row 1 options are sold out). Premium seat option are available including VIP tables, Luxury Suites, and the Rattlers Courtside Lounge. All tickets options can also be purchased through the Rattlers Front Office (306) 244-2181, Saskatchewan Rattlers website , or via Ticketmaster . Current season ticket members can manage their seats by using Account Manager . For more seating options, and partnership opportunities; fans can contact an account executive or Ivan Brown (Director of Partnerships) .
Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced their selections in the 2024 CEBL Draft on Thursday. Saskatchewan selected three returning U SPORTS players that all have ties to Saskatchewan. Elias Ralph from University of Victoria, Canada West 2nd Team All-Star and three-time Canada West Champion was the third pick overall. With the eighth pick in the second round, the Rattlers selected the fifth-year senior Alexander Dewar from the University of Saskatchewan. With the third pick in the third round, the Rattlers chose to welcome back Isaac Simon from University of Alberta as a Developmental Player. “We are very proud that we were able to draft three players with Saskatchewan roots,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk “and they all have great family connections in this province.” In March, the CEBL announced a newly rebranded and expanded draft format beginning in 2024 that includes all eligible Canadian U SPORTS and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) student-athletes. The new format also allowed for teams to select three selections in total. The CEBL Draft presents a coveted opportunity for top players in U SPORTS and the CCAA to get a chance to experience professional basketball by practicing and playing alongside veteran pros from the NBA, NBA G League, Canadian National team, and top international leagues.