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.
Ralph shoots a three-pointer while playing with the Vikes
Elias Ralph returns to the Saskatchewan Rattlers after attending training camp for the 2023 season, the third guard is coming off a successful season with the University of Victoria Vikes. Ralph was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, but grew up in Okotoks, Alberta. Prior to his collegiate debut, he competed at Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Edmonton, Alberta. Over three years with the Vikes, he has averaged 13.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 25.7 minutes in 76 games. In his most recent season with the Vikes, he set new career-highs in five stat categories during the month of February: 25 points, 18 rebounds, four blocks, three steals, and six three-pointers made.
Ralph attended Training Camp with the Saskatchewan Rattlers in 2023 - photo by Brayden Elliott
During his collegiate career, he has been named to U SPORTS All-Rookie Team (2021-22), University of Victoria Rookie of the Year (2021-22), Canada West Rookie of the Year (2021-22), and Canada West 2nd Team All-Star (2023-24). In all three seasons with the Vikes, Ralph has finished as a Canada West Champion. Elias Ralph will return with the Rattlers this May.
“Elias had a tremendous U SPORTS season in 2023-24,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk. “His athleticism and tremendous versatility as a perimeter has us expecting that he will play a major role in our line-up this year.”
Dewar drives to the net at the PAC while playing with the Huskies
The Rattlers welcome back their 2021 CEBL Draft Pick, Alexander Dewar following a successful career with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. The Dewar family holds a legacy in basketball in Saskatoon, SK with his late-father John, uncle, and brother all having significant connections to Huskies Basketball. Prior to his collegiate debut, he competed at Marion Graham Collegiate in Saskatoon. Over five years with the Huskies, he averaged 15.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 27.5 minutes in 110 games. In his most recent season with the Huskies, he set a new career-high with 38 points accompanied by five rebounds, three assists, one steal, shooting 70.6% from the field, and 75.0% from the arc in 34 minutes on January 13th, 2024.
Dewar dribbles past the Edmonton Stingers veteran guard while playing at SaskTel Centre in 2021 - photo by Liam Richards
During his collegiate career, he has been named to Canada West All-Rookie Team (2018-19), U SPORTS Finals Player of the Game (2021-22), Canada West Third Team All-Star (2023-24), Canada West Men’s Basketball Community Service Award (2023-24), U SPORTS Men’s Basketball Service Award (2023-24), and a five-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian. In 2022, Dewar and the Huskies claimed a Canada West Bronze Medal which led them to a U SPORTS Silver Medal finish to close the season. Dewar returns for his second season in the CEBL this May.
“Alexander was a bright spot for the Huskies this past season in his final year of college eligibility,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk. “He is a fundamentally sound, high IQ, high character individual and will be a great asset for the Rattlers this season.”
Simon shoots over Huskies' Noah Nickel in a game with the Golden Bears
Isaac Simon returns to the Rattlers after his CEBL debut season in 2023. Prior to his collegiate career, he competed at Harvest City Christian Academy in his hometown of Regina, Saskatchewan. Over two seasons with the University of Alberta Golden Bears, he averaged 12.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 25.1 minutes in 49 games. In his most recent season, he set a new career high of 33 points accompanied by four rebounds, five assists, one steal, shooting 56.5% from the field, and 60.0% from the arc in 31 minutes on December 2nd, 2023. During his collegiate career, he has been named to University of Alberta Male Rookie of the Year and Canada West All-Rookie Team. Simon makes his return to Saskatchewan this May.
“Isaac had a great season with the team last year. According to U of A Head Coach Barnaby Craddock, he took a great leap forward in his development after spending last summer with us,” said Rattlers General Manager, Barry Rawlyk “I expect his development to continue on that trajectory and for him to play an even larger role with the Rattlers this season.”
Simon guards Scarborough Shooting Stars, Cat Barber in a game at SaskTel Centre in 2023 - photo by Brayden Elliott
The full 2024 Rattlers schedule has been released including the dates of their 10 home games. The Rattlers will announce a variety of fan-focused theme games, and entertainment. With a successful push to playoffs – there is potential for one home playoff game happening in early August prior to Championship Weekend (CW24) happening in Montréal, QC from August 9-11, 2024.
The Rattlers are led by Head Coach Larry Abney, who joins Saskatchewan from the Los Angeles Clippers organization. The 2024 roster consists of Emmanuel Bandoumel, Cody John, Maurice Calloo, Adong Makuoi, and 2023 Rattlers Defensive Player of the Year - Anthony Tsegakele. The franchise will continue to unveil the 2024 roster leading up to their Training Camp in mid-May.
Current season ticket members can manage their seats by using Account Manager. Season tickets range from $175 in the Fang Zone to $850 for courtside row 2 (All row 1 options are sold out). Single Game Tickets are available by utilizing the Flex Ticket Bundles. All tickets can also be purchased through the Rattlers Front Office (306) 244-2181, Saskatchewan Rattlers website, or via Ticketmaster. Single game tickets will be available soon. For more seating options, suites, group rates, and partnership opportunities; fans can contact an account executive or Ivan Brown (Director of Partnerships).
About the Saskatchewan Rattlers
The Saskatchewan Rattlers are Saskatchewan’s professional basketball team, one of the six
original teams in the CEBL – the Rattlers won the 2019 inaugural season championship. Playing out of SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – the Rattlers offer an entertainment-focused environment surrounded by some of the world’s top professional athletes. The Rattlers are a community-first organization and take pride in their ability to bring communities together while making sport more accessible to the province.
About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (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.
For more information on the Saskatchewan Rattlers professional basketball team - visit therattlers.ca
Contact:
Brennan Elliott
Director, Brand and Communications
Saskatchewan Rattlers
(306) 244-2181
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