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.
Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that the franchise will reset their court back to the set-up in 2019 with centre court in the middle of SaskTel Centre underneath their state-of-the-art jumbotron that was newly-installed in 2022. The Saskatchewan Rattlers were inaugural hosts of Championship Weekend in 2019; which featured multiple stages, fan-focused entertainment, premium seating, and many opportunities for partners to interact with fans of Saskatchewan’s only professional basketball team.  Returning Rattlers President, Lee Genier spearheaded the decision after the franchise saw a spike in demand for tickets, corporate interest, increase of international televised broadcast partners, and with consultation of the newly-appointed Saskatchewan Rattlers Ambassadors . “We are very excited to see the incredibly revived interest in the Rattlers,” said Rattlers President, Lee Genier “from both a corporate and community perspective.” The decision to move the court and reset the seating chart was made in the best interest of the fans, and partners. Moving the court back to centre allows for better sightlines, hosting opportunities, a courtside lounge for premium-level seating, and allows for more seating options – the courtside seating options were sold out in January 2024; now they have multiple premium options available to purchase.
Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that the club signed six-foot-four Quebec City, QC native Emmanuel Bandoumel for the 2024 season. The NCAA-experienced guard makes his CEBL debut with the Saskatchewan Rattlers this season. “Emmanuel is a player we were in hot pursuit of signing while he was coming out of college last year – but unfortunately he sustained an injury prior to the CEBL season,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk. “He worked hard at a full recovery and has put together a solid season playing over in Denmark. He will surprise some people with his athleticism and his ability to score.” Bandoumel made his professional debut during the 2023-24 season in Denmark, playing with the Svendborg Rabbits of Basketligaen averaging 15.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 27.5 minutes playing in seven games. He is currently ranked in the top five on the roster in field goal percentage (50.0%), three-point percentage (45.8%), rebounds per game (3.7), and assists per game (2.1).
Canada's largest pro sports league added to leading North American sports channel's live programming this summer
Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that the club has signed six-foot-three Mississauga, Ontario native Cody John for the 2024 season. The NCAA-experienced guard returns for his fifth season in the CEBL. “Cody brings some solid CEBL experience to our line-up. He is a team-first guy that has always shown his willingness to play whatever role is necessary for the team to succeed,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk. “He is a really personable young man and will prove to be an asset not only on the court, but also in the community.” During his five-year professional career, John has played with nine teams in Cyprus, Kosovo and Canada. He has a career average of 11.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 24.3 minutes in 99 games.
FIBA's streaming platform to deliver vibrant brand of CEBL basketball to global audience
Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday their inaugural Saskatchewan Rattlers Ambassadors, a group of business and community leaders from across the province supporting Saskatchewan’s professional basketball team. The formation of the Ambassador Program trails the newly appointed Saskatchewan Rattlers President, Lee Genier. Jesse Wiebe of Startup TNT has been appointed as Chairman of the Ambassador Program. “We are thrilled to announce our Saskatchewan Rattlers Ambassadors,” said Saskatchewan Rattlers President, Lee Genier. “A dynamic initiative set up to unite business and community leaders throughout Saskatchewan in fostering and expanding our basketball ecosystem.” “I lived in Toronto during the Raptors championship run so I know what sports can do for a city,” said Chairman of the Saskatchewan Rattlers Ambassadors, Jesse Wiebe. ““It was a no-brainer for me to chair this program and get to work with Lee to create an amazing atmosphere, support a winning team, and bring a championship back to this city!” Together, they have built connections with like-minded individuals and key stakeholders that support Canada’s fastest growing sport. The select group has presented ideas in anticipation of the Saskatchewan Rattlers sixth season, which is launching on Wednesday May 22 nd 2024 against the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The Saskatchewan Rattlers have had major support in the media with the announcement of their new signings, and their new head coach Larry Abney, who is currently working with the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers and will call Saskatoon home in the beginning of May. The full schedule features a full 20-game slate with one potential home playoff game and Championship Weekend (CW24) happening in Montréal, QC from August 9-11, 2024. General public and returning season ticket members can claim their seats for the entire Rattlers 2024 season by using Account Manager . Season tickets range from $275 in the bronze section 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 later this spring. For more seating options, suites, and group rates; fans can contact an account executive . The current list of Saskatchewan Rattlers Ambassadors: Andrew Gottselig, Hooplife Brittany Saunders, Schneider Electric Chris Lambiris, ATB Wealth Curtis Kimpton, Wellington-Altus Wealth Management Eric He, Kudos Golf + Night Market + Penrose Garrin Bulani, MicroStudio.ca Gregg Bamford, Bamford + Co Jared Lukomski Rok Resources Jason Aebig, Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce Jesse Wiebe, Startup TNT Jeremy Veszi, VP Consulting Inc John Howden, SaskTel Centre Justin Lee, Buckets and Borders Khanh Nguyen, Colliers Keith Moen, NSBA Ken Cheveldatoff, MLA Saskatoon Willowgrove Mike Tanton, Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League Pamela Hujber, Fire House Subs + Tim Hortons Rod McLellan, SASKINVEST.COM Rob Norris, EnviroWay Stephanie Clovechok, Discover Saskatoon Tanner Brightman, Golden Ticket Sports Tanya LaRose, Tanya LaRose Realty Prof Corp Troy Davies, Medavie Health Services West Veronique Lowen, Verolingo Communications