Offseason Edition: CEBL Proving To Be The U SPORTS Basketball Pro Pipeline We've Always Dreamed of

Welcome to PRSPECTVES, an interactive monthly digest of all the major news and stories happening across Canadian university sports, accompanied by intentional introductions to tools and resources that can aid student-athletes in excelling professionally, academically, and personally.

In this edition, we'll be exploring the impact of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) on Canada's basketball infastructure, as the fifth season of Canada's largest professional sports league gets underway.

"It's a league that just emphasizes Canadian talent and shows how much talent there is on the come up in Canada"

Former University of Windsor Lancers forward and 2023 U SPORTS Player of the Year Thomas Kennedy shared his thoughts on the importance of the Canadian Elite Basketball League within Canada's basketball infrastructure.

Kennedy, who recently signed with the CEBL's Scarborough Shooting Stars , is entering his third consecutive season in the league.

U SPORTS Products Shining In The CEBL

The fifth season of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is underway and we'd be remised if we didn't highlight the immense amount of U SPORTS talent, both past and present, that's been on display through the first week of the league's regular season. But first, let's give you a quick rundown.

The Impact on Current U SPORTS Players

Currently, the CEBL is the only professional basketball league that annually holds an entry draft for U SPORTS Men's basketball players:

• Players selected in the CEBL's draft must be current U SPORTS MBB players with remaining U SPORTS eligibility - Yes, this means you can be drafted in your first, second, third, or fourth year of school!
• Acting more as a developmental program for U SPORTS players, the salary earned during their seasons gets applied directly to their tuition in the following school year.
• The opportunity allows U SPORTS MBB players to spend their offseasons gaining valuable experience, playing professionally against some of the world's top athletes while working with the world's top coaches, trainers, and basketball minds.
• The CEBL's 2023 U SPORTS draft class can be found here

The Stats

While what the CEBL offers to U SPORTS athletes is attractive, the numbers prove that the league is more than just all talk, with a record number of U SPORTS players, past or present, either suiting up or starting for CEBL teams in 2023:

• On the league's 2023 opening day, there were 40 players accounted for on CEBL rosters who have either played in U SPORTS or are currently on U SPORTS rosters
• Through the first week of the 2023 regular season, 10 different U SPORTS players, past or present, have started on CEBL teams

The Standout Performances

One week into the season, here are a few standout performances from U SPORTS players, past and present, in the CEBL:

• Former 2x U SPORTS Player of the Year, and Laurentian University/Université Laurentienne alum, Kadre Gray scored a game-high 27 PTS, including the game-winner, for the Ottawa BlackJacks in their 95-93 win over the Brampton Honey Badgers
• Former U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian, and Toronto Metropolitan University alum, Adika Peter-McNeilly recorded a team-high 14 PTS, 3 REB, and 3 AST for the Edmonton Stingers in their season opener against the Calgary Surge
• 2023 U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian, and Queen's University guard, Cole Syllas recorded 10 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, and 1 STL for the Ottawa BlackJacks in their 95-93 win over the Brampton Honey Badgers
• 2023 U SPORTS Rookie of the Year, and University of Manitoba forward, Simon Hildebrandt recorded 13 PTS and 3 REB for the Winnipeg Sea Bears in their 90-85 win over the Vancouver Bandits

Curious as to what to expect from the CEBL in 2023? Learn all you need to know about the league here.

👏 Waterloo's Latest Reconciliation Initiative

The University of Waterloo announced on May 25th that they'll now be offering full free tuition to students from First Nations communities on whose traditional territory the University is situated.

• The new initiative applies to current and incoming students who are members of the Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
• The tuition waiver will be in full effect beginning in September 2023 and is open to all current and future students

🏒 U SPORTS Alumni Advancing To The Stanley Cup Finals

In a rookie season that featured his first National Hockey League (NHL) All-Star game appearance, former Brock University goaltender Logan Thompson will be advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals - another first in his career.

• Thompson's Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Dallas Stars in game 6 of the Western Conference Finals to win the playoff series, punching their ticket to their second Stanley Cup Final in franchise history

🏈 Who Got Selected In The 2023 NFL Draft

Former University of Guelph defensive lineman Tavius Robinson was selected 124th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in the 4th round of the 2023 National Football League (NFL) Draft.

• Robinson spent two seasons at Guelph, before transferring to the University of Mississippi in 2020
• Robinson becomes the first former Guelph Gryphon to ever be selected in the NFL Draft

🏈 Who's Also Getting Ready To Begin Their NFL Career

In addition to the aforementioned Robinson, former University of Waterloo defensive back Tyrell Ford also will also report to OTAs this spring, officially beginning his NFL career after signing with the Green Bay Packers back in February.

🏀 Who'll Be Coaching Canada At GLOBAL JAM

Canada Basketball announced on May 25th that York University Women's basketball head coach Christa Eniojukan will be the head coach of the U23 Women's National Team at this summer's GLOBAL JAM international tournament.

💻 What To Watch

To watch U SPORTS players, past and present, showing out in the CEBL, subscribe to CEBL+ to have access to all league games.

• To subscribe for free, sign up here

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