Now entering its eighth season, the Canadian Elite Basketball League continues to deliver everything it promises: development of Canadian players, a fun experience for fans, and some truly incredible basketball. With more of everything we’ve loved in previous years and some great new changes to league structure, let’s dive into why you should be tuning into the CEBL this summer if you’re not already!
What’s the same and what’s different?
Continuing with last year’s schedule expansion, each team will play 24 games this season. Some of the marquee matchups are the 2025 championship rematch between Calgary and Niagara on June 3, the Canada Day double header hosted by Scarborough and Edmonton, and the Calgary Stampede game in the Scotiabank Saddledome on July 9. Of course, there are plenty of rivalries to take in as well. Ottawa and Brampton have had some heated games over the last couple years, the battle for Alberta is always fun, and already we have this classic to add to the rivalry between Calgary and Vancouver:
This year, games can be viewed nationally on CBC, CBC Gem, YouTube, and the CEBL+ app. The full CEBL schedule can be found here.
Target scores are still in effect, which has to be my personal favourite aspect of the game. After the first stoppage within the final four minutes of the game, the clock shuts off and the first team to score the “target score” (9 points plus the highest score when the stoppage occurs) wins the game. Already, like every other season this is causing bedlam. Despite scoring 37 points in the first quarter (tying the league record), the Calgary Surge dropped their contest to Scarborough in target time Thursday night.
One of the most remarkable changes to the league this year is the change in Championship structure. In previous years, a host city was selected to welcome semifinal teams and fans from all over for four days of award ceremonies, youth basketball competitions, concerts, and events to add to the semifinal and final games. While there were lots of positives to this structure, the league has elected to instead let the higher seeded team host the game and implement a best-of-three series for the final. A positive move that will now reward teams who perform well in the regular season and bring back home court advantage.
Another notable change has been the rebranding of Saskatchewan’s team, which has been rebranded from the Rattlers to the Saskatoon Mamba, with a full overhaul of logos and colours.
The Raps connections:
The league boasted 17 players with NBA experience last year alone, and continues to act as a feeder to an extent with almost 40 players going on to ink some type of NBA contract per the CEBL. The most well-known example was three-time CEBL league MVP Xavier Moon that later worked his way onto the Los Angeles Clippers roster. Raptors fans will probably be more familiar with current Raptor AJ Lawson. He spent two years playing for the Guelph Nighthawks (now the Brampton Honey Badgers) while working his way into the G-League, two-way contracts, and then on a standard NBA deal.
He’s not alone in spending time both with the Raptors and in the CEBL. Former Raptor Javon Freeman-Liberty has joined the league this year, representing the Montreal Alliance.
JFL has started hot, averaging 21-6-6 in his first 5 games leading a team in a tough Eastern conference to a pair of wins. He’s playing alongside Canada Basketball and Raptors 905 alum Quincy Guerrier to try and bring a championship to Montreal.
Some big moves
It’s not uncommon for players to stay with the same team for most of their CEBL career. Guys get comfortable in a close environment where they spend the whole summer together grinding out wins and trying to bring a championship to their hometowns and the cities that embrace them.
Some of the biggest names: Teddy Allen (Winnipeg), Javonte Smart (Ottawa), Evan Gilyard II (Calgary), Sean Miller-Moore (Calgary), and Tyrese Samuel (Vancouver) are all staying put with their previous teams.
Other players chose to cut their losses and move on. Isaih Moore departs from the Ottawa BlackJacks to play for the Edmonton Stingers who are filling a void left by the departure of Sean East II and Keon Ambrose-Hylton who have gone all in for the Brampton Honey Badgers. So far that’s worked in their favour as they remain undefeated, the first team in the East in CEBL history to do so. Another notable move is from Tony Carr who will be joining the Alliance once he’s able to.
Although the list is small, this has, and will continue to have a huge effect on the league. Brampton is leagues better than their start last year while Edmonton is 1-3 without their star duo. Ottawa is 2-3 and sitting at the bottom of the East. Definitely not the start to the season some teams were expecting.
Season Predictions
While it may be premature, I’ll take the opportunity to provide my way-too-early predictions on some of the major outcomes for the season:
2026 Champion: The Brampton Honey Badgers will beat out the Vancouver Bandits in 3. Home court advantage will be the biggest factor, but the stacked Honey Badgers will overcome. Led by the tandem of Sean East II, Keon Ambrose-Hylton, Canadian Cameron Tyson,
2026 MVP: Sean East II finally gets his due. Last season he put up record numbers but lost out to Mitch Creek. Now, he’s leading a team to the top of the conference and (hopefully) to a championship, and it’s time he gets the accolade.
2026 Canadian Player of the Year: Sean Miller-Moore. Entering his fifth season in the league, he just keeps getting better every year. It was a tight race between him and Tyrese Samuel last year, but with his continued improvement and his team struggling to start the season, I think we’re going to see him take it to the next level.
Power Rankings
The May-August timeline the CEBL runs on is challenging. Most leagues run from October-June if teams make playoffs, so many of the talented players in the league have to complete their previous commitments with overseas teams before joining their CEBL team. As a result, there can be big signings and major shakeups part of the way through the season. The perfect example is the 2025 Champions Niagara River Lions. They’ve had a rough start to the year, but Khalil Ahmad, the man who carried them to that championship, hasn’t even joined the team yet. The Alliance will look different too once Tony Carr joins them.
So, with that in mind, here are my current power rankings:
- Brampton Honey Badgers
- Scarborough Shooting Stars
- Vancouver Bandits
- Niagara River Lions
- Montreal Alliance
- Winnipeg Sea Bears
- Calgary Surge
- Ottawa BlackJacks
- Edmonton Stingers
- Saskatoon Mamba
Now we get to sit back and watch to see how another thrilling season will play out and how accurate (or far off) my season predictions will be. The season isn’t long, so don’t wait to support the home team, tune in and see what makes this league so thrilling to watch.
