When the CEBL (Canadian Elite Basketball League) began play in 2019, its goal was to create a viable domestic league for its homegrown talent to showcase their skills and parlay that into other professional opportunities. Fast forward a mere two years later and the league has now produced its 4th NBA player.
The Memphis Grizzlies announced Monday that they were signing forward Xavier Sneed to a 10 day contract following a stint with the Hornets G-League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. During his time north of the border, Sneed led the Niagara River Lions in scoring averaging 17.8ppg.
A few weeks prior fellow CEBL graduates Cat Barber, Xavier Moon, and Javin DeLaurier were also added to NBA rosters bringing the total to 4 players who have cracked the NBA ranks in less than a month. There’s also an additional 8 players from the CEBL currently on a G-League roster at the moment meaning that number could rise even higher in the coming months should the NBA fail to curb COVID outbreaks amongst its teams.
The Canadian league boasts a wide variety of USport, NCAA, and national team players on its rosters and is quickly establishing a name for itself as a strong developmental league internationally as well. With 3 former NBA players having taken part in the league, the CEBL is positioning itself amongst the basketball leaders when it comes to helping get its players professional contracts in North America and abroad once play wraps up.
A typical CEBL season runs from May through August making it an attractive “summer league” for pros to stay sharp or prove that they’ve still got some gas left in the tank to prospective clubs around the world. The league is the only first division Professional League Partner of Basketball Canada and comprises roughly 75% Canadian born talent.
The league began with 6 teams in 2019 but has already expanded to 10 teams with 4 new franchises (Ottawa, Scarborough, Montreal, and Newfoundland) joining in recent years. The CEBL’s fourth season is slated to tip off in the late spring of 2022.
-Kyle Skinner
Twitter: @JKyleSkinner