A nine game schedule week with most teams playing just one game made for an intriguing week of CEBL action.
We highlight six noteworthy Canadians, two sure fire CEBL all-stars and more in week five.
Shane Gibson – Fraser Valley Bandits
The Fraser Valley Bandits stayed at the top of the standings with their fourth straight win to take over the top spot in the CEBL standings. Head coach mike
June 15 @ Guelph Nighthawks W, 90-85: 23 points (8/16 FG, 2/4 3FG, 3/4 FT) 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 28 minutes
June 24 vs. Montreal Alliance, W, 97-81: 25 points (8/13 FG, 7/9 3FG, 2/2 FT) 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 32 minutes
Khalil Ahmed – Niagara River Lions
After several subpar performances, Khalil Ahmed returns to the weekly top ten thanks to his fifth 20+ point effort of the season.
June 21 vs. Ottawa Blackjacks, W, 90-86: 25 points (9/20 FG, 1/3 3FG, 6/7 FT) 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 33 minutes
Devonte Bandoo – Saskatchewan Rattlers
The top Canadian scorer in the CEBL stayed hot and dropped a career-high 28 points to lead the red-hot Saskatchewan Rattlers to their second win in three games.
June 26 vs. Montreal Alliance, W, 98-86: 28 points (10/14 FG, 8/10 3FG, 0/0 FT) 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 turnovers, 26 minutes
Kameron Chatman – Scarborough Shooting Stars
June 25 vs. Hamilton Honey Badgers, W, 75-72: 21 points (8/16 FG, 2/8 3FG, 3/5 FT) 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 5 turnovers, 33 minutes
James Karnik – Fraser Valley Bandits
Release the beast indeed. James Karnik kicked-off his professional career with two Herculean performances to help the Fraser Valley Bandits stay at the top of the standings with wins versus two of the league’s worst teams.
June 24 vs. Montreal Alliance, W, 97-81: 16 points (8/13 FG, 7/9 3FG, 2/2 FT) 8 rebounds, 26 minutes
June 26 vs. Newfoundland Growlers, W, 97-81: 15 points (4/6 FG, 0/2 3FG, 5/6 FT) 8 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 13 minutes
AJ Lawson – Guelph Nighthawks
AJ Lawson put together his best effort of the season, scoring an international career-high with 29 points in a close loss to the Edmonton Stingers. Lawson will play with the Dallas Mavericks in the upcoming Las Vegas NBA Summer League.
June 25 vs. Edmonton Stingers, L, 101-95: 29 points (9/12 FG, 3/4 3FG, 8/11 FT) 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 23 minutes
Chad Posthumus – Ottawa Blackjacks
Two solid double-doubles land Chad Posthumus in the top ten for the first time this season. Posthumus leads the CEBL in offensive rebounds and ranks second in rebounds per game.
June 21 vs. Niagara River Lions L, 90-86: 10 points (4/5 FG, 0/0 3FG, 2/4 FT) 14 rebounds, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 22 minutes
June 23 vs. Edmonton Stingers, W, 92-84: 14 points (5/5 FG, 0/0 3FG, 4/4 FT) 10 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 5 turnovers, 24 minutes
Nathan Cayo – Montreal Alliance
Nathan Cayo (Montreal, Que.) connected on his first CEBL three-pointer and only the fifth of his career. The Montreal Alliance have dropped six straight games and have pretty much kissed goodbye any hopes of making to Championship Weekend. Cayo leads the Alliance in scoring (12.7), rebounds (4.6), minutes (26.8) and ranks in the top five in the CEBL in field goal percentage.
June 20 vs. Edmonton Stingers, L, 64-60: 12 points (4/12 FG, 0/0 3FG, 0/4 FT) 8 rebounds, 4 turnovers, 34 minutes
June 24 @ Fraser Valley Bandits, L, 97-81: 25 points (10/13 FG, 1/1 3FG, 4/5 FT) 6 rebounds, 1 turnover, 28 minutes
June 24 @ Saskatchewan Rattlers, L, 98-86: 19 points (7/13 FG, 1/1 3FG, 5/9 FT) 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 26 minutes
Christian Vital – Hamilton Honey Badgers
The Hamilton Honey Badgers came short in their lone game this week. Vital, a top candidate for CEBL player of the year, had another outstanding effort in the close three point loss. Hamilton has lost all of their three games this season by single digits.
June 25 vs. Scarborough Shooting Stars, L, 75-72: 22 points (8/19 FG, 6/10 3FG, 0/0 FT) 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, 29 minutes
Jordan Baker – Edmonton Stingers
Jordan Baker came-up one rebound short of matching a season-high with 16 rebounds in the win over the reeling Montreal Alliance. Baker has three games with 15-plus rebounds this season, the most by any CEBL player.
June 20 @ Montreal Alliance W, 64-60: 8 points (3/5 FG, 1/1 3FG, 1/2 FT) 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 turnovers, 29 minutes
June 23 vs. Ottawa Blackjacks, L, 92-84: 13 points (6/15 FG, 1/4 3FG, 0/0 FT) 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 0 turnovers, 31 minutes
