Shining in the CEBL:

Notable U.S. Players Flourishing

By: Michael A. Chase Jr.

07/05/2023

Basketball's global reach across the world is perfectly showcased by the plethora of leagues across numerous countries. Currently, in its 5th year of existence, the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is growing rapidly in notoriety. This young international league has become a home to several talented basketball players that were unable to create a pro career in the States and now are some of the top players on the international circuit. TUSV highlights a quartet of American-born players that currently headline the talent in the CEBL.

The first player to highlight is power forward Nick Ward who plays for the Vancouver Bandits. Ward, 25 years old, has been a productive physical force in the CEBL the same way he was in his time at Michigan State University. In his three years with the Spartans, he averaged 13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. Ward’s CEBL career started with the Ottawa BlackJacks in 2021 where he played in 13 games and posted averages of 17.3 points and 9.1 rebounds. Now in his first season with Vancouver, he ranks among the league leaders in several categories across the board. Ward this year leads the CEBL in field goal percentage (60.9%), is 6th in blocks (1.1), and 9th in rebounds (7.4). Add in he is just outside the Top 10 in scoring averaging 17.3 points per game and Ward has been an inside force all season.

 The next individual to analyze is forward/center EJ Onu of the Niagara River Lions. The 23-year-old frontcourt player going back to his collegiate career at Shawnee State has always been an impact player – especially on the defensive end. In his four years, he averaged 4.2 blocks per game, while winning Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Year three times (2018, 2020, 2021). Add in his 12.6 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game and he was an impact player on both ends. After going undrafted and having stints in the NBA Summer League and G-League he ended up in the CEBL with Niagara in 2022. He played 16 games averaging 11.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game. He also won CEBL Defensive Player of the Year, continuing his brilliance on the defensive end. In 2023 Onu has kept up a similar defensive impact while contributing on offense. He currently is second in blocks per game (2.0), while averaging 9.3 points and 4.5 rebounds on 50.6% shooting for Niagara. Onu is on track to be in line for a second straight CEBL DPOY, but his steady production as a secondary scorer is noticeable also.

Onu's teammate Jahvon Blair has also found a home in the CEBL as one of the best shooters in the league for Niagara. Blair, 25 years old, is a Brampton, Ontario native but came stateside to play his college ball at Georgetown University. In his four years with the program, Blair averaged 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and shot 33.5% from three-point range. He then went undrafted and had a short Summer League stint with the New York Knicks before finding his way to the CEBL. In 2022 he played for the Newfoundland Growlers averaging 11.3 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Now in 2023, Blair has become one of the elite perimeter shooters in the league for the River Lions. Blair is leading the league in 3-point percentage at an impressive 51.5%. while being 5th in made threes at 34 on the season. He is averaging 15.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists having found a nice home with the River Lions this year.

Point guard Cat Barber is the final player to discuss as he is putting together a strong season for the Scarborough Shooting Stars. The now 28-year-old Barber played his college ball at NC State where he averaged 14.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists a game over 3 years. Barber after going undrafted played for 3 G-League teams and in 3 other international league's before making his way to the CEBL. He spent his first two seasons with the then Guelph Nighthawks where he played in 33 games total. He averaged 17.6 points and 4.4 assists per game in 2021 and then upped these averages to 19.7 points and 5.0 assists per game in 2022. Now in 2023 Cat Barber has elevated to another level and is leading a Scarborough club that is right near the top of the league standings. Barber is third in the league in scoring at 23.6 points per game, while also being 8th in assists at 4.7 a game, showcasing the balance in playmaking he has as a lead ball handler. He is even shooting 46.8% from the floor (10th in CEBL) which is highly efficient for a guard, plus he is 3rd in minutes per game so he has been a workhorse for the Shooting Stars. Add in he is 3rd in steals at 2.2 a game and his value on the floor is quite visible.

These four are just some of the many American-born players who are thriving in the CEBL. Time should be taken to appreciate what these young men are doing on an international stage. Plus who knows maybe if they continue this play the NBA comes a calling for a couple of them down the road.