HAMILTON RE-SIGNS ANDERSON AS GENERAL MANAGER

           The Hamilton Honey Badgers announced Tuesday that they have signed General Manager Jermaine Anderson to a new contract for the 2021 season. Anderson was originally signed to a one-year contract by the club December 19, 2019 to serve as general manager.

           One of the most respected on-court leaders ever to play for the Canadian Senior Men’s National team, the Toronto native made a splash in his management debut a year ago by signing a roster comprised of players from the Canadian National team program, the NBA G League, former NBA guard Brianté Weber, the first CEBL player to have been drafted into the NBA (Justin Jackson), and the player widely regarded as Canada’s top university player the past three years, Kadre Gray.

           “Jermaine Anderson has played an important role in elevating the caliber of play even higher in the Canadian Elite Basketball League by signing some of the best Canadian players outside of the NBA,” said Hamilton President John Lashway. “His extensive experience internationally as a player has helped attract high level players to the league. At the same time, Jermaine has helped Honey Badgers players sign contracts to play in great situations overseas during the traditional basketball calendar, which is a fundamental objective of the CEBL.”

           The Honey Badgers overcame constant roster changes, including the loss of three probable starters in the week leading up to the 2020 CEBL Summer Series, to reach the semifinals of Championship Weekend where they were eliminated by Fraser Valley in a one-point battle. Lashway announced a contract extension with head coach Ryan Schmidt for 2021 during the Summer Series.

           “As a former player, I’m honoured to be affiliated with a league that is providing the opportunity for Canadians to hone their craft domestically, while helping grow the game of basketball in our country,” Anderson said. “I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity to service the Honey Badgers organization and the Hamilton community once again this season. Our mission is to nurture the development of each player on and off the court to create a winning culture, and to be the premier franchise in the league.”

           Anderson played in more than 80 international games for Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team from 2004 to 2018 and served as a team captain. He represented Canada in the 2007 Pan-American Games and the 2010 FIBA World Championship. His professional playing career took him to high-level leagues across Europe from 2006 to 2018. Anderson also contributed off the court by implementing youth programs in cities where he played, and he secured funding and sponsorships for his teams.

           Following his playing career, Anderson served as a player development coach with Canada Basketball and handled numerous player relations duties that ensured athletes had access to training facilities and medical treatment across Canada. Anderson is presently spending the winter serving as Player Development Coach/Player Relations with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association, the club that developed Hall of Fame member Yao Ming before he entered the National Basketball Association. He was player development coach with the Sharks during the summer of 2019.

           A 2006 graduate of Fordham University, Anderson earned his Master of Business Administration from the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University in September of 2019. He founded “Fifty For Free Youth Community Initiative” in January 2018, which is a not-for-profit organization focused on building character, cultivating financial literacy and basketball skill development training for youth in marginalized communities. Anderson, who has earned CSC and LLQP financial certifications, partners with educators, the Toronto District School Board, and corporate stakeholders to deliver summer programming for program participants.

           Season tickets for the 2021 Honey Badgers season are available now with a $50 deposit by telephone at (905) 522-BALL or at www.honeybadgers.ca/tickets.