The Hamilton Honey Badgers announced Thursday that they have re-signed General Manager Jermaine Anderson to a new contract for the 2022 season. Anderson originally signed a one-year contract with the Honey Badgers in December 2019 before being brought back in January of 2021. This will be Anderson’s third season as general manager of the team.

           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 during the 2020 season by signing a roster comprised of players from the Canadian National team program, the NBA G League, and NBA talent. During his second year with the team, Anderson brought back the core of the 2020 roster while adding Canadian phenom Lindell Wigginton and Duke alum Trevon Duval to the backcourt. 

           “Bringing Jermaine Anderson back for a third season is key to further instilling the player-first culture of the organization that we have established with the Honey Badgers,” said Hamilton team president John Lashway. “Jermaine’s ability to work effectively with head coach Ryan Schmidt in building a roster that can compete for a CEBL championship, while signing elite level players who embrace our pursuit of continuous improvement to be the best player and the best person possible, is instrumental to our philosophy that prioritizes player development above all else. Jermaine has been widely respected by players and agents around the world, first as a player and now as a general manager. It’s a privilege to have him back for the 2022 season.”

           The Honey Badgers overcame early injuries and roster changes, including the loss of three probable starters before training camp ended, to reach the quarterfinals of the 2021 season. The team announced Ryan Schmidt would also be returning for his third season during Championship Weekend in Edmonton.

           “I’m extremely honoured to serve as GM of the Hamilton Honey Badgers for a third consecutive season,” said Anderson. “Our mission, culture, approach to holistic development and desire to service the Hamilton community remains the same. The CEBL has grown exponentially during arguably the most difficult period in our lifetime, while expanding into new markets across the country. The CEBL is providing high-level professional experience for our domestic talent, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with our staff to establish ourselves as 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 has been the player development coach with the Sharks since 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.

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Media Contact:

Maria Suriani

Director of Operations & Community Engagement

msuriani@honeybadgers.ca