The Brampton Honey Badgers concluded their week-long training camp on Friday at Humber College North Campus in Etobicoke. The end of the camp means that the Honey Badgers are one day closer to the start of the 2023 CEBL season and it is safe to say that the team is ready to play. 

“The vibes have been great. We have six guys back from last year’s team and obviously some new guys, but everyone is competing hard. Just a positive atmosphere,” said Kyle Johnson, one of the six returnees from last season’s championship squad.

An important factor for the Honey Badgers consecutive championship hopes will be their experience. A team with seven CEBL experienced players, the Honey Badgers will rely on their young rising stars to hold a leadership role this summer. Price Oduro and reigning CEBL Sixth Man of the Year, Koby McEwen, are coming off impressive rookie campaigns and will be accompanied by Christian Vital, Jeremiah Tilmon Jr., Zane Waterman, and Kyle Johnson in the core group of returning veterans. Nick Wiggins, who was announced Thursday as the team’s most recent signing, will also carry a leadership role as he returns home to Ontario following an eight-year journey internationally in eight different countries.

The Honey Badgers have also brought back a familiar face in Cody John. The guard from Mississauga was a member of the team during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, and will look to bring his previous experience to the squad with the hopes of making this season a successful one. 

“I am gonna give it my all, be a guy that has a lot of energy and makes the right plays. I have been here before so I'll use that experience and just stay ready for my time,” said John. 

There were some new faces at camp as the Honey Badgers added four players looking to make their professional debut this summer. Cal Poly Humboldt guard Jaden Edwards and Brampton’s Shamar Givance signed their first professional contracts earlier in the month. The other two additions came from this year’s U SPORTS draft which included University of Windsor graduate, Najee Brown-Henderson, and University of Toronto guard, Callum Baker. Brown-Henderson reflects on his first few days as a Honey Badger.

“I feel like I am settling in well. A lot of vets have taken me under their wing, I'm just learning a lot from them,” said Brown-Henderson. 

For Baker, his expectation is to be a sponge, soaking up what it means to be a professional basketball player. 

“My expectations for myself are really just learning as much as I can, picking up on every single little detail, and trying to evolve and adapt my game to the professional level,” said Baker. 

 The final addition to the squad is head coach, Antoine Broxsie. Broxsie joins the Honey Badgers with many years of experience internationally, as both a player and coach. Broxsie’s initial thoughts of the squad are nothing, but positive. 

“What is amazing is how they love to work. They come in every day and they just want to work and get better. I am just happy to be a part of it and help them through the process,” said Broxsie.

 With the pressure of a title defense and coming to a new city following the club’s relocation in November, what can fans expect of the Honey Badgers?

“I think the most important thing is that everyone is going to play together and play hard every day. We take care of our players, our staff, and we want to provide the best experience possible for the people in Brampton,” said Jermaine Anderson, general manager and vice president of basketball operations. “We're gonna play a brand of basketball that you guys are gonna love to watch,” Broxsie added.

Coming off a historic championship in 2022, the Honey Badgers start the 2023 campaign May 24 at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, in what will tip off the CEBL's fifth season live on national television, as part of a multi-year deal with TSN. The Honey Badgers play their first home game at the CAA Centre in Brampton two days later, May 26, against rival Scarborough. The CEBL announced the permanent relocation of the Honey Badgers from Hamilton to Brampton on November 28, 2022. For more information on the season and for tickets, visit honeybadgers.ca/tickets or call 905-522-BALL (2255).

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 per cent of its 2022 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian national team program, in addition to top NCAA and U SPORTS teams. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps last October. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

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Media Contact:
Kyle Warrener

Brampton Honey Badgers

kwarrener@honeybadgers.ca