JAVONTE COOKE

POSITION: Guard 

HEIGHT: 6-6 (198.1 cm) 

WEIGHT: 180 lbs (82 kg)

BIRTHDATE: July 11, 1999 (Columbia, SC)

HIGH SCHOOL: Covenant Christian Academy (Columbia, SC)

UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE: Winston-Salem State University (2022)

HOW ACQUIRED: Signed May 10, 2024

YEARS PRO: 2

BIO

PROFESSIONAL CAREER 


Entered season averaging 11.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 25.9 minutes in 94 games playing professionally in the NBA Summer League and NBA G League.


2024 CEBL Season (As of June 13): Averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.7 steals, and 31.6 minutes in seven games with the Brampton Honey Badgers … Reached double-figures in every game but one … Scored 17 points featuring five three-pointers vs. Saskatchewan on June 12 … Missed June 9 vs. Scarborough due to a lower-body injury … Scored 16 points while adding eight rebounds June 5 vs. Winnipeg … Tied single-game franchise record with six steals while adding 14 points June 2 at Montreal … Had a team-high 18 points with three rebounds and three assists at Niagara on May 30 … Scored 15 points and has nine rebounds in a win over Ottawa on May 26 … Had eight points, eight rebounds, and five assists May 24 vs. Niagara in the season opener.


2023-24: Averaged 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 33.1 minutes in 48 games with the Iowa Wolves in the NBA G League … Shot .364 (119-for-327) from beyond the arc on the season … Achieved 20+ points in 11 contests … Had 11 assists paired with 17 points in 42 minutes of action February 10 vs. Santa Cruz … Set a career-high in scoring with 41 points while shooting 8-for-11 (.723) from distance and adding six assists vs. Sioux Falls on February 3 … Secured 10+ rebounds in three games, including a season-best 13 vs. College Park on December 29 … Recorded four double-doubles, including 28-point and 12-rebound performance against Indiana on December 3 … Signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 20 and was released the following day and assigned their NBA G League affiliate in Iowa.


2023: Averaged 6.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 17.0 minutes in five games with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Summer League … Scored 16 points on 7-for-9 (.778) shooting in the final game against Charlotte on August 15.


2022-23: Averaged 7.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 18.4 minutes in 41 games with the Iowa Wolves in the NBA G League … Scored double-figures in 14 contests, including a pair of games with 20+ points … Recorded a season-best 24 points to go with five rebounds and three assists January 6 against Salt Lake City … Had a team-high 20 points shooting 4-for-9 (.444) from beyond the arc in a loss to Ontario on December 19 … Scored 23 points in the third game of the season vs. Motor City on November 14.



UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE CAREER 


Averaged 14.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 28.1 minutes in 87 games in a five-year collegiate career at the University of South Carolina Aiken, Mars Hill University, and Winston-Salem State University.


2021-22: Transferred to Winston-Salem State University  … Averaged 16.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 30.6 minutes in 22 games … Helped the Rams claim a CIAA Southern Division title … Led the team and finished fifth in the conference in scoring, recorded double-figures in all but three contests … Went 55-for-144 (.382) from distance on the season, ranking first in the CIAA … Snatched three steals in a win over JCSU on February 16 … Scored 1,000th point with the Rams on January 29 in a 24-point effort vs. Livingstone … Recorded season-best 29 points with six triples in 39 minutes vs. JCSU on January 26 … Grabbed eight boards to go along with 14 points January 23 against Fayetteville.


2020-21: Averaged 14.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 28.1 minutes in 15 games with Mars Hill University … Team leader in scoring, rebounding, and steals (1.2) … Scored 10+ in all but three games, including three double-double performances … Had 19 points and secured 13 boards vs. Limestone on January 27 … Scored a season-best 23 points in consecutive games to close out the season vs. Wingate on February 27 and vs. Anderson on February 24.


2019-20: Averaged 15.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 28.6 minutes in 27 games in second season with Mars Hill University … Recorded a season-best 33 points while shooting 13-for-14 (.929) from the charity stripe vs. Catawba on February 8 … Had 28 points and 10 rebounds in the second double-double outing of the season January 22 vs. Lenoir-Rhyne … Dropped 24 points and had two blocks against Lincoln Memorial on January 15 … Scored 17 points with seven rebounds and seven assists vs. Elon in first of two Division-1 games on the season November 5.


2018-19: Transferred to Mars Hill University … Averaged 11.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 25.3 minutes in 23 games … Grabbed 10+ boards five contests, including a season-high 12 on three occasions … Had a season-best 18 points to go with 10 rebounds February 13 vs. Tusculum … Scored 16 points on 6-for-7 (.857) shooting in a win at Coker on February 2. 


2017-18: Redshirted freshman season at the University of South Carolina Aiken.



PERSONAL


Son of Jermaine and Valerie Cooke … Has two older siblings: Acqwon and Keyona.

JOHN ROSS JOINS BRAMPTON HONEY BADGERS AS ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER

By Elias Eldridge • December 9, 2025
The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) are excited to announce John Ross as assistant general manager. John has spent the better part of the past two decades working in basketball, highlighted by over 14 years with the Portland Trail Blazers and more recently as an assistant coach with the Western Conference Champion Calgary Surge in 2025. With Portland, John worked as a video coordinator with both the coaching and scouting staff. He played a pivotal role in the organization's 2009-2011 stretch of playoff appearances, and also their rebuild starting with the draft acquisitions of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. This backcourt duo was the catalyst for eight consecutive playoff appearances between 2014-2021, including a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2019. “Basketball is one of my deepest passions, and I am very grateful to be able to continue my career in this game with the Honey Badgers,” said Ross. “I could not be more excited to work alongside Al [Whitley] and Jermaine [Anderson] to help put together a team that will not only excel on the court, but also in the Peel and Brampton community.” Since moving on from the Trail Blazers in 2022, John has expanded his work experience to both coaching, and teaching. As an assistant coach with the Calgary Surge in 2025, he helped lift the Surge to their second finals appearance in franchise history, after posting a 17-7 record on the season. In terms of teaching, John founded an organization called GET IN THE GAME 101, an educational resource designed to assist young adults in answering the question “What do I do to get a job in the NBA?”. Here, John provides his insights into what it takes to move your career into the biggest stage that basketball has to offer. You can follow his substack here to read more. Beyond basketball, John is a humanitarian, serving at-risk children for over a decade in Zimbabwe and making multiple visits to Ukraine to support refugee relief. “John’s high-level experience, combined with his understanding of what it means to help others, fits with what we are looking for in our organization,” said Honey Badgers CEO Al Whitley. “We are excited to have John assist in leading our basketball operations staff going forward and are confident that he is going to help us in promoting selflessness and winning.” Season tickets for the 2026 Honey Badgers season are on sale now at honeybadgers.ca . Keep an eye out for the Honey Badgers staff and Hammer around the Brampton and Peel community throughout the offseason for potential prizes and giveaways! ### About the Brampton Honey Badgers One of the original franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the 2022 CEBL Champion Brampton Honey Badgers proudly call the CAA Centre home. The Brampton front office and basketball operations department bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. With a vision of promoting Brampton grassroots basketball and local businesses through community and corporate engagement, the Honey Badgers will leverage the explosion of basketball as a vehicle for innovation and change. For more information visit honeybadgers.ca . About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) 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 73% of its rosters being Canadian and more than 10 players with NBA game experience in 2025. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by Tonybet, TSN, TSN+, RDS , Game+ and Next Level Sports & Entertainment . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube . Media Contact: Elias Eldridge - Account Executive & Communications Specialist Brampton Honey Badgers eeldridge@honeybadgers.ca

BRAMPTON HONEY BADGERS ANNOUNCE SAUD JUMAN AS TEAM’S NEW PRESIDENT

By Elias Eldridge • December 3, 2025
The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) are proud to announce Saud Juman as the team's new president. Saud is a highly experienced business leader and executive, bringing over two decades of expertise in scaling businesses, cultivating successful cultures, and leading high-performance teams. Notably, as the founder, president, and CEO of Policy Medical, he developed the first healthcare policy management software, which was adopted by more than 3000 U.S. hospitals. Saud successfully guided the company from its bootstrap beginnings for 18 years to a successful acquisition. Following his exit from the company in 2018, Saud channeled his leadership skills into professional basketball, where he served as the assistant coach & head of player development for the Niagara River Lions, contributing to the team's success both on and off the court during their 2025 CEBL Championship run. “Saud offers a unique combination of executive rigor, people-focused leadership, and extensive basketball knowledge, specializing in the creation of systems and cultures that deliver wins - in business and in the community,” said Honey Badgers CEO Al Whitley. “We are incredibly excited and fortunate to welcome Saud to the Brampton Honey Badgers as the franchise embarks on a new chapter of basketball in the Peel Region and across Canada.” Furthermore, Saud’s commitment to basketball is matched by his dedication to positive community impact through his family’s foundation, which provides funding for youth grassroots programs. “It’s a new era for Honey Badger’s basketball and I am humbled to be a part of this exciting team,” said Juman. “I look forward to approaching this role with the discipline and commitment to winning on and off the court, while forging deep connections in Brampton and the Peel community.” Season tickets for the 2026 Honey Badgers season are on sale now at honeybadgers.ca . Keep an eye out for the Honey Badgers staff and Hammer around the Brampton and Peel community throughout the offseason for potential prizes and giveaways! ### About the Brampton Honey Badgers One of the original franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the 2022 CEBL Champion Brampton Honey Badgers proudly call the CAA Centre home. The Brampton front office and basketball operations department bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. With a vision of promoting Brampton grassroots basketball and local businesses through community and corporate engagement, the Honey Badgers will leverage the explosion of basketball as a vehicle for innovation and change. For more information visit honeybadgers.ca . About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) 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 73% of its rosters being Canadian and more than 10 players with NBA game experience in 2025. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by Tonybet, TSN, TSN+, RDS , Game+ and Next Level Sports & Entertainment . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube . Media Contact: Elias Eldridge - Account Executive & Communications Specialist Brampton Honey Badgers eeldridge@honeybadgers.ca

CANADIAN AND FORMER NBA EXECUTIVE AL WHITLEY JOINS BRAMPTON HONEY BADGERS AS CEO

By Elias Eldridge • November 12, 2025
The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that Al Whitley, former NBA executive and general manager of the Texas Legends (NBA G League affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks), has joined the franchise as chief executive officer (CEO). Whitley brings more than two decades of experience in professional basketball, having spent 22 years within the Dallas Mavericks organization, where he helped drive basketball operations at the highest level. His leadership has been defined by his commitment to creating a winning culture, fostering relationships, and developing talent on and off the court. Born in Belleville, Ontario and raised in Victoria, British Columbia, Whitley discovered his passion for basketball alongside childhood friend and NBA legend Steve Nash. After playing college basketball at the University of New Brunswick, Whitley began his professional career with the Dallas Mavericks in 2001 in their marketing department, before quickly transitioning to basketball operations. As a special advisor to former Mavericks Majority Owner Mark Cuban, Whitley played a pivotal role in the franchise’s success, including its historic 2011 NBA Championship. That experience, he says, gave him firsthand insight into “what it truly takes to build and sustain a championship team and culture.” In 2017, Whitley was named general manager and vice president of basketball operations for the Texas Legends, where he oversaw all aspects of the organization - from basketball operations and scouting, to business development and community engagement - leading the team to its first-ever playoff win. “I am incredibly grateful and excited for this opportunity to help lead the Brampton Honey Badgers back to championship form - both on the court and in the community,” said Whitley. “I want to sincerely thank our owner, Leonard Asper, for his trust and commitment. Being born and raised in Canada, this is a full-circle moment for my family and me. Coming back home to help guide, develop, and grow the Brampton Honey Badgers of the CEBL is not only an honour - it’s a privilege and a challenge I wholeheartedly embrace.” Throughout his NBA career, Whitley has worked with some of the game’s most influential figures, including Mark Cuban, Donn Nelson, Rick Carlisle, Donnie Nelson and legendary players such as Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Luka Dončić. “When I acquired the Honey Badgers, I committed to creating a winning team that also serves as a pillar of its community,” said Leonard Asper, owner of the Brampton Honey Badgers. “Al Whitley’s track record and reputation leave me no doubt that he is the right person to fulfill that mission. We are extremely fortunate that he is making this commitment to Brampton, and I thank him for his trust in us.” As CEO, Whitley aims to elevate the Honey Badgers organization both competitively and culturally - building a championship-caliber roster, enhancing fan engagement, and strengthening the team’s ties within the community. Honey Badgers fans can look forward to an exciting offseason filled with community events leading up to the 2026 CEBL season tip-off in May. Details on 2026 season ticket packages will be announced soon. ### About the Brampton Honey Badgers One of the original franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the 2022 CEBL Champion Brampton Honey Badgers proudly call the CAA Centre home. The Brampton front office and basketball operations department bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. With a vision of promoting Brampton grassroots basketball and local businesses through community and corporate engagement, the Honey Badgers will leverage the explosion of basketball as a vehicle for innovation and change. For more information visit honeybadgers.ca . About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) 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 73% of its rosters being Canadian and more than 10 players with NBA game experience in 2025. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by Tonybet, TSN, TSN+, RDS , Game+ and Next Level Sports & Entertainment . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube . Media Contact: Elias Eldridge - Account Executive & Communications Specialist Brampton Honey Badgers eeldridge@honeybadgers.ca Jared Clarkson - Senior Publicity Coordinator Route 504 PR jared@route504pr.com



PROFESSIONAL STATISTICS **BEFORE 2024 CEBL SEASON

Totals

Year Team G MIN PTS 2FGP 3FGP FT RO RD RT AS PF BS ST TO
2023-24 Iowa (NBA G League) 48 1591 772 155-294 119-327 66-87 48 198 246 155 121 42 53 113
2023 Minnesota (NBA Summer League) 5 85 32 7-15 5-16 3-4 4 7 11 4 12 3 2 3
2022-23 Iowa (NBA G League) 41 756 308 62-112 46-144 26-40 32 78 110 63 55 18 28 38
Totals 94 2432 1112 224-421 170-487 95-131 84 283 367 222 188 63 83 154

Averages

Year Team G MIN PTS 2FGP 3FGP FT RO RD RT AS PF BS ST TO
2023-24 Iowa (NBA G League) 48 33.1 16.1 0.527 0.364 0.759 1.0 4.1 5.1 3.2 2.5 0.9 1.1 2.4
2023 Minnesota (NBA Summer League) 5 17.0 6.4 0.467 0.313 0.750 0.8 1.4 2.2 0.8 2.4 0.6 0.4 0.6
2022-23 Iowa (NBA G League) 41 18.4 7.5 0.554 0.319 0.650 0.8 1.9 2.7 1.5 1.3 0.4 0.7 0.9
Totals 94 25.9 11.8 0.532 0.349 0.725 0.9 3.0 3.9 2.4 2.0 0.7 0.9 1.6

COLLEGIATE STATISTICS

Totals

Year Team G MIN PTS 2FGP 3FGP FT RO RD RT AS PF BS ST TO
2021-22 Winston-Salem State University 22 673 366 74-136 55-144 53-72 8 74 82 26 26 15 34 37
2020-21 Mars Hill University 15 422 221 56-124 21-64 46-64 11 79 90 21 37 9 18 34
2019-20 Mars Hill University 27 772 428 130-257 23-70 99-137 31 112 143 58 64 26 29 65
2018-19 Mars Hill University 23 582 263 99-154 8-40 41-63 39 101 140 38 49 29 21 41
Totals 87 2449 1278 359-671 107-318 239-336 89 366 455 143 176 79 102 177
Averages
Year Team G MIN PTS 2FGP 3FGP FT RO RD RT AS PF BS ST TO
2021-22 Winston-Salem State University 22 30.6 16.6 0.544 0.382 0.736 0.4 3.4 3.7 1.2 1.2 0.7 1.5 1.7
2020-21 Mars Hill University 15 28.1 14.7 0.452 0.328 0.719 0.7 5.3 6.0 1.4 2.5 0.6 1.2 2.3
2019-20 Mars Hill University 27 28.6 15.9 0.506 0.329 0.723 1.1 4.1 5.3 2.1 2.4 1.0 1.1 2.4
2018-19 Mars Hill University 23 25.3 11.4 0.643 0.200 0.651 1.7 4.4 6.1 1.7 2.1 1.3 0.9 1.8
Totals 87 28.1 14.7 0.535 0.336 0.711 1.0 4.2 5.2 1.6 2.0 0.9 1.2 2.0