You can’t put a price tag on the value of experience and championship DNA, which is precisely what former Miami Heat big man Joel Anthony brings to the Hamilton Honey Badgers.

  Anthony, who’s in his second season as a Honey Badgers player consultant, played for three NBA teams over a 10-year career. His resume includes stints with the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, and the Miami Heat. He spent his first seven seasons in the NBA down in South Beach, taking part in two NBA championship runs (2012, 2013) with the Heat.

  Both Anthony and Honey Badgers General Manager Jermaine Anderson bring lots of experience and knowledge to Hamilton’s basketball operations staff. Anthony believes their combined expertise will have a positive impact on this Honey Badgers group.

 “I think it’s going to be a huge help. Jermaine and I have a lot of experience between the two of us,” said the two-time NBA Champion, adding that Anderson’s overseas experience and extensive knowledge of the FIBA rules, which the CEBL uses, greatly benefit the group.

  Both Anthony and Anderson were former teammates at several international events playing for Team Canada and have remained good friends. Those international competitions include the 2010 FIBA World Championship, and most notably, the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship, where Canada finished fourth.

  Anderson has been a champion himself as well. Back in 2012, he won the Montenegrin League Championship as a member of Budućnost Podgorica.

  Anthony believes their understanding of being on a championship team will go a long way with the Honey Badgers.

  “I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of experience in the NBA,” said the Montreal native. “I think our combined experiences, our battles playing at a high level, and understanding of what it takes to win is going to be a big help to everyone on the Honey Badgers.”

When it comes time for the playoffs, Anthony’s knowledge and understanding of the grueling nature of a championship run can help push this squad to achieve its ultimate goal.

  Anthony explained that a player like him develops certain habits after going through all of those games and battles to reach a championship game. He added that a player’s level of competitiveness rises as your team goes deeper into the playoffs.

  “To be able to be on a team that’s in the finals, to be part of it, and learn everything that it takes to get there is extremely important to be successful,” said the former UNLV product.

 Those traits gained from a championship run stick with a player throughout the remainder of their career.

 “That type of stuff kind of gets ingrained in you,” said Anthony. “It becomes part of your DNA as a player. I can pass on those experiences to the players on this Honey Badgers team.”

  To have a resource like Anthony in your locker room that can provide advice based on his past exploits cannot be understated, especially in a league like the CEBL, where players compete throughout the summer to improve and elevate their game.

  Whereas many players in other leagues hit the golf course come off-season, CEBL players continue their basketball grind to take that next step.

  Jean-Victor Mukama is one of those guys, and he had nothing but praise for the long-time NBA center.

  “Everything Joel has done, most of us are trying to accomplish half of it,” said the former Ryerson Ram. “It would be stupid to have someone like that in our corner and not be a sponge to him. We’re really grateful to have someone like that.”

  Aside from Anthony’s presence behind the bench as a player-consultant, Mukama explained how Anthony would jump into practice sometimes whenever they needed an extra big, and he isn’t to be trifled with.

  “Last year in training camp he was playing five-on-five, dunking off the place and blocking shots. I keep telling people he’s one guy who is hard to score on,” said Mukama.

  “He’s still got it.”

  Honey Badgers bench boss Ryan Schmidt also had nothing but kind words and is humbled to have such a seasoned professional in his coaching staff.

  “It’s invaluable,” he said. “You can’t put a price on what Joel Anthony brings to any team, let alone a CEBL team.”

  Not only does Schmidt have Anthony, but he also has Anderson, giving the Honey Badgers a team with one of, if not the most elite coaching staff in the league.

 “I’m spoiled. I have a lot of people around me that are really good and add tremendous value to what we are doing,” said Schmidt.