YAW OBENG-MENSAH

POSITION: Forward

HEIGHT: 6-7 (200 cm)

WEIGHT: 215 (97.5 kg)

BIRTHDATE: June 15, 2000 (Toronto, ON)

HIGH SCHOOL: Emery Collegiate Institute (North York, ON)

UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE: Niagara University (2024)

HOW ACQUIRED: Signed April 25, 2024

YEARS PRO: R

BIO

UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE CAREER 


Averaged 9.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 21.7 minutes in 143 games in a five-year collegiate career at Santa Fe Community College, University of Maryland Baltimore County, and Niagara University.


2024 CEBL Season (As of July 30): Averaging 5.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 15.9 minutes in 19 games with the Brampton Honey Badgers … Had his first career double-double with career high’s of 25 points and 13 rebounds vs. Ottawa on July 29 … Scored 12 points while recording five assists off the bench vs. Scarborough on July 20 … Snatched a career-best six steals, tying the single-game franchise record vs. Scarborough on June 30 … Scored 15 points while adding four rebounds in a victory over Montreal on June 28 … Grabbed seven rebounds in six minutes off the bench vs. Montreal on June 19 … Secured five rebounds to go along with four points June 7 vs. Saskatchewan … Grabbed a career-best six rebounds vs. Montreal on June 2 … Recorded seven points including the target score winner while adding four rebounds vs. Ottawa on May 26 … Scored six points while recording three blocks and a pair of steals in his professional debut May 24 vs. Niagara.


2022-23: Averaged 8.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 22.9 minutes in 32 games during second season with the University of Maryland Baltimore County … Started in 31 games … Led the Retrievers with 17 blocks and 204 total boards … Recorded four double-doubles, including an 18-point and 16-rebound effort against Vermont on January 28 … Had a season-best 20 points on nine-for-13 (.692) shooting against Maine on January 14 … Produced 19 points to go along with 10 rebounds and two blocks November 10 vs. Penn State York.


2021-22: Transferred to the University of Maryland Baltimore County … Averaged 6.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 17.3 minutes in 32 games as a junior… Started in 23 games as a junior, including the final 20 games … Reached double-figures in scoring in six appearances … Recorded a 12-point and nine-rebound performance February 9 against Hartford … Had a season-best 13 points in 20 minutes of action against Western Carolina on November 19.


2020-21: Averaged 12.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 20.0 minutes in 20 games with Santa Fe Community College … Earned FCSA First-Team All-Conference and Mid-Florida Conference All-Academic honors… Team leader in points scored (252) and rebounding (194) … Recorded a career-best 30 points February 13 against Daytona State.


2019-20: Averaged 11.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 23.1 minutes as a freshman with Santa Fe Community College … Set a career-high 28 points on 13-for-19 shooting from the field against Polk State on December 4 .


PERSONAL


Son of Josephine and Kwadwo … Has four siblings; Kwame, Yaw Amoako, Bra Tew, and Kwasi … Majored in Liberal Arts at Niagara University … Favourite musical artist is Future.

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

COLLEGIATE STATISTICS

Totals

Year Team G MIN PTS 2FGP 3FGP FT RO RD RT AS PF BS ST TO
2023-24 Niagara University 28 698 285 99-191 4-10 75-104 49 90 139 48 49 10 21 35
2022-23 University of Maryland, Baltimore County 32 734 272 114-208 1-20 41-62 55 149 204 32 63 17 26 33
2021-22 University of Maryland, Baltimore County 32 552 221 84-148 1-11 50-73 52 118 170 17 61 14 15 28
2020-21 Santa Fe Community College 20 400 252 71-157 18-63 56-92 47 147 194 22 46 12 26 44
2019-20 Santa Fe Community College 31 715 345 108-196 23-87 60-101 58 150 208 50 59 16 33 61
Totals 143 3099 1375 476-900 47-191 282-432 261 654 915 169 278 69 121 201

Averages

Year Team G MIN PTS 2FGP 3FGP FT RO RD RT AS PF BS ST TO
2023-24 Niagara University 28 24.9 10.2 0.518 0.400 0.721 1.8 3.2 5.0 1.7 1.8 0.4 0.8 1.3
2022-23 University of Maryland, Baltimore County 32 22.9 8.5 0.548 0.050 0.661 1.7 4.7 6.4 1.0 2.0 0.5 0.8 1.0
2021-22 University of Maryland, Baltimore County 32 17.3 6.9 0.568 0.091 0.685 1.6 3.7 5.3 0.5 1.9 0.4 0.5 0.9
2020-21 Santa Fe Community College 20 20.0 12.6 0.452 0.286 0.609 2.4 7.4 9.7 1.1 2.3 0.6 1.3 2.2
2019-20 Santa Fe Community College 31 23.1 11.1 0.551 0.264 0.594 1.9 4.8 6.7 1.6 1.9 0.5 1.1 2.0
Totals 143 21.7 9.6 0.529 0.246 0.653 1.8 4.6 6.4 1.2 1.9 0.5 0.8 1.4