Breaking: Jordan Baker Resigns with the Stingers

Jordan Baker is no stranger to Edmonton.

Fans will have the chance to see Baker don the blue and yellow once again this summer as the Edmonton native has resigned with the Edmonton Stingers for his fourth straight season.

Since joining the University of Alberta Goldens Bears in 2009, Baker has made himself a mainstay of Edmonton basketball. Baker left the Bears in 2014 as the career leader in points, rebounds, assists, steals, starts, and minutes played. After a brief but successful professional stint in Germany and Portugal, it seemed destined that Baker was drafted by the Stingers for the team's inaugural 2019 season. The 6'8" forward's impact on the league was instant. He averaged 13.9 points and a league-best 9.2 rebounds per game, being named to the All-CEBL Second Team and honored as a finalist for the CEBL Player of the Year.

"Baker is a proven winner, a great leader, and the backbone of our franchise," said head coach and general manager Jermaine Small who also started with the Stingers in 2019. "In my mind, he’s been the most impactful Canadian since the league started. I feel with his return we have a great chance to capture a third championship”

Baker's second season with the Stingers came in 2020 during the shortened CEBL Summer Series. Despite the pandemic, the CEBL managed to host a safe and successful summer tournament to provide fans with some of the summer's only live sporting events. Baker shined in the St. Catharines bubble, scoring 12.2 points per game and leading the league in rebounding for the second straight year grabbing 9.2 per game. The Stingers would finish the round robin play with a 5-1 record, and win the two games necessary to win the 2020 CEBL Championship. Putting up 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in the final game, Baker was named  Canadian Player of the Year, All-CEBL First Team, and a finalist for Player of the Year.

Last season, Baker suited up for the Stingers for a third straight year, putting up 14.9 point and 9.4 rebound averages. His stellar play earned him an All CEBL First Team placement and a CEBL Canadian Player of the Year nomination. Baker and company were able to win back-to-back CEBL titles at Championship Weekend here in Edmonton last summer.

Rather than turning to international leagues for the 2021-2022 season, Baker served as head coach of the NAIT Ooks Men's Basketball Team, offering him a unique basketball experience to bring back to the Stingers and furthering his roots in the Edmonton basketball community.

“Taking over as head coach at NAIT has been an exciting challenge,” said Baker, who led the Ooks to a 6-10 record in the shortened ACAC season. “The program is trending in the right direction and our student-athletes have shown they are committed to building a championship culture.” Baker’s experience as a coach will be reflected as leadership and professionalism as he transitions back into a player for the summer.

“We're extremely excited to welcome back the CEBL Canadian Player of the Year,” said Stingers president Reed Clarke. “ Jordan is an integral part of his team, organization and overall community. With Jordan on board, we now have another piece in place to run it back and chase another title in 2022.” Clarke joined the Stingers in November 2021, seeing the Stingers through their inaugural BCLA’s run over the winter. 

When it came to this upcoming season, Baker kept his thoughts short and sweet: "I'm looking forward to winning basketball games with my friends.”

Watch Baker and the Stingers search for the coveted three-peat this summer. Home games begin on May 27th against the Niagara River Lions. Single game, flex, and season tickets can be purchased through our website.

EDMONTON, AB 

About The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 75 percent of its 2021 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow the league (@cebleague) on  Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

Media Contact

Alex Jap, Manager of Marketing and Communications

The Edmonton Stingers

780-266-2774

alexjap@thestingers.ca

www.thestingers.ca