Edmonton Stingers Announce 2020 Training Camp Roster
Edmonton Stingers • May 11, 2020
Add big pieces to strong core for second CEBL season
EDMONTON –
The Edmonton Stingers revealed on Monday, May 11, their 2020 training camp roster for the second Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.
After an impressive inaugural season record of 14-6 including a league record nine-game winning streak, a loss in the semifinals of the CEBL Championship Weekend has provided the Stingers with a lot of motivation over the off-season. The Stingers 2020 training camp roster includes seven returning players and a mix of new additions that provide the team with the skill-set and athleticism needed to go up against other top teams in the league.
Stingers Head coach and GM, Jermaine Small, focused on bringing back a core group of players from the 2019 season in the early stages of free agency. Key among those signings was the 2019 CEBL Player of the Year and CEBL first-team all-star, Xavier Moon. Moon finished tied for the league lead in points per game (19.3) and second in assists (5.7). He also led the league in steals with 2.2 and finished third in three-point shooting percentage (43.5%) in 13 games. Moon was a CEBL first-team all-star.
Guard, Mathieu Kamba, point guard, Adika Peter-McNeilly, power forwards, Travis Daniels and Zac Overwater, reigning CEBL U SPORTS Player of the Year, Brody Clarke and small forward and hometown product Jordan Baker were also re-signed. Daniels and Baker were 2019 CEBL first and second-team all-stars while Baker was a finalist for the CEBL Canadian Player of the Year award.
“Bringing back the core was first on my priority list”, said Small. “The group is extremely tight on and off the court and that chemistry was vital to bring back for a second year especially in light of the semifinals loss in 2019 which was tough to digest – call it unfinished business.”
In the 2020 CEBL U SPORTS draft, Small added a dynamic trio led by forward Sascha Kappos (Dalhousie University), guard Xavier Ochu (Dalhousie University) and guard Prince Kamunga (York University).
Small wanted his roster to get more athletic on the perimeter and have a stronger defensive presence at the rim. He brought in former Saskatchewan Rattlers forward Marlon Johnson, as well as guard, Mambi Diawara.
Johnson was a key piece in helping the Rattlers win the inaugural CEBL championship in 2019. In 20 games (20 starts), he averaged 9.5 points, seven rebounds and 1.6 assists. The six-foot-10 product of Chicago, IL was named a CEBL second-team all-star and was a finalist for the 2019 CEBL Defensive Player of the Year award.
Former Calgary Dinos star guard, Diawara will be playing his first-ever CEBL season. He brings his strong U SPORTS resume to the Stingers, helping guide the Dinos to three-straight national championships, winning a title in 2018, and a silver medal in 2019. Diawara was a two-time All-Canadian and named Canada West Player of the Year in 2019. He has also represented Canada at two FISU Games (2019 and 2017) and the 2018 Commonwealth Games.This past season, Diawara played professionally in Argentina and Romania. In eight games with BC PH Miercurea Ciuc (Romania), Diawara averaged 24.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.8 steals per game. “Both (Johnson and Diawara) are proven winners and are versatile,” said Small. “Our two free-agent signings undoubtedly make us better.”
2020 Edmonton Stingers Training Camp Roster:
| Name | Height | Position | Hometown | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Baker | 6’8” | Forward | Edmonton, Ab | Canadian |
| Godwin Boahen | 5’11” | Guard | Toronto, Ont. | Canadian |
| Brody Clarke | 6’8” | Forward | Toronto, Ont. | Canadian |
| Travis Daniels | 6’8” | Forward | Eutaw, AL | American |
| Mambi Diawara | 6’4” | Guard | Montreal, QC | Canadian |
| Daniel Ferguson | 6’4” | Guard | Malton, Ont. | Canadian |
| Marlon Johnson | 6’10” | Forward | Chicago, IL | American |
| Mathieu Kamba | 6’5” | Guard | Calgary, Alta | Canadian |
| Prince Kamunga | 6’6” | Guard | Toronto, Ont. | Canadian |
| Sascha Kappos | 6’10” | Forward | Miami, FL | Canadian |
| Adika Peter-McNeilly | 6’3” | Guard | Scarborough, Ont. | Canadian |
| Ben Miller | 6’2” | Guard | Winnipeg, Man. | Canadian |
| Xavier Moon | 6’2” | Guard | Goodwater, AL | American |
| Marvin Ngonandi | 6’8” | Forward | Thornhill, Ont. | Canadian |
| Xavier Ochu | 6’1” | Guard | Milton, Ont. | Canadian |
| Zac Overwater | 6’8” | Forward | Didsbury, Alta | Canadian |
For media inquiries, please contact:
Jason Hills
Communications and Marketing Manager, Edmonton Stingers
jhills@thestingers.ca
(780) 803-7337
About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is a new basketball experience that features world-class professional basketball in a fan-friendly entertainment environment across seven cities in Canada. The 2019 inaugural season saw more than 100 Canadian and international players take to the court, culminating with the Saskatchewan Rattlers earning the first CEBL championship trophy. CEBL players come from NBA G-League clubs, top NCAA programs, the Canadian national program, U SPORTS and other Division 1 FIBA leagues. As the First Division Professional League partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL is set to start its second season in May 2020. All games are live streamed on the CBC Gem app, and the Island Sports Network. Head to cebl.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to learn more.