Stingers Bring On Pair Of Late Additions
Stingers Bring On Pair Of Late Additions
EDMONTON, AB- The Edmonton Stingers of the CEBL have announced the signing of Canadian guard Ntore (pronounced NOR-eh) Habimana and American forward Trashon Burrell. The signings come with three games left in the Stingers regular season as the team vies for playoff positioning.
“Ntore brings something we don’t have in a long guard that can create for himself and his teammates,” said head coach and general manner Jermaine Small. Having coached Burrell in the BCLAs, Small also had high praise for the forward. “He was our best player and someone I know we can count on when the stakes are high. It’s going to be nice having him back in the Stingers uniform as we prepare for the playoffs.”
Habimana spent his USport career with the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks, wrapping up his campaign in the 2019-20 season where he averaged 10.1 points per game across 18 contests. With 16 points in a win over the Algoma Thunderbirds on January 25th, he was named the Golden Hawks Athlete of the Week. He managed a career best 20-point outing on February 15th against the Waterloo Warriors on 66.7% shooting.
Following the COVID shutdown of the 2020-2021 USports season, Habimana suited up for the Rwanda national team at the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket qualifiers, and again in 2022 throughout the World Cup Qualifiers. He was eligible to play as his father was born in Rwanda.
Appearing in 6 games this past year, he averaged 7.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, Habimana managed to make an impact in his first taste of international basketball and was noticed by the continental champions league Basketball Africa League (BAL). He inked his first professional contract with Rwanda Energy Group Basketball Club (REG BBC) who represented the Rawanada Basketball League in the BAL.
“To be able to come back to Canada and be part of such a decorated organization is an honour,” said Habimana. “I am very excited to hit the court and fight with these guys.”
Burrell is a familiar face to Stingers fans as he competed in the BCLA first window, scoring 18.5 points per game while ripping down 10.0 boards across the two games. His play included a 20-point, 10-rebound, 6-assist performance in an 84-81 win over Real Esteli.
The 6’7” forward brings years of NBA G-League experience to the Stingers roster, having suited up for the Long Island Nets, Memphis Hustle, and Texas Legends. He earned a spot on the Dallas Mavericks Summer League team in 2019, and recently played for the Syracuse Stallions of The Basketball League.
Expect Burrell to fit naturally within Small’s systems as he returns to the Stingers. Watch for a scoring boost from the veteran forward. Fans can expect Habimana to bring depth and athleticism to the Stingers backcourt.
The Stingers (9-8) currently sit at fifth place, one game behind the Scarborough Shooting Stars (9-7). With only 2.5 games separating the third place Fraser Valley Bandits (10-7) and the seventh place Saskatchewan Rattlers (8-8), every game becomes a must win to secure a home playoff game.
With the first place Hamilton Honey Badgers at 12-4, the Stingers have fallen out of the race for first place and an automatic bid to Championship Weekend, and will instead fight for the play-in bye that is granted to the second (Niagara River Lions 12-4) and third place team. Their next matchup is with the sixth place 8-8 Guelph Nighthawks, which could determine both team’s eventual playoff position.
Media are invited to attend the Stingers July 23rd and 27th matchup. All Stingers staff and players will be available for interviews following the game. Please contact the media contact to confirm attendance and request interviews.
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