2024 CEBL Lineup Projections: Saskatchewan Rattlers
After a long, tough stretch following the inaugural championship, will the Rattlers find themselves once again in title contention?
Next up to bat for the Lineup Projection, the Saskatchewan Rattlers! Of course, most of the noise around the team this offseason has been the absence of last year’s record-setting scorer, Justin Wright-Foreman. But fear not Saskatchewites(?), as the Rattlers are still fielding a very competitive team this year.
Starting in the backcourt, the team will be anchored by former Toronto Raptor Jalen Harris and current Ontario Clipper Elijah Harkless. I’m not entirely sure who will be given the keys to the offense, and it’s something that will most likely be figured out during training camp and could change throughout the season. Harris prefers to attack the paint and either score at the rim or operate off the drive-and-kick, while Harkless is a shooter who finds open teammates from the top of the key.
Cody John has long established himself as a microwave scorer and one of the best sixth men in the CEBL, and Emmanuel Bandoumel is off to a hot start to his professional career after an NCAA career spent in Power 5 conferences. Both are strong options off the bench.
Maurice Calloo is a 6’10 wing who has shown the ability to score at all three levels. He hasn’t been able to get on the floor much in the past couple of years, but he fits nicely into the lineup and should finally have the opportunity to showcase what he can do. Bryson Williams is the second Clipper to come to the prairies with head coach Larry Abney. He’s a physical, dominant down low scorer who should make an immediate impact when he does finally arrive to the team – he’s finishing out his season in Israel before joining the Rattlers.
CEBL veteran Anthony Tsegakele and Italian national Grant Basile will be the wings coming off the bench. In the three previous seasons, Tsegakele has proven to be a reliable defender both on the perimeter and in the paint, and Basile has developed into a solid pick-and-pop scorer early in his career.
Lastly, on a team with plenty of turnover, Julian Roche and Adong Makuoi will return the fill the center roles. Roche is a legitimate 7-footer with plenty of size to spare, and while Makuoi is a bit undersized for the 5 spot, he more than makes up for it with his physical play.
Elias Ralph, Isaac Simon and Somto Dimanochie are all U SPORTS products with CEBL experience under their belts and should be able to admirably stand in should injuries take their toll on the team.
Don’t let the loss of JWF fool you. This is a much better Rattlers squad then the one we saw last year, and could make a serious run towards their second CEBL championship.