The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday their first signing in franchise history, welcoming Canadian forward Chad Posthumus to the team.
A six-foot-11 forward, Posthumus returns to his hometown of Winnipeg after two seasons with the Ottawa BlackJacks where he became the first player in CEBL history to post a “20-20” when he recorded 23 points and 20 rebounds, leading Ottawa to a crucial CEBL quarter-final victory.
Playing professionally in Canada, Japan, and Argentina, Posthumus has averaged 10.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 20.3 minutes in 186 games over a seven-year pro career. In 2022, Posthumus represented the CEBL and Canada at the Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLA) as part of the Edmonton Stingers, where he averaged 12.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 25.5 minutes. He was recalled to the BCLA roster for 2022 CEBL champion Brampton Honey Badgers in 2023 where he averaged 15.3 minutes, 6 points, and 4.5 rebounds in four games played. Posthumus was also recently selected to be a part of the Canadian Senior Men's National Team for the recent FIBA World Cup Qualifiers window held in late February alongside 10 other players with prior CEBL experience.
Posthumus began his career in the CEBL in 2019, the league’s inaugural year. The Winnipeg product was a member of the first-ever CEBL Championship title team, the Saskatchewan Rattlers.
His journey in pro basketball dates back to October 11, 2014, when he put up 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Levanga Hokkaido of the Japan Basketball League. In January of 2015, he signed with the Atletico Argentino de Junin in Argentina where he averaged 9.7 points and 4.9 rebounds in 11 games. He also played four games for the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Summer League in 2014.
Collegiately, Posthumus played a pair of seasons with Morehead State in the NCAA Division I, and a season each with the University of British Columbia and Howard College.
The Winnipeg native attended River East Collegiate where he was considered one of the top high school basketball players in the country, averaging 39 points, 25 rebounds and seven blocks as a senior.
His roots in the game and Winnipeg run deep. Posthumus’ mother, Diana, played basketball at the University of Winnipeg and was a part of the Canadian National Team program.
The homegrown talent is suitably the first player to sign with the Winnipeg Sea Bears for their inaugural season. Last month, the Sea Bears, in collaboration with the CEBL, announced its 2023 regular season schedule, which opens on May 27th with a home game versus the Vancouver Bandits.
Quotes:
“Chad is a talented professional and a perfect fit for our club as we embark on our Inaugural season. Not only is he an amazing player and a proud Manitoban, he is, by all accounts, an exceptional person who will bring strong leadership and values to our young organization.”
- Jason Smith, President, Winnipeg Sea Bears Basketball Club
“It Is an absolute honour to be the first player signed to the Winnipeg Sea Bears franchise. Being able to play professional basketball in my hometown, in front of all my family, friends, and supporters is a dream come true. I am beyond excited to see everyone out at Canada Life Centre for our first game on May 27th. Go Bears!”
- Chad Posthumus, Forward, Sea Bears Basketball Club
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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears
The Winnipeg Sea Bears is a professional basketball team competing in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). The team will play all their home games at the Canada Life Centre in downtown Winnipeg, MB. The Sea Bears open their inaugural 2023 season on May 27 against the Vancouver Bandits. Ticket information is available at www.seabears.ca. The team’s social handle @wpgseabears may be followed on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube
About Canadian Elite Basketball League
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 71 percent of its 2022 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow @ s on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.
Source: https://www.seabears.ca/winnipeg-sea-bears-announce-chad-posthumus-as-first-ever-signing