The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that they have signed six-foot-seven forward E.J. Anosike for the 2023 season. The East Orange, NJ product made his professional debut this year after a career season at Cal State Fullerton that saw him lead the Titans to a Big West championship.
The 24-year-old split time between the Korean Basketball League (KBL) and NBA G League in 2022-23. With the Suwon KT Sonicboom of the KBL, he averaged 13.7 points and 5.7 rebounds through 21 games. He went on to appear in a total of eight games in the NBA G League with the Salt Lake City Stars and Texas Legends, averaging 5.4 points and 3.9 rebounds over that span.
“E.J. gives us a strong, athletic forward who can create matchup advantages, and I believe he will be an impact player for us this summer,” said Mike Taylor, Sea Bears head coach and general manager. “E.J. is a relentless rebounder and works extremely hard on his game.”
After spending three seasons at Sacred Heart University, Anosike played one year at Tennessee before transferring to Cal State Fullerton for his final collegiate campaign. As a Titan, he averaged a career-best 16.3 points per game en route to All-Big West First Team honours. He led his team with 22 points and eight rebounds in a narrow victory over Long Island State in the Big West championship game and was named tournament MVP for his efforts.
“I’m excited for the chance to come to the CEBL and compete against some great players,” said Anosike. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to join the Sea Bears.”
Anosike is not the first Cal State Fullerton product to enter the CEBL. Fellow Titan Khalil Ahmad led the league in scoring with a 20.7 per-game mark in 2022, and was named CEBL Player of the Year and Clutch Player of the Year at the league’s end-of-season awards.
The eighth player to be signed by the Sea Bears in free agency, Anosike is the third and final American added to Winnipeg’s roster. He joins Teddy Allen and A.J. Hess to meet the CEBL limit of three Americans permitted on the team’s 10-man active roster.
The Sea Bears open training camp Friday, May 19 at the Sport For Life Centre in downtown Winnipeg. Their inaugural season tips off May 27 at Canada Life Centre in a matchup against the visiting Vancouver Bandits. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets.