WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that they have signed Canadian point guard Mason Bourcier, who will return to the CEBL for his fourth year after spending the winter with the Manchester Giants of the British Basketball League.
This will be the first time the young guard will does not enter the league through the U SPORTS draft. The university stand-out played three seasons in the CEBL through the league’s developmental program. Before graduating from Trinity Western University in 2023, Bourcier broke the Canada West record for triple doubles and currently holds the title for single-season assists per game. In his senior season, he averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.7 assists en route to a First Team All Star selection.
Last summer, the all-around threat helped Calgary to a CEBL finals appearance in the team’s first season. Bourcier averages 4.8 points and 3.8 assists in his 71-game professional career.
“I am excited to play for an amazing fan base and to work with the coaching staff and organization that is centered around player experience and development,” said Bourcier.
“We have watched Mason grow as a player over the last two years, and I believe he is a great fit for our team in Winnipeg,” said Sea Bears head coach and general manager, Mike Taylor.
“Mason played extremely well against us last season and we identified him as a player who can really help our team and represent our organization in a first-class way.”
Bourcier has a knack of rising to the occasion: both his season highs with the Surge and Giants came in key match-ups. The Kelowna, BC product put up 15 points in his team’s semi-final win over Vancouver at the 2023 CEBL Championship Weekend and 16 against the BBL’s top team, the London Lions on Dec. 17.
“We see Mason as a rising talent as a point guard who plays unselfishly on offense and competes on defense. He also has the size and shooting ability to play as a shooting guard as well, so versatility is one of Mason's strengths. Mason has played very well as an overseas rookie for the Manchester Giants in the British Basketball League this winter, and I believe he is primed for an excellent summer with us in Winnipeg,” Taylor said.
“Personally, I am really looking forward to working with Mason after talking with him and following him for the last two years. I believe Sea Bears fans will love Mason and his style of play.”
Bourcier becomes the third Canadian signed by the Sea Bears this season, after Chad Posthumus and Alex Campbell. The team signed 2023 CEBL MVP, import Teddy Allen on Feb. 7.
The Sea Bears open the 2024 campaign on the road in Saskatoon, SK on May 22. They return to Winnipeg for their home opener on May 24 against the defending CEBL champions, Scarborough Shooting Stars. Season tickets and flex packs are available now.
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About the Winnipeg Sea Bears
The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 20-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman.
More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.
About the CEBL
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 73% of its 2023 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. Fourteen players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.
Source: https://www.seabears.ca/sea-bears-sign-canadian-playmaker-bourcier