Saskatoon, Sask.
–
The Saskatchewan Rattlers introduced Friday that they’ve re-signed American ahead Malik Benlevi to their roster for the upcoming
Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Benlevi led the Rattlers in recreation profitable pictures (3), steals (18), and video games performed (all 20 video games + each playoff video games). Benlevi was acknowledged by the staff for his work on and off the court docket by incomes the 2022 Mr. Saskatoon Award and 2022 Clutch Participant of the 12 months Award. Benlevi is at present taking part in in Finland with BC Nokia (Korisliiga) alongside Rattlers affiliate head coach Tanner Massey.

“We’re excited to have Malik return to Sask this summer time.” stated Tanner Massey “Malik supplied positional flexibility and a aggressive spirit final season which helped us to win many video games. Together with these, Malik is a good teammate who folks get pleasure from being round. He is a useful piece to what we try to construct additional upon this summer time.”

“I’m actually excited to be returning for my second yr with the Rattlers and construct on from final yr.” stated Benlevi “Can’t wait to get again to work with the workers. Able to have an awesome summer time and attempt to convey a championship again to Saskatoon.”

Throughout his skilled profession, Benlevi has performed six seasons with 5 skilled groups in Mexico, NBA G League, Finland, and the
CEBL. Benlevi has a profession common of 8.4 factors, 4.3 rebounds, and 21.7 minutes in 150 skilled video games.

Benlevi signed his first skilled contract in 2019 with Ostioneros Guaymas of CIBACOPA Mexico League taking part in 20 video games and averaging 11.4 factors, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per recreation. He performed three video games within the 2019 Eurobasket Summer time League with Santa Cruz the place he averaged 14 factors, 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per recreation. Benlevi started his profession within the NBA G League in 2019-20 with the Salt Lake Metropolis Stars averaging 5.8 factors, 3.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 18.5 minutes in 37 video games. Throughout this season, Benlevi scored a career-high 29 factors (Feb thirteenth). In his second yr (2020-21) he averaged 7.7 factors, 3.4 rebounds, 1.0 help, and 19.7 minutes in 11 video games. In 2021-22 he performed for the Iowa Wolves the place he averaged 6.4 factors, 3.9 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 16.1 minutes in 27 video games. Throughout this season he set his career-high of 5 blocks per recreation. Benlevi made his CEBL debut in 2022 with the Rattlers the place he averaged 11.2 factors, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.9 steals whereas capturing 46% from the sphere taking part in 31.5 minutes in 22 video games. The Rattlers ahead tied his profession excessive of 12 rebounds on June 26 in a win at SaskTel Centre over the Montreal Alliance.

Previous to his skilled profession, Benlevi attended Jenkins Excessive Faculty in Savannah, Georgia. Benlevi led Jenkins to their first state championship in his senior yr (2014-15), he additionally earned Area 1-AAA Participant of the 12 months and All-State First-Group. Throughout his four-year collegiate profession, Benlevi averaged 8.2 factors, 4.6 rebounds, 1.0 help, and 26.3 minutes in 129 video games for the Georgia State College Panthers. Throughout his junior and senior season, he was named staff captain. He led the staff to 2 Solar Belt Convention Championships, and two first-round NCAA March Insanity appearances. To shut out his school profession, Benlevi was named Most Excellent Participant of the Solar Belt Convention Event and named All-Event First Group. 

Canadian Elite Basketball League free company has opened with extra participant bulletins to observe. The 2023 CEBL schedule has been launched with the Rattlers season opener scheduled for Could thirty first 2023 at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, SK.

Basic public and returning season ticket members can declare their seats for the complete Rattlers 2023 season by utilizing
Account Supervisor. Season tickets embrace 10 residence video games and one playoff recreation, beginning at $363 (All courtside row 1 presents are bought out). Half season tickets embrace 5 residence video games, beginning at $175. 3-game bundles can be found now, beginning at $84. All tickets will also be bought via the
Rattlers Entrance Workplace (306) 244-2181,
Saskatchewan Rattlers web site, or through
Ticketmaster. Single recreation tickets shall be obtainable later this spring. For extra seating choices, suites, and group charges; followers can contact an
account government.

All video games together with playoffs shall be live-streamed on CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, and on CEBL Cellular, the official app of the CEBL (obtainable on Android and iOS gadgets)

In regards to the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian gamers, coaches, sports activities executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the very best proportion of Canadian gamers of any professional league within the nation with 71 % of its 2022 roster being Canadian Gamers bringing expertise from the NBA, NBA G League, prime worldwide professional leagues, the Canadian Nationwide program, and prime NCAA applications in addition to U SPORTS. 9 gamers have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL gamers have attended NBA G League coaching camps throughout October. The CEBL runs from Could via August. Extra details about the CEBL is on the market at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Fb, & YouTube.

For extra data on the Saskatchewan Rattlers skilled basketball staff – go to
therattlers.ca.