Sea Bears’ choice is clear

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This article was published 12/04/2023 (1242 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Canadian Elite Basketball League’s U Sports Draft is planned for April 19 but the Winnipeg Sea Bears have removed some of the suspense.

Presumptive No. 1 pick Simon Hildebrandt, the U Sports rookie of the year in 2022-23, has already been signed for the 2023 CEBL season.

The 20-year-old from the University of Manitoba will be at the CEBL team’s training camp next month and be allowed to play while preserving his U Sports eligibility.

Hildebrandt, a 6-9 forward, was also named Canada West rookie of the year and a second-team all-Canadian after averaging 17.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in conference play.

Mike Taylor, general manager and head coach of the expansion Sea Bears, will be choosing first and 20th in the two-round draft.

“I’ve talked to Mike and I’ve signed my contract,” said Hildebrandt on Tuesday. “Basically, I’m not making crazy money, but it’s like a typical summer job.”

Hildebrandt’s size, athleticism and versatility make him intriguing selection for the Sea Bears.

“I think that’s the obvious choice,” said Taylor. “I think Simon is a fantastic young player, with all the accolades as a rookie. Obviously, (Bisons head coach) Kirby (Schepp) has done a great job building his team and helping Simon take those steps. He’s very, very interesting for us.”

The CEBL and U Sports have a unique arrangement permitting players to retain their U Sports eligibility while earning money for their scholarship fund.

“It’s a great program,” said Taylor. “It’s a great aspect of the CEBL to try to help give some of these Canadian U Sports players experience, help them learn what the next level is like and I think everybody wins. In the end, the players get a chance to test themselves and gain experience.

“The (U Sports) coaches are usually really happy because the players come back battle-tested and better.”

Hildebrandt is eager to get started.

“I’m super excited just to see how these guys act professionally, how they approach training camp, how they approach practice, how they approach games,” said Hildebrandt. “You’re going to be able to learn from them — guys who have walked the road that I want to walk.”

U Sports is already an important source for CEBL talent.

Since making forward Chad Posthumous their first signing on March 2, the Sea Bears have added guards Glen Yang (Mount Royal) and Michael Okafor (Lakehead) and forward Shane Osayande (Saskatchewan).

Yang, Okafor and Osayande are former U Sports players with previous CEBL experience.

“You look at our signing this year of Michael Okafor, who finished his U Sports career with with Lakehead,” said Taylor. “I think that these guys are examples of players that can come in to play right away. That’s when it’s ideal. When a player can come in and play a role. I’ve always felt young players, whether it’s a U Sports guy or rookie player, you try to create roles where they can grow and develop and play without too much expectation.”

Taylor has first-hand experience with success with university players. While an assistant coach with the Fraser Valley Bandits in 2022, University of Windsor forward Thomas Kennedy averaged 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds (third in the league) and two assists per game.

Kennedy was named the league’s U Sports player of the year before returning to school and earning the Mike Moser Award as the top men’s university player in Canada in 2022-23.

Brandon University Bobcats forward Anthony Tsegakele could also interest the Sea Bears, but he is expected to re-sign with the Saskatchewan Rattlers.

The 6-6 forward from Gatineau, Que., Canada West’s defensive player of the year in 2022-23, has CEBL experience with the Saskatchewan (2022) and Fraser Valley (2021). He’s scheduled to return to BU for his fourth year of eligibility this fall.

The Sea Bears announced Wednesday they will hold an open tryout (“for serious ballers only”) on May 12 for a fee of $50. Interested players can access registration on the club’s Instagram account.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca