The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that renowned sports psychology and mental performance expert Dr. Don Kalkstein has joined the organization as its first-ever Director of Mental Performance. A pioneer in the field of sports psychology, Kalkstein brings more than three decades of experience working with elite athletes, coaches, and executives across professional sports. His career began with the Texas Rangers in 1995. He has since gone on to win multiple World Championships with the Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, and Dallas Mavericks - becoming widely recognized as one of the industry's foremost leaders in mental skills training, performance enhancement, and athlete wellness. “Don Kalkstein is a pioneer in his field and one of the most respected leaders in the mental performance industry,” said Honey Badgers CEO Al Whitley. “His ability to connect with athletes, executives, and team personnel while helping build winning cultures and championship mindsets is truly unmatched. We are incredibly grateful to welcome Don to the Honey Badgers family.” Most recently, Kalkstein served as Director of Sports Psychology for the Dallas Mavericks, where he spent 26 seasons helping build a culture of excellence and sustained success. He is widely credited by key members of the organization - including Mark Cuban, Dirk Nowitzki, Rick Carlisle, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, and Honey Badgers CEO Al Whitley - for his influential role in the Mavericks' 2011 NBA Championship season. “This partnership aligns directly with the vision we established from day one of my arrival in Brampton - to create the premier player experience and development infrastructure in the CEBL and beyond,” Whitley continued. “Our entire organization became stronger today, and I am both excited and humbled to be reunited with DK once again.” Kalkstein's appointment represents another significant investment in the Honey Badgers' commitment to player development, high performance, and organizational excellence as the club continues to build a championship-caliber culture on and off the court. “I’m excited to be part of the Honey Badgers family,” said Dr. Kalkstein. “This organization is committed to developing great players, great people, and a championship culture. I’m grateful for the opportunity and look forward to contributing in any way I can.” The Brampton Honey Badgers are 5-1 through the first quarter of the CEBL regular season, and it continues June 3 versus the Edmonton Stingers at the CAA Centre. Click here to get your Honey Badgers tickets today, starting at only $20 per game. ### About the Brampton Honey Badgers One of the original franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the 2022 CEBL Champion Brampton Honey Badgers proudly call the CAA Centre home. The Brampton front office and basketball operations department bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. With a vision of promoting Brampton grassroots basketball and local businesses through community and corporate engagement, the Honey Badgers will leverage the explosion of basketball as a vehicle for innovation and change. For more information visit honeybadgers.ca . About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada’s professional basketball league, featuring 10 member clubs across six provinces. Powered by elite talent, a fast-paced game format, and deep community connections, the CEBL delivers high-level basketball and unforgettable summer experiences for fans nationwide. The league boasts the youngest fan base in Canadian professional sport, half under age 34, and one of the fastest-growing audiences in the country, now reaching nearly 4.1 million Canadians. This momentum reflects the CEBL’s ability to deliver dynamic, thrilling gameplay while connecting deeply with a new generation of fans and expanding basketball’s cultural footprint across Canada. The CEBL is where elite performance meets homegrown talent. In 2025, 17 players with NBA experience hit the court, while nearly 70% of the league’s roster was Canadian, the highest concentration of domestic talent in any professional sports league in the country. Running from May through August, the CEBL’s season is a showcase of top basketball talent and a summer hub for fast-paced, high-energy fan excitement. Media Contact: Elias Eldridge - Account Executive & Communications Specialist Brampton Honey Badgers eeldridge@honeybadgers.ca