COLE SYLLAS

POSITION: Guard

HEIGHT: 6-5 (196 cm)

WEIGHT: 210 lbs (92.3 kg)

BIRTHDATE: August 1, 2000 (Kingston, ON)

HIGH SCHOOL: La Salle Secondary School (Kingston, ON)

UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE: Queen's University (2024)

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected in the 2nd round (19th overall) of the 2024 CEBL Draft.

YEARS PRO: 1

BIO

PROFESSIONAL CAREER 


Entered season averaging 2.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 8.4 minutes in 10 games playing professionally in the CEBL.


2024 CEBL Season (As of July 30):  Averaging 4.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 16.4 minutes in eight games with the Brampton Honey Badgers … Returned to the Honey Badgers lineup vs. Niagara on July 17 following a nine-game absence, scoring six points … Had seven points and three rebounds vs. Winnipeg on June 5 … Set career highs with 13 points and three three-pointers made in a win over Ottawa on May 26 … Had two points in 14 minutes of action in Honey Badgers debut May 24 vs. Niagara.


2023 CEBL Season:
Averaged 2.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 8.4 minutes in 10 games with the Ottawa BlackJacks … Collected five rebounds in a win against Scarborough on May 30 … Scored 10 points in professional debut May 28 vs. Brampton. 



UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE CAREER 


Averaged 16.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 29.9 minutes in 88 games over a five-year collegiate career at Queen’s University. 

2023-24 (As of April 11):
Averaged 15.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 31.0 minutes in 22 games with Queen’s University … Named to All-OUA Second Team and U SPORTS All-Tournament Team after winning an OUA championship with the Gaels … Reached double figures in scoring in all but four contests, including seven double-double performances …. Recorded season-highs in rebounds (18) and assists (18) in an U SPORTS Elite-8 matchup against Winnipeg on March 8 … Registered a season-high 29 points in the OUA Finals against Brock on March 2 … Snatched three steals to go along with 16 points in a win February 2 against Wilfred Laurier.


2022-23: Averaged 17.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 29.9 minutes in 27 games with Queen’s University … Became first player in Gaels program history to be named to U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian … Named an OUA First Team All-Star, helping the team to their second consecutive U SPORTS Final-8 Championship appearance … Grabbed a season-high 21 rebounds November 26 vs. Waterloo … Dished out a season-best 12 assists November 18 vs. Carleton.


2021-22: Averaged 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 32.5 minutes in 17 games with Queen’s University as a junior … Named an OUA East First Team All-Star… Reached double figures in scoring in all but four contests … Scored a career-high 39 points March 23 against Carleton … Grabbed a season-best 15 boards to go along with 21 points February 25 vs. Nipissing … Opened the season with 29 points and 12 rebounds in a victory over Ryerson on November 5.


2020-21: Did not play due to COVID-19 pandemic.


2019-20: Averaged 12.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 26.7 minutes in 22 games with Queen’s University … Named to the OUA All-Rookie Team … Finished rookie season with 21 points in 25 minutes of action against Lakehead on February 15 … Registered first collegiate double-double in the second game of the season against Laurentian with 31 points and 15 rebounds … Make collegiate debut on October 25 against Nipissing, recording six points and four rebounds.


PERSONAL


Pronounced “cill-IS” … Majored in Mechanical Engineering at Queen’s University … Has a passion for reading … Luke Syllas, twin brother of Cole, also played at Queen’s University during the same five-year period … Won KASSAA championship in back-to-back years at La Salle Secondary School in Kingston, ON.


By Kyle Warrener November 18, 2024
With the offseason providing new opportunities for Brampton Honey Badgers’ players to continue their craft around the world, the same can be said for members of the coaching staff. While some pursue opportunities in the NBA, NBA G League, and internationally, this past summer’s staff are making an impact at the collegiate and university levels. Honey Badgers head coach Sheldon Cassimy, now a lead assistant coach with McMaster University, returns to the university ranks for his fourth season with the Marauders men’s basketball program. On Friday night, Cassimy’s Marauders team hosted the Nipissing Lakers resulting in an 83-76 victory in favour of the home side. The Lakers are coached by a familiar face in Honey Badgers assistant coach Thomas Cory. “It’s always extra fun to compete against a friend,” said Cory ahead of the Friday night matchup. “We’re both very competitive and want it to be a good game.” Unfortunately for Cory’s squad, Cassimy and the Marauders came out on top in their only matchup this season thanks in large part to a 21-point performance courtesy of Cashius McNeilly. The Lakers were led by Alvin Incyogere, who contributed 24 points and 13 rebounds in a losing effort. This campaign marks Cory’s 12th consecutive season as a head coach at the U SPORTS level. Now in his sixth season as head coach of the Lakers, Cory previously held the reins of the Algoma University men's basketball program from 2013 until 2019. “I learned so much from my experience in Brampton learning from Sheldon and working with our amazing group of players and staff,” Cory continued reflecting on this past summer. “I developed as a coach and have brought back a lot of ideas here to Nipissing.” The Honey Badgers are also well-represented on the women’s side of collegiate basketball this season. Assistant coach Ceejay Nofuente now leads the Humber College program, with the Hawks campaign off to an impressive 5-1 start. Ajay Shama, also an assistant coach with the Honey Badgers, continues in that role this season with York University’s women's basketball program. Elsewhere, Ankit Wadera joined the Lake Superior State University men’s basketball staff as an assistant coach, while Mike Fraser continues his work with the Crestwood Prep basketball program in Toronto. Brampton Honey Badgers season tickets are now available in advance of the CEBL's seventh season which tips off in May 2025. Visit honeybadgers.ca/tickets or contact tickets@honeybadgers.com for more information. ### 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 www.honeybadgers.ca . About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (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 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 12 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. Twenty one 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 with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN , TSN+ , RDS , Game+ , Next Level Sports & Entertainment and Courtside1891 . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube . Media Contact: Kyle Warrener - Manager, Communications and Service Brampton Honey Badgers kwarrener@honeybadgers.ca
By CEBL November 14, 2024
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that Drew Green , an award-winning CEO, entrepreneur, and expert in launching and managing innovative high-growth companies, has been appointed as the first-ever Chair of the CEBL Board of Governors. Green has also become a co-owner of the league. A visionary leader and accomplished entrepreneur, Green’s role as Chair will include instituting new formal governance at a Board level, working alongside the team to attract strategic investors, partners and international relationships for the league, and advise the commissioner and team owners on league business matters. “Being able to attract an experienced and highly accomplished leader like Drew Green is an incredible win for the CEBL and for Canadian basketball,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner & Co-Founder of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. “Drew’s business success speaks for itself and his passion for the game mimics all involved in making the CEBL a homegrown and global success. His investment into the league demonstrates his strong belief of our bright future and recognizes the foundation that has been built during our formative years. Personally, I look forward to getting right to work with Drew on the next stage of the CEBL and the growth of our game.” Green currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of INDOCHINO, one of Canada’s fastest-growing apparel brands, globally. Between 2014-24, INDOCHINO has secured over $100M in strategic capital commitments from major firms like Madrona Venture Partners, Highland Consumer, Dayang Group, Mitsui & Co. and Postmedia Network, expanding the company to 145 retail locations across Canada and the United States and has served customers in over 50 countries. In addition, he has procured partnerships with hundreds of celebrities and professional athletes for INDOCHINO, along with MLB, NHL, NBA and NFL teams. Drew’s family office DREWGREEN INC. has empowered dozens of entrepreneurs and 100’s of companies across Canada and the US, in industries ranging from Fintech, Edtech, eCommerce, through to Real Estate. A full business profile and list of Green’s accolades can be found HERE and HERE . “Anyone that has been paying attention knows the CEBL is a rapidly growing and vibrant brand with boundless potential that has made great strides in a very short period of time,” said Green. “It is truly a league built by Canadians, for Canadians, and this resonates with my family – the epitome of a basketball family in Canada. We are basketball players, the sport is near and dear to our hearts, and we are fans of the CEBL. The league has been a catapult for the growth of the sport in our country, and I can’t wait to help lift basketball in Canada to new heights.” Drew and his wife Andrea Dayco are basketball parents through and through. Their sons Liam (18) and Aidan (16) Dayco-Green are two of the top U19 prospects in Canada, and both represented by Tandem Sports and Entertainment Agency and NBA agent Elias Sbiet. Liam plays NCAA D1 at Florida Atlantic University for NCAA National Championship winner John Jakus, and Aidan is at Montverde Academy playing for legendary coach Kevin Boyle. Canada Basketball invited Aidan to its U17 camp at 15 in 2024, with Liam being invited to its U23 camp in 2025. For many years, the family has awarded annual scholarships to student athletes (basketball) at York University and University of British Columbia. The CEBL, Canada’s largest professional sports league with 10 teams in six provinces, will embark on its seventh season next summer after again posting record growth numbers across the business in 2024. More than 4.2 million fans now follow the CEBL in Canada and internationally, culminating in over 9.6 million social media views this year. Since 2022, the CEBL has seen an unprecedented 89% increase in league-wide attendance and a 97% increase in overall broadcast viewership. All games are available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and TSN+ , and in 2024, more than 50 CEBL games were broadcast live nationally on TSN , Canada’s Sports Leader, and Game+ , with an additional eight games in French on RDS . The league has also developed numerous significant partnerships in just six short years, including meaningful relationships with Canada Basketball, U SPORTS and iconic brands like Spalding and New Era. ### 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 www.honeybadgers.ca . About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (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 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 12 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. Twenty one 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 with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN , TSN+ , RDS , Game+ , Next Level Sports & Entertainment and Courtside1891 . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube . Media Contact: Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations Canadian Elite Basketball League (905) 730-4691 | agogishvili@cebl.ca
By Kyle Warrener November 14, 2024
Following the conclusion of the Honey Badgers season earlier this summer, many players signed contracts with new clubs across the globe. This led to new opportunities, meeting new teammates, and in most cases playing in an entirely new country. Since the season ended, nine players from Brampton’s roster have done this, many off to impressive starts with their new clubs. For Petros Melissaratos and Cole Syllas, their connection to Brampton has continued in Mykonos, Greece with A.O. Mykonos who are off to a 6-1 start this season. “This is a totally new experience for me,” said Syllas about playing in his first season outside of North America. “It’s crazy how the tables turned from me showing off Canada to him, to now him helping guide me through this journey in Greece. Having a familiar face and friend here with me is helpful in adjusting to the life of a professional athlete and all of the ups and downs that can happen throughout the season.” Syllas began his professional career as a U SPORTS developmental player with the Ottawa BlackJacks in 2023 before being selected in the 2nd round of the 2024 CEBL Draft by the Honey Badgers in April. The Queens University product averaged 4.1 points and 2.3 rebounds in eight contests with the team, setting a career-high with 13 points against his former team, the Ottawa BlackJacks, on May 26. In just his first professional season overseas, Syllas has played in all of Mykonou’s seven games, highlighted by an eight-point, five-rebound performance October 16 in a win against AEO Proteas Voulas. While playing in a completely new country at the age of 24 can be a challenge of its own, Syllas has a familiar face in the locker room in Melissaratos. A native of Athens, Mellissaratos was a veteran presence for the Honey Badgers this summer in his first season playing outside of Greece in his 13-year professional career. He averaged 4.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 17 games with Brampton, scoring a season-best 18 points in the regular season finale against Ottawa on July 29. Since returning to Greece, Melissaratos has averaged 10.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in seven games, scoring in double-figures in all but two contests. With their club currently in first place in the Greek Elite League standings, Syllas and Melissaratos look to build on their connection with their next matchup set for November 16 against Hanth B.C. Brampton Honey Badgers season tickets are now available in advance of the CEBL's seventh season which tips off in May 2025. Visit honeybadgers.ca/tickets or contact tickets@honeybadgers.com for more information. ### 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 www.honeybadgers.ca . About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (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 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 12 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. Twenty one 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 with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN , TSN+ , RDS , Game+ , Next Level Sports & Entertainment and Courtside1891 . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

PROFESSIONAL STATISTICS **BEFORE 2024 CEBL SEASON

Totals

Year Team G MIN PTS 2FGP 3FGP FT RO RD RT AS PF BS ST TO
2023 Ottawa BlackJacks 10 84 21 7-12 2-11 1-6 10 5 15 4 14 2 4 6
Totals 10 84 21 7-12 2-11 1-6 10 5 15 4 14 2 4 6

Averages

Year Team G MIN PTS 2FGP 3FGP FT RO RD RT AS PF BS ST TO
2023 Ottawa BlackJacks 10 8.4 1.0 0.583 0.182 0.167 1.0 0.5 1.5 0.4 1.4 0.2 0.4 0.6
Totals 10 8.4 1.0 0.583 0.182 0.167 1.0 0.5 1.5 0.4 1.4 0.2 0.4 0.6

COLLEGIATE STATISTICS

Totals

Year Team G MIN PTS 2FGP 3FGP FT RO RD RT AS PF BS ST TO
2023-24 Queen's University 22 683 332 92-182 33-94 41-56 30 152 182 162 38 16 34 58
2022-23 Queen's University 27 806 484 158-289 28-105 84-124 69 192 261 135 67 21 33 78
2021-22 Queen's University 17 553 319 107-203 22-97 39-55 32 114 146 45 39 18 28 52
2019-20 Queen's University 22 588 272 65-114 37-118 31-38 42 126 168 54 64 15 27 48
Totals 88 2630 1407 422-788 120-414 195-273 173 584 757 396 208 70 122 236

Averages

Year Team G MIN PTS 2FGP 3FGP FT RO RD RT AS PF BS ST TO
2023-24 Queen's University 22 31.0 15.1 0.505 0.351 0.732 1.4 6.9 8.3 7.4 1.7 0.7 1.5 2.6
2022-23 Queen's University 27 29.9 17.9 0.547 0.267 0.677 2.6 7.1 9.7 5.0 2.5 0.8 1.2 2.9
2021-22 Queen's University 17 32.5 18.8 0.527 0.227 0.709 1.9 6.7 8.6 2.6 2.3 1.1 1.6 3.1
2019-20 Queen's University 22 26.7 12.4 0.570 0.314 0.816 1.9 5.7 7.6 2.5 2.9 0.7 1.2 2.2
Totals 88 29.9 16.0 0.536 0.290 0.714 2.0 6.6 8.6 4.5 2.4 0.8 1.4 2.7
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