The 2024 Brampton Honey Badgers season had its ups and downs, but a constant highlight was the game-to-game impact from a young core making their mark in the early stages of their respective professional careers - Yaw Obeng-Mensah, Callum Baker, Cole Syllas, and Lincoln Rosebush. Transitioning to the CEBL offseason, these four Canadians are participating in their first international campaigns and have been making a serious impact. 

Obeng-Mensah was one of the team’s biggest surprises of the 2024 season. The 6-foot-7 forward from Niagara University played in 19-of-20 games for the Honey Badgers displaying constant heart, hustle and quality defensive versatility. He capped off his summer with career-highs across the board against Ottawa on July 29 with 25 points on 10-for-18 shooting to go along with 13 rebounds and two blocks in 37 minutes of action. 

Now in 13 games with Independ de Olivia in Argentina, Obeng-Mensah has been applying those same qualities in 12.0 minutes per game, including a season-best performance 12 points and six rebounds off the bench November 11 versus Obera.

Coming off an elite season with the University of Toronto in 2024, Baker was looking to prove himself at the professional level entering his second stint with the Honey Badgers. He was a respectable floor spacer off the bench, averaging 2.9 points, 1.1 assists, and 15.7 minutes. 

So far this season in Germany with Bayreuth, Baker has stepped up as a scorer, putting up 10 games with eight or more points including a season-high of 16 points along with four assists September 28 vs. Artland. Baker is currently averaging 7.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 27.4 minutes in 19 contests. He has also improved his two-point field goal percentage by 12 percent, which is a great sign for his growth as an all-around scorer.

Syllas made his Honey Badgers debut last season in his second go-around in the CEBL after his first professional action with Ottawa in 2023. Before having to miss the majority of the season due to a lower-body injury, Syllas logged 3.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 17.7 minutes per game in eight contests. In the second game of the season, Syllas faced his former squad and tallied 13 points including a 3-for-4 game from the three-point arc May 26.

Now playing in Greece alongside former Honey Badger teammate Petros Melissaratos, Syllas has played a consistent bench role for Mykonou, with season-highs of eight points (3-for-3 shooting) and five rebounds coming against Proteas on October 16. Syllas was a mid-season addition to Megaridas’ lineup in early January, appearing in two games thus far and averaging 8.0 points and 10.0 rebounds.

Lincoln Rosebush made his name as an all-around forward in his first professional campaign with the Honey Badgers, totalling season-highs of 10 points, six rebounds, and five assists in limited minutes throughout the 2024 season.

Currently with Sangalhos in Portugal, Rosebush has blossomed, putting up 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. His season to date has been highlighted by a 24-point career-high vs. Maia Basket on November 1 and his first career double-double performance with 18 points and 11 boards vs. Sampaense on October 26.

As these four players approach playoff time with their clubs, keep an eye out for them to be a contributing factor to their squads as they compete for their respective championships. 

The Honey Badgers 2025 campaign is set to get underway May 18 in Montreal, followed by a quick stop in the nation's capital to take on the Ottawa BlackJacks on May 21. Brampton then returns to the CAA Centre to welcome the Scarborough Shooting Stars to start the club’s third season in the city. Ticket packages to catch all of the action at the CAA Centre are now available, including season tickets, half season pack, group experiences, and more! Visit honeybadgers.ca/tickets or contact tickets@honeybadgers.ca for more information.

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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) 

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-two 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 onCEBL+ powered by BetVictor,TSN,TSN+,RDS,Game+,Next Level Sports & Entertainment andCourtside1891. More information about the CEBL is available atCEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

Media Contact:
Josie Pingitore - Vice President

Brampton Honey Badgers

jpingitore@honeybadgers.ca