The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday their three selections in the 2024 CEBL Draft. Callum Baker, 2nd overall selection in the draft, Cole Syllas, 19th overall, and David Walker, 22nd overall, are a trio of Ontario guards who have a combined experience of 317 games at the collegiate level and 34 games in the CEBL last season. The annual CEBL Draft enables players from U SPORTS and the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) to play multiple seasons in the CEBL while maintaining their playing eligibility. 

“Each play brings something unique to our team,” said Jermaine Anderson, general manager and vice president of basketball operations. “They all have CEBL experience, which should allow them to come in and contribute right away. More importantly, we're looking forward to helping them develop as professional athletes. We're extremely optimistic that they'll be able to use this opportunity to attract interest from various teams and agents overseas.”

Baker, a University of Toronto standout guard, returns to Brampton following his final season with the Varsity Blues. The Oakville, Ont. native averaged 23.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 37.0 minutes in 21 games this university season, leading the country in points scored and being named OUA Player of the Year. He averaged 10.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 22.2 minutes in 103 games during a five-year collegiate career at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Flagler College, and the University of Toronto. Baker appeared in 15 games with the Honey Badgers last season as a rookie, averaging 3.1 points, 1.7 assists, and 13.6 minutes. He became the fifth player in CEBL history to start a playoff game as a current U SPORTS player, scoring a career-high 16 points vs. Scarborough in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal on August 4. Baker was selected 11th overall by the Honey Badgers in the 2023 U SPORTS Draft. 

“We know what Callum (Baker) brings to our team,” said Anderson. “He has the potential to be an impact player in this league and in Europe for many years to come, and our coaching staff is extremely excited to work with him again this summer.”

With the 19th overall selection, the Honey Badgers added six-foot-five guard Syllas from Queen’s University. In 22 games with his hometown Gaels, Syllas averaged 15.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 31.0 minutes. He reached double-figures in scoring in all but four contests, leading to All-OUA Second Team and U SPORTS All-Tournament Team recognition after the season. Syllas was signed as a U SPORTS developmental player last season with the Ottawa BlackJacks, suiting up in 10 games and averaging 2.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 8.4 minutes. He made his professional debut in the season opener May 28 against Brampton, scoring 10 points.

“Cole (Syllas) is an extremely intriguing young player,” said Anderson. “He has proven that he can step up in big moments at the U Sports level, and he plays extremely hard on both ends of the floor.”

The Honey Badgers also selected Walker from Toronto Metropolitan University with the 23rd overall pick. Walker averaged 16.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 24.9 minutes in 13 games during his second season with the program. Walker also played at Southern Idaho Junior College, Casper Junior College, University of South Alabama, and California State University - Bakersfield for four seasons, combining for 126 games during a six-year collegiate career. He was the 12th overall selection in last year’s CEBL Draft by the Scarborough Shooting Stars, averaging 10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 21.8 minutes in nine appearances as a rookie.

“David (Walker) is a very talented dynamic guard that can impact the outcome of a game in different ways,” said Anderson. “He will certainly be a joy to watch this summer, and I expect that his infectious energy will make him a fan favourite in Brampton.”

The Honey Badgers roster continues to fill out with the season opener on May 24 against the Niagara River Lions less than two months away. Prince Oduro, Zane Waterman, and Shamiel Stevenson were all re-signed by the Honey Badgers last month.

Brampton opens the 2024 season at the CAA Centre on May 24 and 26. More information about the Honey Badgers can be found at honeybadgers.ca and @HoneyBadgersCan on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

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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 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 73% of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Fourteen 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. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

About U SPORTS

U SPORTS is the national brand for university sports in Canada. Every year, over 15,500 student-athletes and 700 coaches vie for 21 national championships in 12 different sports. U SPORTS also provides high performance international opportunities at FISU Winter and Summer World University Games, World University Championships, University World Cups and various educational initiatives.

U SPORTS works in collaboration with 57 members and four conferences as well as the Canadian sport system and Corporate Canada on the growth and delivery of university sport to student-athletes across the country.

About Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association

The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association is the national governing body for organized sports at the collegiate level in Canada. The CCAA enriches the academic experiences of student-athletes by providing leadership, programs and services that foster development through high-level competitive opportunities in intercollegiate sport. CCAA student-athletes compete in seven sports at 10 CCAA national championships, each hosted by one of the 98 CCAA member institutions (colleges, universities, technical institutes and cégeps) located in nine provinces. In addition to governing the national championships, the CCAA also provides national awards and recognition to CCAA student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors and member institutions. For more information, please visit ccaa.ca.

Media Contact:

Kyle Warrener - Sr. Coordinator, Ticket Sales and Communications

Brampton Honey Badgers 

kwarrener@honeybadgers.ca