LJ THORPE

POSITION: Guard 

HEIGHT: 6-5 (195.6 cm) 

WEIGHT: 220 lbs (99.8 kg)

BIRTHDATE: May 13, 1999 (West Palm Beach, FL)

HIGH SCHOOL: Royal Palm Beach Community High School (West Palm Beach, FL)

UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE: University of North Carolina Asheville (2022)

HOW ACQUIRED: Signed May 8, 2024

YEARS PRO: 2


BIO

PROFESSIONAL CAREER 


Entered season averaging 13.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 27.3 minutes in 75 games playing professionally in Finland and Lithuania.


2024 CEBL Season (As of July 30): Averaging 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 29.4 minutes in 18 games with the Brampton Honey Badgers … Achieved 20+ in scoring in four contests … Recorded 16 assists, tying the CEBL record for assists in a single game, becoming third in franchise history with 100 assists in a single season, and giving him his 500th professional-career assist vs. Ottawa on July 29 … Had 22 points for the second straight game along with seven assists vs. Vancouver on July 25 … Scored 22 points vs. Scarborough on July 20 … Registered his first double-double of the season grabbing a career-high 12 rebounds with 12 points vs. Ottawa on July 10 … Recorded 13 points, five rebounds, and nine assists in a win against Calgary on July 3 … Dropped 18 points including eight free throws to go along with eight assists and two steals vs. Saskatchewan on June 12 … Had 22 points while adding six rebounds and four assists vs. Scarborough on June 9 … Returned from a two-game absence June 5 vs. Winnipeg, recording six points, seven assists, and three steals … Scored nine points along with five assists and three rebounds in a win over Ottawa on May 26 … Recorded 24 points on 10-for-12 shooting including the target score winner in a home opener victory over Niagara on May 24.


2023-24: Averaged 13.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 27.3 minutes in 41 games with BC Siauliai in Lithuania … Team leader in scoring, achieving double-figures in a team-best 20 contests … Drained a career-best five triples en route to a 15-point performance against Bristol in the European North Basketball League Quarter Finals on March 7 … Went 7-for-8 from the free throw line contributing to 26 total points against Lietkabelis on February 11 … Scored 19 points to go along with six assists and one steal in the season opener September 17 against Wolves.


2022-23: Averaged 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 27.4 minutes in 34 games with Pyrinto Tampere in Finland … Led the team in assists … Grabbed a season-best four steals on three separate occasions (December 13 vs. Seagulls, January 6 vs. Korihait, and April 8 vs. Kauhajoki) … Scored a career-high 26 points with four rebounds and two steals vs. Kouvot on January 3 … Recording a double-double in a win over Honka on March 22, dishing out a season-best 12 assists to go with 14 points.



UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE CAREER 


Averaged 12.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 25.2 minutes in 102 games in a five-year collegiate career at the University of North Carolina Asheville.


2021-22: Averaged 13.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 23.4 minutes as a senior with the University of North Carolina Asheville … Received All-Big South Honorable Mention and All-Big South Preseason First Team honors … Went 14-for-35 (.400) shooting from distance on the campaign … Scored 20+ points in six contests, including a pair of 28-point performances February 26 and January 29 vs. Presbyterian … Had 14 points and nine assists against Charleston Southern on February 16.


2020-21: Averaged 11.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 25.1 minutes in 20 games with the Bulldogs … - Named All-Big South Honorable Mention … Ranked third on the team in scoring, with double-figures in 13 games … Second on the Bulldogs in rebounding, assists, and field goals made (81) … Secured 14 steals on the season … Scored a team-high 21 points to go with four rebounds and two assists in a win against Gardner-Webb on January 19.


2019-20: Averaged 13.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 28.5 minutes in 31 games with the University of North Carolina Asheville … Named a Big South Honorable Mention selection … Finished second on the team and 11th in the Big South in scoring … Had at least five rebounds in all but two league games, leading the team in rebounding on 20 occasions … Ranked eighth in the Big South in steals with 1.4 per game … Became the second player in program history (Kenny George) with a triple-double, with 17 points, a career-high 13 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists at Hampton on February 10, also becoming the first Bulldog with double-digit assists in a game since 2010 …Second on the team with 26 double-digit scoring efforts, including 17 games in a row from January 11 through March 3 … Had four 20-point outings, including 22 points against Tennessee on November 5, earning Big South Player of the Week recognition.


2018-19: Averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 23.9 minutes in 16 games as a redshirt freshman with the University of North Carolina Asheville …  Had six double-digit scoring performances including a season-best 24 points vs. Charleston Southern on February 9 … Corralled seven rebounds at Charleston Southern on February 27 and at Winthrop on January 21.


2017-18: Appeared in one game with the University of North Carolina Asheville before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.



PERSONAL


L.J. is nickname for "Leonard Junior” … Majored in Health and Wellness at the University of North Carolina Asheville.


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
2022-23 Pyrinto (Finland) 34 930 433 137-268 24-97 87-118 34 139 173 165 62 3 58 74
2023-24 BC Siauliai (Lithuania) 41 1120 551 169-306 37-112 102-139 17 122 139 237 86 4 43 109
Totals 75 2050 984 306-574 61-209 189-257 51 261 312 402 148 7 101 183

Averages

Year Team G MIN PTS 2FGP 3FGP FT RO RD RT AS PF BS ST TO
2022-23 Pyrinto (Finland) 34 27.4 12.7 0.511 0.247 0.737 1.0 4.1 5.1 4.9 1.8 0.1 1.7 2.2
2023-24 BC Siauliai (Lithuania) 41 27.3 13.4 0.552 0.330 0.734 0.4 3.0 3.4 5.8 2.1 0.1 1.0 2.7
Totals 75 27.3 13.1 0.533 0.292 0.735 0.7 3.5 4.2 5.4 2.0 0.1 1.3 2.4

COLLEGIATE STATISTICS

Totals

Year Team G MIN PTS 2FGP 3FGP FT RO RD RT AS PF BS ST TO
2021-22 University of North Carolina Asheville 34 795 473 164-317 14-35 103-140 30 97 127 125 85 5 31 104
2020-21 University of North Carolina Asheville 20 501 232 66-124 15-37 55-77 19 63 82 60 42 3 14 54
2019-20 University of North Carolina Asheville 31 885 430 133-266 19-48 107-156 52 147 199 71 91 5 43 77
2018-19 University of North Carolina Asheville 16 383 137 34-76 11-41 36-53 12 44 56 40 37 2 12 42
2017-18 University of North Carolina Asheville 1 6 5 1-1 0-1 3-4 0 1 1 2 0 0 4 2
Totals 102 2570 1277 398-784 59-162 304-430 113 352 465 298 255 15 104 279
Averages
Year Team G MIN PTS 2FGP 3FGP FT RO RD RT AS PF BS ST TO
2021-22 University of North Carolina Asheville 34 23.4 13.9 0.517 0.400 0.736 0.9 2.9 3.7 3.7 2.5 0.1 0.9 3.1
2020-21 University of North Carolina Asheville 20 25.1 11.6 0.532 0.405 0.714 1.0 3.2 4.1 3.0 2.1 0.2 0.7 2.7
2019-20 University of North Carolina Asheville 31 28.5 13.9 0.500 0.396 0.686 1.7 4.7 6.4 2.3 2.9 0.2 1.4 2.5
2018-19 University of North Carolina Asheville 16 23.9 8.6 0.447 0.268 0.679 0.8 2.8 3.5 2.5 2.3 0.1 0.8 2.6
2017-18 University of North Carolina Asheville 1 6.0 5.0 1.000 0.000 0.750 0.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 4.0 2.0
Totals 102 25.2 12.5 0.508 0.364 0.707 1.1 3.5 4.6 2.9 2.5 0.1 1.0 2.7
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