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.

HONEY BADGERS ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP WITH SANDMAN AS TEAM’S OFFICIAL HOTEL

By Elias Eldridge • February 18, 2025
The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that the Sandman Hotel Group has agreed to become the team’s exclusive hotel partner ahead of the 2025 season. “It’s an honour to once again have the opportunity to partner with the Brampton Honey Badgers this year,” said Roseanne Dalisay, Regional Manager of Sales in GTA/Ontario. “Sandman Hotel Group believes in the importance of investing in our local communities and we’ve had the privilege of supporting this incredible group right from the beginning when they were the Hamilton Honey Badgers! We are proud to be alongside them on this new journey as the team continues to flourish in a new city!” Along with becoming the team’s official hotel, Sandman will also be making a donation to underprivileged youth in local communities to allow them to enjoy professional basketball live. “We are proud to have the Sandman Hotel Group support us and the community this season” said Chris Rodricks, Senior Director of Business Development for the Brampton Honey Badgers. “It has been a pleasure working with Roseanne and the entire Sandman organization since the Honey Badgers 2022 championship season, and to now put that into an exclusive partnership brings everything full circle. Their continued support will have a great impact on our team and the entire Brampton community.” With the 2025 season on the horizon, Honey Badgers fans can get excited for what is in store for the third season of professional basketball at the CAA Centre. Honey Badgers season tickets and other ticket packages are available now at honeybadgers.ca/tickets . ### 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. More than 20 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 . About Sandman Hotel Group Founded by Bob Gaglardi in 1963, Sandman Hotel Group holds deep roots in Canadian hospitality and has been proudly taking care of people for more than 50 years. A proud family-owned and operated business, we have grown to over 60 hotels across Canada, the US, UK & Ireland since our first hotel opening in Smithers, BC. With a wide range of accommodation options available, from our Sandman Inn & Suites to our premium Sandman Signature brand, we offer incredible value, comfort, and style for every traveler. When you stay with us, you’ll always be greeted with true Canadian hospitality. Media Contact: Elias Eldridge - Account Executive and Communications Specialist Brampton Honey Badgers eeldridge@honeybadgers.ca

CANADIAN FORWARD ODURO RETURNS TO HONEY BADGERS FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT SEASON

By Elias Eldridge • February 12, 2025
The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that the franchise’s all-time leader in blocks Prince Oduro has agreed to return to the club for a fourth straight season. Oduro began his professional career with the Honey Badgers in 2022 immediately following his senior season with the University of Detroit Mercy. In this season he helped the team achieve their first CEBL championship, and since then he has gone on to break and approach many Brampton records including a franchise-leading 54 blocks (4th all-time in CEBL). He is also currently sitting at number two all-time for the Honey Badgers in games played (50) and rebounds (291). “Prince’s energy, enthusiasm and desire to win is representative of our culture,” said Jermaine Anderson, general manager and vice president of basketball operations. “We are excited to have Prince back for another season, and we’re confident that he will be a positive role model on and off the court.” In the 2024 season, Oduro missed the teams’ first 10 games due to injury, however in the nine games that he did play he averaged personal-bests for the Honey Badgers across the board, including 9.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 blocks. “It is an honour to play for the Honey Badgers every summer knowing that they gave me my first professional opportunity during a rough time in my basketball journey,” said Prince Oduro. “The only way that I can show my gratitude towards the organization is by suiting up every summer and giving it my all.” Oduro was a big piece of the Honey Badgers 2023 season as he started 10 of 20 games played and finished the season totalling a team-high in rebounds (133) and blocks (23). His season was highlighted by a 17-point, 12-rebound, and two-block performance in the team’s season debut vs. Ottawa. Oduro’s international resume outside of the CEBL spans over four different countries, including Hungary where he is currently playing, Italy, Germany, and Finland. His time in Finland with the Korihait Uusikaupunki, his first professional campaign overseas, began after his premier season with the Honey Badgers in 2022. In 32 contests, he averaged 12.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 25.0 minutes while registering seven double-doubles. In a four-year, 75-game collegiate career across the University of Detroit-Mercy, Mississippi State University, the University of South Florida, and Siena College, the Canadian forward averaged 5.1 points, 3.3 rebounds in 16.2 minutes. He attended First Love Christian Academy in ​​Washington, PA, becoming the first player in program history to sign with an NCAA Division I program when he committed to Siena College. Oduro is an accomplished writer off the basketball court, publishing a poetry novel in January 2022 titled “Havoc Files”, a deep introspective into his life experience. Oduro joins Koby McEwen as the first players signed to the Honey Badgers for the upcoming 2025 season. After finishing the 2024 campaign at 6-14, the team is looking to get themselves back on track. 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 on May 25. 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. ### 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. More than 20 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: Elias Eldridge - Account Executive & Communications Specialist Brampton Honey Badgers eeldridge@honeybadgers.ca

HONEY BADGERS INK DEAL WITH DOMINO’S BRAMPTON TO BECOME EXCLUSIVE PIZZA PARTNER

By Elias Eldridge • February 10, 2025
The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that Domino’s Brampton has united with the team to become their official pizza partner. Domino’s has been delivering great-tasting pizza to the Brampton area since 1987. Their organization believes in doing the right thing, putting people first, creating inspired solutions, championing their customers, and growing and winning together. “We're thrilled and privileged to be partnering with the most exciting sports organization in Brampton,” said David Mills, local Brampton franchisee. “As local business owners, Werner (also a local Brampton franchisee) and I share the same spirit and values as the Honey Badgers, as we both work tirelessly to support and engage with our community in Brampton. Spending time at games and local festivals with the Honey Badgers team, we were blown away by the high production value of games and the enthusiasm and commitment shown by the entire organization. We are looking forward to an awesome 2025 season!” Domino’s humble beginnings in Brampton align closely with that of the Honey Badgers and the CEBL. After starting out as a single store in downtown Brampton 38 years ago, and now delivering their pizza across the city from 11 locations, this replicates the strong growth of the CEBL now entering a seventh season this summer. “We are thrilled to welcome Domino’s Brampton as the team’s official pizza partner ahead of the 2025 season,” said Chris Rodricks, senior director of business development of the Brampton Honey Badgers. “Dynamic, results-driven business leaders like David and Werner are exactly who the Honey Badgers want in our corner. We believe this deal will allow both parties to continue to thrive and connect with the local community in new and exciting ways.” With this new partnership, Honey Badgers fans can look forward to deals on Domino’s pizza through unique, in-game fan activations. With the 2025 season on the horizon, Honey Badgers fans can get excited for what is in store for the third season of professional basketball at the CAA Centre. Honey Badgers season tickets and other ticket packages are available now at honeybadgers.ca/tickets . ### 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. More than 20 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 . About Domino’s Brampton Locally owned Domino's Pizza stores have been serving our Brampton neighbours since 1987. Delivering our unique combination of quality at unbeatable value is only possible because of our amazing team. Our shared values of passion, pride, hunger and humility push us all to make great pizzas, deliver great service, and help create memorable moments for families and friends with great food to gather around. Local Brampton franchisees David Mills and Werner Lomker do whatever they can to get involved in the Brampton community, and can often be found doing pizza demonstrations with kindergarteners, serving pizzas at festivals, making pizzas and hosting fundraisers with ErinoakKids, giving away slices at Brampton Transit hubs, feeding students at Brampton hackathons, and now hopefully on the sidelines for the Brampton Honey Badgers 2025 Championship win! Go Honey Badgers! Media Contact: Elias Eldridge - Account Executive and Communications Specialist eeldridge@honeybadgers.ca



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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