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.

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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 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 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.