CEBL Life

Sport is a bridge to all other aspects of life. This is a statement that really sums up “The CEBL Life” a bridge or connection between the art and culture that the sport of basketball inspires, and it is certainly a statement that holds true to this weeks guest, John Lashway.

Executive Vice-President, Strategy & Communications for the CEBL and President of the Hamilton Honey Badgers, John is no stranger to Canadian basketball. He and Kat dive into his life and career from the example shown by his parents at a young age, to his role in the launch of the Toronto Raptors, and more recently the CEBL, to the many bridges into arts and culture that sport has allowed him to cross.

CEBL - https://www.instagram.com/cebleague/

Kat Stefankiewicz - https://www.instagram.com/matterofkat/

Hamud Mbarak aka “Pen Moodz”, lawyer, poet and wordsmith, joins Kat on this episode of the CEBL Life. Literally an artist who pens moods, Mbarak has used his knowledge of the law, and the might of his pen to fight for social justice and work to create a more just world.

From the beginning living in the Complex in Richmond Hill, sport became not just a unifier and connection to community, but and inspiration for his art, something that still holds true today. Through that medium inspiration also came from those whom he met in the streets and on the courts and were the catalysts for future projects and pieces.

They look back on the past couple of years and how the pandemic created a silence and a stillness that allowed the world to see the injustices that happen to people of colour on a daily basis. They talk about how art and in particular spoken word can create a link to unify us whether we are physically or philosophically apart.

CEBL - https://www.instagram.com/cebleague/

Pen Moodz - https://www.instagram.com/pen.moodz/

Kat Stefankiewicz - https://www.instagram.com/matterofkat/

Kat is joined by Antwi Atuahene, Assistant General Manager and Head of Basketball Operations for the Niagara River Lions, a man who wears many different hats and has taken a passion and talent for basketball and turned it into many different opportunities. Not only a career as a player, the love of the game opened up a many doors for Antwi. What culture means to him, how literature, physicality and philosophy have shaped him as a leader and have given him insights to the game that cannot be found on a court. What leadership means to him, how he defines it, and how it’s has transformed not only his life, but the lives of many.

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Award winning Canadian Film Maker, Kat Jayme joins our Kat to discuss her love for basketball and how it has inspired her journey as a filmmaker.

Using the backdrop of beautiful Vancouver from its natural beauty to the beauty found in some of Jayme’s favourite basketball courts we learn the behind the scenes story of how much the love of the game has influenced her life.

As a Vancouver Grizzlies super fan, Kay’s film “Finding Big Country” goes in search of her favourite player, Grizzlies Big Man Bryant Reeves, and what happened after his short lived career in the NBA. We talk that project as well as her current project, “The Grizzlie Truth” which gets to the heart of the Vancouver Grizzlies and how quickly they came to be (and even more quick ended) Kat speaks to the struggle she had as a young girl, being passionate about basketball and passionate about the arts, and the realization that you don’t have to choose between the two and that both and grow and blossom from each other.

Professional basketball is coming to Montreal. The CEBL announced last week that the Montreal Alliance is being added as its ninth franchise and will play in 2022. Annie hasn’t had a chance to slowdown since the announcement and we hear about the months of preparation that lead to this point. Montreal, a city that’s vibrant, cultured, and basketball is thriving. The Alliance will be a source of inspiration for the youth of Montreal.

From Niagara Falls to Miami to Toronto we learn about Amy's journey from humble beginnings to defying the odds with the first all-female Raptors broadcast.

How the CEBL has allowed professionals the chance to play in Canada and for her to see her country. The stories and the energy within the league and the amazing people that drive the CEBL forward.

Amy now takes a new step forward in her career working with Sportsnet to cover the Toronto Raptors as a courtside analyst and reporter.

Influenced by his mother Allan André gravitated to art early. Nicknamed “Captain Paint” and “The Black Picasso”, André feels that both apply, it all depends on the vibe. The ultimate creative from visual art to music and writing, André is always pushing the creative boundaries. Chasing perfection within the art is a struggle when you’re afraid of doing the wrong thing, André says “constraints provide more freedom to create”. Tap in and follow the creative process.

The energy in the 6 is back - From working with Fred VanVleet in the community to designing legendary artwork that is influenced by the culture of basketball, Casey is engrained in the culture of Toronto and works with numerous athletes. Whether it be the famous Kyle Lowry retro jersey with the championship trophy to custom sweats that best represent the city, we hear about his passion for art and how he has turned it into a career.

Personal struggles with addiction and mental health forced him to reset and follow what he loved - drawing basketball.

Joel Anthony from Montreal, Quebec a pioneer for Canadians in the NBA led the way for those who have come after, such as, Khem Birch, Chris Boucher, Lu Dort, and Karim Mane. After a 10 year career including two NBA Championships with the legendary Miami Heat "Heatles" he's now playing a role in developing and giving back to the game that gave him so much. Working with the Hamilton Honey Badgers to push the game forward as a Player Development Consultant.

Kat is joined today by the CEO & Commissioner of the Canadian Elite Basketball League Mike Morreale to discuss the close of the 2021 season with championship weekend in Edmonton and how electric the environment was. Early beginnings with the vision of the CEBL and how Richard Petko got him involved - allowing Mike to build this business freely with the ultimate trust. The forefront of Canadian Basketball and the people who are working towards the common goal of leveling up in unison. How the league determined team destinations, growth into Ottawa, Montreal, and now Scarborough. Building a legacy for Canadian Basketball and fostering the talent we have. The future of #OurGame is bright!