THOMAS KENNEDY WINS CEBL U SPORTS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Bandits Staff • August 10, 2022

GATINEAU, QC, August 10, 2022 – The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that Thomas Kennedy has been named U SPORTS Player of the Year for the 2022 season. 


A student-athlete forward from the University of Windsor, Kennedy was a breakout performer for Fraser Valley this past CEBL regular season, averaging 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds (third in the league) and two assists per game on 63.6 per cent shooting from the field (second in the league).


Kennedy also led the Bandits across several statistical categories; including second in points, first in rebounds, fourth in assists and steals per game, as well as ranking first in field goal percentage.


“I am grateful for the summertime experiences that the CEBL has given me as a young athlete and now to be named the U SPORTS player of the year is an honour. Coaches, staff and the Bandits organization supported me all summer and consistently put me in a position to succeed and showcase my talent,” Kennedy said.


“I am thankful for my Bandits teammates who trusted me and provided me with confidence all season. I would not have won this award without everyone’s support.”


Over 12 regular season games played, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged 28.1 minutes per game and also represented the Canadian under-23 men’s national team at the GLOBL JAM showcase in Toronto this past June and July. Kennedy will return to the Windsor Lancers this upcoming fall.


Kennedy was drafted at the CEBL U SPORTS Draft by Fraser Valley with the seventh pick in the first round last April. Kennedy led U SPORTS in rebounding last season, averaging 15.3 rebounds and 22.3 points per game in his third season with the Lancers. 2022 was Kennedy’s third season in the CEBL after previously being drafted by the Hamilton Honey Badgers in 2019 and 2021, respectively.


The award was announced earlier this evening at Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau as part of the league’s annual awards ceremony, which saw winners across eight categories announced; including Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Canadian Player of the Year, Clutch Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Fox40 Official of the Year and U SPORTS Player of the Year. A complete list of award nominees and winners can be found at https://www.cebl.ca/.


The CEBL Awards are the first official event of 2022 Championship Weekend, which is being held in Ottawa, Ont. between August 10-14. Fans can buy tickets now via the link here to attend the semifinals and championship games.


All CEBL award winners will receive a customized ring from Jostens, the official Supplier of Awards and Rings to the CEBL, a $500 Foot Locker shopping spree and free flights for two for one full year courtesy of Flair Airlines.


Award winners were determined by votes cast by the league’s head coaches, general managers, assistant coaches, select league broadcasters and internal media personnel. Team representatives could not vote for a player or the head coach from their own team.


Fans can live stream all playoff games on the CEBL’s OTT streaming service CEBL+, the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices, cbcsports.ca, the free CBC Gem streaming service, the CBC Sports App for iOS and Android devices and on NXT Level Sports in the U.S. As part of its playoff coverage, CBC Sports will broadcast the quarterfinal games Sunday, August 7, semifinal games Friday, August 12, and the Championship game on Sunday, August 14. For the complete broadcast and streaming schedule, click here. All times are subject to change. 


The CEBL’s fourth season began May 25 and ended August 1. A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL is the largest pro sports league in the country with 10 teams located in six provinces. It has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.


Head to thebandits.ca for more information or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

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