Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced today that Mike Raimbault has been named the team’s new General Manager and Head Coach, taking over for Mike Taylor, whose contract will conclude shortly. Alongside his new role with the Sea Bears, Raimbault will continue leading the University of Winnipeg men’s basketball team as Head Coach. A familiar face to Winnipeg basketball fans, Raimbault returns for his fourth season with the Sea Bears after guiding the University of Winnipeg Wesmen men’s team to back-to-back Canada West Championship final appearances in 2023 and 2024. This past season, he led the Wesmen to a program-best 16-4 regular season record. Raimbault’s roots in Manitoba run deep. He grew up and played college basketball in Brandon, later joining the Brandon University coaching staff and helping the team capture a U SPORTS (then CIS) silver medal in 2007. He went on to win a CCAA national championship as head coach of the UNBC Timberwolves before taking the helm at the University of Winnipeg, where he continues to serve as head coach of the Wesmen men’s program. Raimbault has also been part of the Sea Bears’ coaching staff since their inaugural season, serving as an assistant coach. “We made a strategic decision to build the next steps of our organization with a team leader who is in our market on a year round basis, and to join other teams in the league who are developing Canadians coaching at the pro level. Mike Taylor did an amazing job for us but we feel we need some prairie dirt, Canadian shield and wheatfield soul in our DNA at this time,” said owner David Asper. “Mike Raimbault has all of that, combined with three years serving as an assistant coach with the Sea Bears and a demonstrated career of national success at the highest levels of amateur basketball. We are looking forward to the 2026 season.” Now stepping into the head coach and front-office role, Raimbault brings a hometown perspective and a full-time presence in Winnipeg, which the organization says will be vital in growing the game and deepening connections with fans and local basketball programs. “I’m honoured and excited to take on this new opportunity with the Winnipeg Sea Bears as the next step in my coaching career. I have been fortunate to be in the Sea Bears organization for the past three seasons and I’m looking forward to leading this tremendous franchise into the future,” said Raimbault. “I am where I am today because of the support of my family as well as many mentors and influences in the basketball community. I am thankful to everyone who has played a part in my coaching journey. I owe a debt of gratitude to Mike Taylor for bringing me on his staff three years ago and I would not be able to fulfill this role without the unwavering support of the Wesmen Athletics family and our student-athletes. It is a pleasure to coach the Wesmen, and I’m grateful to be able to continue leading that program while taking on this exciting new role. I can’t wait to get to work.” The Sea Bears extended their gratitude to Mike Taylor for his dedication and leadership throughout the team’s first three seasons. Taylor guided Winnipeg to its inaugural playoff appearance in 2023 and played a pivotal role in helping establish professional basketball in Manitoba. His commitment to the organization, passion for the game, and connection with fans helped lay a strong foundation for the future of the Sea Bears. The team thanks him sincerely for his work in growing the game in Winnipeg and across the province.

Due to gusting winds and the chance of rain, the Kal Tire CW25 3x3 Tournament Powered by Peg City has moved to its backup indoor location today. Duckworth Centre – University of Winnipeg 400 Spence St, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2R6The tournament is still open to the public, and with some games delayed yesterday, today’s schedule will be packed as they work to complete the tournament. Special Note: Slam Dunk Contest – 2:00 pm Matt Loewen Legacy Shootout – 2:30 pm Both also moved to Duckworth and open to the public. Weather is looking better for tomorrow, and the playoffs are expected to return to the Play Now Street Festival. The rest of the festival is currently scheduled to continue as planned at the main site on Graham at True North Square.

WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced today that the upper bowl of Canada Life Centre will be opened for the team’s home playoff doubleheader on Friday, August 22. The action begins at 5:00 p.m. with the Eastern Conference Final, followed by the Sea Bears’ Western Conference Final matchup at 7:30 p.m.. With thousands of fans already securing their seats, the organization is expanding capacity to ensure as many Manitobans as possible can be part of this historic night. “We couldn’t be more excited to host the Western Conference Final in Winnipeg,” said Jason Smith, President of the Winnipeg Sea Bears. “We’re so grateful for the incredible support we’ve received from our fans over our first three seasons, and having the chance to play this important game, while also hosting Championship Weekend here at home with the best fans in the CEBL, is truly special.” The Sea Bears’ inaugural playoff game at Canada Life Centre in 2023 drew one of the largest crowds in CEBL history. With the upper bowl now opening, the organization is anticipating another electric atmosphere as fans rally behind their team and showcase Winnipeg as one of the best basketball markets in the country. Tickets for the doubleheader are available now at seabears.ca . Fans are encouraged to secure their seats early, as demand is expected to remain high leading up to game day. Event Details Date: Friday, August 22, 2025 Location: Canada Life Centre Eastern Conference Final: 5:00 p.m. Winnipeg Sea Bears Playoff Game: 7:30 p.m.  For more information, visit CEBL.ca/cw25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced today South Sudan has attempted to name Canadian forward Emmanuel Akot to their team for the upcoming AfroBasket 2025 tournament in Angola. Under FIBA regulations, professional clubs are required to release players for national team duty only if they receive a minimum of 30 days’ notice. As this requirement was not met, the Sea Bears are formally disputing the call-up and maintain that Akot remains under contract and is still obligated to fulfill his commitments to the team. Akot did not report to practice on July 31 and has been suspended by the club until further notice.

Winnipeg, MB — The Winnipeg Sea Bears have announced the signing of American guard Jarron Cumberland, a seasoned professional with NBA experience known for his strong scoring ability, toughness, and versatile playmaking. Cumberland, 6’5”, joins the Sea Bears with an impressive résumé that includes stints with the Portland Trail Blazers, Raptors 905, and the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League. He appeared in three games for the Trail Blazers during the 2021–22 season after signing a 10-day contract on Christmas Day in 2021. That same season, he was named MVP of the G League Winter Showcase, recording 24 points, eight rebounds and six assists in the championship game. “Adding Jarron Cumberland to our backcourt gives us versatility, dynamic playmaking and physicality,” said head coach and general manager Mike Taylor. “We are very excited to add JC into our attack. I believe we have done an excellent job of adding pieces that upgrade our team and put our roster in a great position for the stretch run to championship weekend.”  Originally from Wilmington, Ohio, the 27-year-old guard played four standout seasons at the University of Cincinnati, where he earned AAC Player of the Year honours and AAC Tournament MVP in 2019. After being selected 12th overall in the 2021 NBA G League Draft by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Cumberland spent time with Raptors 905 before being traded to the Delaware Blue Coats, where he has had multiple stints, most recently during the 2024–25 season. His professional career has also taken him overseas, including recent stops with Petro de Luanda (Angola) and Caballeros de Culiacán (Mexico). Cumberland will play on the road in Calgary on July 27 and make his home debut in the club's next home game against the rival Saskatchewan Rattlers on August 1 at 7:30 p.m. ### About the Winnipeg Sea Bears The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 24-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman. More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram , X , TikTok , LinkedIn & Facebook . About the 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+ , TSN, TSN+, RDS, Game+ and Next Level Sports & Entertainment. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .