The confetti has fallen, and the 2025 CEBL season is officially in the books! Did your favorite team make the grade? We’re breaking down every squad’s performance, from championship highs to playoff heartbreaks, and everything in between. Find out where your team stands and what’s next for Canadian basketball. Who do you think earned an A+ this year?

The confetti has settled on the exhilarating 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League season, a campaign that saw the Niagara River Lions cement their legacy as back-to-back champions. This comprehensive **CEBL Season Review** delves into the highs and lows, the triumphs and tribulations, of every team, offering a critical look at their performances and paving the way for future expectations. As the dust settles on another thrilling year of **Canadian Basketball**, it’s time to assign grades and dissect what truly transpired for each franchise.

The Niagara River Lions, led by the indomitable Khalil Ahmad, once again ascended to the pinnacle of the league, securing their second consecutive title. Their journey through the **CEBL Playoffs** culminated in a dominant display at the Championship Weekend in Winnipeg. Despite facing various challenges throughout the regular season, their ability to coalesce and perform under pressure solidified their status as the league’s elite, with Ahmad earning his second Finals MVP and being named to the CEBL Second Team, truly embodying the spirit of a champion.

Emerging as the league’s top team with an impressive 19-5 record, the Vancouver Bandits boasted an array of talent, including league MVP Mitch Creek, Canadian Player of the Year Tyrese Samuel, and Coach of the Year Kyle Julius. Their season, marked by consistent excellence and high expectations, unfortunately, ended in a heartbreaking play-in game defeat to Calgary, denying them a trip to Winnipeg. Despite this disappointing twist of fate, their phenomenal roster and coaching structure suggest they will undoubtedly be a formidable contender again next year. This **Team Performance Grades** analysis reflects their overall strength despite the premature exit.

The Calgary Surge proved to be a defensive powerhouse, finishing the year with the league’s best defense, leading in rebounds and steals per game. Their aggressive play and fluid offense made them a captivating watch, securing vital victories, including a sweep of the Bandits. Key players like Jameer Nelson Jr. (Defensive Player of the Year) and Greg Brown III (CEBL First-Team) underpinned their success, showcasing the important building blocks for a future championship contender in **Basketball Analysis**.

For the Edmonton Stingers, the season concluded with a respectable third-place finish and strong individual performances, yet a sense of unfulfilled potential lingered. Sean East II’s record-setting scoring season and CEBL First-Team award, along with Scottie Lindsey’s consistent support, highlighted their offensive firepower. However, their second-worst team defense underscored a critical area for improvement, particularly in shoring up their bench and defensive presence in the paint for the next season.

The Ottawa BlackJacks endured a brutal season marred by injuries, late arrivals, and early departures. Despite a challenging 2-6 start, their resilience shone through as they battled back to a 12-12 record, securing second in the East. The mid-season acquisition of Javonte Smart proved transformative, elevating the play of his teammates and earning him a CEBL First Team selection. Moving forward, greater roster consistency and improved free-throw shooting are critical steps for their pursuit of a second championship, as highlighted in this extensive **CEBL Season Review**.

As the host team for Championship Weekend, the Winnipeg Sea Bears faced the unique challenge of automatic playoff qualification. While they managed to protect the ball exceptionally well, averaging the fewest turnovers in the league, their primary hurdle was consistent scoring. Despite having a strong duo in Shittu and Harris, the team’s need for additional efficient scorers around them is paramount for future success and a deeper run in the CEBL Playoffs.

As the 2025 **CEBL Season Review** concludes, many players transition to new teams globally, heading overseas to Europe, Australia, and China, or joining the NBA G-League. While the wait for the next season, tipping off in May, will be long, fans will undoubtedly follow their favorite players’ journeys abroad, eagerly anticipating what the next chapter of **Canadian Basketball** will bring and how these **Team Performance Grades** will shift.