Former CEBL guard becomes first player to sign standard NBA deal after stint in CEBL
The Dallas Mavericks have converted the contract of former Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) guard AJ Lawson from a two-way contract to a standard NBA contract, making him eligible to join the team for the playoffs of the NBA 2024. Lawson, who is one of the
14 players previously added to an NBA roster after playing in the CEBLbecomes the first to sign a standard contract in the league.
Lawson played in 28 games for the Mavericks this season, averaging 3.8 points while shooting 47.1 percent from the field in 8.3 minutes per game. The Brampton, Ontario native also appeared in seven NBA G League games with the Texas Legends, averaging 20.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 33.7 minutes per game , while shooting 53% from the field.
The 6-foot-6 guard was named to the 2022 CEBL All-Canadian team, playing in 10 games for the Guelph Nighthawks (now the Calgary Surge) that season and averaging 16.5 points. , 5.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 30.5 minutes per game. . He also shot .443 from the field and .328 from three-point range.
The 2024 CEBL season begins on Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. local / 9 p.m. ET when the Calgary Surge host their provincial rival, the Edmonton Stingers, at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Season Tickets and Flex Packs are now available across the league with priority seating and discounted pricing. Ticket information for all CEBL matches can be found by visiting
cebl.ca/tickets.
About the CEBL
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports managers and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 73% its 2023 workforce being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international professional leagues, the Canadian National Team program and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Fourteen players have signed NBA contracts after one CEBL season, and many CEBL players participate in NBA G League training camps each year. The CEBL season runs from May to August. More information about the CEBL is available at
CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, Tic Tac, LinkedIn, Facebook & Youtube.
