YORKTON - Anthony Tsegakele will be back on the court this summer with the Saskatchewan Rattlers.
The Gatineau, Quebec-native recently inked a new deal for the 2025 season.
“Saskatoon’s been almost like a second home to me,” the Brandon University alumni told Yorkton This Week in a recent interview. “The people are very welcoming. . . The fans show me a tremendous amount of love.”
And the Rattler management received a tip of the hat too.
“It’s a really good situation with the front office,” said Tsegakele.
In the return of Tsegakele the Rattlers get a noted defender with tons of CEBL experience as he enters his fifth season in the league.
Tsegakele entered the CEBL as a U SPORTS Draft selection in three consecutive seasons; 2021 sixth overall pick by the Vancouver Bandits, 2022 fourth overall pick by the Saskatchewan Rattlers, and 2023 fifth overall pick by the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Coming off the bench in 2022, he provided versatility on offence and defence earning 2022 Rattlers Sixth Man of the Year.
Returning to the Rattlers in 2023, Tsegakele had a breakthrough season while matching up on defence with the best players on every team. He was second on the team in rebounds per game (5.2) and top-five in all defensive categories while playing only 15.5 minutes per game. Tsegakele earned 2023 Rattlers Defensive Player of the Year.
In 2024 the Rattlers were on fire early but faded.
“We had a great start especially with our home record,” said Tsegakele, adding “. . . then the injury bug got us a little bit.”
With some guys on the IL and others off to other basketball opportunities the Rattlers stumbled down the stretch.
Tsegakele said you can’t fault players from moving up.
“You play to get opportunities elsewhere. It’s hard to say no,” he offered.
This year the Rattler brass has said they are focused on signing players committed to staying in Saskatoon for the whole season.
Tsegakele said that is a solid plan, looking at the rosters of successful teams last season like Vancouver and Niagara where rosters stayed largely the same throughout the campaign.
“Anthony has been with the Rattlers since his days as a Developmental player, so we celebrate his return in 2025.,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk. “His versatility and reputation as a tough defender will allow him to fill an important role in our rotation. Anthony is well known in Saskatoon through his work in the community, and we know a lot of fans will be very happy to see him back this summer.”
During his professional career, Tsegakele has played five seasons with seven teams in Africa, France, Tanzania, and the CEBL. He has a career average of 4.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 14.3 minutes in 69 games.
Going back even a half dozen years Tsegakele said he really never expected to play pro in Canada, and even after the CEBL launched he wasn’t sure how it might develop.
“Definitely I never thought the league would get as big as it is now,” he said.
And now Tsegakele finds himself a league veteran at only age 25, although he admitted he hardly feels like it at such a young age. It is a role he said he feels ready for helping new Rattlers settle in. He said he does “bring some experience” and knows part of his role will be to impart that experience to players new to the Rattlers and CEBL.
Prior to his professional debut, Tsegakele joined Canada West’s Brandon Bobcats in the 2019-20 season. Known for his energy around the rim, Tsegakele finished his Brandon Bobcats career averaging 11.5 rebounds per game over three seasons: top spot for the Brandon Bobcats, top two in all of Canada West, and top five in all of U SPORTS over the last three seasons. During his collegiate career, he has been named to the U SPORTS All-Rookie Team (2019-20), Canada West Rookie of the Year (2019-20), Canada West All-Rookie Team (2019-20), Canada West All-Star 3rdTeam (2021-22), Jerry Hemmings Award as Brandon Men’s Basketball Most Valuable Player (2019-20, 2021-22), Canada West All-Star 1st Team (2022-23), Canada West Defensive Player of the Year, and R.J. McCarthy Award as Brandon University’s Most Outstanding Male Athlete.
The full 2025 Rattlers schedule has been released, which features a new 24-game slate.
Tsegakele said he is eager for the schedule to kick-in because he knows “the amount of love we get when we win . . . The place is rocking.”
