THE CALGARY SURGE REVEAL THEIR PICKS FOR THE 2025 CEBL DRAFT
APRIL 10 - The Calgary Surge revealed their 2025 draft picks in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Draft, the team announced Thursday.
With the 6th pick in the first round, the Calgary Surge selected D.J. Jackson of St. Francis Xavier University. The 6-foot-4 guard from Mississauga, Ontario, had a standout 2024 season, earning AUS Most Valuable Player and AUS First Team All-Star honours. Jackson led the country in scoring with 24.4 points per game, while also topping the AUS in steals (2.2 SPG)
and free throw percentage (86.1%). A third-year eligibility player studying Human Kinetics, he helped guide the nationally ranked X-Men to a 15-5 record and first-place finish in the AUS standings. Jackson also received U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian recognition and was named STFX Male Student-Athlete of the Year.
“This is a dream come true. I’m honoured to be drafted by the Surge and can’t wait to compete at the next level,”said Jackson.
With the 5th pick in the second round, the Surge selected Javier Gilgeous-Glasgow of Toronto Metropolitan University. The 6-foot-2 guard from Brampton, Ontario, brings a strong resume to the CEBL after two successful seasons at Howard College in Texas and a standout run with TMU. A former United Scholastic Academy captain, Gilgeous-Glasgow was a 2022 BioSteel All- Canadian, 2021 Premier League MVP, and led Team Ontario to a National Championship at the U15 level. He was also a key figure for Canada Elite and helped his high school team reach the OSBA Final 8 Championships. Gilgeous-Glasgow is the cousin of NBA stars Shai Gilgeous- Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
“I’m thankful for this opportunity with the Surge. I’m ready to work hard, represent my city, and make the most of this experience,” said Gilgeous-Glasgow.
With the 6th pick in the third round, the Surge kept it local, selecting 6-foot-9 forward, Will Tong of the SAIT Trojans in Calgary. A dynamic presence on the court, Tong has been a consistent contributor for the Trojans and has become a fan favourite for his energy and tenacity on both ends of the floor. His selection marks another important step in the Surge’s commitment to developing and spotlighting homegrown talent.
“Growing up in Calgary and now getting the chance to play for the Surge is an incredible honour. I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent my city at the professional level,” said Tong.
The Surge will continue to make roster announcements in the coming weeks as they gear up for their third season in Calgary.
Tickets for the Calgary Surge’s ‘TRILOGY’ season are now available to the general public. This season will include marquee games in Red Deer (June 19 against the Edmonton Stingers) and at the Scotiabank Saddledome (Aug 10 against the defending Champion Niagara River Lions).
Visit calgarysurge.ca for more details.
About U SPORTS
U SPORTS is the national brand for university sports in Canada. Every year, over 15,500 student-athletes and 700 coaches vie for 23 national championships in 13 different sports. U SPORTS also provides high performance international opportunities at FISU Winter and Summer World University Games, World University Championships, University World Cups and
various educational initiatives. U SPORTS works in collaboration with 58 members and four conferences as well as the
Canadian sport system and Corporate Canada on the growth and delivery of university sport to student-athletes across the country.
About Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association
The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association is the national governing body for organized sports at the collegiate level in Canada. The CCAA enriches the academic experiences of student-athletes by providing leadership, programs and services that foster development through high-level competitive opportunities in intercollegiate sport. CCAA student-athletes compete in seven sports at 10 CCAA national championships, each hosted by one of the 95 CCAA member institutions (colleges, universities, technical institutes and cégeps) located in nine provinces. In addition to governing the national championships, the CCAA also provides national awards and recognition to CCAA student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors and member institutions. For more information, please visit ccaa.ca.
About the Calgary Surge
The Calgary Surge tipped off their inaugural season at WinSport Event Centre in May 2023, after originating the Guelph Nighthawks, one of the founding members of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). From day one, the Surge have been committed to being the Home Team for Calgary and a space where everyone is welcome. The Calgary Surge are active members of the community and have participated in a few hundred events (and counting) around the city that connect the team with diverse communities through sport, entertainment, and arts and culture. Over two seasons, the Surge have made
back-to-back CEBL Championship Weekend appearances, were crowned Western Conference Champions in 2023, hold the league’s single game attendance record, and have sent over 4000 deserving kids and families to their games for free. Fans can expect even more excitement for 2025! For more information, visit www.calgarysurge.ca.
About the Canadian Elite Basketball League
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+, Next Level Sports & Entertainment and Courtside1891. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Elias
VP, Brand & Community
Calgary Surge
403-991-2584; [email protected]