The Calgary Surge have brought in reinforcements for the stretch run of the 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League campaign.
In pushing for a Western Conference playoff spot, the Surge — who went into Tuesday’s night action against the host Edmonton Stingers with a 6-7 record — added two players to their roster for the remainder of the season.
They are two-time CEBL champion and 6-foot-10 centre Marlon Johnson Jr. and 6-foot-4 guard Kyler Edwards, a standout from the NCAA’s Houston Cougars.
The pair join the club during a key week that sees the Surge play the two top teams in the conference. After Tuesday’s effort against the Stingers (11-4), the Calgary crew hosts the Vancouver Bandits (10-4) on Thursday at WinSport (7 p.m.).
Edwards comes to the Surge after having played overseas in the Dominic Republic, where he averaged 11.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 22.2 minutes in five games with Metros de Santiago. During the 2023-24 season, he also suited up for the Long Island Nets of the National Basketball Association G-League, with whom he averaged 13.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 31.9 minutes in 50 contests.
“Kyler Edwards is a high-level player who had a phenomenal year in the NBA G-League,” said Surge GM Shane James. “He provides us with scoring from all three levels and is a fierce competitor. Fans around the league will enjoy watching him play.”
Johnson is no stranger to the CEBL. He has won two league championships — one with the Saskatchewan Rattlers in 2019, and another with the Stingers in 2021. Most recently, he played in Torku Konyaspor in Turkey, where he averaged 16.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 33.9 minutes in 34 games.
“Marlon Johnson has been a journeyman in our league,” James said. “He has won championships, and that’s why we were eager to sign him. He brings championship experience to our team and locker room, which is important for us being in the second half of our season. He has also played with half of our current players, so it won’t take long for him to get acclimated.”