Halifax Hoopers sign first three players

The Halifax Hoopers professional basketball team made its first three signings Friday night.

The team announced the contract signings of players C.J. Bennett, Antonio Davis & Lansana Nwosu at an event in downtown Halifax.

The Hoopers are set to begin play in 2025 as a member of The Basketball League, a professional league with 38 teams across Canada and the U.S. 

Team owner Geoff Clyke signed the contracts alongside the players. 

“It’s a momentous day — the fact that these are the first signings. I think that this is the beginning of the engine we’re building,” said Clyke, who is a Halifax local. “I was that kid who was inspired and now I get to inspire other kids in the community. There’s no better feeling for me.”

“Strategically, we signed our local guy first,” Clyke said of C.J. Bennett, adding that signing local players was “a top priority” for him. 

Bennett lives in Halifax and is a teacher at the Halifax Regional Centre for Education.

Originally from Brampton, Ont., Bennett played the first three years of his collegiate career with the Humber Hawks in Toronto, before transferring to Cape Breton University. The Hoopers will be Bennett’s first professional team after finishing his college playing days.

“Being that this is my first pro contract, I feel like it’s a great opportunity for me to really prove my name,” said Bennett.

Hoopers head coach and general manager Augy Jones said Bennett has “a calm, cool nature about him — competing but never being flustered.”

“He’s the type of guy who can hit three pointers. He can take it to the basket and then he can lead the offence and play that point guard role,” said Jones. “That fits into what we’re looking for.”

Jones, who has coached at the collegiate and professional level, was appointed head coach and general manager in September.

Antonio Davis was the second of the three players signed on Friday, the Michigan native’s career has taken him all over the world.

Davis feels his experience will be what sets him apart from other players.

“I have a fan base out here,” he said. “I can bring a lot to the team on and off the court.” 

Davis, who was born in Flint, Mich., but raised in Detroit, had played previously for the Newfoundland Rogues of the Basketball Super League.

“A fan from Newfoundland said (he) would drive from St. John’s to Halifax to watch Tony Davis play.” Jones said. “He’s a hired scorer and you can’t get too many of those.”

The third player to ink his deal with the Hoopers was Scarborough’s Lansana Nwosu.

Coach Jones said he was impressed by a clip of Nwosu guarding NBA player Chris Boucher at a pro-am game in Toronto. 

“That lack of fear and that physicality is a great thing that he brings,” he said.

Clyke described Nwosu as a “tough-minded guard who’s strong as a bull.” 

Nwosu played college basketball with the UBC Okanagan Heat and professionally with Academie Alma in the TBL. 

“The main thing that separates me is my energy,” Nwosu said.

“This is one of the premier spots to play basketball,” he added. “I know that Halifax has a great rich culture and to be a part of that is a big thing for me.” 

The team will play their home games in the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth when they kick off their inaugural season in the spring 2025.