BRAMPTON – The Brampton Honey Badgers are entering the next phase of the franchise’s growth with significant leadership additions, announcing Saud Juman as the club’s new president while also appointing veteran basketball executive John Ross as assistant general manager.
The moves underscore the organization’s focus on long-term stability, basketball operations expertise, and deeper community engagement as the Honey Badgers continue to build on their position as one of the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s flagship franchises.
Leadership transition at the top
Juman’s appointment as president signals a renewed emphasis on strategic growth and operational leadership as the team prepares for upcoming seasons in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. While the club did not outline specific priorities tied to the new role, the announcement reflects the organization’s intent to strengthen its executive structure alongside on-court performance.
Proven NBA and CEBL experience joins basketball operations
Ross brings nearly two decades of professional basketball experience to Brampton, highlighted by more than 14 years with the Portland Trail Blazers. During his tenure in Portland, Ross worked as a video coordinator supporting both coaching and scouting departments and was part of the organization through multiple competitive cycles — including playoff appearances from 2009 to 2011 and a rebuild that led to the drafting of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
That backcourt partnership helped power eight consecutive playoff appearances from 2014 to 2021, capped by a Western Conference Finals run in 2019.
More recently, Ross served as an assistant coach with the Calgary Surge during the 2025 season, helping guide the club to a 17–7 record and its second finals appearance in franchise history.
“Basketball is one of my deepest passions, and I am very grateful to be able to continue my career in this game with the Honey Badgers,” Ross said. “I could not be more excited to work alongside Al [Whitley] and Jermaine [Anderson] to help put together a team that will not only excel on the court, but also in the Peel and Brampton community.”
Education and humanitarian work part of Ross’s profile
Beyond professional coaching and front office roles, Ross has expanded his impact through education and humanitarian efforts. He founded GET IN THE GAME 101, an educational initiative aimed at helping young adults understand career pathways into the NBA and professional basketball. The program focuses on practical guidance for aspiring coaches, executives, and support staff seeking to break into the sport at its highest levels.
Ross has also spent more than a decade supporting at-risk children in Zimbabwe and has made multiple visits to Ukraine to assist with refugee relief efforts.
“John’s high-level experience, combined with his understanding of what it means to help others, fits with what we are looking for in our organization,” said Al Whitley, CEO of the Honey Badgers. “We are excited to have John assist in leading our basketball operations staff going forward and are confident that he is going to help us in promoting selflessness and winning.”
Looking ahead to 2026
The Honey Badgers, who play their home games at the CAA Centre, continue to position themselves as a cornerstone of Brampton’s growing sports landscape. Season tickets for the 2026 season are now on sale, with team staff and mascot Hammer scheduled to appear throughout Brampton and Peel Region during the offseason as part of community outreach and promotional events.
As the franchise balances executive leadership changes with basketball operations continuity, the Honey Badgers appear focused on sustaining competitiveness while reinforcing their connection to the local basketball community.
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