A fan favourite, who didn’t finish the first Canadian Elite Basketball League season with Saskatchewan, has signed to return to the Rattlers in 2020.
Forward Tavrion Dawson started the 2019 campaign in Saskatchewan, but left to play in Sweden just after the mid-point of the C-E-B-L campaign. “Awesome Dawson”, as he was known to fans, averaged 19.6 points in 14 games with the Rattlers…leading the C-E-B-L in scoring at the time of his departure. The 6’9″ California product also averaged 6.6 rebounds and was named a second-team league all-star, despite not finishing the season. Following is the news release from the Saskatchewan Rattlers…
Saskatchewan Rattlers Announce Signing of Tavrion Dawson Rattlers leadings scorer from 2019 returns to the Rattlers
Saskatoon, Sask. (Apr. 16, 2020) – The Saskatchewan Rattlers, member club of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), are excited to announce the re-signing of American forward Tavrion Dawson.
Hailing from Harbour City, CA- Dawson spent the first half of the 2019 season with the Saskatchewan Rattlers where he was an early fan favourite and a consistent offensive threat. The 6-foot-9 forward led the CEBL averaging 19.6 points per game over the course of his 14-game Rattler career. Shooting an even .500 from the field, Dawson also averaged 6.6 rebounds per game. Dawson’s impressive stats garnered him a fierce following amongst Rattlers fans – affectionately dubbing him “Awesome Dawson” – and he was named a CEBL Second Team All-Star.
Dawson also spent time with Jamtland Basket of the Basketligan in Sweden where he averaged 18 points and 7 rebounds in 25.6 minutes of action. Prior to joining the Rattlers in 2019, Dawson spent 4 years playing for California State University, Northridge (NCAA Division 1) where he averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 29.5 minutes over his collegiate career. Cal State Northridge plays in the Big West division, where Dawson was named Big West player of the week on four separate occasions, All-Big West Honorable Mention in 2017 and was named to the All-Big West Second team in 2018.
“We are very excited to have Tavrion back with us”, said Rattlers GM Barry Rawlyk. “Tavrion demonstrated last year that he can compete with the absolute best in the nation and was a key contributor to us during his tenure with the team. During his time with the Rattlers, Tavrion not only established himself as a great player on the court, but also a fan favourite and an active member in community events off the court. We look forward to having Tavrion rejoin the Rattlers this season and continue to be a threat on both sides of the floor.”
The Rattlers enter the 2020 season as the defending CEBL Champions. They are set to begin their second season this summer. For more information visit therattlers.ca.
