Rattlers Add Big Man Roche to Training Camp Roster

The Saskatchewan Rattlers added a big man to their roster for the 2023 Canadian Elite Basketball League season.

Julian Roche is a 6’11” forward who spent some of his collegiate time with Simon Fraser. His professional debut was last season with Guelph in the C-E-B-L and he played this past winter in Switzerland. Following is the news release from the Rattlers…..

The Saskatchewan Rattlers announced Monday that they have signed Canadian forward Julian Roche to their roster for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Roche returns to the CEBL for his second season. The near seven-foot big man will be an asset in the paint for the Rattlers this season.

“Julian is a high motor, high character, big body athlete that addresses our need to add depth to our roster at the Canadian Forward position.” said Rattler General Manager Barry Rawlyk “He is a personable guy that will dive right into the community and become a fan favourite.”

“I am extremely excited to suit up for the Rattlers this 2023 season.” said Roche “I could tell that there was something special about this organization. The fans have an undying love for the game and the team, the coaching staff is top tier and the players on the team are extremely talented. I knew that I had to be a part of that.”

Roche made his professional debut in 2022 when signing with the Guelph Nighthawks of the CEBL playing 19 games and averaging 2.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 0.4 assist, and 12.2 minutes per game. He tied a career-high of 15 rebounds in his very first professional game on May 26 against the Shooting Stars. He ranked top-five on the Nighthawks in games played (19), total blocked shots (8), and total rebounds (59). After the 2022 CEBL season, Roche signed with Swiss Central of the Swiss Basketball League in Switzerland. He is currently ranked first on the team in blocked shots (19) and total rebounds (168), and second on the team in total points (290) and field goal percentage (58%). Roche has played 45 professional games in his career while averaging 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 22.2 minutes.

Prior to his professional career, Roche attended Proctor Academy in Andover, New Hampshire. As a three-year starter, he averaged over 12 rebounds per game during his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. He was an all-state selection while a sophomore, during that season he averaged 14 points and 13 rebounds per game. Roche began his collegiate career at Santa Clara University of NCAA D1 in 2016. He redshirted for the 2016-17 season, then saw the court as a reserve in the 2017-18 season playing in six games. He transferred to Simon Fraser University in 2018, playing in 28 games while averaging 28.0 minutes, 13.4 points, 1.2 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game. He was named to the GNAC All-Conference Second Team and a finalist for Male Athlete of the Year by Simon Fraser University. As a junior, he played all 29 games in the season averaging 22.3 minutes, 8.3 points, 0.9 assists, and 6.0 rebounds per game. In his senior year, he averaged 30.2 minutes, 13.0 points, 1.7 assists, and 8.2 rebounds in 24 games. He was ranked first on the team in points per game (13.0) and rebounds per game (8.2). Simon Fraser recognized Roche as Male Athlete of the Year. He was named to the GNAC All-Conference Second Team and GNAC Men’s Basketball All-Academic Team. During three seasons with Simon Fraser, he averaged 11.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 26.6 minutes in 80 games.

Rattlers Add Big Man Roche to Training Camp Roster

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