Surge sign three players including powerful centre Jordy Tshimanga

The Calgary Surge announced the signings of C Jordy Tshimanga, G Trhae Mitchell and F Yvan Ouedraogo before Friday's game against Vancouver.

Jordy Tshimaga shoots a free throw in the 2023 CEBL Championship. / photo by Ethan Bomhof

The Calgary Surge have made three significant signings as they continue their five-game home stand.

Returning to the team after being a big part of the playoff run is 6-10 centre Jordy Tshimanga. The Montreal native became the team’s starting five after Simi Shittu left the team before the playoffs. Though Tshimanga played a different style of basketball compared to Shittu, he excelled in the starting role and was crucial down the stretch for Calgary.

Tshimanga was arguably the Surge’s best player in the 2023 CEBL championship game when the team fell to the Scarborough Shooting Stars. Bringing back another piece of that team will light a fire to redeem themselves.

After the conclusion of the 2023 CEBL season, Tshimanga joined KB Trepça of the Kosovo Basketball Superleague. He made an immediate impact for Trepça, helping them claim victory in the Kosovo Cup.

I am unsure if Tshimanga will be in the lineup for Friday night’s clash against Vancouver; but if he is, he will most likely be matched up against the Bandits star post Nick Ward.

Calgary has also added two other players, Trhae Mitchell and Yvan Ouedraogo.

Mitchel is a fantastic get for the Surge and will make an instant influence on the team’s defensive schemes. Hailing from Austell, Georgia, Mitchell is known as a suffocating defender and an excellent three-point shooter. He was named to the 2023-24 NBA G-League All-Defensive Team and ranked second in the league in defensive win shares with 1.9. Although he has quick hands and can snatch multiple steals per game, he can be more prone to fouls. He led the G-League with 128 personal fouls in 2023-24.

This will be Mitchell’s first time playing in the CEBL and I can’t help but think he is the perfect player for the Surge. He is long, athletic and able to shoot the three. It will be interesting to see if he gets a spot in the starting lineup or if he has to battle for minutes with Justin Lewis and Mathieu Kamba, who have both been playing well as of late.

The Surge add post depth with the addition of Frenchman Yvan Ouedraogo. The burley forward will bring toughness to the low post and commanding size in the paint. Ouedraogo played his final university season with California Baptist Lancers, averaging 10.0 points and 8.5 blocks over 32 games. Prior to his lone season at CBU, Ouedraogo was a member of the Grand Canyon University Antelopes where he shared the court with Surge star Sean “Rugzy” Miller-Moore. Hopefully, we can see the two former ‘Lopes rekindle some college chemistry at WinSport.

In the flurry of news announced on Friday, it was reported that Stef Smith has signed with Cholet Basket in France’’s top league, the LNB Pro A for the 2024-25 season. After dominating in the country’s second division Smith has rightfully earned a contract in the top flight. The LNB Pro A season begins in September and as of right now, it is unknown if it will affect Smith’s contract with Calgary.

Lastly, the CEBL transactions webpage reported that the Surge have released American Troy Baxter Jr. after just one game.