(rdnewsNOW/ Ian Gustafson)

By Ian Gustafson

CEBL in Red Deer

Calgary Surge embraces community ahead of first-ever Surge 2 Red Deer game next week

Jun 13, 2025 | 12:20 PM

Growing up just outside of Toronto, Javonte Brown never had the same opportunities in basketball as the kids who lived in the city.

That’s why it’s been important for Brown, who’s suiting up in his rookie season with the Calgary Surge, to give back to the next generation of players whenever he gets the chance to.

On Thursday evening, he joined his Surge teammate Javier Gilgeous-Glasgow and head coach Kaleb Canales at an all-ages basketball clinic at St. Lorenzo Ruiz Middle School in Red Deer.

“This is something I can really relate to. To have the kids get the same opportunities as the inner-city kids is a blessing in disguise,” Brown said.

“We want to teach them not only about basketball but about life, life goals, life skills, and everything about basketball.”

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(rdnewsNOW/ Ian Gustafson)

The event put on by the Surge, a professional basketball team in the Canadian Elite Basketball League based out of Calgary, was aimed to inspire the next generation of Red Deer athletes and celebrate the growing basketball culture in Central Alberta.

Gilgeous-Glasgow seconded his teammate’s comments, adding that he hoped to show the kids how to be a pro.

“The humility of the situation, we love it. Everyone who played basketball at this level was at these kids’ level at some point,” he said. “We want to teach them how to be a pro and that it’s a long journey, it’s a long way, and everyone’s journey is different. There’s certain things they can take from us that will help them in the long run.”

Gilgeous-Glasgow’s name may sound familiar as he’s cousins with NBA MVP and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

He’s learned a lot from his cousin that he hopes to continue to share with kids across the country.

“I’ve been around basketball a long time in my family and so I know how something like this means to the kids,” he said. “He teached me how to be a man on and off the court and to always believe in the grind. It doesn’t matter where you start, it’s where you finish.”

Next week, the Surge will face the Edmonton Stingers in the first-ever Surge 2 Red Deer game at the Centrium. It will be the first time the league has held an out of market regular season game.

“I’m looking forward to the fans. I heard they go crazy for hockey but I’d like to see the same energy for basketball. It’s going to be an amazing event and I’m glad to be playing in it,” Gilgeous-Glasgow said.

Currently, the Surge are second in the western conference with a 6-2 record only trailing the Vancouver Bandits for first. They have one more game this Sunday in Calgary before their tilt at the Centrium against the fourth-place Stingers.

“I want the people of Red Deer to see great basketball and hopefully change their minds from hockey to a more basketball mindset. I’m really excited to see the outcome,” Brown added. “I’m really impressed with the league. There’s a lot of good talent and good competition.”

The Surge also held a Stanley Cup Finals watch party at the Centrium on Thursday. Fans got the opportunity to meet Calgary Surge players and coaches, take photos, collect autographs, and participate in giveaways.