Rattlers guard Michael Linklater is lifted up on his teammates' shoulders after the Rattlers won the first ever CEBL championship. Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D'Andrea

First ever champion in last ever game

Saskatoon legend Linklater goes out on top; Rattlers win first ever CEBL championship

Aug 25, 2019 | 7:35 PM

Saskatoon’s Michael Linklater won the first ever Canadian Elite Basketball League championship in his last ever professional game.

His Saskatchewan Rattlers beat the Hamilton Honey Badgers 94-83 to close out the first ever CEBL season, making the Rattlers the first ever team to win the title. Linklater will hang up his sneakers, as he announced his retirement earlier this season.

Linklater only played 6:10, and scored four points while shooting 1-4 from the field. But yet, it was Linklater the Rattlers chose to lift on top of their shoulders at centre court moments after they learned they won the league.

He got a standing ovation when he checked into the game at the end of the first half, and when he made a floater convert with four minutes left in the third quarter.

Linklater is considered one of the best 3×3 players in the country, and he helped the University of Saskatchewan Huskies to their only men’s basketball national championship in 2010.

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Greg Jockims has been around for much of Linklater’s career, coaching him with the Huskies back then and this year with the Rattlers.

“Mike and I have a tremendous bond. We’ve had many highs and lows in our relationship over the years, but certainly when we get together and get in the same situation, and we’re pulling in the same direction, great things happen,” Jockims said. “He’s a great individual and I’m proud and happy that I’ve been able to be involved in some of his basketball journey, and hopefully in some ways, supported. I know the respect and trust and admiration I have for him is reciprocal. It’s been a very neat thing to watch his growth and development over the years.”

When Linklater was asked what was going through his mind, he immediately thought about his father who passed away earlier this year. Both his parents were both in the stands for his 2010 championship with the Huskies, and in some way, Linklater believes they were both there on Sunday.

“My mother was here in her physical form, and I know my father was here in his spirit form,” Linklater said. “It’s really meaningful.”

But as much as the spotlight was on Linklater, he did his best to direct it to the rest of his team, including Playoff MVP Alex Campbell who finished the finals with a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while adding two steals and two assists.

“I know there’s a lot of attention on me, for this being my last game and going out with a championship. It is a phenomenal feeling, but really it’s these guys. These are the guys that did it,” Linklater said. “To be a part of this team and the family and the leadership that Alex brought, it’s something that’s really special. Of course, I’ll remember this for the rest of my life. These guys are like family. These guys put their heart and souls into this, and I’m just glad I was here for the ride.”

The Rattlers saw a lot of players come and go, but Campbell has been with the team from day one. He’s not only the team’s captain, but he runs their offence as their point guard and logs a ton of minutes.

“I’m just proud,” Campbell said. “Just as Link said, everybody doubled down and put their head down for the summer and we were able to pull one out. All the hard work and dedication that went into this, this right here, I’m just proud.”

The Honey Badgers got most of their offence from their big two guarders in Xavier Rathan-Mayes (24 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and four steals) and Ricky Tarrant Jr. (21 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals).

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW