The Canadian basketball community is mourning after 33-year-old Chad Posthumus, Winnipeg Sea Bears captain and founding player of the Canadian Elite Basketball League, died on Wednesday.
Earlier this month, Posthumus suffered a brain aneurysm during a training session in Winnipeg and was rushed to the hospital.
After complications arose from corrective surgery, Posthumus was left in critical condition, which he never recovered from.
“Chad fought hard but was unable to recover,” the Sea Bears said in a statement on Thursday morning. “Chad was and will always remain the face of our team.”
Posthumus, who grew up in River East, was the first-ever signing in Winnipeg Sea Bears history in 2023 and played the past two seasons with his hometown club.
He also played professionally in Japan and Argentina before joining the CEBL’s Saskatchewan Rattlers in 2019 for the league’s inaugural season, during which he helped the Rattlers to their first-ever CEBL championship.
In 81 career CEBL games, Posthumus averaged 6.7 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game and established himself as one of the league’s top players at the centre position.
He was also a Canadian 3×3 and Senior Men’s National Team member.
“Chad’s contributions to Canadian basketball, both on and off the court were immeasurable,” Canada Basketball said in a statement. “A proud native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Chad carried his community with him in every step of his journey. He will be remembered not only as an exceptional athlete, but as a vibrant and resilient individual who left an indelible mark on the Canadian basketball community.”
The Posthumus family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
In addition, the Sea Bears have set up an online book of condolences to honour the memory of Posthumus.
The book of condolences can be found at www.kudoboard.com
