CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Kemy Osse won’t be back with the Island Storm this season.
The six-foot-one guard from Montreal, who averaged 10.8 points in 24 minutes last season for the Storm, signed with the Saint John Riptide. He thanked the Storm coaching staff and fans in a news release.
“As a first-year pro they welcomed me and helped me continue to grow and pursue my dream of playing basketball at an extremely competitive level,” Osse said.
“The decision was not at all an easy one because I had a great year with the Storm, making the 2017-18 NBL Canada all-rookie team and the all playoff team,” Osse added. “As players, we often have to make very challenging decisions and consider how else to take our game to the next level. That was the biggest factor in my decision, choosing the opportunity I believe that provides me with the best opportunity of advancing my game and getting better professionally and personally.”
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Osse was protected by the Storm, but the sides were unable to reach a deal before the Aug. 15 deadline. The Storm had the right to match the deal Osse signed with Saint John but did not. Teams have to fit their players’ salary under the $180,000 cap.
“Teams do change their rosters,” Storm head coach Tim Kendrick said. “We were hoping to maybe get a couple of guys back that we really wanted. . . We are still in really big negotiations with a few of our guys.”
That includes Franklin Session and Carl Hall, but Kendrick wouldn’t comment when asked about Brad States. Chris Anderson and Shane Osayande are exploring possibilities with other leagues, but there’s still a chance they sign with the Storm.
“We have some guys coming in that are really going to help us,” Kendrick said.
The draft combine is taking place this weekend in Windsor, Ont., but the Storm will not be attending as it has traded both of its picks. The team is awaiting a final schedule before releasing details on when its training camp will start.
