Winnipeg Sea Bears captain Chad Posthumus dies

Chad Posthumus, the captain for his hometown Winnipeg Sea Bears, has died less than two weeks after suffering a brain aneurysm.

He died on Wednesday and was 33 years old; the same number he wore on his jersey.

Posthumus suffered the aneurysm on Nov. 9 during a training session. He underwent surgery but there were complications that left him in critical condition in the intensive care unit. 

"Chad fought hard but was unable to recover," the team announced in an Instagram post on Thursday. "Chad was and will always remain the face of our team.

"With Chad, we've won, lost, and experienced joy together and now we must come together again in grief, and mourn his loss."

A book of condolences has been created for Posthumus and can be accessed through the Sea Bears website.

The six-foot-11 forward was the first signing in Sea Bears franchise history after they joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League in 2023.

He had played two seasons with the Ottawa BlackJacks where he became the first player in CEBL history to post a "20-20" after recording 23 points and 20 rebounds.

Posthumus was born and raised in Winnipeg and played high school basketball for the River East Collegiate Kodiaks.

He has also played with the Canadian national team and the CEBL's Saskatchewan Rattlers. He helped lead the Rattlers to the first-ever CEBL championship in the league's inaugural 2019 season.

"He gave so much of his time and energy to both the team and our community," the Sea Bears' Instagram post states. "For that we are eternally grateful."

The CEBL also posted a statement about Posthumus on its social media pages.

"Chad had a love for people and for the game of basketball that lit up even the largest arenas. His spirit and passion touched the