Saskatoon Mamba guard Jamir Chaplin thankful for CEBL return after leg amputation scare

Saskatoon Mamba guard Jamir Chaplin took a moment to collect his thoughts when he was asked about the last 12 months of his life.

It was a year which tested his resiliency, determination and drive to get back on the court.

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“Oh man, that was a journey,” Chaplin said.

Chaplin is back for his second season in the Canadian Elite Basketball League after breaking out for 17.8 points per game last season in 10 games, starting for the former Saskatchewan Rattlers.

But all that changed in late June, following an 88-86 loss to the Brampton Honey Badgers, when he began to experience severe pain in his left leg.

Saskatoon Mamba guard Jamir Chaplin (left) and teammate Markus Harding (right) battling against Winnipeg Sea Bears centre Jeremiah Tilmon Jr. (centre) on May 16, 2026. (Winnipeg Sea Bears/CEBL)

At the hospital, Chaplin was diagnosed with a case of compartment syndrome, and he was rushed into the operating room.

According to Chaplin, he was mere hours away from having his life completely altered if his leg issue went unchecked.

“My left thigh swelled up pretty bad,” Chaplin said. “I had to do emergency surgery. A doctor told me if I came a day later, they would have had to amputate my leg. It was very, very shocking.”

Two additional surgeries on Chaplin’s leg soon followed, as he was left wondering what his day-to-day life would look like, let alone whether he’d be able to continue his professional basketball career.

“I was kind of scared of how I was going to walk, how I was going to run and if I was ever going to play basketball again,” Chaplin said.

The 25 year old spent the rest of 2025 slowly recovering from the trio of surgeries which forced an early end to his CEBL season in Saskatchewan.

He said a turning point in his recovery came in the off-season, while he was coaching in Florida, as he began to incorporate the fundamentals of basketball which he spent decades developing in his game.

“Maybe about six months in, I was walking fine,” Chaplin said.

“When I was coaching in Miami, I was working out, playing, working with the kids, jumping, dunking. Once I got the flow there, I was just like, ‘You know what, I think I’m good.’”

Through six games with the Mamba this season, Chaplin has wasted no time in a starting role, filling in for an injured DaJuan Gordon and averaging 12.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.

Mamba head coach Isaiah Fox said Chaplin has been a true professional, and his story is inspiring others in the Saskatoon locker room.

“Not only is it encouraging, but it’s motivating,” Fox said.

“I’m in his corner. The story is fantastic, and to see his hard work, as I’ve watched him, as he’s been here, and knowing the hard work he had to get through to get back to playing, I’m just rooting for the guy. I think he’s a guy everyone can cheer for.”

During his time away from the game, Chaplin said he’s grown a new appreciation for the sport and he’s hungry to take that into his second season in the CEBL this summer.

“Seeing stuff though coaches’ eyes, that put a whole different type of view and love towards the game,” Chaplin said. “When I stepped back on, it was just a boost to what I’m used to.”

A second chance at continuing his basketball career also feels like a fresh start, according to the Mamba’s two-way threat, especially considering the unknowns which swirled in his head while recovering in a hospital bed just under a year ago.

“It kind of feels like my rookie year again,” Chaplin said.

“I only played 10 games last year. I’m praying to God for a full, healthy recovery.”

Just like the team has been elevated in its two most recent wins against Winnipeg and Scarborough, Chaplin has come alive as well, with an 18-point showing on May 29 against the Sea Bears before following that up with 14 points against the Shooting Stars.

Fox has taken notice, adding that the Norcross, Georgia guard has performed at his best with more minutes allocated his way.

“He’s been playing that way,” Fox said. “Whether the ball has been falling for him, whether he’s been getting the calls, when he attacks the paint he’s been playing with a lot of force.”

Despite just 10 games of experience playing in Saskatoon last year, the community made a big impact on Chaplin. He said he’s embracing the chance to extend that connection with fans, while enjoying a new lease on basketball and life at the same time.

“It feels good to just get back on the court and do what I love,” Chaplin said. “Saskatoon has loved me very much. It feels great to come back. The community still knows who I am and still cheers me on.”

Coming off back-to-back wins last weekend, the Mamba (2-4) will look to extend its win streak to three straight games on Saturday with a 7 p.m. road game against the Vancouver Bandits.