Ottawa BlackJacks Sign Experienced Canadian Forward Jermel Kennedy

The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday the signing of Canadian Forward Jermel Kennedy for the upcoming 2024 CEBL season.

A six-foot-seven forward from Malton, Ontario, Jermel Kennedy is set to bring a wealth of experience to the Capital for the team’s fifth season. Kennedy has been playing professionally for 10 years, including having played with four CEBL teams. Kennedy has also played professionally in Iraq, Mozambique, as well as in the United Kingdom, France, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Finland, Uruguay, and Germany.

Currently concluding his 2023-24 campaign with Zakho in Iraq, Kennedy also competed with Ferroviario de Beira in Mozambique earlier this year, averaging 10.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and 34.6 minutes in the Qualifications for Basketball Africa League (BAL). Kennedy was welcomed back to Ferroviario de Beira this season after competing with the team during the inaugural BAL season in 2021-22, where he helped lead Ferroviario to the quarter-finals averaging 13.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 31.0 minutes in 12 games with the team. The Basketball Africa League was introduced by the NBA and FIBA, highlighting African basketball players with the addition of two non-African players per roster.

Kennedy has previous CEBL experience, having played with the Saskatchewan Rattlers, the Newfoundland Growlers, the Brampton Honey Badgers (formerly known as Hamilton Honey Badgers) and with the Guelph Nighthawks in the CEBL’s inaugural season. This past summer with the Saskatchewan Rattlers, he played in all 20 regular season games. He averaged 7.7 points per game and grabbed a season-high 13 rebound on July 2 against Niagara. Kennedy was recognized by the Newfoundland Growlers with the Unsung Hero Award in 2022, while he averaged 7.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 27.7 minutes in 19 games played.

Collegiately, Kennedy split his career between Lander University (2010-12), Volunteer State Community College (2009-10), and Iowa Community College (2008-09). In his first year with Lander, Kennedy played in 26 games in the NCAA Division II, averaging 10.2 points and 8.4 rebounds, which earned him the team Rebounding award for the season.

The Ottawa BlackJacks 2024 single game tickets are on sale now at https://www.theblackjacks.ca/single-game-tickets. The team's fifth season will kick off at The Arena at TD Place on May 29, promising professional basketball and exciting entertainment in a family-friendly environment. For more information, please visit www.theblackjacks.ca or contact the Ottawa BlackJacks Membership Services team directly at 613-690-0519 or by email at [email protected].

Quotes:

"I’m very excited to be joining the BlackJacks this summer and I am looking forward to contributing everything on the pursuit to bringing a CEBL championship to the Capital!””

- Jermel Kennedy, Forward, Ottawa BlackJacks

“Jermel is a player with a ton of professional experience, in the league but also around the world. He knows what it takes to be successful in the CEBL, he knows the ins and outs of this league and he will be a great leader for our squad this summer." 

 
- James Derouin, General Manager and Head Coach, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club