OTTAWA, ON – The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that multi-platinum Canadian recording artist Tyler Shaw will headline the halftime show during the team's Fan Appreciation Night on Wednesday, July 22, when the BlackJacks take on the Scarborough Shooting Stars at TD Place. One of Canada's most recognized pop talents, Shaw will bring an unforgettable performance to cap off the BlackJacks' regular season home schedule as the organization celebrates the fans who have supported the team throughout the 2026 campaign. A multi-platinum-selling singer, songwriter, producer, and actor from Vancouver, British Columbia, Shaw first broke onto the Canadian music scene with his Platinum-certified debut single "Kiss Goodnight" in 2012. Since then, he has become one of Canada's most successful pop artists, earning multiple JUNO Award nominations, including Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Pop Album of the Year, and Adult Contemporary Album of the Year. In 2022, Shaw's heartfelt reinterpretation of GAYLE's global hit "abcdefu," titled "Love You Still (abcdefu Romantic Version)," became a worldwide viral sensation. The track inspired billions of views across TikTok and accumulated more than 240 million combined audio and video streams, earning Platinum certifications in Canada and Taiwan and Gold certifications across Asia. Earlier this year, Shaw released "RUN TO YOU," the lead single from his upcoming fifth studio album, kicking off a new chapter in his career. He is currently preparing for a Canadian and European tour while continuing to release new music throughout 2026. Fans attending Fan Appreciation Night can look forward to an evening filled with exciting giveaways, special in-game experiences, and a live halftime performance from one of Canada's most recognized pop talents before cheering on the BlackJacks as they battle the Scarborough Shooting Stars. Tickets for Fan Appreciation Night are available now at theblackjacks.ca. About Tyler Shaw Tyler Shaw is a multi-platinum-selling artist, music producer, and actor. The Chinese-Canadian, originally from Vancouver, BC, released his breakout hit “Kiss Goodnight” in 2012, which quickly reached Platinum sales. In 2014, Tyler earned a JUNO Award nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, and in 2015 he released his debut album, Yesterday . He received a JUNO Award nomination for Pop Album of the Year in 2019, and in 2021 released his third studio album along with his first holiday album, A Tyler Shaw Christmas, which was also nominated for a JUNO Award for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year . In February 2022, Tyler released his viral rendition of GAYLE’s No. 1 hit “abcdefu.” “Love You Still” (abcdefu Romantic Version) has to date generated over 6 billion views of videos using the song on TikTok, more than 10 million views of user-generated content on YouTube, and more than 500,000 videos created using the track, with a combined total of over 240 million audio and video streams. The single was certified Gold in India, Singapore, and Malaysia, and Platinum in Canada and Taiwan. In 2023, “Love You Still” (abcdefu Romantic Version) was nominated for a TikTok JUNO Fan Choice Award . In 2025, Tyler released “Fire” with superstar Polish producer and DJ Gromee, which reached No. 1 in Poland, and he performed on the Polish television show Polsat for their Magical End of the Summer show. In 2026, Tyler embarked on a Canadian and European tour and released new music this spring. One of Canada’s most recognized pop talents, with ten top-ten charting singles and a wide range of film, television, feature, and production credits to his name, Tyler Shaw remains one of the country’s most beloved artists. Join us on social media Instagram: ottawablackjacks X: Ott_BlackJacks Facebook: OttawaBlackJacks TikTok: ottawablackjacks For further information, please contact: Alex Forbes Brand and Creative Manager Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club aforbes@theblackjacks.ca

The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that the team has signed Miryne Thomas for the remainder of the 2026 Season. The 6’8 forward originally from Cleveland, OH will rejoin the BlackJacks after playing two previous seasons with them. In the 2024 season and his first professional season, Thomas averaged 6.7 points and 2.3 rebounds. Then in his return during the 2025 season, he averaged 7.9 points and 3.9 rebounds. Now he will return to Ottawa to make his mark on his third year with the team. Thomas is no stranger to international play. He has played three seasons of basketball with different teams around Europe. He began his professional career during the 2023-24 season with the Leicester Riders in the British Basketball League (BBL). There, he averaged 12.8 points and 2.3 rebounds. Then after spending the summer of 2024 with the BlackJacks, he headed back to Europe to play with the Bozic Estriche Knights Kirchheim, of the German-Pro-A. He played 19 games with that team, averaging 12 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists. He then headed to Slovakia to play with the Nitra Blue Wings, of the Slovak Basketball League. With the Blue Wings, he averaged 12 points and 3.9 rebounds. After spending the summer of 2025 with the BlackJacks once again, Thomas jetted back overseas to play with the Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, of the Georgian Super Liga. There, he averaged 21.5 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He played 32 games with the Dolphins, was the Georgian Super Liga MVP, and the Georgian Super Liga Finals MVP. He then went and played three games for Hoops Club in the Lebanese Basketball League. Across those three games with that team he averaged 16 points, 9.7 rebounds and two assists. Before turning pro, Thomas played at three universities across NCAA Division I. He began his university career in the 2017-18 season at The University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where he averaged 11 points and 7.8 rebounds in his rookie year. During his time at Maryland Eastern Shore, he was MEAC All-Rookie Team and MEAC Rookie of the Week. He then transferred to Ball State University in the 2019-2020 season for his next three years of eligibility. In his final year at Ball State, he averaged 11.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists. For his final year of eligibility in the NCAA, he transferred to Kent State University. There, he averaged 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. During his time at Kent State he was an MAC Player of the Week. Born on Sept. 4, 1999, the 26-year-old played his high school years at Cleveland Central Catholic High School.

The Ottawa BlackJacks won their second back-to-back game against the Niagara River Lions yesterday afternoon. The win was well credited to two returning veterans, Javonte Smart and Isaih Moore. Moore returns to the BlackJacks halfway through the season, after spending five games with the Edmonton Stingers. Moore has spent two previous seasons with the BlackJacks since his rookie year in 2024. “There's no place like home,” said Moore, who, despite being from Sumter, SC, now considers Ottawa to be a second home for him. “It's what I know in the summertime.” Moore came back to the BlackJacks with a big performance, shooting 100 per cent from the field and ending the game with a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, nine of those being defensive rebounds. Being a powerhouse on both ends of the court, Moore could be the answer the BlackJacks have been looking for. “It’s just great to have him in that locker room,” said Head Coach Justin Mazzulla. “He will have tons of effort on the floor, his competitive spirit, his willingness to do whatever.” Moore and Smart know each other well. From playing together on the BlackJacks last year to playing against each other in the G League, they are familiar with each other's game. “It's the funniest conundrum, because we go from battling each other, seeing each other two, three times in the G League, and now, we got to put all that behind us and be teammates for a couple months,” said Moore. Moore has also played against Justin Harmon and Matthew Cleveland, who also play in the G League. Being familiar with the way the G League players play was actually helpful for Moore, a big reason why he was able to get acquainted so quickly. “I know the familiar guys' games, and I know the new guys from playing them,” said Moore. “[So], it wasn't that hard to get me in tune with the plays.” Smart, who currently holds the franchise record for points in a single game, surpassed Tyrell Tate in the leaderboard for second total franchise points ever. He is now second with 684, behind Deng Adel, who has 964. In only two seasons with the BlackJacks, Smart has cemented himself in history numerous times. As the franchise leader for points in a single game, and now second in all-time scoring, he will go down in history as one of the team’s best. “I'm truly proud and truly honoured to get past Tate,” said Smart. “I'll show him love, [...] but I'm happy to pass him.” Smart said that he FaceTimes Tate quite often, and that those will be his exact words when he breaks the news to him. Yesterday’s game was a big one for Justin Mazzulla, as he had his brother and Head Coach of the Boston Celtics, Joe Mazzulla, in the crowd. Alongside Joe was his wife, Camai Mazzulla and Utah Jazz Head Coach Scott Morrison. “I'm just super grateful to have mentors and super grateful to have an extra set of eyes to see what I don't see and offer a perspective,” said Justin Mazzulla about coaching with them in the crowd. The BlackJacks will now head to Western Ontario to play the Brampton Honey Badgers and rematch the Niagara River Lions on their turf. The BlackJacks have only won one road game this season, in May, against the Montreal Alliance. Mazzulla says the key to winning these road games is continuing to be a tight-knit locker room. These road games will also be the BlackJacks' first look at the team without Harmon and Cleveland, who will be heading to the NBA Summer League. “Just being able to know that the roles that the new guys are stepping into, they’re big shoes to fill, but also that doesn't mean they can't fill them,” said Justin Mazzulla.