The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that the team has re-signed Javonte Smart for the 2026 Season. The 6 ‘4 guard, originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, returns to Ottawa after a breakout CEBL season with Ottawa, averaging 26 points. Smart spent the CEBL off-season with the Osceola Magic, the G-League affiliate of the Orlando Magic. “Javonte Smart is a tremendous player and a major part of what we do offensively. He’s an elite scorer who commands a lot of attention from opposing defenses, and that creates opportunities for everyone around him. Our fans love the energy and competitiveness he brings, and his ability to push the pace allows us to play a fast, fearless and exciting brand of basketball.” said Ottawa BlackJacks Head Coach, Justin Mazzulla. “We’re thrilled to welcome Javonte back to Ottawa. What he accomplished last season was nothing short of historic for our franchise. He proved himself as one of the premier players in the CEBL, and just as importantly, he embraced the culture we’re building here,” said Ottawa BlackJacks General Manager, James Derouin. In the 2025 CEBL season, Smart averaged 26 points, four rebounds, six assists, and one steal per game. On July 31 against Niagara, Smart made history by scoring a franchise-record 44 points, the second-most ever recorded in a single CEBL game. When Smart joined the team in June 2025, he quickly made an impact. In his first three games with the BlackJacks, he scored a combined 86 points. In his most recent G-League season with the Magic, he averaged 16 points and three assists per game. His professional career began when he joined the Miami Heat for 2021 NBA Summer League, then shortly after signed a contract with them. He played a few games with the Heat and joined their G-League affiliate the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Shortly after, in November 2021, Smart signed a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, splitting time with their G-League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd. He then finished that season back with the Skyforce. In the 2021-22 NBA season, he averaged three points and 1.4 rebounds, In the G-League, he averaged 21 points, four assists and 2 steals.  For the 2022-23 NBA season, Smart joined the Philadelphia 76ers for their NBA Summer League games, before signing a two-way contract with them. During his time with the Delaware Blue Coats, the G-League affiliate of the 76ers, he averaged 20 points per game. He then finished that season in Belgrade, Serbia with KK Crvena Zvezda. There, he averaged nine points per game. Since then, he has played with the Orlando, and Osceola Magic, averaging a total of 16 points and four assists throughout his NBA and G-League career. Now, Smart will be looking to make an impact in the CEBL again this season with the BlackJacks. Single tickets are currently available to purchase by visiting theblackjacks.ca/tickets . BlackJacks 2026 season-seat memberships are available now. For additional details, fans are encouraged to email ticketing@theblackjacks.ca or call 613-294-1133. About the Ottawa BlackJacks The first expansion franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Ottawa BlackJacks are a professional men’s basketball team competing out of The Arena at TD Place. The club is committed to excellence on-and-off the court and aims to inspire community pride, foster grassroots development and deliver an unparalleled fan experience. For more information, visit theblackjacks.ca . About the CEBL The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada’s professional basketball league, featuring 10 member clubs across six provinces. Powered by elite talent, a fast-paced game format, and deep community connections, the CEBL delivers high-level basketball and unforgettable summer experiences for fans nationwide. The league boasts the youngest fan base in Canadian professional sport, half under age 34, and one of the fastest-growing audiences in the country, now reaching nearly 4.1 million Canadians. This momentum reflects the CEBL’s ability to deliver dynamic, thrilling gameplay while connecting deeply with a new generation of fans and expanding basketball’s cultural footprint across Canada. The CEBL is where elite performance meets homegrown talent. In 2025, 17 players with NBA experience hit the court, while nearly 70% of the league’s roster was Canadian, the highest concentration of domestic talent in any professional sports league in the country. Running from May through August, the CEBL’s season is a showcase of top basketball talent and a summer hub for fast-paced, high-energy fan excitement. Interact with 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 Guard Dragan Stajic for the 2026 Season. The 6 '2 Canadian from Waterloo, will be returning to the BlackJacks after signing developmental contracts in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 season while attending and playing for the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees. After graduating, Stajic went to Austria to play professionally for the BK Klosterneuburg Dukes, one of the most successful teams in the country. There, he averaged 9.3 points and five rebounds. “We’re really excited to bring Dragan back to Ottawa. Having coached him at uOttawa, I’ve seen firsthand his growth as a leader. He understands our system, our culture, and what it takes to compete at a high level,” said BlackJacks General Manager, James Derouin. “His experience as a developmental player, combined with the success he had with the Gee-Gees, makes this a natural fit,” he continued. During his five seasons at the University of Ottawa, Stajic averaged 7.3 points and five rebounds per game. He became a real leader throughout his time there and earned many accolades including U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian and OUA First Team All-Star in the 2024-25 season, OUA Third Team All-Star in the 2023-24 and 2022-23 season, and U SPORTS National Championship Tournament All-Star in the 2022-23. After quite the resume at UOttawa, and 2 seasons as a developmental player for the BlackJacks, Stajic returns under a standard player contract. Born on December 30, 2000, the 25-year-old played his final high school year at Canada Topflight Academy of the National Preparatory Association, in Ottawa. During his time here, he was awarded First-Team All-Star Honours in the 2018-19 season averaging 9.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. Privy to his time in Ottawa, he played at Sir John A. Macdonald S.S. in Waterloo, Ont. and won three CWOSSA championships there, before attending RISE Prep in Brantford, Ont. Single tickets are currently available to purchase by visiting theblackjacks.ca/tickets . BlackJacks 2026 season-seat memberships are available now. For additional details, fans are encouraged to email ticketing@theblackjacks.ca or call 613-294-1133. About the Ottawa BlackJacks The first expansion franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Ottawa BlackJacks are a professional men’s basketball team competing out of The Arena at TD Place. The club is committed to excellence on-and-off the court and aims to inspire community pride, foster grassroots development and deliver an unparalleled fan experience. For more information, visit theblackjacks.ca . About the CEBL The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada’s professional basketball league, featuring 10 member clubs across six provinces. Powered by elite talent, a fast-paced game format, and deep community connections, the CEBL delivers high-level basketball and unforgettable summer experiences for fans nationwide. The league boasts the youngest fan base in Canadian professional sport, half under age 34, and one of the fastest-growing audiences in the country, now reaching nearly 4.1 million Canadians. This momentum reflects the CEBL’s ability to deliver dynamic, thrilling gameplay while connecting deeply with a new generation of fans and expanding basketball’s cultural footprint across Canada. The CEBL is where elite performance meets homegrown talent. In 2025, 17 players with NBA experience hit the court, while nearly 70% of the league’s roster was Canadian, the highest concentration of domestic talent in any professional sports league in the country. Running from May through August, the CEBL’s season is a showcase of top basketball talent and a summer hub for fast-paced, high-energy fan excitement. Interact with 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 Guard Wilson Dubinsky for the 2026 Season. The 6 '3 guard, originally from Ottawa, will return home after five seasons at the college level. He began his career at Seward County Community College, before transferring to South Carolina State University in the NCAA and then playing his last season at Marshall University. “We’re excited to add Wilson to our group. He brings a strong combination of skill, competitiveness, and character. With the nature of the CEBL season, it’s important to have players who can come in, adapt quickly, and contribute right away. We believe he’ll fit well with our culture and help strengthen the overall balance of our roster,” said BlackJacks General Manager, James Derouin. In his 2025-26 season at Marshall University, Dubinsky averaged five points and 3.1 rebounds. In his first season with South Carolina State, he averaged 7.7 points and 1.7 rebounds. Across his five seasons in college, he averaged 8.6 points and 2.5 rebounds. He was also a part of the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference (MEAC) All-Tournament Team in 2025. Born on June 29, 2002, the 23-year-old played his high school years at Orangeville Prep in Mono, Ontario. Dubinsky was born in St. Vincent and The Grenadines in the Caribbean, but grew up in Ottawa. The hometown boy will be returning to play for the BlackJacks, in front of the local fans. Single tickets are currently available to purchase by visiting theblackjacks.ca/tickets . BlackJacks 2026 season-seat memberships are available now. For additional details, fans are encouraged to email ticketing@theblackjacks.ca or call 613-294-1133. About the Ottawa BlackJacks The first expansion franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Ottawa BlackJacks are a professional men’s basketball team competing out of The Arena at TD Place. The club is committed to excellence on-and-off the court and aims to inspire community pride, foster grassroots development and deliver an unparalleled fan experience. For more information, visit theblackjacks.ca . About the CEBL The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada’s professional basketball league, featuring 10 member clubs across six provinces. Powered by elite talent, a fast-paced game format, and deep community connections, the CEBL delivers high-level basketball and unforgettable summer experiences for fans nationwide. The league boasts the youngest fan base in Canadian professional sport, half under age 34, and one of the fastest-growing audiences in the country, now reaching nearly 4.1 million Canadians. This momentum reflects the CEBL’s ability to deliver dynamic, thrilling gameplay while connecting deeply with a new generation of fans and expanding basketball’s cultural footprint across Canada. The CEBL is where elite performance meets homegrown talent. In 2025, 17 players with NBA experience hit the court, while nearly 70% of the league’s roster was Canadian, the highest concentration of domestic talent in any professional sports league in the country. Running from May through August, the CEBL’s season is a showcase of top basketball talent and a summer hub for fast-paced, high-energy fan excitement. Interact with 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