Charles Dubé-Brais Returns as Ottawa BlackJacks Head Coach
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday the contract extension of Head Coach Charles Dubé-Brais.
After signing as bench boss of the second-year franchise in January 2021, Dubé-Brais led the BlackJacks to a semifinal appearance at the 2021 Championship Weekend in Edmonton.
Despite facing multiple challenges with more than 20 players rotating on the BlackJacks roster throughout the season, Dubé-Brais used his leadership and experience to lead Ottawa to a crucial victory over third-seeded Hamilton in the CEBL quarter-finals, booking their ticket to the Championship Weekend.
On July 17, in front of their home crowd and a live nationally televised audience on CBC, the BlackJacks became the only team to beat the defending CEBL champion Edmonton Stingers, 79-74, at the Arena at TD Place.
With his ability to create a positive team atmosphere and chemistry, Dubé-Brais set the foundation for the BlackJacks’ long-term success as the team signed 10 players on their 2021 protected list. The BlackJacks will have a protected window to sign these players during the 2022 CEBL free agency period, which will begin February 1, 2022.
Dubé-Brais’ achievements haven’t gone unnoticed at the national level. He was recently selected to be an assistant coach for the 2021 champions Edmonton Stingers, along with other CEBL coaches, in the upcoming Basketball Champions League of Americas (BCLA) competition. The BCLA features 12 teams representing seven countries across the Americas.
Dubé-Brais has an extensive coaching resume that includes assignments in many of the significant professional basketball leagues around the world. He served as assistant coach for Jama Mahlalela and Raptors 905 of the NBA G League. Additionally, Dubé-Brais participated as guest coach in the NBA Summer League with the San Antonio Spurs from 2015-2017, which included the 2015 NBA Las Vegas Summer League title.
Prior to the G-League, Dubé-Brais traveled to China for the 2017-18 season, where he was named Asean Basketball League Coach of the Year with the Chongson Kung Fu Club in China. For eight years, Dubé-Brais honed his coaching craft in France where he progressed through the esteemed Nanterre 92 professional club. In 2015, Dubé-Brais was runner up for Coach of the Year honours.
In August 2021, the BlackJacks announced that General Manager Jevohn Shepherd would return for the 2022 season. Dubé-Brais will work again with Shepherd to complete the coaching staff ahead of the 2022 CEBL free agency period.
Quotes:
“Our mantra has been chemistry since the day we assembled last year’s staff and team. We finished as semifinalists and we were the only team to beat the eventual CEBL champions (Edmonton). There is a solid foundation to build from and Charles is a big part of that. He is hard working and dedicated to bringing a championship to Ottawa.”
-Jevohn Shepherd, General Manager, Ottawa BlackJacks
“I’m thrilled to be back with the best organization in the CEBL and keep building on what we started last year with the BlackJacks. We have begun to establish the foundations of a championship team here, and I can’t wait to get back to work to make the city of Ottawa proud of its pro basketball team.”
-Charles Dubé-Brais, Head Coach, Ottawa BlackJacks
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About the Ottawa BlackJacks
The first expansion franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Ottawa BlackJacks showcase the best of basketball and entertainment in the nation’s capital. Having recently completed its second season, the BlackJacks earned a semifinal appearance at the 2021 CEBL Championship Weekend in Edmonton. The Ottawa front office brings NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. Led by General Manager Jevohn Shepherd and Head Coach Charles Dubé-Brais, Ottawa plays its home games out of the world-class Arena at TD Place in Lansdowne Park. The BlackJacks and the City of Ottawa have been awarded the rights to host the 2022 CEBL Championship Weekend from August 12-14, 2022 with games taking place in the Arena at TD Place. The CEBL Championship Weekend will be a celebration of basketball, music, and local culture that will feature concerts, street festivals, the CEBL Awards, and several legacy projects to be announced at a later date. For more information visit www.theblackjacks.ca.
About Canadian Elite Basketball League
A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 75 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season typically runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.
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Facebook: /OttawaBlackJacks
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Contact:
Marika Guérin
Senior Manager, Communications and Community
Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club