Derouin Named Ottawa BlackJacks Director of Basketball Strategy and Analytics
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that James Derouin has been named Director of Basketball Strategy and Analytics.
An Ottawa native, Derouin has been the head coach and program manager of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees since June of 2010 and is now the winningest coach in team history. Derouin guided the university career of the school's all-time points leader, and BlackJacks guard Johnny Berhanemeskel, who averaged 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists in the CEBL last season.
Derouin is the first Gee-Gees head coach to bring his team to consecutive national championship tournaments since Bob O'Billovich in 1974-75, and the only coach in team history to be at four or more tournaments. Derouin was named the CIS Coach of the Year in 2014-15 after leading the Gee-Gees to a regular season record of 18-1 and a first ever program ranking as No. 1 in the CIS Top Ten.
In 2015, he joined the coaching staff of Canada's Cadet National team as an assistant, winning silver at the FIBA Americas tournament. Derouin helped guide Canada to a 6-1 record and a fifth-place finish at the 2016 U17 FIBA World Championships.
Derouin’s coaching career started right after graduating from university, when he became the assistant coach for the team he was playing for, the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees. Six years later, he moved to the west to become the assistant coach for the University of British Columbia men’s basketball team, earning a spot in the U SPORTS national final two seasons in a row, before coming back to his hometown to fill Ottawa’s head coach position.
The uOttawa basketball alumnus started playing basketball as a kid for Gloucester High School and the Gloucester Wolverines. He won a CCAA national championship with Langara College before transferring to the University of Ottawa, where he served as the team captain from 2000-2002. He earned his Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in history in 2004.
With a strength in basketball analytics, Derouin will provide leadership not only to the BlackJacks coaching staff, but also to the front office, collaborating with General Manager Jevohn Shepherd and Assistant General Manager Andy Rautins.
Quotes:
“James is a fantastic addition to our coaching staff. Not only has he proven himself as one of the top university coaches in the country, he has served Canada Basketball within the national team program and brings a keen analytical approach to basketball which is so important in today’s game.”
- Jevohn Shepherd
General Manager, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
“James is a highly respected coach in Canada. Not only has he brought the Gee-Gees program to national prominence, but he has also developed some of the top talent in the country. We clicked instantly. I knew right away that James would be a great addition to the BlackJacks staff.”
- Charles Dube-Brais
Head Coach, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
“I am thrilled for the opportunity to join our local professional basketball team and working alongside great basketball minds in the BlackJacks basketball operations department. Born and raised in Ottawa, I know the BlackJacks will play an important role in growing the game of basketball in our community. Professional basketball belongs in Ottawa. The grassroots community has been craving for a hometown team to cheer on. I am looking forward to working with Jevohn, Andy and Charles and the rest of the team.”
- James Derouin
Director of Basketball Strategy and Analytics,
Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
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About the Ottawa BlackJacks
The first expansion franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Ottawa BlackJacks will showcase the best of basketball and entertainment in the nation’s capital. In its inaugural campaign, the BlackJacks earned a semifinal appearance at the 2020 CEBL Summer Series. The Ottawa front office brings NBA, NBA G League, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. Led by general manager Jevohn Shepherd, assistant general manager Andy Rautins and head coach Charles Dubé-Brais, Ottawa will play its home games out of the world-class Arena at TD Place in Lansdowne Park. For more information visit www.theblackjacks.ca.
About Canadian Elite Basketball League
The CEBL is preparing for its third season in 2021 following the success of this past year's CEBL Summer Series in St. Catharines, Ontario, which saw millions of viewers across Canada and around the world tune in to watch 26 games played over 15 days in a single-site league competition. The CEBL became the first professional sports league in Canada to return to play after the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in mid-March shut down sports across the country. A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 80 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players come from the 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.
Social Media:
Facebook: /OttawaBlackJacks
Twitter: @Ott_Blackjacks
Instagram: ottawablackjacks
Contact:
Marika Guérin
Manager, Communications and Community
Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club