James Derouin to Remain as Ottawa BlackJacks Head Coach

The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that James Derouin will remain head coach of the Ottawa BlackJacks after serving as interim head coach since June 5, 2022.

Derouin led the BlackJacks to a strong finish, winning five of its final six regular season home games and as hosts of the 2022 CEBL Championship Weekend, Ottawa lost, 76-72, to the champion Honey Badgers in the semifinal game. Derouin, who has been the head coach and program manager of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees since June of 2010, was hired by General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations Jevohn Shepherd after an 0-3 start on June 5, 2022, and made his professional coaching debut on June 5, 2022, taking away the victory (86-85) against the Newfoundland Growlers. Later that month, the BlackJacks set the biggest Elam Ending comeback in CEBL history as BlackJacks forward Tyrell Green hit the winning three-pointer to complete a 14-point Elam Ending comeback against the Scarborough Shooting Stars. 

Derouin has played a key leadership role in the BlackJacks basketball operations department since February 1, 2021, where he has been working alongside General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations Jevohn Shepherd on player analysis and scouting.

An Ottawa native, Derouin is the winningest coach in Gee-Gees men's basketball history, holding a career regular season record of 181-55 (.767). The Gee-Gees appeared in the CIS Final 8 for four consecutive seasons (2013-2016) and added a fifth appearance in 2020. Derouin was named the CIS (now U SPORTS) Coach of the Year for 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 10. Derouin oversaw the varsity careers of CEBL players Johnny Berhanemeskel, who was named the CIS Player of the Year, and Caleb Agada, who he coached to back-to-back national Defensive Player of the Year accolades. 

In 2015, Derouin joined the coaching staff of Canada Basketball'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.

The University of Ottawa basketball alumnus started playing basketball 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.

Ottawa BlackJacks 2023 season seat memberships are now available and fans looking to reserve the best seats, including courtside seats and tables, for all 10 regular season games and one potential playoff game can visit the BlackJacks website at theblackjacks.ca/founding-season-membership-program. Flex Packs are also available here and offer fans completely flexible and customizable options to attend games of their choice, all while saving 15% off single game tickets. For more information, please contact the Ottawa BlackJacks Membership Services team directly at 613-690-0519 or by email at [email protected].

Quotes:

“I am grateful for the opportunity to come back with the BlackJacks for another season and keep building on what we accomplished last summer. Growing up in Ottawa, I have first-hand knowledge of the importance of basketball in our community and I am happy to be a part of a professional organization that contributes to its growth. The relationships I’ve built with Michael, Jevohn and the rest of the front office staff is truly something special and played a key factor in my decision to remain with the team. I am looking forward to working with them again this season to build a championship team that will make the city proud. I also want to take the time to acknowledge the great support I received from the University of Ottawa throughout my journey with the BlackJacks.”

-James Derouin, Head Coach, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club

“We are excited to have James back with us. After speaking with many of our players, it was a no-brainer. The connection and reception he had within the locker room spoke volumes. We’ve always talked about having a space and impacting the Ottawa community, and James embodies all of this, from his position with the University of Ottawa, to the respect he garners here in the Ottawa basketball community. We hope to continue to build off of last season with the BlackJacks." 

- Jevohn Shepherd, General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, 

Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club

###

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 third season, the BlackJacks have reached the championship semifinal three times. 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 and Vice-President, Basketball Operations Jevohn Shepherd, Ottawa plays 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 

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 per cent of its current rosters being Canadians. With 10 teams in the CEBL, the league is the largest in the country. 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.

Social Media

Facebook: /OttawaBlackJacks

Twitter: @Ott_Blackjacks

Instagram: ottawablackjacks

Contact:

Marika Guérin

Director, Communications, Community and Brand

Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club

[email protected]