Ottawa BlackJacks Sign Canadian-British Guard and Former Olympian Kyle Johnson
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday the signing of Kyle Johnson.
A six-foot-five guard from Toronto, Ontario, Johnson has played 250 games as a pro in Iceland, Canada, France, Italy, Greece and Cyprus, averaging 11.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 23.3 minutes.
With 10 years of professional experience, the Long Island University alumnus spent the most recent campaign with Njardvik in Iceland and has averaged 15.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 13 games, scoring 20 points or more five times. On March 26, he recorded his third double-double of the season with 16 points and a season-high 12 rebounds against Holtur.
As a member of the Fraser Valley Bandits, Johnson averaged 5.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 16.6 minutes in seven games at the 2020 CEBL Summer Series. In his first game with the Bandits, Johnson recorded season highs of 19 points, three triples and five assists against the CEBL champion Edmonton Stingers.
During the 2019-2020 campaign, Johnson averaged 13.9 points, 1.1 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 25.8 minutes in 20 games with Stjarnan of the Iceland-Dominos League. He recorded a season-high 30 points on December 13th against Haukar and season highs of five triples and four assists October 10 against IR Reykjavik.
Holding both Canadian and British citizenships, Johnson has represented the United Kingdom on various occasions, including the 2012 Olympic Games in London where he played five games en route to a ninth-place finish. Additionally, he competed at the 2018 World Cup and at the European Championship in 2019, 2017, 2016, 2014 and 2013.
Collegiately, Johnson averaged 11.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 27.4 minutes over 124 games with Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York. As a senior, he helped his team win the NEC conference championship and ranked first on the team in minutes (868), fourth in points (355), and third in rebounds (182). During his freshman season, Johnson was named to the NEC All-Rookie Team.
The Toronto native became the 12th player to sign with the Ottawa BlackJacks for the 2021 season. Ottawa will open the 2021 campaign with a three-game homestand that begins on June 24 against the Niagara River Lions, followed by a date with the Guelph Nighthawks on June 28 and concludes with a special Canada Day matinee against the Hamilton Honey Badgers.
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.
Quotes:
“Kyle brings us a wealth of experience with years spent playing professionally in Europe as well as representing Great Britain on their national team. He is a competitor and brings that strong mentality to our club.”
- Jevohn Shepherd, General Manager, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
"I am very excited and thankful to join the BlackJacks organization! The CEBL is a great league and I am really looking forward to putting on that Ottawa BlackJacks jersey along with playing in front of my family and friends while being home in Canada. I can't wait to get to work with the team and have the opportunity to compete for a championship this summer."
- Kyle Johnson, Guard, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
###
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
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. Head to more information on CEBL.ca or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Linkedin, Facebook & YouTube. (@cebleague).
Social Media
Facebook: /OttawaBlackJacks
Twitter: @Ott_Blackjacks
Instagram: ottawablackjacks
Contact:
Marika Guérin
Manager, Communications and Community
Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club