Ottawa BlackJacks Announce 2021 Training Camp Roster
Media Day scheduled for June 15
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday its official training camp roster in preparation for the 2021 season.
Led by General Manager Jevohn Shepherd, Assistant General Manager Andy Rautins and Head Coach Charles Dubé-Brais, Ottawa’s current roster is comprised of 17 players with two players – Archie and Berhanemeskel – joining the team at the conclusion of their current basketball seasons in France. CEBL rules stipulate that 16 players are permitted to participate in a team’s training camp.
Highlights of the roster include two returning local BlackJacks players (Berhanemeskel and Kibi), four American imports (Archie, Calloway, Teague and Ward) and four U SPORTS Developmental players (Kanku, Louis, Pépin and Sow).
Entering into their second CEBL season and first on home court, the BlackJacks acquired six players who competed for another CEBL teams last season: Green and Friesen from the Guelph Nighthawks; Joseph from the Saskatchewan Rattlers; Johnson and Cadougan from the Fraser Valley Bandits; and finally Gray, who was a Hamilton Honey Badgers 2020 U SPORTS draft pick.
Counting seven players with eight or more years of professional experience in some of the top professional leagues around the world, the club’s training camp roster showcases a balance between the experience and professionalism of veteran players and the energy of younger players.
| NO. | NAME | POS. | HT. | HOMETOWN | SCHOOL | YR. | LAST TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Tyrell Green | F | 6-7 | Toronto, ON | UNLV 2017 | 4 | Guelph Nighthawks (CEBL) |
| 5 | Kadre Gray | G | 6-1 | Toronto, ON | Laurentian 2020 | R | Laurentian (U SPORTS) |
| 6 | Ali Sow | G | 6-1 | Ottawa, ON | Wilfrid Laurier 2023 | U | Wilfrid Laurier (U SPORTS) |
| *8 | Johnny Berhanemeskel | G | 6-1 | Ottawa, ON | Ottawa 2015 | 7 | Nanterre 92 (France) |
| 11 | Kris Joseph | F | 6-7 | Montreal, QC | Syracuse 2012 | 10 | Burgos (Spain) |
| *13 | Dominique Archie (I) | F | 6-7 | Augusta, GA | South Carolina 2010 | 10 | Chalons-Reims (France) |
| 14 | Tahjai Teague (I) | F | 6-8 | Indianapolis, IN | Ball State 2020 | R | Ball State (NCAA) |
| 15 | Kyle Johnson | G | 6-5 | Toronto, ON | Long Island 2011 | 8 | Njardvik (Iceland) |
| 21 | Earl Calloway (I) | G | 6-3 | Atlanta, GA | Indiana 2007 | 12 | Monbus Obradoiro (Spain) |
| 23 | Alain Louis | G | 6-1 | Montreal, QC | Carleton 2022 | U | Carleton (U SPORTS) |
| 24 | Eric Kibi | F | 6-6 | Ottawa, ON | Abilene Christian 2012 | 10 | Hague Royal (Netherlands) |
| 27 | Graddy Kanku | G | 6-5 | Montreal, QC | Ontario Tech 2025 | U | Ontario Tech (U SPORTS) |
| 30 | Junior Cadougan | G | 6-1 | Toronto, ON | Marquette 2013 | 8 | Fraser Valley (CEBL) |
| 32 | Nicholas Ward (I) | F | 6-9 | Gahanna, OH | Michigan State 2018 | 2 | Istanbul (Turkey) |
| 33 | Joel Friesen | G | 6-5 | Abbotsford, BC | Alberta 2015 | 5 | Guelph Nighthawks (CEBL) |
| 41 | Guillaume Pepin | F | 6-6 | Montreal, QC | Ottawa 2024 | U | Ottawa (U SPORTS) |
| 45 | Ryan Wright | F | 6-9 | Mississauga, ON | Oklahoma 2010 | 10 | Levski Lukoil (Bulgaria) |
(I) Import (U) 2021 U SPORTS Draftee
* Indicates players who will join the BlackJacks at the conclusion of their current basketball season in France.
Training Camp is set to start on June 16, with Media Day scheduled from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on June 15 at the Arena at TD Place. Members of the media who are seeking accreditation for BlackJacks Media Day, training sessions and home games are invited to apply through the BlackJacks portal: https://www.theblackjacks.ca/media-accreditation. The BlackJacks will be responsible for the review process and delivery of the accreditation decisions.
Ottawa BlackJacks 2021 Training Camp Schedule
June 15 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Media Day
June 16 10 a.m.- 12 pm and 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. Training Sessions
June 17 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. Training Sessions
June 18 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. Training Session
June 19 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. Training Sessions
June 20 No Training Scheduled
June 21 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. Training Sessions
June 22 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. Training Sessions
June 23 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. Training Sessions
Further information will be sent to media once accreditation is approved. Due to current health regulations, training camp is closed to the general public.
The BlackJacks 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.
Quote:
“We are extremely excited about this group. Our basketball operations staff and front office has worked tirelessly over the last months in order to put together a team that can compete for a championship on the court and in the hearts of the Ottawa community. We have a talented group of players who are interchangeable and who possess the character and culture we want to build here in Ottawa.”
- Jevohn Shepherd, General Manager, 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
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