OTTAWA BLACKJACKS ANNOUNCE 2024 CEBL DRAFT PICKS

The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday their three picks from the 2024 CEBL Draft. Selections included Dragan Stajic of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees (seventh overall), Justin Ndjock-Tadjore of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees (14th overall), and Michael Kelvin II of the Queen’s University Gaels (27th overall).

Dragan Stajic, a six-foot-two guard from Waterloo, Ontario, averaged 6.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over four seasons with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees. This won't mark Stajic's first encounter with the Ottawa BlackJacks, as he was previously signed to a Developmental Player Contract with the team on June 24, 2023, and made appearances in two games. Recently concluding his fourth year with the Gee-Gees, Stajic posted career-best averages of 9.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 24 games. He was named an OUA Third Team All-Star and helped his team win bronze at the U SPORTS Championship. Notably, he recorded four triples and 15 points in the U SPORTS semifinals on March 9 against Queen’s University. In the previous year, he earned spots on both the U SPORTS Tournament All-Star Team and the OUA Third Team All-Star roster.

Justin Ndjock-Tadjore, a six-foot-seven forward from Gatineau, Quebec, played his first season with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees in 2023-24, after transferring from the St. Bonaventure University Bonnies in the NCAA Division I, where he played one season. With the Gee-Gees, Ndjock-Tadjore averaged 13.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 28.3 minutes in 23 games played. He grabbed five or more rebounds 12 times and nabbed two steals five times. Prior to university, he attended Cégep de l'Outaouais in Gatineau where he was an RSEQ All-Star in 2019-20, averaging 15.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game with the Griffons.

Michael Kelvin II, a six-foot-six forward from Ottawa, Ontario, recently completed his third season with Queen’s University. Across three years, he averaged 9.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 22.5 minutes in 43 regular season games. In the most recent campaign, he posted averages of 9.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 25.6 minutes in 25 games with the Gaels. His contributions helped the team achieve a league record of 19-3 and an overall record of 30-6, capturing the OUA Championship and reaching the U SPORTS finals. Kelvin II recorded notable performances such as making a career-high six triples on January 20 against Toronto, dishing out a career-high six assists on December 1 against Laval, and tying his career-high of 24 points on November 11 against Nipissing. In the preceding season (2022-23), he averaged 9.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in 27 games with Queen’s.

In March, the CEBL announced a newly rebranded and expanded draft format beginning in 2024 that includes all eligible Canadian U SPORTS and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) student-athletes. The CEBL Draft presents a coveted opportunity for top players in U SPORTS and the CCAA to get a chance to experience professional basketball by practicing and playing alongside veteran pros from the NBA, NBA G League, Canadian National team, and top international leagues.

The Ottawa BlackJacks 2024 home opener will take place at the Arena at TD Place on May 29. Fans can now purchase BlackJacks season seat memberships, Flex Packs and Voucher Packs at theblackjacks.ca/tickets. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact the Ottawa BlackJacks Membership Services team directly at 613-690-0519 or by email at [email protected].

Quotes:

“The CEBL Draft offers a significant pathway for local talent to gain professional experience. Our three picks all have ties to our capital and are proud to represent it. They are hardworking individuals who displayed impressive performances for their respective U SPORTS teams this past season. I've had the honor of coaching Dragan and Justin and have faced off against Michael for the past three seasons. This firsthand experience gives me confidence in their abilities, and I'm excited to see the energy they'll bring to our training camp next month.”

- James Derouin, General Manager and Head Coach, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club