Ottawa BlackJacks Re-Sign Forward Eric Kibi
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that forward Eric Kibi has re-signed with the club for the 2021 CEBL season.
A six-foot-six forward from Ottawa, Kibi has averaged 8.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 20.1 minutes in 215 games, playing professionally in 10 countries around the world, including in the 2020 CEBL Summer Series in St. Catharines for the BlackJacks.
Kibi spent the most recent campaign with the Hague Royals of the Holland-DBL, where he averaged 12.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 32.5 minutes in 21 games. He grabbed a season-high 18 rebounds March 20 against Amsterdam and scored a season-high 25 points, to go along with 17 rebounds March 18 against Almere.
During the CEBL 2020 Summer Series, Kibi averaged 6.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 16.5 minutes in six games for the BlackJacks. He recorded season-highs of 12 points, eight rebounds and two assists August 5 against Saskatchewan and grabbed as many rebounds the day before against Niagara. During the playoffs, Kibi averaged 5.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 15.0 minutes in two games.
Kibi played two games with the 2019 CEBL champions, the Saskatchewan Rattlers, at the beginning of the inaugural 2019 CEBL season.
His most successful pro season statistically came during the 2014-15 campaign, when he averaged 20.5 points, 15.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 32.5 minutes in 22 games for the Rendsburg Twisters of the Germany PROB. He was just one game away from recording a double-double in every contest during the season.
A dual citizen of Canada and Congo, Kibi played on the Senior National Congolese team on two occasions: at the 2019 Afro Basket in Mali where he was named Defensive Player of the tournament and a First Team All Star, in addition to the 2017 Afro Basket in Tunisia.
A communications graduate with a concentration in Journalism, Kibi played 49 university games split between Abilene Christian University (2011-12) and University of Arkansas Little Rock (2010-11) where he averaged 5.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.6 steals and 18.2 minutes. In 2010-11, his team won the Sun Belt Tournament and qualified for the NCAA Division I tournament, March Madness.
The Ottawa BlackJacks will open the 2021 CEBL season 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:
“Eric is a tough player and a great rebounder; I liked the energy he brought on the court during the CEBL Summer Series and this year in Holland. He exemplifies the values of our organization, on the court and in the community. We are happy to have him back this year.”
- Jevohn Shepherd, General Manager, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
“Ottawa is home, so I’m extremely excited to be back for a second consecutive year and finally play at TD Place. Jevohn and the rest of the staff brought in a talented group of guys who will hopefully compete for a championship. I look forward to representing my hometown, bringing my professionalism to the team and competing with all these high-level players.”
- Eric Kibi, forward, 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