Ottawa BlackJacks Sign American Guard Bernard Thompson
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that Bernard Thompson has signed with the Club for the 2022 CEBL season.
A six-foot-three guard from Conyers, Georgia, Bernard has averaged 14.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 247 professional games in Ukraine, Hungary, Germany, and Slovakia.
This past season, Thompson played 38 games with BC Kyiv in two different leagues, including the Ukrainian SuperLeague and the Europe Cup, averaging 11.8 points and 3.8 assists. He scored 15 or more points 11 times and had five or more assists 14 times. On November 17 against BC Rilski Sportist, Thompson scored a season-high 28 points, shooting 11-for-14 from the floor. The Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) alumnus played in Hungary from 2017-2021.
During the 2016-17 campaign, Thompson played 35 games with the MLP Academics Heidelberg in Germany and averaged 9.8 points in 35 games. He played his first professional season in Slovakia the year before.
Collegiately, Thompson averaged 13.7 points in 134 games with the FGCU Eagles. He shot .364 from three-point range for his career to rank fifth in the program record book. Upon graduation, he was the all-time leader in field goals made (636) and free throws made (344), while recording 68 more steals than any other player in program history.
The communications major played high school basketball at Rockdale County High School. He led the team to its first Georgia Class 4A State Championship game since 1987 as a senior, where he averaged 17 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals over 32 games.
The BlackJacks tip off the 2022 CEBL season at home tomorrow versus Fraser Valley. Members of the media who are seeking accreditation 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.
In addition to 10 regular season home games, the BlackJacks will be hosting the 2022 CEBL Championship Weekend from August 12-14, 2022. Season and half season seat memberships, Flex Packs, group tickets and single game tickets are available 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:
“Bernard brings an element to our team that we feel can elevate our play. He has the ability to create for himself but also savvy to create for others, in addition to defending multiple positions. Bernard has a wealth of experience playing internationally and can utilize those experiences as one of our leaders on this team.”
- Jevohn Shepherd, General Manager and Vice-President, Basketball Operations, Ottawa BlackJacks
“I am excited to join the team and be a part of the CEBL. I am looking forward to winning games and competing for a championship this year.”
- Bernard Thompson, Guard, Ottawa BlackJacks
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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 second season, the BlackJacks earned a semifinal appearance at the 2021 CEBL Championship Weekend in Edmonton. 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, and Head Coach Charles Dubé-Brais, Ottawa plays its home games out of the world-class Arena at TD Place in Lansdowne Park. The BlackJacks and the City of Ottawa have been awarded the rights to host the 2022 CEBL Championship Weekend from August 12-14, 2022 with games taking place in the Arena at TD Place. The CEBL Championship Weekend will be a celebration of basketball, music, and local culture that will feature concerts, street festivals, the CEBL Awards, and several legacy projects to be announced at a later date. 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 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. 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
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Contact:
Marika Guérin
Director, Communications, Community and Brand
Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club