Ottawa BlackJacks Sign Free Agent Johnny Berhanemeskel

Born and raised in the nation’s capital, Berhanemeskel returns home to help build the foundation of professional ball in Ottawa. A six-foot-one guard, Berhanemeskel has averaged 14.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 26.5 minutes in 179 games, playing professionally in France, Greece, Spain, Germany and Estonia.

Playing for two different teams this past season, including Boulazac in France and Larissa BC in Greece, Berhanemeskel averaged 12.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 24,0 minutes in 21 games. As a member of Boulazac, he recorded a season-high five-for-five shooting from behind the arc on January 11 versus Le Mans as part of a 19-point effort. One of his best seasons as a pro came during the 2016-17 campaign, when Berhanemeskel averaged 18.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 31.9 minutes in 32 games for Araberri of the Spanish LEB-Gold. He recorded a season-high 32 points December 20 versus Oviedo, hitting seven-for-nine from behind the arc. 

Berhanemeskel played 105 university games with the University of Ottawa where he averaged 19.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 30.6 minutes. As a senior, he recorded his best statistical season of his career, averaging 23.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 30.1 minutes. He became a First Team All-Canadian and was named 2015 OUA Player of the Year. He also earned the Mike Moser Memorial Trophy, award presented to the Outstanding Male Basketball Player in the CIS (U SPORTS). Berhanemeskel was Ottawa's all-time points leader and first in career three-pointers when he graduated in 2014-2015. 

Berhanemeskel represented Canada in the 2015 World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea, where he averaged 11.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in eight games.

In May, the Ottawa BlackJacks have announced its official training camp roster for the inaugural 2020 season. There are currently 13 players signed to the BlackJacks roster, including 10 standard player contracts and three development player contracts as a result of the 2020 CEBL / U SPORTS Draft. 

Earlier today, the Ottawa BlackJacks announced the signing of free-agent guard Kaza Kajami-Keane. Two of the players, who are signed by Ottawa under contract, will be announced later today which will mark the completion of the Ottawa BlackJacks 2020 inaugural training camp roster.

“To get a chance to play in front of the people I grew up around is a blessing! Ottawa is a great city to have a team and to have a great time in the summer. We’re looking forward to bringing another fun thing to do come summertime, when people are craving some hoops.”

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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. Basketball Operations will be led by General Manager, Dave Smart, the most successful university coach in Canadian history with a total of 13 national titles at Carleton University. The BlackJacks will be a team deeply rooted in the Ottawa / Gatineau community. Head Coach Osvaldo Jeanty, a former student-athlete who captured five national championships as a player for Dave Smart, will bring together a group of professionals poised for success in its inaugural season. The BlackJacks will play its home games out of the world-class Arena at TD Place. For more information and for tickets, visit www.theblackjacks.ca.

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) features world-class professional basketball in a fan-friendly entertainment environment across seven cities in Canada. The 2019 inaugural season saw more than 100 Canadian and international players take to the court, culminating with the Saskatchewan Rattlers earning the first CEBL championship trophy. CEBL players come from NBA G-League clubs, top NCAA programs, the Canadian national program, U SPORTS and other Division 1 FIBA leagues. The CEBL is the First Division Professional League partner of Canada Basketball. 

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Marika Guérin

Manager, Communications and Events

Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club