Ottawa BlackJacks Sign Gee-Gees Forward Josh Inkumsah to a Developmental Player Contract
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that U SPORTS forward Josh Inkumsah has signed a Developmental Player contract with the Club.
A native of Barrie, Ontario, Inkumsah has averaged 4.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 34 collegiate games, including 16 games with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees and 18 games with the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons.
This past season, Inkumsah played 16 games with the Gee-Gees, including 15 starts, and averaged 8.5 points and 5.8 rebounds. He scored in the double-digits eight times and recorded a double-double with 12 points and a career-high 13 rebounds, adding three blocks and two steals during the OUA East Semifinal on March 19 against Queen’s. His best regular season statistical game happened on March 5 against Nipissing, when he recorded season highs of 18 points, five assists and 34 minutes of play. The six-foot-seven forward started his collegiate career with the Mastodons in the NCAA Division I.
Inkumsha averaged 12.2 points and 6.2 rebounds with the London Basketball Academy of the National Preparatory Association. His Brother, David Inkumsah, played U SPORTS football and basketball at Western and St. Francis Xavier University.
The BlackJacks also announced Tuesday they have released guard Cody John. In 11 games for Ottawa, John averaged 8.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists.
Winners of three of their last four games, the BlackJacks will kick off a three-game road trip tonight at 9:00 p.m. Eastern in Edmonton. On June 23, Ottawa defeated the Stingers, 92-84, at TD Place Arena.
Following tonight’s game, the team will travel to Saskatchewan for a game on Thursday, and close out the trip with a nationally televised game on Sunday afternoon (4p.m. Eastern on CBC TV) at Fraser Valley.
The BlackJacks will return home on July 19 for a game against former BlackJacks lead assistant coach, Patrick Ewing Jr., and the Newfoundland Growlers. Tickets are available at theblackjacks.ca/tickets.
Tournament Packs for the 2022 CEBL Championship Weekend hosted in the nation’s capital are now on sale and include the two semifinals, the championship game, access to the festival in Lansdowne Park and the concert series featuring major headliners. Game tickets for the semifinals and the championship game are also available to the general public. For more information, visit https://www.cebl.ca/championshipweekend or contact the Ottawa BlackJacks Membership Services team directly at 613-690-0519 or by email at [email protected].
Quotes:
"Josh is a high motor forward that has switch ability and physicality. He will give us some depth and toughness at the position."
- Jevohn Shepherd, General Manager and Vice-President, Basketball Operations
Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to compete with the BlackJacks as it is a chance to compete at the highest level in Canada and learn from experienced professional athletes.”
-Josh Inkumsah, Forward, 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 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, 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 10-14, 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. With 10 teams in the CEBL, the league is the largest in the country. 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.
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Contact:
Marika Guérin
Director, Communications, Community and Brand
Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club