OTTAWA BLACKJACKS SIGN LOCAL NBA DRAFT PICK OLIVIER HANLAN

Hanlan, a six-foot-four guard, has averaged 10.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 24.1 minutes in 213 games over five years as a pro in Greece, Germany, the NBA G-league, France and Lithuania.

This past season, he played for Iraklis Thessaloniki of the Greek Basket League where he averaged 16.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 30.0 minutes in 20 games, which included a season-high 24 points November 25 versus Panathinaikos.

Hanlan signed with the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA in September of 2017 and averaged 14.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 29.5 minutes in 48 games playing for the Austin Spurs of the NBA G-League. He scored 20 or more points eight times. Selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, Hanlan joined the Jazz for the 2015 Summer League where he averaged 4.1 points and 2.6 rebounds in eight games.

He has represented his country since 2010, having been a member of Team Canada at multiple age categories, including the Senior Men’s National Team at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers. A member of the Canadian U17 National team that finished third in the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Germany, Hanlan led Team Canada in scoring during the bronze medal game with 15 points versus Lithuania.

A standout for Boston College, Hanlan averaged 17.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1,1 steals and 35.9 minutes in 96 collegiate games. He became just the fifth Boston College player to earn First Team All-ACC accolades. An All-ACC First Team selection by both the media and coaches during his junior year, Hanlan also earned honorable mention All-America accolades from the Associated Press. He was named ACC Freshman of the Year in 2013 and an All-ACC Tournament second team selection. Hanlan set the ACC freshman single-game scoring record with 41 points March 14, 2013 versus Georgia Tech in the first round of the ACC Tournament.

Hanlan replaces guard Kaza Kajami-Keane on the BlackJacks training camp roster. Kajami-Keane has a scheduling conflict with his other professional team. The BlackJacks retain the CEBL rights to him until March 2, 2021.

The BlackJacks training camp roster remains at 11 players, all Canadian. The team will participate in Media Day today before taking the court for the first time on Friday morning.

The BlackJacks announced last week their first-ever training camp will be held at TD Place Arena in the nation’s capital from July 17-22, 2020. With more than three-quarters of its team roster and basketball operation staff currently residing in Ottawa, and under strict adherence with local, provincial and federal health regulations, the BlackJacks will prepare for the upcoming CEBL Summer Series in their home market.

The BlackJacks will travel to Niagara Region on July 23 to complete training camp and prepare for the round robin competition that will culminate in crowning the second-year league’s 2020 champion. The timing of the CEBL Summer Series, subject to the status of the province of Ontario’s phased in reopening, will make the CEBL the first professional league in Canada to return to play following the COVID-19 outbreak in March.

The 26-game CEBL Summer Series tips off Saturday, July 25 as the Ottawa BlackJacks play their first game in franchise history as part of a nationally televised double-header on CBC. Ottawa will face the Guelph Nighthawks at 3:50 p.m. following the opening game between the Hamilton Honey Badgers and Niagara River Lions, which starts at 1:30 p.m.

Quotes:

“Playing for the BlackJacks this summer is a unique opportunity to play with a bunch of guys who I have either competed with or against in Canada. Being able to train at home and represent my community in a Canadian professional league will be a memorable experience.”

- Olivier Hanlan

Ottawa BlackJacks Guard

“We welcome Olivier to the BlackJacks roster for the CEBL Summer Series. He has enjoyed a great start to his professional career. I started working with Olivier in the club system when he was just 15 years old. Having him return home and join our club is pretty special.”

- Dave Smart, General Manager

Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club

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