Ottawa BlackJacks Sign Veteran Forward Dominique Archie
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday the signing of Dominique Archie.
A six-foot-seven forward from Augusta, Georgia, Archie has played 389 games as a pro in France, Italy, Israel, Belgium, Romania and in the NBA G-League, averaging 11.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 27.8 minutes.
With 11 years of professional basketball experience, Archie has spent the last two seasons playing for Chalons-Reims of the Jeep Elite in France, the same league as BlackJacks teammate Johnny Berhanemeskel. Archie is averaging 12.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals, while shooting .630 (46-73) from the floor and .848 (39-46) from the line. He netted a season-high 24 points, including nine-for-10 shooting from the charity stripe March 18 versus Le Portel and recorded a double-double with 11 points and a season-high 10 rebounds, to go along with one block and two steals January 30 versus Pau-Lacq-Orthez.
During the 2016-2017 campaign, Archie averaged 13.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in 28 games for Orlandina Basket in the top tier pro league in Italy, the Lega A, and in the Italian Cup. He scored 20 or more points five times, registered three double-doubles and grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds twice, April 2 versus Grissin Bon and November 6 versus Brescia, the same day he also registered a season-high five triples.
Collegiately, Archie averaged 10.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 29.9 minutes in 98 games for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. As a Junior, he started all 31 games and was named a Second Team All-SEC and was selected to the SEC All-Defensive Team. He finished the 2008-2009 SEC season 14th in rebounds, tied for ninth in steals and tied for 10th in blocked shots. In 2006-2007, he became the first Gamecocks freshman to record a double-double in four years.
The Georgia native became the 11th player to sign with the Ottawa BlackJacks for the 2021 season. Last week, the team announced their three picks in the 2021 U SPORTS Draft, including Ali Sow of the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (fourth overall), Guillaume Pépin of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees (11th overall) and Graddy Kanku of the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks (18th overall), followed by the signing of Canadian six-year pro guard Joel Friesen.
Earlier this week, the league announced that out of respect for the gravity of the coronavirus situation in many parts of Canada, and in order to play a greater role in lifting up the communities in which its teams play, the league will push back the start of its 14-game 2021 regular season from June 5 to June 24, resulting in three BlackJacks games being moved into July and August.
The BlackJacks now open the 2021 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:
“Dominique will be a big part of our team. He brings a wealth of experience and can play a number of positions on the floor with his length, ability and IQ. He has played in some of the top leagues across Europe and brings us a winning pedigree.”
- Jevohn Shepherd, General Manager, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
"It will be my first time playing professionally in Canada and I am looking forward to moving to Ottawa to meet everyone and learn more about the culture. I want to have an impact and help this team bring back the trophy while also making a difference in our community."
- Dominique Archie, 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 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
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Contact:
Marika Guérin
Manager, Communications and Community
Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club