Ottawa basketball fans have reason to celebrate as the highly anticipated return of the sport takes centre stage in the city. The Ottawa Blackjacks are set to kick off the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season in a thrilling showdown at TD Place Arena on May 24 at 7:30pm. The home team will face off against none other than the reigning champions, the Brampton Honey Badgers, in what promises to be an electrifying contest.
The Blackjacks’ roster boasts a mix of seasoned players and fresh talent. Among the key returnees is Zena Edosomwan, who arrives in Ottawa fresh off a championship victory in Finland with the Helsinki Seagulls. Joining him are Deng Adel, Kadre Gray, Jackson Rowe, and Tyrell Tate, forming a formidable core. Two players with substantial ties to Ottawa, homegrown Maxime Boursiquot and University of Ottawa forward Guillaume Pepin, add local flavour to the team’s lineup. The Blackjacks have also welcomed several newcomers to their ranks. Abu Kigab, Matt Coleman III, Michael Flowers, James Jean-Marie, Cole Syllas, and Elijah Pemberton bring fresh energy and skills to the squad.
Also, the team made a valuable addition through the U Sports Draft, acquiring 6-foot-10 Sukhman Sandhu from the University of British Columbia with the seventh overall pick.
Zena Edosamwan against the Brampton Honey Badgers. Photo by Pedro Decimus.
Looking back at last season, Ottawa had the privilege of hosting the CEBL Championship Weekend, a thrilling event that captivated fans from August 10-14. The Blackjacks made a valiant run but unfortunately fell short in the semifinals, narrowly losing to the eventual champions, the Brampton Honey Badgers, with a close score of 72-76.
Under the guidance of returning head coach James Derouin, who took charge of the team after a challenging 0-3 start last year, the Blackjacks are determined to improve upon their 2022 record of 8 wins and 12 losses. The team finished the season with a strong surge, winning three consecutive games and dominating five out of their final six home matches.
The Blackjacks during the CEBL Championship Weekend. Photo by Pedro Decimus.
Adding to the excitement of the games, the Ottawa Blackjacks home matches feature top-notch entertainment, including captivating halftime shows. Last season’s lineup had renowned R&B artist JYDN Hill, talented violinist Kayiri, and an impressive dance act, The Poppers Club, by local dance studio Flava Factory.
In a recent announcement, TSN and the CEBL confirmed that TSN’s streaming platform, TSN+, will broadcast all 107 regular season CEBL games and the playoffs, ensuring that fans won’t miss a moment of the action.
With ten home games this season, fans can secure their seats by purchasing tickets online at theblackjacks.ca/tickets or visiting the TD Arena box office. The season starts on May 24.
