Ottawa BlackJacks Announce 2024 Training Camp Roster
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday its official training camp roster in preparation for the 2024 CEBL season.
Led by General Manager and Head Coach James Derouin, and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Jevohn Shepherd, Ottawa’s current training camp roster consists of 16 players.
Earlier today, the BlackJacks also announced the signing of six-foot-six forward Alonzo Walker, who just completed his fourth professional season in Slovakia. Walker has experience in the CEBL, having competed with the Niagara River Lions in 2022 and 2023.
Highlights of the 2024 Ottawa BlackJacks roster include:
- Five players with NBA G League or NBA Summer League experience (Abu Kigab, Brandon Sampson, Ibi Watson, Peter Jok, and Tyrrel Tate).
- Six players who have suited up for the BlackJacks in the past (Abu Kigab, Dragan Stajic, James Jean-Marie, Lloyd Pandi, Tyrrel Tate, and Yasiin Joseph).
- Seven players with ties to the nation’s capital (Dragan Stajic, JD Muila, Justin Ndjock-Tadjoré, Kevin Otoo, Lloyd Pandi, Michael Kelvin II, and Yasiin Joseph).
- Two American players (Brandon Sampson, Ibi Watson).
- One Sudanese player (Peter Jok).
- Three players who have signed their first professional contract (Justin Ndjock-Tadjoré, Michael Kelvin II, Kevin Otoo).
- 10 players with CEBL experience.
- 11 NCAA Division I alumni.
The Ottawa BlackJacks have previously announced the signing of American forward Jakeenan Gant, Canadian guard Javon Masters, and Canadian guard Keevan Veinot. These players have been placed on the club’s suspended list and will join the team upon the completion of their current international season.
Training Camp is set to on Saturday, May 18, at Collège La Cité. Members of the media who are seeking accreditation for BlackJacks Media Day, training sessions and home games are invited to apply through the BlackJacks portal: https://www.theblackjacks.ca/media-accreditation. The BlackJacks will be responsible for the review process and delivery of the accreditation decisions. Further information will be sent to media once accreditation is approved.
Ottawa BlackJacks 2024 Training Camp Roster
| NAME | POS | HT | WT | PREVIOUS TEAM | HOMETOWN | NATION | COLLEGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Kigab | F | 6-7 | 200 | MLP Heidelberg (Germany BBL) | St Catherines, ON | Canada | Boise State ' 22 |
| Alonzo Walker | F | 6-6 | 210 | BC Komarno (Slovakia) | Brampton, ON | Canada | Portland State ' 20 |
| Brandon Sampson (I) | G | 6-5 | 184 | Be' er Sheva (Israel) | Baton Rouge, LA | USA | LSU '18 |
| Dragan Stajic (U) | G | 6-2 | 195 | uOttawa Gee-Gees (U SPORT) | Waterloo, ON | Canada | uOttawa |
| Ibi Watson (I) | G | 6-4 | 200 | Boras Basket (Sweden) | Pickerington, OH | USA | Dayton' 21 |
| James Jean-Marie | F | 6-8 | 235 | Kaposvari KK (Hungary) | Montreal, QC | Canada | Portland State '22 |
| JD Muila | F | 6-8 | 240 | Froya Basket (Norway) | Ottawa, ON | Canada | Southern Illinois '23 |
| Jermel Kennedy | F | 6-6 | 185 | Zakho (Iraq) | Malton, ON | Canada | Lander '12 |
| Joel Brown | G | 6-2 | 190 | Iona (NCAA DI) | Brampton, ON | Canada | Iona ' 24 |
| Justin Ndjock-Tadjore (U) | F | 6-7 | 193 | uOttawa Gee-Gees (U SPORT) | Gatineau, QC | Canada | uOttawa |
| Kevin Otoo | G | 6-0 | - | uOttawa Gee-Gees (U SPORT) | Toronto, ON | Canada | uOttawa ' 24 |
| Lloyd Pandi | F | 6-4 | 191 | Darussafaka (Turkey) | Ottawa, ON | Canada | Carleton' 22 |
| Michael Kelvin II (U) | F | 6-6 | 195 | Queen's Gaels (U SPORT) | Ottawa, ON | Canada | Queen's |
| Peter Jok (I) | G | 6-6 | 205 | Sioux Falls (G-League) | Khartoum, Sudan | Sudan | Iowa ' 17 |
| Tyrrel Tate | G | 6-5 | 217 | Rayos de Hermosillo (Mexico) | Calgary, AB | Canada | Fayetteville State' 14 |
| Yasin Joseph | G | 6-1 | 185 | ALM Evereux | Ottawa, ON | Canada | Carleton ' 20 |
(I) Import (U) 2024 U SPORTS Draftee
The Ottawa BlackJacks 2024 single game tickets are on sale now at https://www.theblackjacks.ca/single-game-tickets. The team's fifth season will kick off at The Arena at TD Place on May 29, promising professional basketball and exciting entertainment in a family-friendly environment. For more information, please visit www.theblackjacks.ca or contact the Ottawa BlackJacks Membership Services team directly at 613-690-0519 or by email at [email protected].
Quote:
“We've put together a solid roster with guys of varying levels of experience and different skills that we'll need during the season. Most importantly, we've signed players who are good people. With such a short season, it's crucial to have great guys who will gel well together. Some players will join the team in one or two weeks once they're back from their European season. We need players who are talented but can also play well together, adapt quickly, and understand the CEBL game. It was also important for us to bring on board local guys who represent Ottawa proudly. We're sure they'll be eager to show their city to some of the newer guys. We're excited about this roster, and we can't wait for it to come together during training camp starting on Saturday."
- James Derouin, General Manager and Head Coach, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
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. 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 Head Coach James Derouin, Ottawa plays its home games out of the world-class Arena at TD Place in Lansdowne Park. The anticipation is building for the upcoming 2024 season, slated to tip off at home on May 29 against the Edmonton Stingers. For more information, visit www.theblackjacks.ca.
About Canadian Elite Basketball League
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73% of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Fourteen players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.
