Derouin to Return as BlackJacks General Manager

November 21, 2025

The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that the club has re-signed James Derouin to a contract which will see him serve as general manager of the team for the 2026 season.


Derouin will be entering his second season as the full-time general manager of the BlackJacks after he helped lead Ottawa to a second place finish in the Eastern Conference’s regular season standings and an appearance in the conference semifinals in 2025.


"I’m grateful for the opportunity to return and help lead this organization forward,” said Derouin. “My focus is clear: build a championship team for this city, deepen our engagement with the community, and work closely with our new ownership group to deliver a high-quality roster that reflects our shared vision for excellence. This is a special place, and I’m committed to doing everything possible to bring a title home."


The 2026 CEBL campaign will mark Derouin’s sixth with the BlackJacks organization having also served as the club’s head coach and Director of Basketball Strategy and Analytics since joining the staff in 2021.

"We are proud to welcome James back to our organization,” said BlackJacks President Jason Winters. “With his leadership, we will take bold steps to build a championship-caliber roster while simultaneously expanding our impact in the community—growing youth basketball programs, creating opportunities for young athletes, and inspiring the next generation of players both on and off the court.”

An Ottawa native, Derouin has served as head coach of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees men’s basketball team since June 2010 and is the winningest coach in program history. This season, he has led the group to a 5-2 record in OUA play and a number seven ranking in the latest iteration of the USPORTS Top 10 rankings.

The Ottawa BlackJacks’ 2026 season begins in May 2026. Season seat packages for the 2026 campaign are now available online at 
theblackjacks.ca/season-seat-memberships.

About the Ottawa BlackJacks
The first expansion franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Ottawa BlackJacks are a professional men’s basketball team competing out of The Arena at TD Place. The club is committed to excellence on-and-off the court and aims to inspire community pride, foster grassroots development and deliver an unparalleled fan experience. For more information, visit theblackjacks.ca.

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The Winnipeg Sea Bears today announce the signing of Canadian guard David Walker. Walker most recently appeared for the Ottawa BlackJacks in the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League season, where on Aug. 16 2025, in a playoff game, he had a standout performance, scoring 19 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and recording 3 steals in 25 minutes. Prior to his time in Ottawa, he suited up for the Scarborough Shooting Stars in 2025. Walker was also recognized as a finalist for the 2024 CEBL Developmental Player of the Year award. In addition, Walker was a finalist for the 2023 U SPORTS Player of the Year award, recognizing his outstanding performance at the university level and cementing his reputation as one of Canada’s top basketball talents. Over his CEBL career, playing for Brampton Honey Badgers, Scarborough Shooting Stars, and Ottawa BlackJacks, Walker has averaged 8.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. “David fits the identity we’re building. He’s a tough, physical Canadian guard with league experience who strengthens our Canadian depth,” said Lead Assistant Coach and Assistant General Manager Alex Campbell. “He defends with purpose, plays hard, and gets downhill offensively. We believe he has tremendous upside, and I think Sea Bears Nation is going to appreciate the way he competes and works every single day.” Walker was originally selected 22nd overall in the 2024 CEBL Draft and began his professional career with the Brampton Honey Badgers, where he averaged 7.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16 games during the 2024 season. Before turning professional, Walker starred at Toronto Metropolitan University, averaging 16.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists during the 2023–24 season. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join the Sea Bears,” said Walker. “Winnipeg has built something special, and I’m coming in ready to bring toughness, versatility, and a winning mindset every time I step on the floor.” ###
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