OTTAWA, ON - The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that NBA G-League and Michigan State alumni, Nick Ward, has signed with the club for the upcoming 2021 CEBL season.
A six-foot-nine forward from Gahanna, Ohio, Ward averaged 13.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 20.4 minutes, in 34 games for the Atlanta Hawks G-League, affiliate of College Park Skyhawks, during the 2019-20 season. He scored 20 or more points eight times, recorded 10 double-doubles and shot .607 (160-262) from the field. His top scoring mark came February 9, 2020 against the Lakeland Magic, when he netted 26 points on a perfect 10-for-10 from the field. Ward grabbed a career-best 16 rebounds to go along with 22 points on January 15, 2020 versus Grand Rapids. The Skyhawks did not to participate in the 2021 G-League bubble.
Ward, just 23-years-old, has played pro twice in the Basketball Super League in Turkey. He averaged 21.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 32.5 minutes in four games for Istanbul earlier this season. Last year, he averaged 19.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 27.4 minutes in five games for Fethiye.
Collegiately, Ward played 104 games for the Michigan State Spartans, averaging 13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 19.6 minutes. He ranks 26 th all-time on the Spartans’ scoring list with 1,359 points. Ward’s .605 (506-837) career field goal percentage ranks fifth all-time in Michigan State history, and his 143 total blocks sit third in the school’s career record books. Netting 485 points during his freshman season (2016-17), Ward joins impressive company. He ranks second behind only Earvin “Magic” Johnson for scoring by a first-year player at Michigan State. During his junior year, Ward helped lead the Spartans to the NCAA Final Four after claiming the Big Ten Championship over Michigan. He opted out of his senior year to become eligible in the NBA Draft.
The Ottawa BlackJacks previously announced the signing of two other players for the upcoming season, including hometown guard Johnny Berhanemeskel and fellow national team guard Junior Cadougan .
Last month, the Ottawa BlackJacks, in collaboration with the CEBL, announced its 2021 regular season 14-game schedule, opening up with a game on the road versus Hamilton on Saturday June 5 at 7pm. After starting the campaign on a three-game road trip, Ottawa will play its first home game in franchise history on Thursday, June 24 at 7 p.m. versus the Niagara River Lions .
CBC is the premier media partner of the CEBL and will broadcast nationally televised games on seven consecutive Saturdays beginning June 5. The BlackJacks will appear three times on national television, and all regular season games will also be live streamed on the free CBC Gem streaming service , cbcsports.ca , the CBC Sports app and on a new OTT streaming platform the CEBL will unveil this spring.
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:
“Nick is going to be a big presence for us. Not only can he score in the paint and rebound, but Nick can also draw fouls and run the floor. He’s athletic and hungry. Off the court, Nick is a good young man who lives the values of the Ottawa BlackJacks.”
- Jevohn Shepherd , General Manager, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
“I’m really looking forward to living in Canada’s capital for the CEBL season. Ottawa looks like an amazing city. We are assembling a great roster in which I can learn from our veterans, while also making a significant impact for the BlackJacks this season.”
- Nick Ward, 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 (CEBL)
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).
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Media Contact
Marika Guérin
Manager, Communications and Community
Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club