BlackJacks host River Lions to kick off 2021 CEBL season

The CEBL’s season premiere also marks the first-ever home game for Ottawa after entering the league as an expansion team in the 2020 Summer Series.

With a shortened training camp due to COVID-19 protocols, the minimal turnaround time may be worrisome for many squads. However, the BlackJacks are loaded with depth and experience, a key factor in this early-season tilt. 

Ottawa only re-signed Johnny Berhanemeskel and Eric Kibi from last season’s squad but six members of the BlackJacks roster sport CEBL experience from previous years. Newly appointed General Manager Jevohn Shepherd valued that veteran leadership when putting his team together, and the maturity that having an older group yields is sure to show up during the season opener. 

One of Ottawa’s youngest players is Nick Ward, a 6-8 import big man out of Michigan State University. With limited experience in professional basketball up until this point, he came into camp as a slight wildcard. According to BlackJacks point guard Junior Cadougan, Ward has impressed his new teammates already.

“This is my first-time seeing Nick Ward and he’s been pretty good,” said Cadougan, “He’s been playing really well in camp.”

If Ottawa’s forward can make an immediate impact on both ends of the floor, it will be a welcome sight for coach Charles Dubé-Brais and the BlackJacks staff.

Even though Niagara’s deep and talented roster goes well beyond its stars, much of the focus will be on who is not suiting up for the River Lions on Thursday night. Star guards Phil Scrubb and Trae Bell-Haynes won’t be with the team to begin the year, as Scrubb makes his return from a recently completed season for Limoges CSP in France, and Bell-Haynes is looking to earn a spot on Team Canada’s senior men’s Olympic qualifying roster. 

Much of the playmaking will fall onto returners Kassius Robertson and Daniel Mullings, who look to hold down the fort while the River Lions work their way to full strength.

CEBL fans may recognize former Fraser Valley starter Olu Ashaolu when looking at Niagara’s big man rotation, but young forwards Javin DeLaurier and Grant Shephard will look to also play a major role.

DeLaurier, a four-year role player under legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke and Shephard, a recent transfer to the illustrious Carleton U SPORTS program have caught head coach Victor Raso’s eye thus far.

“Javin has really impressed us from how much he can do on the floor,” said Raso, “And the surprise of camp has been how good Grant Shephard is.”

Ashaolu will be a key cog for the River Lions as well, giving them plenty of options in the front court. Just don’t ask the veteran big man to comepete with his younger counterparts in a running competition.

“Seeing those young guys run up and down the court, they’re like Usain Bolt.” said Ashaolu.

You can watch this game and all other CEBL games on the CEBL’s new OTT streaming service CEBL+, cbcsports.ca, the free CBC Gem streaming service, the CBC Sports App for iOS and android devices, and on Twitch.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 75 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, 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 CEBL.ca for more information or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

Ansh Sanyal

Director, Brand & Marketing

CEBL

asanyal@cebl.ca