RECENT NEWS
By Farrah Philpot
•
June 22, 2026
The Ottawa BlackJacks took a 101-98 loss back at home against the Saskatoon Mamba last night. It was a battle fought until the last possession, but it just didn’t go the BlackJacks way. Despite the loss, there are many positives to this team, a main one being G-League player Matthew Cleveland. Cleveland is currently third in the league for points per game, averaging 25.4 and fifth in the league for rebounds, averaging 8.2. In last night’s game, Cleveland finished with 33 points, six rebounds and three assists. When asked about his impact in his first year in the league he responded, “It means a lot. It means my teammates and coaches have put a great deal of confidence and respect in me.” Another bright spot on the team is Javonte Smart, the franchise record holder for points in a single game. Last night, he finished with 32 points and 10 assists for another double-double performance. Smart is third in the league for assists, averaging seven per game. Even though the team is on a tough losing streak, the BlackJacks are doing a lot of things right. They lead the league in defensive rebounds with a total of 339 on the season. They also lead the league in blocks, with a total of 76. Alex Fudge is second in the league for blocks, with a total of 20, averaging 1.8 per game. “Our players are doing the best that they can, and they're striving for greatness every single day, and this is making them better,” said Head Coach Justin Mazzulla. The BlackJacks have a day to reset before they play the Scarborough Shooting Stars at home tomorrow. The Shooting Stars are currently first in the Eastern Conference and have only taken one loss, which was also to the Saskatoon Mamba, back at the end of May. They are currently on a six-game winning streak, including a win against the BlackJacks on Friday.
By Farrah Philpot
•
June 15, 2026
June 21 Father’s Day theme game What a better way to finish off your Father’s Day celebrations than a basketball game with dad? The Ottawa BlackJacks will host a Father’s Day game on June 21 to celebrate and to welcome fans back to the Arena at TD Place for the second half of their home games. The game will feature a father and child half-time show, as well as a Father’s Day-themed photo booth, so you can cement your BlackJack’s memories forever. Versus the Saskatoon Mamba The BlackJacks will host the newly rebranded Saskatoon Mamba, formerly the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Ottawa will face Saskatoon tonight at Merlis Belsher Place, before returning to the Arena at TD Place on Sunday to play the Mamba for the first time at home. The rematch will happen just six days later, and fans will see the newly rebranded purple jerseys on the court, rather than the former Rattlers green and white jerseys. The BlackJacks are looking to bounce back after a tough loss in Vancouver on Saturday. The Mamba currently have a 3-5 record compared to the BlackJacks 4-5 record. The game on Sunday will also mark the seventh home game for the BlackJacks, meaning they are officially more than halfway through their season at home. Halfway through the home season reflection With a current 4-5 record mid-way through their first Western Conference road trip, the BlackJacks are currently seated at third place in the Eastern Conference. They have a 3-3 record at home, compared to a 1-2 record on the road. Before heading home to re-match the Mamba, they will make a stop to play the Scarborough Shooting Stars on Friday. The Shooting Stars are currently the number-one-seeded team in the Eastern Conference. Currently on their first road trip of the season, this away streak will really be a test of their grit and longevity when it comes to not having a home court advantage. The team has been finding their rhythm offensively, shooting 47.5 per cent from the field. They are becoming powerhouses on both ends of the court with players like Justin Harmon and Javonte Smart lighting up the front court, and defensively strong players like Matthew Cleveland, Alex Fudge and Drew Cisse leading the charge on the back court. Cleveland is currently second in the league for total defensive rebounds this season with 64. A dominant player on both ends of the court, Cleveland brings diversity to the BlackJacks that has become essential to bringing them to a winning season. Fudge is another defensive bright spot on the BlackJacks. He averages two blocks per game and has a total of 14 blocks on the season. Smart averages eight assists per game and has a total of 55 assists on the season. The franchise record holder for points in a single game is now a veteran on this team and is really becoming a playmaker. Join us on Father’s Day to welcome the BlackJacks back to home court and to celebrate the second half of our at-home season.
By Farrah Philpot
•
June 13, 2026
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that the team has signed Kobe Elvis for the 2026 Season. The 6’2 guard originally from Brampton, ON will join the BlackJacks after playing five seasons in the NCAA and most recently competing with the Olomoucko Prostejov in the Czech National Basketball League. In the 2025-26 season with the Olomoucko Prostejov, and his first professional season, he averaged 17 points and 3.7 rebounds. Throughout his college career, Elvis played at three schools in the NCAA Division I. His last season, in the 2024-25 season with Oklahoma, he averaged 7.7 points and two rebounds. He began his college career at DePaul University during the 2020-21 season. There, he averaged 5.2 points and two assists per game. The majority of his college career was spent at the University of Dayton in Ohio. Across his five years in the NCAA he averaged eight points and 2.8 assists. In the 2023-24 season with the University of Dayton, Elvis received two Atlantic 10 Player of the Week Awards. Elvis has previous CEBL experience, last year playing with the Scarborough Shooting Stars. There, he averaged 4.7 points and 3.2 assists per game. Born on March 16, 2001, the 25 year old played his high school years at Bill Crothers Secondary, in Unionville, ON. During his high school playing career he participated in the All Canadian Games and the Canadian Showcase. Single-game tickets are currently available to purchase by visiting theblackjacks.ca/tickets . BlackJacks 2026 season-seat memberships are available now. For additional details, fans are encouraged to email ticketing@theblackjacks.ca or call 613-294-1133.
By Farrah Philpot
•
June 3, 2026
The Ottawa BlackJacks just beat the number-one seeded team in the Western Conference, and made history in the process. The 114-105 win over the Vancouver Bandits was dominated by G-League stars Justin Harmon and Matthew Cleveland. Harmon finished the game with 36 points, and Cleveland finished with 35. This is the first game in BlackJacks history where two players have finished with 35 points or over. “It's history. Harmon's a great player,” said Cleveland about his dual teammate. “[They] did a great job of opening up the floor for us.” Harmon and Cleveland both come from the Salt Lake City Stars, the G-League affiliate of the Utah Jazz. “Salt Lake City BlackJacks,” dubbed Harmon as his new name for the duo. Their experience playing with each other and their personal connection could be a big reason that the energy was so high on the bench. “I ain't never had another person score 30 with me. So it was just super fun,” continued Harmon. “It felt like we were just trading baskets out there.” When asked about what the historic moment meant to him on a personal level, Harmon responded, “Everybody dreams of scoring 30 points.” Head Coach Justin Mazzulla confirmed that a big reason for the BlackJacks dominant win was the chemistry radiating from the Salt Lake duo. “They want to see each other win,” said Mazzulla. “That locker room is really tight-knit right now, and that's what's clicking.” Another bright spot joining the team was Drew Cisse, a center who played his first game at home tonight. After a dominant game in Montreal on Sunday, he was here to show BlackJacks fans what he can do on home court. “I just want to keep building and keep going and winning with everybody,” said Cisse about his next steps to finding his place on the BlackJacks team. One place where the BlackJacks have struggled in the past, was the rebounding game, and Cisse is proving to be the solution they’ve been looking for. With eight boards on the night, and nine on the road on Sunday he’s looking to continue to fill this gap. “I feel like that's the key to win. That’s a big recipe for us. And if I do that at a consistent level, I think we can win consistently,” said Cisse.
By Farrah Philpot
•
June 22, 2026
The Ottawa BlackJacks took a 101-98 loss back at home against the Saskatoon Mamba last night. It was a battle fought until the last possession, but it just didn’t go the BlackJacks way. Despite the loss, there are many positives to this team, a main one being G-League player Matthew Cleveland. Cleveland is currently third in the league for points per game, averaging 25.4 and fifth in the league for rebounds, averaging 8.2. In last night’s game, Cleveland finished with 33 points, six rebounds and three assists. When asked about his impact in his first year in the league he responded, “It means a lot. It means my teammates and coaches have put a great deal of confidence and respect in me.” Another bright spot on the team is Javonte Smart, the franchise record holder for points in a single game. Last night, he finished with 32 points and 10 assists for another double-double performance. Smart is third in the league for assists, averaging seven per game. Even though the team is on a tough losing streak, the BlackJacks are doing a lot of things right. They lead the league in defensive rebounds with a total of 339 on the season. They also lead the league in blocks, with a total of 76. Alex Fudge is second in the league for blocks, with a total of 20, averaging 1.8 per game. “Our players are doing the best that they can, and they're striving for greatness every single day, and this is making them better,” said Head Coach Justin Mazzulla. The BlackJacks have a day to reset before they play the Scarborough Shooting Stars at home tomorrow. The Shooting Stars are currently first in the Eastern Conference and have only taken one loss, which was also to the Saskatoon Mamba, back at the end of May. They are currently on a six-game winning streak, including a win against the BlackJacks on Friday.
By Farrah Philpot
•
June 15, 2026
June 21 Father’s Day theme game What a better way to finish off your Father’s Day celebrations than a basketball game with dad? The Ottawa BlackJacks will host a Father’s Day game on June 21 to celebrate and to welcome fans back to the Arena at TD Place for the second half of their home games. The game will feature a father and child half-time show, as well as a Father’s Day-themed photo booth, so you can cement your BlackJack’s memories forever. Versus the Saskatoon Mamba The BlackJacks will host the newly rebranded Saskatoon Mamba, formerly the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Ottawa will face Saskatoon tonight at Merlis Belsher Place, before returning to the Arena at TD Place on Sunday to play the Mamba for the first time at home. The rematch will happen just six days later, and fans will see the newly rebranded purple jerseys on the court, rather than the former Rattlers green and white jerseys. The BlackJacks are looking to bounce back after a tough loss in Vancouver on Saturday. The Mamba currently have a 3-5 record compared to the BlackJacks 4-5 record. The game on Sunday will also mark the seventh home game for the BlackJacks, meaning they are officially more than halfway through their season at home. Halfway through the home season reflection With a current 4-5 record mid-way through their first Western Conference road trip, the BlackJacks are currently seated at third place in the Eastern Conference. They have a 3-3 record at home, compared to a 1-2 record on the road. Before heading home to re-match the Mamba, they will make a stop to play the Scarborough Shooting Stars on Friday. The Shooting Stars are currently the number-one-seeded team in the Eastern Conference. Currently on their first road trip of the season, this away streak will really be a test of their grit and longevity when it comes to not having a home court advantage. The team has been finding their rhythm offensively, shooting 47.5 per cent from the field. They are becoming powerhouses on both ends of the court with players like Justin Harmon and Javonte Smart lighting up the front court, and defensively strong players like Matthew Cleveland, Alex Fudge and Drew Cisse leading the charge on the back court. Cleveland is currently second in the league for total defensive rebounds this season with 64. A dominant player on both ends of the court, Cleveland brings diversity to the BlackJacks that has become essential to bringing them to a winning season. Fudge is another defensive bright spot on the BlackJacks. He averages two blocks per game and has a total of 14 blocks on the season. Smart averages eight assists per game and has a total of 55 assists on the season. The franchise record holder for points in a single game is now a veteran on this team and is really becoming a playmaker. Join us on Father’s Day to welcome the BlackJacks back to home court and to celebrate the second half of our at-home season.
By Farrah Philpot
•
June 13, 2026
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that the team has signed Kobe Elvis for the 2026 Season. The 6’2 guard originally from Brampton, ON will join the BlackJacks after playing five seasons in the NCAA and most recently competing with the Olomoucko Prostejov in the Czech National Basketball League. In the 2025-26 season with the Olomoucko Prostejov, and his first professional season, he averaged 17 points and 3.7 rebounds. Throughout his college career, Elvis played at three schools in the NCAA Division I. His last season, in the 2024-25 season with Oklahoma, he averaged 7.7 points and two rebounds. He began his college career at DePaul University during the 2020-21 season. There, he averaged 5.2 points and two assists per game. The majority of his college career was spent at the University of Dayton in Ohio. Across his five years in the NCAA he averaged eight points and 2.8 assists. In the 2023-24 season with the University of Dayton, Elvis received two Atlantic 10 Player of the Week Awards. Elvis has previous CEBL experience, last year playing with the Scarborough Shooting Stars. There, he averaged 4.7 points and 3.2 assists per game. Born on March 16, 2001, the 25 year old played his high school years at Bill Crothers Secondary, in Unionville, ON. During his high school playing career he participated in the All Canadian Games and the Canadian Showcase. Single-game tickets are currently available to purchase by visiting theblackjacks.ca/tickets . BlackJacks 2026 season-seat memberships are available now. For additional details, fans are encouraged to email ticketing@theblackjacks.ca or call 613-294-1133.
