RECENT NEWS
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 2, 2026
On Tues., June 2 , the Ottawa BlackJacks will host a Women in Sports night , celebrating all the women behind-the-scenes, that allow the BlackJacks to be successful. A big part of that is Jessica Zarowny, the Operations Executive of Community and Basketball. Zarowny has been with the team for three seasons, starting as an intern and quickly getting promoted to her position now. “It should be the norm that anyone who’s capable of doing the job, can do the job,” said Zarowny. “Whether it’s male sports, female sports, or not sport-related.” As the only female on the bench during games, Zarowny’s success as a woman is a prominent view for fans to see. But for her, she just sees it as a job, regardless of her gender. “I think the assumption is that a man is probably doing my job,” said Zarowny. She says the next step in equality for women in sports is just that, not assuming a man is doing the job, but asking the question beforehand. “Ultimately that should be the only thing that matters in building your career, is your capability. Not male or female,” she said. Another woman who stands behind Zarowny on the bench is Head Athletic Therapist, Finley Miller. Miller has been with the team since 2024, when she started as a fresh grad. She says that while her experience with the BlackJacks has been good, she can sometimes still struggle with imposter syndrome. “It's a very male dominated sport and lots of healthcare professionals are also male,” said Miller. “Sometimes it's hard to be like, ‘oh, can females even work in this sport and survive in this sport?’” She says the biggest key to overcoming the challenge of a male-doinated industry is to be confident and show you belong in the room. Dahlia Ali, the BlackJacks Media and Merchandise Coordinator, says that while her experience with the BlackJacks and in sports in general has been rewarding, she believes that women often feel the need to work harder. “They feel they need to prove their expertise, to prove their abilities, and their experience in order to earn the same amount of recognition that their other [male] peers would be receiving,” said Ali. The BlackJacks have also hired two female operations interns to support the team this summer. Isabel Langridge and Lola Aduroja feel honoured to have been hired by the BlackJacks, what they assume to be a competitive internship program. Langridge agrees with Zarowny, that it shouldn't matter the gender of the person doing the job, as long as it gets done right. She notes that many times during games, she’ll have to run to get the food for players after the game and entering the locker room to drop it off, hasn’t been a problem. “There’s not really a barrier,’” said Langridge. “There’s no, ‘you shouldn’t be here, you’re a woman.’ It’s like ‘you have to be there’.” She has noticed the double standard that comes with being a woman in sports, both as a career, and an athlete herself. “A guy can be rude, because he's just tired, he's had a long day, but if a girl does it, then she's being very moody,” Langridge explained. She believes part of this is due to both the stigma of women’s health as well as the lack of knowledge about it. For her, that’s the next step to complete equality in the industry. Aduroja shares that her time in the sports industry wasn’t approved by her father at first, because of the harassment he’d seen women endure. While she hasn’t experienced that herself, she does feel that women’s voices aren’t heard enough just yet. “For example, being the only woman in a men’s boardroom, you’re probably struggling to break the boys club,” she said. “Before they listen to you, they probably listen to 10 men.” So while strides have definitely been made in the sports industry, there are still steps to be taken, like nights like these. The BlackJacks are proud to hire and showcase the talents of women and celebrate them. Join us tonight for Women in Sports night! 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
•
May 29, 2026
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that the team has signed Marko Maletic for the 2026 Season. The 6 '6 forward originally from London, ON will join the BlackJacks after playing four seasons in the NCAA and most recently competing with the Keila Coolbet in the Estonian-Latvian Basketball League. In the 2025-26 season with Keila Coolbet, Maletic averaged 13 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2 assists. Throughout his college career, Maletic played at four schools and averaged 14.2 points throughout the four years. He started at Laramie County Community College in Wyoming, which plays in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). In his first season in 2020-21, Maletic averaged 12.4 points and 2.8 rebounds. Maletic then transferred to Long Island University in the NCAA for the 2022-23 season. There, he averaged 16 points and three rebounds per game. In the 2023-24 season, Maletic played at the University of Toledo, in Ohio. There, he averaged 2.3 points. In Maletic’s last college season, he played at Western Illinois University. He averaged 16.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He received many accolades in his last year of college, including All-OVC Second Team, OVC Player of the Week, and three OVC new-comer of the week awards. Born March 27, 2001, the 25 year old played his high school years at Saunders Secondary School in London, ON. 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. 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. About the CEBL The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada’s professional basketball league, featuring 10 member clubs across six provinces. Powered by elite talent, a fast-paced game format, and deep community connections, the CEBL delivers high-level basketball and unforgettable summer experiences for fans nationwide. The league boasts the youngest fan base in Canadian professional sport, half under age 34, and one of the fastest-growing audiences in the country, now reaching nearly 4.1 million Canadians. This momentum reflects the CEBL’s ability to deliver dynamic, thrilling gameplay while connecting deeply with a new generation of fans and expanding basketball’s cultural footprint across Canada. The CEBL is where elite performance meets homegrown talent. In 2025, 17 players with NBA experience hit the court, while nearly 70% of the league’s roster was Canadian, the highest concentration of domestic talent in any professional sports league in the country. Running from May through August, the CEBL’s season is a showcase of top basketball talent and a summer hub for fast-paced, high-energy fan excitement. Interact with us on social media Instagram: ottawablackjacks X: Ott_BlackJacks Facebook: OttawaBlackJacks TikTok: ottawablackjacks For further information, please contact: Alex Forbes Brand and Creative Manager Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club aforbes@theblackjacks.ca
By Farrah Philpot
•
May 22, 2026
The Ottawa BlackJacks took a tough loss last night to the Brampton Honey Badgers. Despite being down by 20 in the 2nd quarter, the game ended 93-90 showing the BlackJacks grit coming out of the half-time break. “We did a lot of great things that 2nd half. We showed what it takes to be a team,” said Head Coach Justin Mazzulla. “We're gonna take that, and then we're gonna run with it, and then we're gonna build off of it even more.” With one minute left on the clock in the 3rd quarter the BlackJacks went on an unstoppable run. Trailing by as many as 13 points that quarter, when the buzzer went off to end it, they were tied. And of course, that run was thanks to the franchise record holder for points, Javonte Smart. With two free throws, and a huge three-point shot from Smart, they were only down by two. Once Justin Harmon had the ball and was fouled, he had the chance to tie it up, and he did. “That's what I do. I'm ready for the moment and, you know, they also know that,” said Smart. “So, I'm in that position for a reason.” Tonight, also marked 500 CEBL-career points for Smart, in only 20 games played in the league. “I'm proud to say I'm a scorer,” said Smart. Smart ended the game with 27 points and eight assists. With a nail-biting fourth quarter, the BlackJacks fought until the very end. In Target Score Time it came down until the last possession, which the Honey Badgers took. Despite their first loss at home, coach Mazzulla made sure to still take the team to center court to clap for the fans. An important post-game ritual he’s taken to. “These fans show up, through and through, and our job is to show up for them,” said Mazzulla. With a quick turnaround to their next game against Montreal, the BlackJacks will be suiting up less than 48 hours later. Their focus for this game: building off the things they’re doing right. The Rivalry Game against Montreal will happen on Saturday, May 23 at 7pm. Shakur Daniel has roots in Montreal, playing for the Tundra of the Basketball Super League. When asked about his history with the game in Montreal, and what that means when the city comes to Ottawa he laughed and said “That don’t mean anything to me. We’re gonna get the win. Ottawa all the way.”
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 2, 2026
On Tues., June 2 , the Ottawa BlackJacks will host a Women in Sports night , celebrating all the women behind-the-scenes, that allow the BlackJacks to be successful. A big part of that is Jessica Zarowny, the Operations Executive of Community and Basketball. Zarowny has been with the team for three seasons, starting as an intern and quickly getting promoted to her position now. “It should be the norm that anyone who’s capable of doing the job, can do the job,” said Zarowny. “Whether it’s male sports, female sports, or not sport-related.” As the only female on the bench during games, Zarowny’s success as a woman is a prominent view for fans to see. But for her, she just sees it as a job, regardless of her gender. “I think the assumption is that a man is probably doing my job,” said Zarowny. She says the next step in equality for women in sports is just that, not assuming a man is doing the job, but asking the question beforehand. “Ultimately that should be the only thing that matters in building your career, is your capability. Not male or female,” she said. Another woman who stands behind Zarowny on the bench is Head Athletic Therapist, Finley Miller. Miller has been with the team since 2024, when she started as a fresh grad. She says that while her experience with the BlackJacks has been good, she can sometimes still struggle with imposter syndrome. “It's a very male dominated sport and lots of healthcare professionals are also male,” said Miller. “Sometimes it's hard to be like, ‘oh, can females even work in this sport and survive in this sport?’” She says the biggest key to overcoming the challenge of a male-doinated industry is to be confident and show you belong in the room. Dahlia Ali, the BlackJacks Media and Merchandise Coordinator, says that while her experience with the BlackJacks and in sports in general has been rewarding, she believes that women often feel the need to work harder. “They feel they need to prove their expertise, to prove their abilities, and their experience in order to earn the same amount of recognition that their other [male] peers would be receiving,” said Ali. The BlackJacks have also hired two female operations interns to support the team this summer. Isabel Langridge and Lola Aduroja feel honoured to have been hired by the BlackJacks, what they assume to be a competitive internship program. Langridge agrees with Zarowny, that it shouldn't matter the gender of the person doing the job, as long as it gets done right. She notes that many times during games, she’ll have to run to get the food for players after the game and entering the locker room to drop it off, hasn’t been a problem. “There’s not really a barrier,’” said Langridge. “There’s no, ‘you shouldn’t be here, you’re a woman.’ It’s like ‘you have to be there’.” She has noticed the double standard that comes with being a woman in sports, both as a career, and an athlete herself. “A guy can be rude, because he's just tired, he's had a long day, but if a girl does it, then she's being very moody,” Langridge explained. She believes part of this is due to both the stigma of women’s health as well as the lack of knowledge about it. For her, that’s the next step to complete equality in the industry. Aduroja shares that her time in the sports industry wasn’t approved by her father at first, because of the harassment he’d seen women endure. While she hasn’t experienced that herself, she does feel that women’s voices aren’t heard enough just yet. “For example, being the only woman in a men’s boardroom, you’re probably struggling to break the boys club,” she said. “Before they listen to you, they probably listen to 10 men.” So while strides have definitely been made in the sports industry, there are still steps to be taken, like nights like these. The BlackJacks are proud to hire and showcase the talents of women and celebrate them. Join us tonight for Women in Sports night! 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
•
May 29, 2026
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that the team has signed Marko Maletic for the 2026 Season. The 6 '6 forward originally from London, ON will join the BlackJacks after playing four seasons in the NCAA and most recently competing with the Keila Coolbet in the Estonian-Latvian Basketball League. In the 2025-26 season with Keila Coolbet, Maletic averaged 13 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2 assists. Throughout his college career, Maletic played at four schools and averaged 14.2 points throughout the four years. He started at Laramie County Community College in Wyoming, which plays in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). In his first season in 2020-21, Maletic averaged 12.4 points and 2.8 rebounds. Maletic then transferred to Long Island University in the NCAA for the 2022-23 season. There, he averaged 16 points and three rebounds per game. In the 2023-24 season, Maletic played at the University of Toledo, in Ohio. There, he averaged 2.3 points. In Maletic’s last college season, he played at Western Illinois University. He averaged 16.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He received many accolades in his last year of college, including All-OVC Second Team, OVC Player of the Week, and three OVC new-comer of the week awards. Born March 27, 2001, the 25 year old played his high school years at Saunders Secondary School in London, ON. 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. 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. About the CEBL The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada’s professional basketball league, featuring 10 member clubs across six provinces. Powered by elite talent, a fast-paced game format, and deep community connections, the CEBL delivers high-level basketball and unforgettable summer experiences for fans nationwide. The league boasts the youngest fan base in Canadian professional sport, half under age 34, and one of the fastest-growing audiences in the country, now reaching nearly 4.1 million Canadians. This momentum reflects the CEBL’s ability to deliver dynamic, thrilling gameplay while connecting deeply with a new generation of fans and expanding basketball’s cultural footprint across Canada. The CEBL is where elite performance meets homegrown talent. In 2025, 17 players with NBA experience hit the court, while nearly 70% of the league’s roster was Canadian, the highest concentration of domestic talent in any professional sports league in the country. Running from May through August, the CEBL’s season is a showcase of top basketball talent and a summer hub for fast-paced, high-energy fan excitement. Interact with us on social media Instagram: ottawablackjacks X: Ott_BlackJacks Facebook: OttawaBlackJacks TikTok: ottawablackjacks For further information, please contact: Alex Forbes Brand and Creative Manager Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club aforbes@theblackjacks.ca
By Farrah Philpot
•
May 22, 2026
The Ottawa BlackJacks took a tough loss last night to the Brampton Honey Badgers. Despite being down by 20 in the 2nd quarter, the game ended 93-90 showing the BlackJacks grit coming out of the half-time break. “We did a lot of great things that 2nd half. We showed what it takes to be a team,” said Head Coach Justin Mazzulla. “We're gonna take that, and then we're gonna run with it, and then we're gonna build off of it even more.” With one minute left on the clock in the 3rd quarter the BlackJacks went on an unstoppable run. Trailing by as many as 13 points that quarter, when the buzzer went off to end it, they were tied. And of course, that run was thanks to the franchise record holder for points, Javonte Smart. With two free throws, and a huge three-point shot from Smart, they were only down by two. Once Justin Harmon had the ball and was fouled, he had the chance to tie it up, and he did. “That's what I do. I'm ready for the moment and, you know, they also know that,” said Smart. “So, I'm in that position for a reason.” Tonight, also marked 500 CEBL-career points for Smart, in only 20 games played in the league. “I'm proud to say I'm a scorer,” said Smart. Smart ended the game with 27 points and eight assists. With a nail-biting fourth quarter, the BlackJacks fought until the very end. In Target Score Time it came down until the last possession, which the Honey Badgers took. Despite their first loss at home, coach Mazzulla made sure to still take the team to center court to clap for the fans. An important post-game ritual he’s taken to. “These fans show up, through and through, and our job is to show up for them,” said Mazzulla. With a quick turnaround to their next game against Montreal, the BlackJacks will be suiting up less than 48 hours later. Their focus for this game: building off the things they’re doing right. The Rivalry Game against Montreal will happen on Saturday, May 23 at 7pm. Shakur Daniel has roots in Montreal, playing for the Tundra of the Basketball Super League. When asked about his history with the game in Montreal, and what that means when the city comes to Ottawa he laughed and said “That don’t mean anything to me. We’re gonna get the win. Ottawa all the way.”
By Farrah Philpot
•
May 19, 2026
What better way to spend your Victoria Day evening than watching a win over the back-to-back reigning CEBL champions? The Ottawa BlackJacks defeated the Niagara River Lions 91–85 on Monday, May 18, in a back-and-forth battle that came down to the wire in Target Score Time. After a tough loss in Brampton on Friday, May 15, the BlackJacks returned home to begin a crucial stretch that sees them play three games in one week. “The next stretch is gonna be big for us,” said Javonte Smart, the BlackJacks’ franchise record holder for points. “We’re trying to knock all these home games out.” When asked about the secret to success during a homestand, Smart emphasized the importance of staying focused one game at a time. “I just win that day. Every day we’re in the gym, I’m learning, preparing for the next game. We just take it one game at a time,” he said. 
By Farrah Philpot
•
May 14, 2026
In a 93-88 win over the Calgary Surge, the BlackJacks took their first official win under new head coach Justin Mazzulla. Tonight also marks the first time that Ottawa has beat Calgary since they relocated from Guelph in 2022. The team is coming together with G-League talent and young stars leading the pack in scoring tonight. Javonte Smart had 30 points, Matthew Cleveland had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Justin Harmon had 15 points off the bench. Smart, the team’s leading scorer and franchise record holder for points, was shooting 52 per cent from the field. His efficiency was a huge part of the win. “He’s a flat out hooper, he’s a great person, and on his first day he said he has my back and I really believe that,” said Mazzulla about Smart’s contribution. Smart leads the BlackJack’s franchise in scoring and is second in the league. On July 31, 2025, he scored a CEBL-career high 44 points against the Niagara River Lions. “I feel good, I’m happy we got the win, coach got his first win. I’m happy to be back,” said Smart. Cleveland’s first CEBL contract is with BlackJacks, after playing one year in the G-League with the Salt Lake City Stars. He scored 27 points in their pre-season game against Montreal, and came out tonight with a stellar double-double performance. “I’m just playing hard. I’m coming into a new environment, so the one thing you can do is control your effort and energy,” said Cleveland. “[I’m just] learning the league, learning how different teams play; their style of play, their physicality.” Ottawa native Wilson Dubinsky thanked the city for embracing him so well in his first game. With his mom and family in the crowd, his name could be heard from fans from tip-off to the target score win. “I haven’t played in Ottawa in five or six years, so it felt great to be home,” said Dubinsky. “My mom and my dad travelled all the way to America [...] just to watch me play, and the fact that they get to drive 20 minutes up the road just to watch me play now is a blessing.” The BlackJacks will now hope on the road to play the Brampton Honey Badgers on Friday. They will be back at home on May 18 to play the reigning CEBL champions, the Niagara River Lions.
