Jevohn Shepherd Promoted to General Manager and Vice-President, Basketball Operations, for the Ottawa BlackJacks
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that Jevohn Shepherd has been promoted to the position of General Manager and Vice-President, Basketball Operations, for the Ottawa BlackJacks.
Earning the trust of the local and international basketball community, Shepherd will participate in strategic discussions of the franchise beyond basketball personnel and serve as a member of the BlackJacks senior management team.
A well-recognized Canadian basketball personality, Shepherd will continue to be a brand ambassador for the Ottawa BlackJacks and represent the CEBL during his broadcast work within the NBA and NBA G League community.
In addition to serving as BlackJacks General Manager since November 23, 2020, the former professional basketball player and long-time Canadian men’s national team member has been a popular voice for basketball. Over the past two years, he has served as a TV analyst for Canada Basketball on Sportsnet and for CBC Sports during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, in addition to calling Toronto Raptors games on TSN 1050. He has been part of the broadcast crew for the FIBA Basketball Champions League Americas and is a regular radio personality for Toronto Raptors and Raptors 905 games.
Shepherd’s contract as BlackJacks general manager was extended in August 2021 after orchestrating one of the most unique weeks of basketball management in the CEBL, having to assemble a makeshift roster that upset third-seeded Hamilton in the CEBL quarter-finals, leading the team to the 2021 CEBL semifinal appearance in Edmonton.
Since the beginning of 2022 CEBL free agency, Shepherd has been working on building the BlackJacks roster and finalizing the basketball operations staff for the upcoming season. Two players signings have been announced to-date, including Ottawa’s first non-American import, South Sudanese-Australian Deng Adel, and six-foot-11 Canadian forward Chad Posthumus.
The BlackJacks 2022 regular season schedule will consist of 20 games, including 10 home games at the Arena at TD Place in addition to hosting the 2022 CEBL Championship Weekend from August 12-14, 2022. The team with the best regular season record will join host Ottawa with automatic berths into the four-team Championship Weekend.
Quotes:
“In many ways, Jevohn serves as an example of why the CEBL was created - providing opportunities for Canadian players, coaches and executives to develop at home. While I obviously knew of Jevohn's playing career and character before he started his management journey with the BlackJacks, it has become such an honour to work alongside him in building the foundation for professional basketball in our nation's capital. Jevohn is a man of integrity, hard work and vision. The relationships he has cultivated around the basketball world has been earned through strategic and values-based decision making. As we embark on the 2022 CEBL season, we are focused together on building a championship-calibre organization."
- Michael Cvitkovic, President, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
“I am extremely excited to continue what we have started. The support from the Ottawa/Gatineau community has been humbling yet motivating from the start. My goal is to bring this city a championship while we continue to grow the game within our community.”
- Jevohn Shepherd, General Manager & Vice-President, Basketball Operations
Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
###
About the Ottawa BlackJacks
The first expansion franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Ottawa BlackJacks showcase the best of basketball and entertainment in the nation’s capital. Having recently completed its second season, the BlackJacks earned a semifinal appearance at the 2021 CEBL Championship Weekend in Edmonton. The Ottawa front office brings NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. Led by General Manager & Vice-President, Basketball Operations Jevohn Shepherd and Head Coach Charles Dubé-Brais, Ottawa plays its home games out of the world-class Arena at TD Place in Lansdowne Park. The BlackJacks and the City of Ottawa have been awarded the rights to host the 2022 CEBL Championship Weekend from August 12-14, 2022 with games taking place in the Arena at TD Place. The CEBL Championship Weekend will be a celebration of basketball, music, and local culture that will feature concerts, street festivals, the CEBL Awards, and several legacy projects to be announced at a later date. For more information visit www.theblackjacks.ca.
About Canadian Elite Basketball League
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.
Social Media
Facebook: /OttawaBlackJacks
Twitter: @Ott_Blackjacks
Instagram: ottawablackjacks
Contact:
Marika Guérin
Senior Manager, Communications and Community
Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club