Ottawa BlackJacks Announce 2021 U SPORTS Draft Picks
Players from Ontario Tech University, the University of Ottawa, and Wilfrid Laurier University selected
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday their three picks during the 2021 U SPORTS Draft, including Ali Sow of the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (fourth overall), Guillaume Pépin of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees (11th overall) and Graddy Kanku of the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks (18th overall).
Sow, a six-foot-one guard from Ottawa, averaged 22.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 66 regular season games for Wilfrid Laurier. He has been one of the country’s top offensive perimeter threats as the second leading OUA scorer in 2018-19 behind current BlackJacks guard Kadre Gray, and third leading scorer the following year. During the 2018-19 campaign, he averaged 26.6 points in 24 games and led the Golden Hawks to the OUA Wilson Cup semifinals. He was named a Second Team All-Canadian and OUA First Team All-Star and earned the Athlete of the Year award at Wilfrid Laurier. As a freshman, he was named on the U SPORTS All-Rookie Team, in addition to winning the OUA Rookie of the Year award. A second-round pick by Guelph at the 2020 U SPORTS Draft, Sow represented Canada at the 2019 World University Games in Naples, Italy, where he averaged 7.5 points and 2.8 rebounds in four games.
Pepin, a six-foot-six forward from Montreal, averaged 15.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 29.1 minutes in 36 games with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees. During his second season with the team, he helped the Gee-Gees reach the 2020 U SPORTS Final 8. As a freshman, he averaged 15.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 30.8 minutes in 23 games. He was named on the U SPORTS All-Rookie Team, an OUA Second-Team All-Star, and earned the OUA Rookie of the Year Award.
Kanku, a six-foot-five guard born in Montreal, represents the first player drafted in the CEBL from Ontario Tech University. As a freshman in the program’s inaugural season in 2019-2020, he averaged 20.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals and 32.4 minutes in 19 games. He led Ontario Tech in scoring (388) and finished sixth in the OUA in scoring average, netting 20 or more points 10 times. Kanku became the first Ridgeback basketball player to be recognized by the OUA, being named to the all-rookie team. He also earned the Ontario Tech’s Male Freshman of the Year award.
All three BlackJacks draft picks are designated U SPORTS developmental players, which allows them to return to their respective university team next season. As part of a special partnership between the CEBL and U SPORTS, each 10-man active CEBL roster must include either a U SPORTS development player (returning to school), or a recently graduated player (from the 2020-21 season). In order to maintain the amateur status of returning U SPORTS development players, payment will be provided in the form of an academic bursary to the player’s university.
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:
“Although Ali, Guillaume and Graddy are three very different players, they all proved that they can score and lead their team. These guys are hard-working student-athletes with promising careers. The partnership between the CEBL and U SPORTS is great, because it allows these players to be a part of a professional organization and learn from veterans who played in the CEBL, NBA, NBA G-league and FIBA professional leagues overseas. It will be extremely beneficial for their growth as athletes and they truly deserve this opportunity.”
- Jevohn Shepherd, General Manager, 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
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)
Social Media
Facebook: /OttawaBlackJacks
Twitter: @Ott_Blackjacks
Instagram: ottawablackjacks
Contact:
Marika Guérin
Manager, Communications and Community
Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club