The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that Ottawa native Johnny Berhanemeskel has re-signed with thec lub for the remainder of the 2022 CEBL season.

A six-foot-one guard, Berhanemeskel has averaged 13.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 25.6 minutes in 268 games, playing professionally in France, Greece, Spain, Germany, Estonia and in the CEBL.

The second highest scorer of the Betclic Elite, the top-tier professional men’s basketball league in France, Berhanemeskel spent the2021-22 season with Chorale Roanne Basket, where he averaged 17.8points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 32 games. He scored 20 or more points 14 times and scored a season-high 29 points, shooting five-for-seven from behind the arc on March 19 against Nanterre 92.

Berhanemeskel played three games with the BlackJacks during the 2021 season, making his debut on Canada Day, registering a team-high 17 points in 25 minutes against Hamilton. He scored a season-best 24 points, shooting four-for-nine from beyond the arc, in addition to four assists and a perfect six-for-six from the charity stripe during the July 10 win against Fraser Valley.

He represented Team Canada at the recent 2022 FIBA AmeriCup Qualifier in San Juan, Puerto Rico, hitting three fourth-quarter triples in the last five minutes to help Canada win and sweep the two-game series against the U.S. Virgin Islands.

During the 2020 CEBL Summer Series, Berhanemeskel averaged 12.8 points, 2.8 rebound, 2.5 assists and 27.0 minutes, starting in all eight games for the BlackJacks. He finished the season ranked second on the team in scoring and second in assists.

Berhanemeskel played 105 games with the University of Ottawa where he averaged 19.0 points and 4.1 rebounds. As a senior, he became a First Team All-Canadian and was named 2015 OUA Player of the Year. He also earned the Mike Moser Memorial Trophy, award presented to the Outstanding Male Basketball Player in the CIS (U SPORTS). Berhanemeskel remains Ottawa's all-time points leader and ranks first in career three-pointers.

The Ottawa BlackJacks will conclude a three-game road trip on Sunday as they travel to Fraser Valley for a nationally televised game (4p.m.ETon CBC TV). Jack Astor’s Lansdowne will be hosting a viewing party and fans are invited to reserve their spot now at https://www.theblackjacks.ca/watch-party .

The BlackJacks return home on July 19 for a game against former BlackJacks lead assistant coach, Patrick Ewing Jr., and the Newfoundland Growlers. Tickets are available at theblackjacks.ca/tickets .

Tournament Packs for the 2022 CEBL Championship Weekend hosted in the nation’s capital are now on sale and include the two semifinals, the championship game, access to the festival in Lansdowne Park and the concert series featuring major headliners. Game tickets for the semifinals and the championship game are also available to the general public. For more information, visit https://www.cebl.ca/championshipweekend or contact the Ottawa BlackJacks Membership Services team directly at 613-690-0519 or by email at [email protected] .

Quotes:

"We are excited to have Johnny back with us. His ability to shoot the ball, his IQ and the familiarity with our head coach James Derouin’s systems should be an added boost to our team down the stretch”

- Jevohn Shepherd, General Manager and Vice-President, Basketball Operations Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club

“I’m excited to join the BlackJacks again. Every time I suit up for Ottawa it means a lot, and I’m honoured to represent this city!”

- Johnny Berhanemeskel, Guard, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club