OTTAWA, ON - The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday the signing of Ball State star forward and American, Tahjai Teague (pronounced ta-JAY).
A six-foot-eight forward from Indianapolis, Indiana, Teague played four seasons with Ball State University, where he averaged 11.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 blocks, 1.2 steals and 25.3 minutes in 129 collegiate games. He finished his career ranked third in school history for blocked shots (134), fourth in total rebounds (961), seventh in steals (159), eighth in field goal percentage (.524) and tenth in scoring (1,518), making him the only Ball State player to ever rank among the Top 10 in all five categories.
As a senior, the 23-year-old helped BSU to a share of the MAC West Division title and the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament before the postseason was canceled because of COVID-19. His averages of 14.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals made him an All-Mac First Team all-star and a MAC All-Defensive Team selection. He was named the MAC West Division Player of the Week a school-record six times. Teague notched 12 double-doubles and scored in double figures 24 times. On January 7, 2020, he scored a season-high 25 points to lead BSU to a 20-point home victory over defending league champion Buffalo.
During his Junior season, Teague ranked second in the MAC and among the Top 50 nationally in field goal percentage (.550) and seventh in the league in total rebounds (247). He went for a career-high 28 points and a season-best 14 rebounds at home January 8, 2019 against Eastern Michigan, for one of five double-doubles on the season.
The cousin of NBA players Jeff and Marquis Teague, Tahjai has played two games for Team Rome in the 2020 Eurobasket Summer League in Indianapolis.
Teague attended Pike High School, where he was selected as an Indiana State All-Star following his senior season with the Pike Red Devils. He was named All-State by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association and earned high honorable mention recognition from the Associated Press.
Teague became the fifth player to sign with the Ottawa BlackJacks for the 2021 season . The BlackJacks previously announced the signing of hometown guard Johnny Berhanemeskel ; fellow national team guard Junior Cadougan ; NBA G-League forward and Michigan St. alumnus Nick Ward ; and CEBL veteran Tyrell Green .
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:
“Tahjai will bring great energy to this team. With his ability to score, rebound, block shots and pass the ball, he is a well-rounded player who can be a threat on the court. “
- Jevohn Shepherd , General Manager, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to start my professional career in Canada. I can’t wait to move to Ottawa to meet the team, get to work and help this team win a championship.”
- Tahjai Teague, Forward, 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).
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Media Contact
Marika Guérin
Manager, Communications and Community
Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club