The Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that veteran coach David DeAveiro has been named lead assistant coach to James Derouin, who was appointed interim head coach on Friday. DeAveiro joins Damian Buckley, Vincent Plante, and Jamil Abiad on the BlackJacks bench alongside Derouin. The Club also announced that Tom Johnson has left the organization and is returning to Belgium to be with his former club.
DeAveiro has been head coach of the Ryerson Rams men's basketball since 2020. He came to the Rams after serving as head coach of the McGill University men's basketball team for 10 seasons. Prior to joining McGill, he coached the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees for nine seasons.
A Toronto native, DeAveiro led McGill to five Quebec conference (RSEQ) titles and five appearances at the U SPORTS Final 8 in his final eight years with the program. With the Ottawa Gee-Gees, DeAveiro was the team's all-time leader in coaching wins, posting an impressive 210-127 record overall, including a 132-66 mark in league play. He guided Ottawa to three appearances at the Final 8 national championship.
A well-known name in Canadian basketball circles, DeAveiro has also enjoyed an extensive coaching history with Canada Basketball, including the men's senior, development and junior teams. In 2018, he was an assistant on the Canadian squad that won silver at the Commonwealth Games in Australia. The Canadian team was composed of current and former CEBL stars including Jean-Victor Mukama (Scarborough), and former BlackJacks Jean-Emmanuel Pierre-Charles, Mamadou Gueye and Munis Tutu.
DeAveiro spent six summers as head coach of the Canadian cadet program, which finished fifth at the 2016 FIBA U-17 world championship in Spain, second at the 2015 FIBA Americas U-16 championship in Argentina, sixth at the 2014 FIBA U-17 world championship in Dubai, third at the 2013 FIBA Americas U-16 tourney in Uruguay and fifth at the 2012 FIBA U-17 world championship in Lithuania.
As a player, DeAveiro competed for five seasons with the Gee-Gees before joining the team's coaching staff.
Quotes:
“Dave is one of the most respected coaches in Canada. His extensive service with the Canadian national program and having helped develop many of today’s CEBL stars through his illustrious U SPORTS career makes Dave a great addition to our staff.”
Jevohn Shepherd, General Manager and Vice-President, Basketball Operations,
Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
“As someone who knows and respects both Jevohn (Shepherd) and James (Derouin) very much, I am excited to join the BlackJacks coaching staff. It is extra special for me to be able to return to Ottawa, where I have so many great memories as a coach and a player. This is a solid organization, and I am honoured to be a part of this next chapter.”
David DeAveiro, Lead Assistant Coach, 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 and Vice-President, Basketball Operations Jevohn Shepherd, 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. With 10 teams in the CEBL, the league is the largest in the country. 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
Director, Communications, Community and Brand
Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club