Ottawa BlackJacks Re-Sign American Centre Zena Edosomwan
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that Zena Edosomwan has re-signed with the club for the 2023 season.
A six-foot-nine centre from Los Angeles, California, Edosomwan averaged 6.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in 20 games played with the Ottawa BlackJacks last summer. The big man ended the season on a high note as he recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds to go along with two blocks on August 12 in the 2022 CEBL Championship semifinals against the league champion, Brampton Honey Badgers. He scored his first double-double on July 14 in Saskatchewan tallying 17 points and a season-high 13 rebounds.
Edosomwan is currently completing his post-season with the Helsinki Seagulls in Finland and will be competing for the Korisliiga Championship title on Thursday (May 11) against the Kauhajoen Karhu. He ended the regular season with an average of 12.4 points, a team-best 11.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.3 blocks in 40 games played grabbing a season-high 18 rebounds on December 30 against Tapiolan Honka.
The Harvard University alumnus began his professional career in 2019-20 with the Gigantes de Jalisco in the Basketball Circuit of the Pacific Coast, a professional basketball league based in Northwestern Mexico before moving to Canada to complete the season with the Sudbury Five, recording averages of 16.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 17 games played.
Collegiately, Edosomwan suited up for 107 games with the Harvard Crimson and finished seventh all-time at Harvard in blocks with 108. Upon graduation, Edosomwan was named to the 2017 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Watch List, an annual honour recognizing the top centers in men’s college basketball in the United States. The Los Angeles native had his best statistical season as a Junior in 2015-16, averaging 13.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 28 games played. He was named to the NABC All-District 13 second team and All-Ivy League second team that year. He registered a double-double with 23 points and 17 rebounds on December 22 against BYU, setting a Diamond Head Classic tournament record for most rebounds.
TSN and the CEBL announced that Canada’s Sports Leader will showcase live coverage of select CEBL games on TSN and TSN+ throughout the 2023 season, tipping off at the Arena at TD Place in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 24, when the BlackJacks take on the reigning CEBL Champions Brampton Honey Badgers. Season seat memberships, Flex Packs and single game tickets are available at www.theblackjacks.ca/tickets.
Quotes:
“I’m excited for the opportunity to come back to Ottawa this summer and continue to build a culture that is striving to compete at a championship level in every aspect.”
- Zena Edosomwan, Centre, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
“Zena is the consummate pro and one of the best rebounders in the league. He has made tremendous strides this past season in Europe, developing elements of his offence. We’re happy to welcome back a great leader and competitor and most importantly, a selfless teammate.”
- Jevohn Shepherd, General Manager and Vice-President of 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 third season, the BlackJacks have reached the championship semifinals three times. 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. For more information visit www.theblackjacks.ca.
About Canadian Elite Basketball League
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 percent of its 2022 rosters being Canadian. TSN, Canada's sports leader, is the official broadcast partner of the league. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.