Ottawa BlackJacks Re-Sign NBA Experienced Forward Deng Adel
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday the re-signing of South Sudanese-Australian forward Deng Adel for the 2023 CEBL season.
Adel became the first non-American Import to sign with Ottawa last season and averaged 16.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 30.3 minutes in 20 games. He led the team in scoring eight times and netted 20 or more points on eight occasions. He was named Player of the Game on July 27, recording a game-best 30 points against the Edmonton Stingers. Adel set a franchise record with 37 points, netting seven triples, to go along with nine rebounds and five assists during the BlackJacks Home Opener on May 25 against the Bandits.
In 2019, after starting in 24 of his 25 outings with the Raptors 905, Adel signed a two-way NBA contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Four days later, he was called into the game against Denver and scored his first triple. It would be his first of 19 games with the Cavaliers. He played a season-high 36 minutes, totalling five points, two rebounds and a season-high two blocks February 8 against Washington and scored a season-high six points, shooting two-for-two from behind the arc January 27 against Chicago. He also played for the Houston Rockets during the 2019 NBA Summer League, where he averaged 8.8 points in five games.
The six-foot-seven forward is currently competing with the BC Balkan in Bulgaria, after suiting up in 15 games with the Bakken Bears in Denmark. An all-around player, Adel had his best statistical performance of the season on November 17 against the Svendbord Rabbits, recording season highs of 31 points and 11 rebounds.
The University of Louisville alumnus joined the Maine Celtics in the NBA G-League for the 2021-22 season and spent the previous campaign back home, playing with Illawarra in the NBL Australia.
Collegiately, Adel started in 71 of 89 games in his three years at Louisville. His junior season, he led the team in scoring with 14.9 points per game. He also averaged 5.2 rebounds that year.
The Juba, South Sudan native moved to Australia in 2004, at the age of four, to escape civil war. He originally found a passion for soccer and track & field before being introduced to basketball. In 2013, he moved to the United States to pursue his basketball career at Victory Rock Prep in Bradenton, Florida.
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. Tickets are available at www.theblackjacks.ca/tickets.
Quotes:
“I am looking forward to another great summer in the nation’s capital. I had an amazing time last year and I received a very warm welcome from the community. I am ready to proudly represent Ottawa-Gatineau once again this season.”
- Deng Adel, Forward, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
“Deng is an exceptional talent who can score the ball a number of ways. He is a great locker room guy who spent time submersing himself in the Ottawa community.”
- 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 semifinal 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.