Ottawa BlackJacks latest U Sports draft picks excited to help team win

By Anil Jhalli

The Ottawa BlackJacks drafted two natives of Quebec in the 2022 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) U Sports draft on April 19. 

The team drafted Nervens Demosthene of the University of Saskatchewan fifth overall and Guillaume Pépin of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees 16th overall. 

“Nervens and Guillaume are two talented players with a lot of potential,” said Jevohn Shepherd, the general manager and vice president of basketball operations with the BlackJacks. “They both had a successful season this year with their respective U Sports teams, and I am excited to watch them continue to grow this summer as they practice and play with some of the best Canadian and international professional players.”

Demosthene, a six-foot-one guard from Terrebonne, Quebec, has averaged 13.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 77 collegiate games with the University of Saskatchewan and Bishop’s University. During the 2021-22 campaign, Demosthene scored 15 or more points five times and helped the University of Saskatchewan reach the U Sports national championship game. 

“I am thankful to play my second CEBL season with the BlackJacks,” said Demosthene. “Ottawa is a great city, and I am ready to help the team win a title.”

Pépin, a six-foot-six forward from Montréal, Québec, was selected 11th overall by the BlackJacks during the 2021 U Sports draft and played one game with the team during the 2021 post-season, totalling eight points and five rebounds in a crucial quarter-final victory at Hamilton.

Pépin has averaged 15.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals in 52 games with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees. As a freshman in 2018-19, Pépin averaged 15.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. He earned a spot on the U Sports All-Rookie Team, while also being named an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) second-team all-star and winning the OUA Rookie of the Year Award.

“I am excited to stay in Ottawa this summer,” he said. “It’s great to be a part of the BlackJacks organization once again and to represent our city and community.”

 

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