CEBL round 18 best performance: Ja'Vonte Smart

- August 6, 2025

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

Ja'Vonte Smart

Ja'Vonte Smart

American Guard Ja'Vonte Smart (193-G-1999) put on an extraordinary performance in the last round for Ottawa Blackjacks, receiving a Hoops Agents Player of the Week award for round 18.
The 26-year old player was the main contributor (44 points, two rebounds and eight assists) to his team's victory, helping them to edge out Niagara (#1, 14-7) 96-93. Thanks to this victory Blackjacks moved-up to the 3rd position in CEBL. Ottawa is a typical solid league team placed somewhere in the middle or a little bit lower in the standings. They need more victories to improve their 10-11 record. In the team's last game Smart had a remarkable 66.7% from 2-point range and got seven three-pointers out of 10 attempts. He turned to be Blackjacks's top player in his first season with the team. Former Louisiana State University star has very solid stats this year. Smart is league's best scorer averaging so far 28.2ppg. Smart is in league's top in assists (7th best: 6.2apg) and averages impressive 61.6% FGP.

The second best player in last round's games was another Ottawa's star - young American Isaih Moore (208-F-2000). Moore had a very good evening with a double-double of 32 points and 14 rebounds. Bad luck as Ottawa Blackjacks lost that game 101-112 to slightly higher-ranked Calgary (#2, 15-7). It was definitely game of the week between two contenders to the top position in Western Conference. Blackjacks still maintains its place in the top 3 of the standings, even despite this loss. His team is not often considered as one of the league's best with a mere 10-11 record. Moore is a newcomer at Blackjacks, but is already one of team's top players.

Third on the list of top players last round was another Ottawa's star - American forward Zane Waterman (203-F-1995). Waterman got into 30-points club by scoring 36 points in the last round. He went also for six rebounds . He was another key player of Ottawa Blackjacks, helping his team with a 100-93 win against #2 ranked Scarborough. The chances of Blackjacks ranking at the top of Eastern Conference, however are very questionable as they have already lost 11 games, recording just ten victories. With bigger assistance of his teammates, Waterman could help Ottawa to bring them higher in the standings. Waterman has a very solid season. In 11 games in CEBL he scored 16.1ppg. He also has 4.8rpg, a FGP of 61.2% and 3PT: 51.6%.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Mitch Creek (196-F/G-1992) of Vancouver - 35 points and 9 rebounds
5. Simi Shittu (208-C-1999) of Winnipeg - 22 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists
6. Jameer Nelson Jr. (185-PG-2000) of Calgary - 30 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists
7. Greg Brown III (201-F-2001) of Calgary - 26 points and 12 rebounds
8. Zach Copeland (193-G-1997) of Vancouver - 27 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists
9. Kevin Osawe (201-SF-1998) of Montreal - 26 points and 6 rebounds
10. Jalen Harris (196-SG-1998) of Winnipeg - 28 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists

The Player of the week is selected based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc.
The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy.
The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3*(REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4*(2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3*(2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3*(3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)

The Player of the Week awards are presented by Hoops Agents. Hoops Agents is the most complete website about the agencies and players they represent. With more than twenty years of experience, Hoops Agents is already recognized as the most reliable destination for the players who wish to continue their career in professional basketball and are searching for a reputable and connected representation. Hoops Agents is also most complete source of transactions news.

Tags : JA'VONTE SMART, OTTAWA BLACKJACKS, CANADIAN BASKETBALL,