He’s a professional basketball player making waves in Europe, but his journey started right here in Ottawa. Now, after finding success, he’s determined to give back to the kids in Canada’s capital. Find out more about his inspiring story on iottawa.net.
Johnny Berhanemeskel: From Jasmine Crescent to Pro Baller
Johnny grew up in the Jasmine Crescent area of East Ottawa. His family immigrated to Canada from Eritrea, seeking a better life. He’s one of four siblings, with three older brothers and sisters. As a kid, he was incredibly active, diving into all sorts of sports. But it was in Grade 10 at Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School that he truly dedicated himself to basketball, and the rest, as they say, is history.
His hard work and relentless training paid off. He eventually brought a provincial championship home to the University of Ottawa. In his fifth year playing for the Ottawa Gee-Gees, he earned the prestigious title of “CIS Outstanding Player” and was named to the First Team All-Canadian. He was, quite simply, the player of the year.
Over his five-year career in Ottawa, this standout guard played 105 games, averaging an impressive 19.0 points per game. He was the Gee-Gees’ top scorer, racking up over 2,000 points. If you were an Ottawa basketball fan, Johnny “GeeGee” Berhanemeskel was a household name.
As he entered his final year at the University of Ottawa, Johnny had one clear goal, one burning dream: to become a professional basketball player. He connected with an agent, and before long, he signed his first pro contract.
A Professional Career Takes Flight
Johnny Berhanemeskel has been playing professionally since 2015, primarily in Europe. His first contract was with BC Tallinna Kalev in Estonia. He quickly made an impact, averaging 20.5 points per game, which significantly boosted his team’s performance in Estonia’s top division. His pro career also includes 14 games in the Baltic Basketball League. Basketball website Eurobasket.com quickly recognized his talent, naming him “Player of the Year” and to the “First Team” of the All-Estonian League.
In July 2017, Johnny signed with Eisbären Bremerhaven, a professional basketball club in Germany. Then, in June 2020, he joined the Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. A few months later, on September 18, 2020, he inked a deal with Nanterre 92, a professional club in France.
He re-signed with the Ottawa BlackJacks on March 11, 2021, and on July 9 of the same year, he signed another contract with a French professional basketball club.
On August 11, 2021 (or 2022, depending on the source), Johnny Berhanemeskel joined BC Budivelnyk Kyiv, a Ukrainian basketball club that plays in the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague. It’s the oldest basketball team in Ukraine. During his time there, he averaged 15.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
In the summer of 2023, he returned to France, signing a season-long contract with BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque, another top-tier French professional basketball club.
Giving Back to the Community
In an interview, Johnny Berhanemeskel shared that he always knew he’d go pro. But equally important was his deep desire to give back to his hometown. This idea came to life with the creation of “Johnny Basketball,” an accessible camp where kids can connect, play, and have a blast.
In 2023, Johnny spent part of his summer in Ottawa, focusing on community development. Kids aged 9 to 16 joined his summer basketball camp, held at his former school from July 4 to July 14, 2023. He often speaks about the support he received as a child and how he dreamed of one day reciprocating that support to his community and its youth.
He even invited some big names to his summer basketball camp, including Katherine Plouffe, a member of the Canadian Women’s National Team, and Marial Shayok, an Ottawa native drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019, who now plays in the NBA G-League.
Kids’ Take on the Camp
For the kids who attended the Johnny Basketball summer camp, it was an invaluable experience. They learned a ton about their favorite game, honed their skills, and trained hard. For Johnny, interacting with the kids was just as rewarding. He learned a lot from them too. What started with shy youngsters quickly evolved into a supportive group, cheering each other on by the end of the sessions.
After the camp wrapped up, Johnny stated his goal: to make “Johnny Basketball” an annual event.
Johnny’s Guiding Principles
Throughout his career, Johnny has been consistently driven by family support, unwavering faith, and a strong work ethic. He tackles life’s hurdles head-on, relentlessly pursuing his dreams. He doesn’t let doubts creep in or listen to the skeptics; instead, he pushes forward, determined to reach the pinnacle of his career.
Basketball, like any professional sport, demands immense hard work and perseverance. The path to success might seem easy from the outside, but that’s rarely the case. True success goes beyond natural talent; it involves endless hours of intense training, sacrificing personal time, and overcoming both physical and psychological pressure. Another crucial ingredient for future success is the ability to bounce back from setbacks. These are all lessons exemplified by professional athletes, and Johnny Berhanemeskel’s story is a prime example. He’s certainly an Ottawa native we can all be proud of!