Ozzy Omar Named 1st Team All-Canadian

Osman “Ozzy” Omar has capped of an exemplary season by earning the title of 1st Team All-Canadian. This prestigious honour was awarded to the fourth-year guard on Wednesday, March 30, at the 2022 U Sports Men’s Basketball Championships hosted by the University of Alberta. 

“I’m still trying to take it in,” says Ozzy, describing the honour as surreal. “Only a select few earn those spots and I am so thankful and happy to be included this year.” 

Ozzy led the AUS with an average of 24.5 points per game, making a conference-best 120 field goals and 106 free throws during his 2021-22 season with the Capers. Matt Skinn, head coach of the CBU Men’s Basketball team says he has run out of adjectives to describe what Ozzy has accomplished both on and off the court. 

“It is a proud moment for both Ozzy and our program,” says Matt. “This is incredibly well-deserved.” 

 In addition to his newest title, Ozzy is a two-time AUS 1st Team All Star, recipient of the Ken Shields Award for community service and has been named the conference’s most valuable player. Ozzy is only the second CBU Men’s Basketball player to win the award, joining standout guard Jimmy Dorsey on the prestigious list of recipients. 

Ozzy says no matter what titles he earns, he always returns to the advice his parents have given him throughout his life. “They tell me there are things bigger than basketball,” he says. “And that it’s important to use my platform to give back and take care of my community.” 

Along with taking care of business on the court and in the classroom, Ozzy has launched his own digital company – Pure Jumper Media. Pure Jumper tells the stories of standout athletes, with the most recent profile highlighting Western University Mustangs player, Omar Shiddo, who survived being brutally attacked and returned to the court without missing a beat. The video was featured on Sportsnet during Black History Month earlier this year. 

After the success of the video, Ozzy and Omar teamed up with Mending a Crack in the Sky, a Toronto-based non-profit that supports families impacted by gun violence, donating $3 to the cause for every point each of the athletes scored this season.

Ozzy also provides his time to Justice Fund TO, a non-profit that supports communities in conflict with the law, helping the organization tell success stories from minority communities in the Toronto area.

The two-time Academic All-Canadian shares his passion for basketball – both at home and in Cape Breton – with young players; Ozzy is front and centre during summer and winter camps, including free camps for members of his mosque in Mississauga. He is also a lead coach for the Capers Basketball School that takes place weekly during the academic year.

Ozzy says having the trust of his coaches and teammates is what allows him to excel both on the court and off. “I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without them,” he adds.

Coach Matt Skinn calls Ozzy one of the greats, saying the pride he has brought to CBU and Capers Athletics has been indescribable. 

We hope to see Ozzy back in the orange and green in the 2022-23 season!