Hennessy Roppovalente: Ottawa’s rising star behind the Blackjacks bench [Video]

He may only be 21 years old, but Hennessy Roppovalente is already making his mark in the professional basketball world.

“I get to help out a lot with recruiting players and scouting and a little bit of coaching as well,” said the Ottawa Blackjacks player personnel and strategy coordinator. “Played basketball growing up a little bit. Never really good at it, but I always loved the side that had to do with, you know, transactions and signing players and negotiating the salary cap, and finding the value of players where other people couldn’t.

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Compared to other coaches in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), Roppovalente looks relatively young — but don’t let that fool you.

“His wisdom is beyond his years,” said Ottawa Blackjacks performance director Sean Stoqua. “He actually reminds me a little bit …