NBL, Lightning to return this winter

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It took a few stormy months, but Lightning will finally strike come February.

The London Lightning and National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC) will begin a long-delayed 10th anniversary season on Feb. 5, the NBLC Board of Directors announced today via Twitter. By the 2022 season tipoff, it will have been nearly two years since the league last took the court.

The formerly eight-team league is down to four, as each of the Atlantic Division teams, including the Moncton Magic, Halifax Hurricanes, St. John’s Edge, and Island Storm, has dropped out. As a result, the NBLC has partnered with The Basketball League for interleague contests against U.S. opponents (including Flint United, Lansing Pharaohs, Jamestown Jackals, Kokomo Bobkats, Syracuse Stallians, and the Albany Patroons).

“It has been a tough couple of years. The league has been fighting tooth and nail to create a safe and exciting environment for our fans. We’re proud to be back,” said Mark Frijia, General Manager of the Lightning. “We’re excited to get back in front of our fans in Budweiser Gardens and play some basketball.”

Along with the Lightning, the remaining teams are the Sudbury Five, Windsor Express, and K-W Titans.

On Monday, the league will release a 24-game schedule that will start in February and include, for the first time in league history, interleague, cross-border play.

The Basketball League, formerly the North America Premier Basketball, is a minor league basketball organization which launched in 2018 with eight teams, and has since expanded to more than 30 teams divided into four regions across the country. The league was started by former NBLC Commissioner David Magley.

“We’re pleased about the partnership formed with the TBL and view it as a creative way to celebrate our 10th season,” said Audley Stephenson, NBLC Vice-president, Basketball Operations. “The job (TBL CEO) Evelyn and David Magley have done in growing the TBL is outstanding, and it’s an absolute pleasure to work alongside them again.”

David Magley echoed the sentiments, “It is an honour and privilege to work with our old friends from the NBL Canada as they celebrate their 10th anniversary.”

Frijia expects the NBLC-TBL partnership to add a whole new dimension to the court this season.

“This brings some variety and excitement for the fans – it’s something they haven’t seen before. Not many leagues are freely able to bring other leagues into their games,” Frijia said. “It will be a good time. The cross-play will bring a different experience to the court.”