Stars to shine bright in first NBL Canada-TBL All-Star weekend

London Lightning training camp underway; Revised 2022 schedule released; Leagues to host joint all-star weekend; Plus, more news and notes from columnist Jason Winders.

Lightning action during the 2019-2020 season. (Photo: Rob Patterson / London Lightning).

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Canadian stars will be shining bright in April when the best of the NBL Canada head south of the border to play the best of The Basketball League (TBL) in the inaugural All-Star Weekend April 15-16 in Syracuse, New York, league officials announced Tuesday.

“Hosting this joint All-Star Weekend with our TBL partners is a wonderful way for NBL Canada to celebrate its 10th season while, at the same time, showcasing our players and bringing something new to our fans,” said Audley Stephenson, NBL Canada VP Basketball Operations. “This All-Star Weekend Event is a celebration of two leagues coming together and working in partnership while continuing to raise the profile of the game of basketball. We’re thrilled at the opportunity and can’t wait to be in Syracuse.”

For the 2020 season, the NBL Canada partnered with TBL for interleague contests against U.S. opponents (including Flint United, Lansing Pharaohs, Jamestown Jackals, Kokomo Bobkats, Syracuse Stallions, and the Albany Patroons).

“Having spent time in the NBL Canada in various capacities and knowing what this means to our league, I can barely contain my excitement for this chance to show the world how leagues from various countries can work together for a common good,” said David Magley, TBL CEO and a former NBLC Commissioner.

The 2022 All-Star Weekend, presented by the Syracuse Stallions and Nave Law Firm, will feature a host of events, including dunk and three-point contests, a youth clinic, and a local celebrity game.

All events will be broadcasted on TBLTV and NBLCTV.

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The NBL Canada will crown its first champion in almost three years – but the trophy will get lifted just a few weeks later than expected. A revised 2022 season schedule will stretch the season into May in a move that aligns the league with the Ontario government’s easing of COVID-19 public health measures.

The revised 24-game schedule stays largely the same as the previous schedule announced weeks ago, although it shuffles six London Lightning games – including three at home.

The Lightning still open the season on the road at the KW Titans on Family Day, Feb. 21. But they will close out the season with a run of four games in May, including home-and-home matchups with the Windsor Express on May 1 and 2 and Sudbury Five on May 9 and 12.

Currently in Ontario, sports venues can welcome fans at 50% venue capacity or 500 people, whichever number is lower. On Feb. 21, that number will move to 50% total venue capacity. With home games being played in the 9,000-seat Budweiser Gardens, London will be able to host 4,500 or so fans for the home opener against the Express on Feb. 26.

When the 2019-20 season ended, the franchise was tops in the league in terms of total and average attendance, averaging 3,250 fans per game.

Here is the full 2022 regular season schedule (all times EST). Rescheduled games are reflected in bold:

Feb. 21 | at KW Titans | 2 p.m.
Feb. 26 | at Windsor Express | 7 p.m.
March 5 | KW Titans | 7 p.m.
March 6 | Lansing Pharoahs | 2 p.m. *
March 9 | KW Titans | 7 p.m.
March 12 | Sudbury Five | 7 p.m.
March 13 | Windsor Express | 2 p.m.
March 17 | at Sudbury Five | 7 p.m.
March 19 | Syracuse Stallions | 7 p.m. *
March 24 | Sudbury Five | 7 p.m.
March 27 | Windsor Express | 2 p.m.
March 31 | at Albany Patroons | 7 p.m. *
April 2 | at KW Titans | 7 p.m.
April 3 | Flint United | 2 p.m. *
April 6 | KW Titans | 2 p.m.
April 8 | at Flint United | 7 p.m. *
April 9 | at Lansing Pharoahs | 7 p.m. *
April 14 | at Sudbury Five | 7 p.m.
April 22 | at Windsor Express | 7 p.m.
April 23 | at KW Titans | 7 p.m.
May 1 | at Windsor Express | 2 p.m.
May 2 | Windsor Express | 7 p.m.
May 9 | at Sudbury Five | 7 p.m
May 12 | Sudbury Five | 7 p.m.

Playoffs – First round

1 vs. 4 (Best of 5 – 2-2-1)

2 vs. 3 (Best of 5 – 2-2-1)

Playoffs – Finals

Winners of first-round series (Best of 7)

* Interleague play with The Basketball League (TBL).

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AROUND THE PERIMETER

The Lightning opened training camp Monday, a mere two weeks until the season tipoff. On the eve of camp, head coach Doug Plumb posted some inspiration for the year ahead to his Instagram feed, reading, in part: “Never in my life did I think I wanted to be a coach, the best adventures in life are always the ones least expected. We have a great group, staff and front office this year. We will do great things together playing the game the right way, with toughness, grit and selflessness. Tomorrow am we get this thing movin. Year 5: ‘Walk Slow Through the Fire.’ … The Lightning roster continues to take shape with seven players under contract, recently adding forward Jermaine Haley Jr. and guard Cody John to the squad.

BEYOND MY BYLINE

In honour of his election to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2022, Rockies Magazine revisited a great story on Londoner Jeff Francis’ time with the franchise. Give The Comeback Kid a read. … The Ringer’s Mirin Fader continues to be one of the best hoops writers south of the border. Dive into The Drive Behind Jabari Smith Jr. for a great read. The Auburn University star freshman doesn’t carry himself like a future lottery pick, but he’s been following the blueprint to become one his entire life. Can the son of a former NBA player realize his dreams and exceed his dad’s in the process? … To this day, I don’t want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don’t want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. Maybe that’s why John Cusack Is The Embodiment of Gen X: Perpetually Out of Place, Perpetually Out Of Time … This story hit close to home, both literally and figuratively as a Midwestern kid who cut his teeth in small town newspapers.