London Lightning
Rethinking BSL basketball
With the season wrapped up, we ask: How can BSL basketball be better in Year 3? Our senior columnist, Jason Winders, has some ideas to improve game play, the fan experience, and the league’s professionalism
With dust settled on down season, what’s next for Lightning?
After three straight championship seasons, the London Lightning played .500 basketball this year and got bounced in a postseason play-in game. Where does the franchise go from here?
Lightning lay it on the line in Jamestown
Around the Perimeter: London set for one-game playoff in New York. Winner moves on to semi; Coach Williams believes he’s found the right mix; Can Lightning conquer the Jackals’ den?
Around the Perimeter: Lightning looking to tame emotion
he 11-0 Lightning can set a franchise record — in the franchise’s first game in the U.S. — Thursday in Albany. Three games in four days will test the streak.
Playoff preview: How do Majors stack up against Royals?
Cobra Chickens hatch again on Civic Holiday
After tricky stretch, Majors back to winning ways
Walk-off wins have Majors rolling
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About the Lightning
Founded in 2011, the London Lightning are a professional basketball team that competes in the National Basketball League of Canada (also founded in 2011). Under the ownership of local businessman Vito Frijia and the guidance of head coach Micheal Ray Richardson, a former NBA pro, the Lightning won the league’s inaugural championship in 2011-12 (over the Halifax Rainmen) and then repeated as champions the following year (against the Summerside Storm).
In 2016-17, led by the franchise’s third head coach, Kyle Julius, the Lightning enjoyed a record-setting year with a 35-5 regular season record (and 11-2 in the postseason) en route to winning the team’s third NBLC title. With Keith Vassell at the helm in 2017-18, the Lightning repeated as champions, capturing the franchise’s fourth title in seven years.
In 2019-20, prior to the league being shut down in March 2020 due to COVID-19, the Lighting, under the guidance of head coach Doug Plumb, sat in first place in the league’s Central Division.
The Lightning, who play their home games at Budweiser Gardens, have had numerous award winners over the years. They include league MVP (Gabe Freeman in 2012, Royce White in 2017), Canadian of the Year (Garrett Williamson in 2014, Warren Ward in 2016), Coach of the Year (Richardson in 2012 and 2013, Julius in 2017) and Executive of the Year (Taylor Brown in 2014, Frijia in 2015).