London Lightning
Defense! Defense! A (fun with numbers) breakdown …
Around the Perimeter: Lightning play three in four days — including a wildly quick turnaround for a game in the U.S. Sunday. London leads league in scoring, but is last in defense. Is their style sustainable?
Lightning look to regroup, get healthy
Around the Perimeter: Hobbled London squad sit middle of the pack; Good first impression for Godfrey. Lightning film session opens eyes; James Towns III hasn’t lit world on fire — yet; But Paul Parks has
Lightning move forward, welcome new scoring
Around the Perimeter: With departure of Chris Jones, will Billy White be focal point on offense?; Or … will it be newcomer James Towns?; London also adds big; Ottey promoted to starting PG; Filling Jones’ production
Lightning keep pace, focus on team hoops
Around the Perimeter: London (7-4) escapes ‘The Rock’ with two wins; Emotional return for Coach Williams; Getting technical; Searching for long-range efficiency; Lengthy layoff to aid ailments; Jan. 16 return at home
Lightning New Year’s resolution? Find a groove
Around the Perimeter: Up next … trip to Newfoundland; Unfamiliar growing pains for London (5-4); Parks behind the arc; Leadership needed; Columnist Jason Winders’ latest Lightning news & notes
Defending champs hit speed bump; Will roster regroup?
Around the Perimeter: London falling short from three, free throw line; Busy stretch to close out 2024; Will Bolts add to roster?; Fun with math.
Boyd’s ‘bus trip or bust’ made all the difference
A latecomer to the game, Corey Boyd didn’t play college hoops. An opportunity off the beaten path opened doors — to the TBL, the G League and, now, the London Lightning.
Lightning an (im)perfect 2-0, eye busy week
Around the Perimeter: Home opening win a tale of two halves; Balanced effort on offense; The threes aren’t flying … yet; Broadcast snafus, attendance hurdles. Columnist Jason Winders’ Lightning news & notes …
Coach Williams & Co. ready for home start
Around the Perimeter: London Lightning home opener set for Sunday, Dec. 8 (2pm) vs. Windsor; Roster down to 10; BSL playoff format revealed;
Season-opening success for Lightning; What’s next?
Around the Perimeter: Dexter Williams an unsung hero?; Paul Parks impressive first impression; Chris Jones is still Chris Jones; Now, we wait … Columnist Jason Winders has the latest Lightning news & notes
Camp concludes, roster revealed
The London Lightning, defending BSL champs, have announced the roster they’ll open the 2024-25 season with, as training camp closes and they eye Sudbury in the season opener.
Training camp time — BSL champs prep for season
Around the Perimeter: London Lightning ready for training camp — and BSL title defense; What’s the roster makeup?; Montreal out, Glass City in; New Flash in town; Columnist Jason Winders has the latest
Can Knights go from rebuild straight to contention?
Gosling’s first pro season brings a championship – and change
What goes into maintaining the world’s oldest ballpark?
Well-traveled Janisse locking down games for Majors
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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).