Ex-Express crew shooting for a title in London

The London Lightning managed to recruit three former foes for the 2023-24 season. And the trio of Billy White, Nick Garth and Jachai Taylor, Windsor Express players last year, are hoping the move makes them champions this spring.

Billy White, a longtime NBLC all-star, made his London Lightning debut Tuesday in KW. (Photo: Barry Field Photography).

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If London Lightning head coach Doug Plumb has his way, we might soon see the Ambassador Bridge spanning the Thames River. This season, the Bolts’ roster boasts three former Windsor Express All-Stars – a trio expected to play a significant role in the London franchise’s drive for the first BSL title.

Billy White, Nick Garth, and Jachai Taylor all traveled down the 401 to join London after last appearing against the Lightning in the NBL Canada Finals in the spring. (A Finals matchup they lost, thus securing back-to-back titles for London.)

White was a living legend in the NBLC, still dominating on the court last season. He’s a player who walks in the door as a triple-double just waiting to happen.

“I needed something different. London really wanted me to be a part of the team this year. I just felt like it was going be a great fit,” the 6-foot-8 forward said. “It was a hard decision to make, for sure. I played for Windsor for two years and was established there. But we fell short of a title those years. At this stage of my career, I want to win another championship. That is what I am focused on – and I feel London is a great opportunity to win that championship.”

Playing with the Halifax Hurricanes (2015-18), Moncton Magic (2018-20), and Express (2021-2023), White was an NBLC MVP (2020) and a two-time NBLC champion (2016, 2019). Ranked the league’s No. 5 player all-time, he stands among the league’s all-time legends in games played, points, rebounds, field goals, free throws, and assists.

Last season, White averaged 17.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in the regular and postseason. At 34, he was second in the league in minutes played – and led the league in disqualifications (11).

Nick Garth puts up a shot against the KW Titans Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. (Photo: Barry Field Photography).

“I’m excited about having him here. He’s a veteran leadership guy. He still has piss and vinegar in him, but he also understands the bigger picture and has a little bit of perspective,” Plumb said. “If we’re getting out-toughed in a game, Billy is going to have something to say in those huddles. There’s a fire in his belly. He will go up people’s necks if they’re not doing their jobs because he’s a competitor.”

Plumb called White is a “huge matchup problem” for opponents, as his shooting and scoring skillsets align with a guard, but his bulk and attitude are all big.

White joined the team in its second game and immediately had an impact with 18 points, a pair of rebounds, and 3 assists (along with six fouls and a disqualification) in a 100-94 loss to the KW Titans (1-1) Tuesday night at The Aud.

“I’m going to bring passion, effort, my athletic ability, and energy to the team every day,” White said. “I am going to try and fit in, but also just be me. I’m still a passionate person about basketball. I can fit into any offense. But I’m not looking to score 30 points a game. I just want to win, so I will do whatever it takes to win.”

Garth is a 26-year-old guard who spent the last two seasons with the Express. Last season, the Houston, Texas, native averaged 13.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. In the NBL Canada Finals, he scored 44 points in the five-game series against London, including an 18-point effort in a losing cause in Game 4.

“I have always admired the atmosphere, the culture, the way they play in London. This team plays hard; they are competitive; and, yeah, they win,” said Garth, who mentioned London fans trying to recruit him to play in the Forest City during the Express’ trips to Budweiser Gardens. “They are a great group of fans.”

He continued, “They can expect fireworks from me. I am a microwave – I heat up fast. Don’t be surprised if I start stringing together threes. I feel better assisting my teammates, making their game better. I play hard-nosed defense. I am aggressive. Hopefully, I am part of a fun team to watch.”

Plumb sees boundless potential in Garth, a player he expects to contribute immediately.

“I haven’t had that guy on the bench in the last few years who I can just hand the ball to and let run free for 15 or 20 minutes to go out there and create his own buckets,” Plumb said. “Nick is a guy who can fill it up. Any night, he could go off and score 40.”

Like many of his teammates, Garth is off to a slow start coming off the bench, posting 12 and 8 points, respectively, on only 7-23 shooting from the floor in the first two games.

Jachai Taylor during warmup Tuesday in Kitchener prior to London’s second game of the BSL season. (Photo: Barry Field Photography).

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Also following Garth down the 401 is Jachai Taylor, a 26-year-old shooting guard/forward, who also spent the last two seasons with the Express. Last year, the Illinois native averaged 9.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. Underutilized for most of the year, Taylor was used sparingly in the NBL Canada Finals, although his 16-point performance in Game 5 was among Windsor’s few highlights.

“Every time I played in London, it was special. You could feel the program was doing something nobody else was doing in the league,” he said.

While his time in Windsor was occasionally rocky, it was the deaths of both his mother and grandmother within days of each other last year that took its toll.

“The whole year, I was playing with a heavy heart,” he said. “I had a couple good games here and there, but it wasn’t easy. I am looking forward to getting back in the mode of my first season, when I was playing my tail off and having a lot of success.”

Athletic, quick, and long, Taylor’s love of transition play fits well with Plumb.

“Jachai is an absolute freak, an incredible all-around athlete. He’ll be a fan favourite because he is as athletic as athletic gets,” Plumb said.

The coach continued, “The last time I was around someone with this type of energy, it was Xavier (Moon). He has an exuberance about him, super coachable, likeable. He has a real thirst to prove what he can do. He has had flashes, and some great games, but his next step is to become a pro both on and off the court. That means understanding the game from a technical standpoint, as well as developing a routine when it comes to preparation.”

Taylor’s first two games have been a mixed bag. He came off the bench to lead all scorers with 22 points on 9-16 shooting (including 3-6 from three-point range) against Sudbury. Earning the start against the Titans, he never got going, ending the night with no points in eight minutes of playing time.

“I love how Doug works you. It makes me want to pick his brain,” said Taylor, who played briefly with the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League. “He’ll say something in a way where I never thought of it that way. The way he formulates what he’s saying is interesting. It’s crazy how he thinks about the game – it’s great because it’s different.”

All three echoed excitement of playing with each other again, only 200 km up the highway. Garth and Taylor stayed connected via FaceTime in the weeks leading up to camp.

“It’s an amazing feeling to all be together,” White said. “I am looking forward to playing again with Nick and Jachai. These are some great players. It’s great being around teammates I already know. I am looking forward to my new teammates, as well. I am looking forward to the journey ahead.”