Lightning lead NBLC’s All-League honours

Seven different London Lightning players earned NBLC end-of-season awards, including Jordan Burns, a First-Team All-Star, and rookie Mike Nuga, whose exciting play earned him multiple honours.

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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An MVP candidate. A newcomer Canadian standout. A veteran Canadian league legend. Three top Bolts, along with four other members of the London Lightning championship squad, led an impressive lineup of NBL Canada Awards winners for the 2023 season.

Guard Jordan Burns is the Bolts’ lone representative on the 2023 NBLC All-League First Team squad. He’s joined by Sudbury Five teammates MVP Jeremy Harris and Newcomer of the Year A.J. Mosby, along with Billy White and Sixth Man of the Year Ja’Myrin Jackson, both of the Windsor Express.

Lightning guard Mike Nuga and forward Terry Thomas lead the 2023 NBLC All-League Second Team, alongside Sam Akano (KW Titans), Latin Davis (Windsor Express), and J.D. Miller (Sudbury Five).

“Just look at the extraordinary talent on these teams. Each one of these players helped take the league to new heights in maybe our most exciting season ever,” said Audley Stephenson, NBLC Commissioner. “Their unwavering passion, relentless spirit, and extraordinary skills have made this season an unforgettable journey.”

The NBL Canada makes its All-League team selections based on performance in regular season and playoffs.

London landed its championship thanks, in part, to homegrown talent, as three members of its squad were named to the 2023 NBLC All-Canada Team, including guard Marcus Ottey, Nuga and Thomas, the 2023 and 2022 Canadian Players of the Year, respectively. They were joined by Jason Calliste (Windsor Express) and Duane Notice (Sudbury Five).

Added Stephenson: “Showcasing Canadian talent is at the heart of this league, and to see these players achieve at the highest level not only all season long, but also when the lights shined brightest in the playoffs, was inspiring.”

Lightning forward Cameron Lard and Nuga are members of the 2023 NBLC All-Defence Team with Defensive Player of the Year Dexter Williams Jr. (Sudbury Five), Kedar Edwards (KW Titans), and White (Windsor Express).

Last Friday (May 26), London finished off its drive for a sixth NBL Canada championship with a 3-2 series victory over Windsor. The All-Playoff Team reflects that fact with six of 10 players coming from Finals opponents, including forward Jermaine Haley, guard Jeremiah Mordi, and Nuga of the Lightning and Davis, Jackson, and White of the Express.

Mike Nuga impressed in his rookie season with the London Lightning, on both sides of the ball, helping the team win its sixth championship in franchise history. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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ALL-LEAGUE FIRST TEAM

Jordan Burns (London Lightning)
Jeremy Harris (Sudbury Five)
A.J. Mosby (Sudbury Five)
Ja’Myrin Jackson (Windsor Express)
Billy White (Windsor Express)

ALL-LEAGUE SECOND TEAM

Sam Akano (KW Titans)
Mike Nuga (London Lightning)
Terry Thomas (London Lightning)
J.D. Miller (Sudbury Five)
Latin Davis (Windsor Express)

ALL-DEFENCE FIRST TEAM

Kedar Edwards (KW Titans)
Cameron Lard (London Lightning)
Mike Nuga (London Lightning)
Dexter Williams Jr. (Sudbury Five)
Billy White (Windsor Express)

ALL-DEFENCE SECOND TEAM

Jaquan Lightfoot (KW Titans)
Mike Poole (KW Titans)
Marcus Ottey (London Lightning)
J.D. Miller (Sudbury Five)
Tanner Stuckman (Windsor Express)

ALL-CANADIAN TEAM

Mike Nuga (London Lightning)
Marcus Ottey (London Lightning)
Terry Thomas (London Lightning)
Duane Notice (Sudbury Five)
Jason Calliste (Windsor Express)

ALL-PLAYOFF TEAM

Mike Poole (KW Titans)
Sam Akano (KW Titans)
Jeremiah Mordi (London Lightning)
Jermaine Haley (London Lightning)
Mike Nuga (London Lightning)
A.J. Mosby (Sudbury Five)
J.D. Miller (Sudbury Five)
Billy White (Windsor Express)
Latin Davis (Windsor Express)
Ja’Myrin Jackson (Windsor Express)