It’s been nearly 700 days since the last time the Lightning played at Budweiser Gardens in front of their amazing fans. At long last, on February 11, they’ll make their return as they host the Sudbury Five in the team’s 2022 home opener.
The 2022 season marks the Lightning’s (and the league’s) historic 10th anniversary season, which will feature an innovative 24-game schedule including games against US-based teams from the TBL while also playing against the Ontario-based Sudbury Five, Windsor Express and KW Titans.
After a hot start to their 2019-20 season (and a disappointing cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic), the Lightning are back and revamped for a new National Basketball League of Canada season. At print time (mid-January), the Lightning had four players signed, including two returning players – point guard Jaylon Tate and forward Mareik Isom.
Tate is a 6-foot-3 American who most recently played with the G-League affiliate teams for the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers organizations during the off-season. Fans will get to see a healthy Tate, who only played six games last season, as he leads the team from the point guard position. Isom, meanwhile, was a steady contributor and starter in 2019-20 while dealing with a wrist injury which hampered his shooting. He, too, is now healthy and ready to showcase his skills for Lightning fans.
Joining Tate and Isom this season is Canadian forward Jordan Jensen-Whyte, a 6-foot-5 Canadian who last played with Team Canada’s Men’s 3X3 team that qualified for the Olympic Qualifiers and won Canada’s first FIBA 3X3 series. Another signee is American guard Marlon Taylor. He enjoyed a successful LSU career before signing a 10-day exhibit contract with the Washington Wizards and playing for their affiliated G-League team.
Coach Doug Plumb is back for his second season at the helm, and he looks to build on the winning culture and a Central Division leading 15-8 record that London posted prior to the season’s cancelation back in 2019-20. Coach Plumb had a busy offseason helping build a team with the type of players that exemplify the Lightning’s winning culture. By tip-off, and as the season progresses, that full roster will look to make the Lightning organization – and its fans – proud as basketball returns to the Forest City.
To view the full Lightning schedule, and to keep up to date with player signings and follow the team throughout the season (and, of course, to buy tickets), please visit www.lightningbasketball.ca. A full league schedule can be found at www.nblcanada.ca.
Submitted by the London Lightning
