NBLC Awards
Teams ranked their order of preference for each category from a list of eligible players and points were assigned based on the ranking order. The player with the highest overall point for each category was deemed the winner.
See below the winners of this year's awards in the National Basketball League of Canada
2022 Season
Coach Plumb led the Lightning to a historic 2021-22 season, starting off the season 11-0 and tying the best start to a season in league history. The Lightning ended the season with a home record of 12-0, setting the best record in league history. They finished the season with an overall record of 20-4
In 2022, the Raleigh, North Carolina, native average 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. Named NBL Canada Player of the Week on two occasions, he scored more than 20 points in 15 regular season games, including a run of five straight in March that included a season-high 34-point effort against the Sudbury Five on March 11. Kindred led the league in total points with 536.
During the 2021-22 season, Basterfield's work with the Express allowed them to achieve a new single-season team attendance record, drawing 26,217 fans into the WFCU Centre (averaging 2,184 fans per game). The record is remarkable in that it was set in a 12-game homestand, the shortest seasonal homestand in the Express' nine-year NBL Canada tenure.
The Express' previous single-season attendance record happened in 2015-16 (25,249). Windsor's 2015-16 season also includes one game played at Caesars Windsor; all other games were played at the WFCU Centre. The Express have also achieved their best-ever game attendance average of 2,206; eclipsing their previous record of 1775 per game in the 2019-20 COVID-19 shortened season.
Three of the Express' 2021-22 season are among the franchise's ten largest home crowds for an NBL Canada regular season contest*, including an April 20, 2022 game against the Sudbury Five that, in conjunction with a local trade conference, drew 4,009 to the WFCU Centre, Windsor's second-largest home attendance ever.
In 2022, the Toronto native averaged 4.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. He played in 21 games, starting 14. His top two scoring performances of the season came against the league's second-best team, as he dropped 11 points against Sudbury in KW on April 21 and 10 points on them again May 15 in the Nickel City.
In 2022, the Columbus, Ohio, native averaged 5.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. He finished tops in the league in blocked shots (86), fifth in the league in total rebounds (159), and fourth in defensive rebounds (132). In only his second season, the 7-footer now sits at No. 8 among NBL Canada all-time blocks leaders.
In 2020, Kindred averaged nearly 14 points and 2 assists per game for the Halifax Hurricanes. In 2022, the Raleigh, North Carolina native built on that foundation with his new franchise, the KW Titans. Starting all 24 games, Kindred average 21.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. Named NBL Canada Player of the Week on two occasions, his 536 total points led the league.
Thomas finished the season averaging 17.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 2.1 3PM per game.
Terry Thomas has had a decorated Canadian and international playing career. His ever-growing trophy case includes NBL Canada Canadian Player of the Year, Venezuelan League Finals MVP and champion, First Team All-NBL Canada, First Team All-NBLC Defense, and Williams Jones Cup Gold Medalist.
In 2022, the Greensboro, N.C. native stood out immediately – scoring 25 or more points in five games, while collecting a pair of double-doubles along the way. His 429 points was good for fourth in the league. Appearing in all 24 games, a 6-foot-7 shooting guard finished the year averaging 17.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.
2019-2020 Season
Antoine Mason, Halifax Hurricanes
24 games played, 25.7 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, 2.5 assits per game
Previous Selections: None
Xavier Moon, London Lightning
20 games played, 21.5 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, 5.3 assists per game
Previous Selections: None
Jeremiah Mordi, Moncton Magic
23 games played, 16 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, 7.1 assists per game
Previous Selections: None
Braylon Rayson, Sudbury Five
19 games played, 22.4 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, 7.1 assists per game
Previous Selections: 2019
Billy White, Moncton Magic
19 games played, 18.9 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game, 2.7 assists per game
Previous Selections: 2017, 2018
Tyrone Watson, St. John's Edge
The 6'8" forward finished the campaign averaging 18.9 points per game which was the highest in his five year career in the league. He also finished with a field goal percentage of 46% which included a career high 37% from three.
White had a standout performance on February 23rd when he set a personal and team record with a 52-point game against Halifax. He shot 18-20 from the field overall including 8-10 from three and a perfect 8-8 from the free throw. This was the fourth-highest point total ever achieved in NBL Canada regular season game history and his field goal efficiency arguably makes it one of the best the league has ever seen.
As an organization, the Titans elevated their marketing and outreach efforts under the guidance of Melynchuk this season which in turn resulted in an increase in both attendance and gross revenue per game, 24% and 33% respectively.
She lead the re-branding and expansion of the team's online/digital media space for the KW Titans and the team deliberately placed an emphasis on creating engaging fan friendly content that was relevant and resonated with their audience. The Titans experienced a 41% increase in organic social media growth.
Holder, who was a unanimous top selection amongst coaches for the award finished with a scoring average of 19.7 points per game on 49.5 FG% Prior to joining the Sudbury Five, the 2019-20 Sixth Man of the Year played internationally with the British Basketball League for two seasons. He began the year as a reliable player off the bench for Sudbury however his role changed at the mid-way point of the season and he was moved into the starting lineup.
Holder ranked fourth overall in the league in three point percentage and was top ten in minutes played and points.
Mordi began the season coming off the bench for the Magic but was eventually moved to the starting point guard spot where he averaged 16 points per game, 5.9 assists and 7.1 rebounds per contest. In addition, Mordi led the league in 3pt field goal percentage at an astounding 60.3% which is the highest of any player to conclude a season.
Mordi also led the league with two triple doubles in which he recorded on February 1st and March 23rd.
Holder, a 6'6" forward who played collegiately at Jacksonville University was the Five's leading scorer off the bench averaging 19.7 points per game on 49.5 FG%. His 44.5 3PFG% is good for fourth overall in the league.
Holder's 49.5 FG% rank him third all time amongst previous Sixth Man award winners.
Capers, a 6'3" forward was an active defender for the Lightning this season who took on any and all defensive assignments on a nightly basis. The six year league vet had arguably one of his best seasons defensively finishing first overall in total steals and fourth in total defensive rebounds.
Also, with his defensive contributions the Bolts finished first in the NBLC in opponents 3PT percentage (32.5%), second overall in both points allowed per game (105.9) and opponents' field goal percentage (43.3%).
For back-to-back seasons, Coach Salerno led the Moncton Magic to the best record in the regular season. The Magic continued their home court dominance established last year and finished with an impressive 14-1 inside the friendly confines of the Avenir Centre. Salerno earned Coach of the Month honours twice (January 2020, February 2020).
Salerno becomes the first coach in league history to be named Coach of the Year for two consecutive seasons.
The first year forward was a key contributor for the Storm this season and was a regular fixture in the starting lineup, starting in 18 of the 22 games he appeared in. Lillard averaged 15.5 points per game while pulling down 8.8 rebounds per contest. The 6'6" Cleveland native finished 2nd amongst rookies in rebounds, third and fifth in the league in defensive rebounds and total rebounds respectively.
Campbell led his team in scoring with 20 points per game which ranked him 7th in the league and recorded NBL Canada's very first triple double of the season on December 28th. Notably he has also earned Canadian Player of the Week honours three times on December 29, 2019, January 5 and February 9th.
2018-19 Season
Braylon Rayson, Sudbury Five – 24.2 PPG | 4.2 RPG | 4.8 APG
Guillaume Boucard, Island Storm – 19.7 PPG | 8.5 RPG | 4.7 APG
Jamal Reynolds, Cape Breton Highlanders – 17.6 PPG | 8.9 RPG | 2.0 APG
Frank Bartley, Saint John Riptide – 19.4 PPG | 5.1 RPG | 3.2 APG
Jaylen Bland, Sudbury Five – 19.3 PPG | 5.9 RPG | 2.3 APG
Billy White, Moncton Magic – 17.3 PPG | 6.7 RPG | 3.5 APG
Rhamel Brown, Halifax Hurricanes – 8.9 PPG | 7.3 RPG | 1.6 BPG
Junior Cadougan, St. John's Edge – 12.8 PPG | 3.8 RPG | 4.3 APG
Sampson Carter, Island Storm – 21.9 PPG | 7.7 RPG | 1.9 APG
Juan Pattillo, Windsor Express – 20.4 PPG | 8.9 RPG | 1.9 APG
Mike Poole, Halifax Hurricanes – 16.9 PPG | 6.0 RPG | 3.0 APG
TJ Maston, Saint John Riptide – 19.3 PPG | 8.5 RPG | 1.8 APG
Akeem Ellis, KW Titans – 17.6 PPG | 7.4 RPG | 2.6 APG
Glen Davis, St. John's Edge – 17.3 PPG | 7.4 RPG | 3.0 APG
Mo Bolden, London Lightning – 16.2 PPG | 7.0 RPG | 3.3 APG
Guillaume Boucard, Island Storm – 19.7 PPG | 8.5 RPG | 4.7 APG
Junior Cadougan, St. John's Edge – 12.8 PPG | 3.8 RPG | 4.3 APG
Alex Campbell, Island Storm – 13.3 PPG | 6.6 RPG | 3.4 APG
Garrett Williamson, London Lightning – 15.2 PPG | 4.6 RPG | 3.9 APG
Jamal Reynolds, Cape Breton Highlanders – 17.6 PPG | 8.9 RPG | 2.0 APG
Ashton Smith, KW Titans – 13.0 PPG | 4.0 RPG | 5.3 APG
Chris Johnson, Cape Breton Highlanders – 13.9 PPG | 4.1 RPG | 2.1 APG
Chadrack Lufile, Halifax Hurricanes – 7.7 PPG | 5.2 RPG | 0.5 APG
Terry Thomas, Halifax Hurricanes – 20.4 PPG | 6.8 RPG | 2.1 APG
Denzell Taylor, Moncton Magic – 5.8 PPG | 7.5 RPG | 1.2 APG
Gentrey Thomas, Moncton Magic – 8.3 PPG | 2.8 RPG | 1.9 APG
Jason Calliste, Moncton Magic – 9.4 PPG | 3.0 RPG | 1.3 APG
Tramar Sutherland, KW Titans – 10.0 PPG | 4.2 RPG | 1.2 APG
Alex Johnson, London Lightning – 9.4 PPG | 2.9 RPG | 3.7 APG
Aaron Redpath, Cape Breton Highlanders – 9.2 PPG | 3.2 RPG | 3.2 APG
Rhamel Brown, Halifax Hurricanes – 8.9 PPG | 7.3 RPG | 1.6 BPG
Alex Campbell, Island Storm – 13.3 PPG | 6.6 RPG | 1.2 SPG
Mo Bolden, London Lightning – 16.2 PPG | 7.0 RPG | 1.6 BPG
Denzell Taylor, Moncton Magic – 5.8 PPG | 7.5 RPG | 0.8 SPG
Dez Lee, St. John's Edge – 15.9 PPG | 7.2 RPG | 0.8 SPG
Frank Bartley, Saint John's Riptide – 19.4 PPG | 5.1 RPG | 3.2 APG
Malcolm Duvivier, Halifax Hurricanes – 7.7 PPG | 1.9 RPG | 1.9 APG
Justin Strings, KW Titans – 10.3 PPG | 5.4 RPG | 1.4 APG
Jared Nickens, St. John's Edge – 7.4 PPG | 1.9 RPG | 0.4 APG
Gentrey Thomas, Moncton Magic – 8.3 PPG | 2.8 RPG | 1.9 APG
Rayson had a banner year leading the NBLC in four statistical categories (24.6 ppg, 1010 total points scored, 154 3-pointers made, 336 field goals made) as the Five made the postseason in their inaugural season. Also, Rayson earned Player of the Week honours twice (March 3rd & March 24th).
The Central Michigan product also added his name to the record books after setting a new NBL Canada record for most three-point field goals made during a regular season with 149.
Bland, an NBA G-League veteran made an immediate splash in the league averaging 33.5 points in his NBLC debut on 16 for 32 shooting from long range in two wins earning him Player of the Week honours (November 18th).
Bland went on to average 18.8 points per game, 9th in the NBLC on the season. Also, he ranks 3rd with most 3-pointers made with 133.
Immediately making his presence known, Bartley joined the starting lineup almost instantaneously, starting 35 of 39 Riptide games. He led the Riptide in scoring in 17 separate games, including a stretch from January 6th to January 13th, where he was the leading scorer for Saint John in four separate contests.
He averaged 19.3 points per game which is 8th in the NBLC along with ranking 3rd in the league in total points scored with 753. Also, Bartley was earned Player of the Week honours twice this season (February 17th & March 17th).
Reynolds, a 6’5” forward from Toronto, Ontario was the second leading scorer on the Highlanders in 40 games played averaging 17.9 points per game on 53.1% field goal shooting. Also, the two-time Canadian Player of the Week led the NBLC in total rebounds this season with 360.
Cadougan, a former member of the Canadian Senior Men’s National Team shined this regular season starting 35 of 39 games, averaging 12.9 points per game on 46.5% field goal shooting. Also, he ranks sixth in the NBLC in assists with 172 along with earning Canadian Player of the Week three times (January 6th, February 17th & February 24th) this season.
In his previous two seasons in the NBLC, both with the London Lightning, Cadougan averaged 7.5 points per game, pulled down 2.55 rebounds per game, and 2.36 assists per game.
Coach Joe Salerno led the Moncton Magic to their best regular season to date. The Magic were difficult to beat at the Avenir Centre. They completed the 2018-19 campaign setting a new franchise home record of 17-3. Salerno earned Coach of the Month honours twice (November 2018, March 2019).
Also, the Salerno-led squad mounted an historic 4th quarter comeback scoring 49 points in the period on the road defeating their provincial rival Saint John Riptide on March 6th.
Brown, a 6’7” Centre/Forward, the Hurricanes’ defensive anchor ranked first in the National Basketball League in Canada [NBLC] in total blocks this season (66). Also, with his defensive contributions the Canes rank second in the NBLC in points allowed per game (100.8) along with ranking third in opponents’ field goal percentage (44.6%).
A collegiate of Carleton University, Boucard, a 6'6" small forward hailing from Montreal, Quebec was acquired by the Storm in early January 2019. In 25 games, he became the second leading scorer on the season for the team.
Guillaume is in the league’s top ten in points and rebounds per game (19.1 ppg & 8.6 rpg) respectively. Notably he has also earned Canadian Player of the Week honours twice on January 19th & March 3rd.
2017-18 Season
Carl English, a 6'5" guard who played collegiately at the University of Hawai'i, carried the St. John's Edge on his back throughout the 2017-18 NBL Canada season. He led the team with a 23.9 ppg scoring average, including a league-record 58 points on March 3, 2018 against the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans. English is also the first Canadian-born player to earn Most Valuable Player honours. He won Central Division Player of the Wek honours twice (November 26 2017, March 4 2017).
The only coach this season to earn Coach of the Month honours twice, Leslie improved on the Hurricanes' 27-13 season last year with a 28-12 campaign in 2017-18, earning the Halifax crew their third consecutive Atlantic Division title and home-court advantage throughout the NBL Canada postseason.
A 6'3" guard who played collegiately at Illinois, was a dominant star for the Niagara River Lions in his rookie year. As a starter in 31 of his 39 games, Tate averaged 13.1 points per game with Niagara; he also led the entire NBL with an average of 7.53 assists per game.
Maxwell, a 6'7" forward who played collegiately at Hampton University, was a dominating force on both offence and defence for the Island Storm. In addition to averaging 18.5 ppg, he also pulled down 277 rebounds (7.3 rpg) and blocked 84 shots, and stole the ball 55 times. He won Atlantic Division Player of the Week honours on March 18, 2018.
Coming off the bench to help the Halifax Hurricanes, Zimmerman, a 6'2" guard who played collegiately at Monroe (N.Y.) Community College, was the third-leading scorer for Halifax (12.6 ppg); he also dished out 125 assists and generated 114 3-point shots (.410 average).
Session, a 6'2" guard who played collegiately at Cal State-Los Angeles, became a scoring linchpin for the Island Storm, leading the Charlottetown crew in scoring with 779 points (20.0 ppg). he also garnered 378 rebounds (9.7 rpg), dished out 225 assists, and stole the ball 72 times. Session won Atlantic Division Player of the Week twice this season (December 3 2017, March 4 2018).
The St. John's Edge guard has been involved in Canadian basketball for nearly two decades. A member of the Canadian national team, English participated in the 2009 FIBA Americas championship, as well as the 2015 Pan-American Games. But as a member of the Edge, he came back to lead his hometown team to the NBL postseason, making #23 jerseys popular clothing attire on the Rock.
