NBL Canada Season Remainder Will Not Go Ahead
The remaining games in the 2019-20 NBL Canada season will not be played. This decision was made on April 1st by the league's board in an effort to protect players, personnel and fans from the coronavirus outbreak.
The championship will not be awarded, but individual player awards, such as the MVP and All-NBLC teams, will be handed out in due time.
Since the outbreak of the disease in December 2019, there have been more than 1 million recorded cases around the world and over 54,000 deaths.
Earlier in the year the FIBA suspended all competitions and the NBA paused the season with intention of re-starting at a later date. The NBL Canada decided, rather than risk the health and safety of anyone involved, to re-focus efforts on the upcoming 2020-21 season.
While it is unfortunate that there will be no champion in 2020, the shortened season provided many memorable moments and some outstanding individual performances from the December 26th start date onwards.
At the season’s premature conclusion, the Moncton Magic were leading all in the league with a 19-4 record. The closest behind them was the London Lightning, who led the Central Division with 15 games and 8 losses. With the league-worst record of 6-17, the Island Storm would probably be somewhat relieved the season is over.
Antoine Mason had the highest scoring average of 25.7 points per game for the Halifax Hurricanes, who struggled in the season. The Sudbury Five saw great shooting all season from both Jaylen Bland and Braylon Rayson, who had 24.2 and 22.4-point averages respectively.
Sudbury also saw great defence from Marlon Johnson, whose 11.3 rebounds per game was second only to Montay Brandon of the St. John’s Edge who finished with 11.6 boards in the Edge’s twenty games played.
That these players will be acknowledged for their efforts in the shortened season will be some crumb of comfort to what was an unfortunate end to proceedings. All will now be looking ahead to when the pandemic had eased and the start of a new basketball season in Canada and the world over.
