NBLC Newcomers: Best in Week One

The NBL Canada debutants had their first time to shine in the opening week of the new season. Some rose to the occasion and hit the ground running hard with statement showings in their first NBLC games. Here are the best performers across the first week of fixtures in 2022:

1. Eric Ferguson (KW Titans)

Ferguson's first week was an eventful one. He opened with 23 points while also leading the Titans on the boards in a narrow loss to the London Lightning. He followed that up with a lesser but still impressive 19 points in Indiana against the Lebanon Leprechauns and finished off with an outstanding performance back in Kitchener.

Against the Lansing Pharoahs he led the team with 27 points and coming so close to a triple-double, registering nine rebounds and eight assists. Regardless, it was a star-level performance that ended a highly productive week where Ferguson announced himself as a unique all-around talent to crowds in KW and beyond.

2. Zena Edosomwan (Sudbury Five)

In his first NBLC game, Edosomwan put on a block party, denying four shots by the Windsor Express while also making a big contribution on the frontcourt with twenty points. It was the first of four starts for Sudbury's new centre in the opening week of play, the last two of which he recorded twenty-point double-doubles against both Toledo Glass City and the Syracuse Stallions. A spectacular and consistent start in Sudbury for the big man who got better throughout the week.

3. Lance Tejada (Windsor Express)

Tejada immediately announced himself to Canada with a game-high 29 points in the first game of the season, where he also dished ten assists and grabbed nine total boards against Sudbury. It was a statement showing from the guard that he followed up with twenty points against the London Lightning, again amongst the best performances on either end of the floor both nights, yet neither was enough to put Windsor in the win column. Based on these early showings it seems only a matter of time before Tejada is playing the hero for the Express.

4. Jeremy Harris (Sudbury Five)

Harris played an integral role in helping Sudbury get the season off to a winning start, pouring in 24 points - second on the team on the night - and making twelve total rebounds to lift Sudbury to victory in a highly impressive debut. He then played less of a commanding role in the subsequent games, scoring 14 and 11 respectively, still big contributions to Sudbury but both in the shadow of his head-turning debut.

5. Jachai Taylor (Windsor Express)

Taylor's subdued opener against the Sudbury Five, where he put up eleven points, he built upon vastly when he led the Express in the rivalry game against the London Lightning. Scoring 29 points and also grabbing thirteen rebounds, just one short of matching leader Cameron Forte, it ended an uneven week for the 24 year-old on a high and his performance in the home opener indicates there is plenty more of the same to come from him.

All great performances from all with plenty of time to build on as the season continues, we may well see a lot more from those new to the NBL Canada ranks. Check back here for regular updates on their progress throughout the 2022 season.