The Week of NBL Canada Sparks

Picture Credit: Sudbury Five

In a highly competitive and high-scoring week of basketball in the NBL Canada, one theme emerged: in addition to the starters putting in their usual big-number performances, teams saw big production from unexpected sources. Unsung players and new signings stepped up to the plate and made everyone pay attention to what they can really do.

Case in point William Claiborne, who signed with the Windsor Express ahead of their April 1st match-up with the KW Titans and made an immediate impact: sixteen points off the bench, a total he repeated two nights later on 75% field shooting against the Lansing Pharaohs.

In the same time Jordan Bedford proved to be a vital and needed spark for the Express offence. Against the Titans he had a team-high 20 points then went even better against Lansing. Leading all with 32 points while also grabbing 14 boards, he announced himself as an exciting import for the Express that snapped their seven-game losing streak against the Pharaohs.

Over in the 705, another NBLC newcomer was proving that the efforts of Windsor's imports was not a fluke. On April 2nd the Sudbury Five hosted Flint United and, among the eleven double-digit performances, rookie Tyrell Gumbs-Frater had a career night.

His twenty bench points lead everyone on the Five, a superb and dominant performance which earned him NBLC Player of the Week awards. The highlight in a game where his team totaled thirteen threes in the game, with Zena Edosomwan and Evan Harris both had 17-point double-doubles in the 26-point blowout of Flint.

Meanwhile for the London Lightning, Josiah Mastandrea went his first five NBLC games without scoring

but delivered when called on. With the team looking to snap their two-game losing streak, the team were looking for inspiration and he rose to the occasion, leading a team of the league's most productive stars with 21 points.

He was not the only productive player off the bench in this match-up: Abednego Lufile had his best game of 2022 so far with 10 points and 13 total rebounds, while new signing Marcus Ottey registered his first NBLC double-double, 11 points and 10 boards. All impressive and versatile showings that helped London get back to winning ways after a two-game losing skid.

While we have become used to the league's biggest stars getting it done game after game, it was a refreshing change of pace to see rotation players take point and get it done for their respective teams. Hopefully these are the first of many more to come from the NBLC's unsung heroes, check back here to see how they get on as the 2022 season progresses.