This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
Canada: 
Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
The National Basketball League of Canada is pleased to announce the team rosters for the inaugural All-Star Weekend, presented by Rogers Communications Inc., taking place March 31-April 1 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
London Lightning’s Eddie Smith and Halifax Rainmen’s Joey Haywood, voted as Captains by the seven NBL Canada Head Coaches, selected their teams Thursday through a Fantasy Draft via conference call.
“Both Eddie and Joey have made resounding contributions to their teams this season. We’re very pleased to have these two outstanding players as Captains of the inaugural NBL Canada All-Star teams,” said John Kennedy, Commissioner of NBL Canada.
“As a cap to a very successful regular season, the All-Star Game provides a chance for our top-contributing players to showcase the contribution they’ve made to our League, while also a great opportunity for fans, coaches and players to get even more involved with NBL Canada.”
After a coin flip determined Haywood would make the first pick, he and Smith alternated selections from the top 20 All-Star list. Both players’ first two selections were their teammates, Haywood with Tyrone Levett and Taliek Brown and Smith with Gabe Freeman and DeAnthony Bowden.
Team Smith roster includes: Gabe Freeman, DeAnthony Bowden, Omari Johnson, Ricky Volcy (CAN), Morgan Lewis, Kevin Francis (CAN), Anthony Anderson, Darrell
Wonge and Isaac Kuon (CAN).
“I really didn’t think about being an all-star when I played, but it’s amazing to have my hard work and talent recognized for the year,” said Smith. “To be selected as captain is more than an honor considering I never even thought about being selected for the all-star team.”
Smith, a 6’3” guard from Springfield Illinois, has been a spark plug off the bench for the Lightning this season. Smith played his collegiate career at Moberly Area Communication College, finishing at Texas A & M. He has been playing under London Coach Micheal Ray Richardson for the past 5 years.
Team Haywood roster includes: Tyrone Levett, Taliek Brown, Mike Williams, Chris Cayole (CAN), Ralphy Holmes, Brandon Robinson, Trayvon Lathan, Darren Duncan and Tut Ruach (CAN).
Cayole was selected as an All-Star but due to an injury was replaced by Quebec’s Yannick Anzuluni. Doctors have recently cleared Cayole to play in the All-Star events and he will now replace Anzuluni.
“I’d like to thank the NBL Canada fans and coaches for believing in me and giving me the honour of representing my country as the first-ever Canadian NBL Canada All-Star co-captain,” said Haywood.
“I’d also like to thank my tremendous family, especially my wife and son,for their incredible love and support throughout my career that has led me to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Haywood, a 6’1’’ point guard, has been touted as one of the best players in the country and has been a consistent scorer for the Rainmen this season, winning NBL Canada Player of the Week in November. Haywood was also the 2010-2011 Canadian Interuniversity Sport leading scorer.
Be the first to comment