Defending champs prep for season
Director of basketball operations Bill Jones doesn’t hide his enthusiasm for this season’s edition of the Windsor Express.
Coming off back-to-back National Basketball League of Canada championships, the Express open training camp Thursday and Jones had only smiles when talking about his roster of 17 players that will hit the court.
“This is the best training camp roster we’ve had since we’ve been here,” Jones said. “We’re three deep at every position. Each and every position’s going to be tough.”
Fans will notice some familiar faces are no longer with the team. Guard and Windsor native Gary Gibson is now playing for the Island Storm in Prince Edward Island while forward Kevin Loiselle joined the London Lightning and forward Quinnel Brown is playing in Uruguay.
“In my earlier career, I played overseas and so many times you saw guys come and go,” Express veteran forward Chris Commons said. “I think I’m used to it.”
The 31-year-old Commons is the only player on the roster to have been with the Express for all four seasons and he likes Jones’ assessment of the roster talent.
“I agree,” Common said. “I’m happy with it. From top to bottom, it’s going to be very competitive. It’s going to be a tough training camp.”
More reinforcements could be waiting in the wings. Centre De’Andre Thomas is recovering from knee surgery and guard Ryan Anderson is still dealing with ankle issues. Still, the Express boast a returning nucleus that includes a consistent scorer in the six-foot-nine Commons, six-foot-seven forward Kirk Williams Jr., who was the MVP of last year’s final, and veteran guard Tony Bennett.
Veteran guard Adrian Moss, who put up 38 points in an exhibition game against the Mississauga Raptors 905, former Windsor Lancers Jahmal McQueen, who is a six-foot-seven forward, and Josh Collins, who is a six-foot-one guard.
“We’re excited to get going and want to build off back-to-back championships,” said Jones, who had a pre-camp meeting with players Wednesday at the Holiday Inn.
MacQueen and Collins will battle for one of the four Canadian spots on the roster along with former Lancer six-foot-five guard Rotimi Osuntola Jr., six-foot-five guard/ forward Shaquille Keith, who spent time with the Raptors 905, and sixfoot-three guard Dane Smith.
The Express will have a seven-foot centre at camp in John Hawkins, who spent time in the NBA Development League, sixfoot-10 forward Maurice Bolden, who spent time with the Lightning, guard Derek Thompson, who was the team’s first-round draft pick, guard Raheem Singleton, who averaged over 11 points a game with Saint John last season, guard Kyle Anderson, six-foot-10 centre Zack Valliere, who was at the combine two years ago and showed enough improvement to earn an invite, guard Manny Hendrix and six-foot-eight centre/forward Shane Ross. The first practice is Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the John Atkinson Memorial Centre and the Express will face a tight camp. The club’s only other home exhibition game is Sunday against the Lima Express at the St. Clair College SportsPlex at 7 p.m. and the season opener is Dec. 26.
“I’m an older guy and you don’t want too much training camp,” Commons said. “It’ll be a good two weeks and I’m ready to jump into the season.”
Jones said the team will have 12 players on the season-opening roster against the Orangeville A’s on Dec. 26 at the WFCU Centre.
“I believe it will be a very competitive training camp with guys competing feverishly for a permanent spot on the roster,” Express interim head coach Tony Jones said. “I’m looking forward to working with some quality young men who all have impressive resumes and will help us compete for another championship.”