TORONTO — Gabe Freeman of the London Lightning has captured the most valuable player award in the National Basketball League of Canada’s inaugural season.
The six-foot-seven small forward leads the league in rebounds with 12.5 per game, and is the league’s third leading scorer, averaging 17.9 points per game.
“I feel like I put in a lot of hard work this season and it paid off,” Freeman said in a statement. “I’m surrounded by a great coach, great players and teammates. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I reached my goal but now I want to win a championship.”
The Lightning advanced to the NBL of Canada best-of-five final, where they’ll meet either the Halifax Rainmen or Quebec Kebs.
Mike Williams of the Summerside Storm was selected First Team All-NBL.
Williams and teammate Al Stewart were both named First Team All-Defence players.
Freeman, a product of Costa Mesa Jr. College in California, was also selected to the First Team All-NBL and First Team All-Defence.
“I think it was well-deserved,” said Lightning coach Micheal Ray Richardson. “He has been an unstoppable threat on the court this season and goes into every game and practice ready to contribute and work hard.”
The other First Team All-NBL Canada players are Saint John’s Anthony’s Anderson, Quebec’s Ralphy Holmes and Lawrence Wright of Halifax.
Second Team All-NBL Canada includes London’s Tim Ellis, Oshawa’s Omari Johnson, Moncton’s Trayvon Lathan, Halifax’s Tyrone Levett and Brandon Robinson of Oshawa.
Other First Team All-Defence players are Quebec’s James (Boo) Jackson and Levett.
Second Team All-Defence includes Moncton’s Boubacar Coly, London’s DeAnthony Bowden, Halifax’s Joey Haywood, Holmes and Moncton’s Sylvania Watkins.
