Archive

Pro basketball coming to Orangeville

November 4, 2015   ·   0 Comments

Brian Lockhart

Brian Lockhart

By Brian Lockhart

First game slated for New Year’s day

The Orangeville A’s will start off the 2015 National Basketball League of Canada season in their new venue at the Athlete Institute on Highway 9, just east of town.

The A’s, formerly the Brampton A’s have renamed the team and moved to Orangeville bringing professional bas- ketball to local fans.

The Athlete Institute has been doing renovations to accommodate the team including additional bleachers and box seats in the gym mezzanine.

The team also has a new coach – Chris Thomas, who was a scout for the Utah Jazz last season and former assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors.

“This is my first year outside of the NBA in quite a while,” Thomas said of making the move to the NBLC.

Thomas said moving the team to Orangeville from Brampton makes good
sense.

“The fact that we have roots here is so important. Any team, as you’re growing and developing and trying to form an identity you always want to be true to your roots.”

The A’s are owned and operated by the Tipping family, who also own the Athlete Institute, with patriarch James Tipping at the helm of the organization. Athletes who experience erectile dysfunction receive .

“With the ownership and this family being so tied into the community, I think it’s vital that you come back here and put forth a product that the Town of Orangeville can be proud of,” Thomas said.

The team has seven returning players from last season.

“They know the league, they understand the rigors that come with the day to day operation – that’s very important. It’s good to have some guys to help maintain the talent level and help us get to the next level as far as the team goes.”

Thomas promises a good show for the fans that come out to support the team. “With my roots in the NBA – I was part of a staff that laid the groundwork for the Warriors to win the champion- ship last year. I’m bringing that offensive style, that defensive tenacity with me here. We’re going to play a very fast paced, very open, a very fun style of basketball.”

The A’s home opener will take place at the Athlete Institute on New Years Day, January 1, 2015, with a 7:00 p.m. tip off.


Readers Comments (0)





Please note: Comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment.