Lightning Bring Back Point Guard Jaylon Tate
December 20, 2021 (LONDON, ON) - The London Lightning are excited to announce that we have re-signed point guard, Jaylon Tate, for the 2021-22 season.
Tate, a 6’3 guard from Chicago, is coming off a recent stint with the Golden State Warriors’ G-League affiliated Santa Cruz Warriors team. Since COVID-19 shut down the 2019-20 NBL Canada season, Tate has made stops in Austria with Basket Swans Gmunden and the NBA G-League with the aforementioned Santa Cruz Warriors.
The former National Basketball League of Canada Rookie of the Year winner played sparingly in 2019-20 for the Lightning as he suffered an early-season ankle injury that kept him out for most of the season. Now healthy, fans can look forward to the elite point guard skills Tate brings to the Bolts.
“I couldn’t be happier to have Jaylon back with us this season. I not only wholeheartedly trust and believe in his ability as a point guard, but know the type of relentless work ethic and team-first mentality he brings to the organization. He’s had great experiences since he was with us last, both overseas and in the G-League, and will be an even better version of himself. In 19-20 he had a tough break with an early-season injury but everyone in our organization knows what he is capable of and what he’s all about. He embodies everything the city of Chicago and our organization strive to be: blue-collar, relentless, and a winner. We fully expect Jaylon to come in and establish the culture we will exude from day one”. – Head Coach Doug Plumb
“After talking with Coach Plumb over a period of time it was a no-brainer on signing back. We were on a mission to win a championship before the pandemic, and that mission still continues. I can’t wait to be back in front of the best fans in Canada and with a top tier organization like the Lightning.”– Jaylon Tate
Catch Jaylon and the rest of the Lightning this season when they take the court at the Budweiser Gardens for their home-opener on February 11th, 2022.
Make sure to stay up to date with upcoming player signings and team news by following the team on social media or through the team website at www.lightningbasketball.ca.