Joel Kindred Named Most Valuable Player of the Year

May 21, 2022 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada) News Release

Joel Kindred of the KW Titans
(KW Titans, Credit: Dan Congdon)

"This is one of the league's best two-way players, as young man who won this award for his work on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court," said Audley Stephenson, NBLC VP of Basketball Operations. "He took the toughest defensive assignment every single night, and still managed to be a top scoring force in the league."

In 2022, the Raleigh, North Carolina, native average 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. Named NBL Canada Player of the Week on two occasions, he scored more than 20 points in 15 regular season games, including a run of five straight in March that included a season-high 34-point effort against the Sudbury Five on March 11. Kindred led the league in total points with 536.

Earlier this week, Kindred was also named NBL Canada Most Improved Player.

Stephenson continued, "Joel has shown himself to be a leader, an impact player, a difference-maker in every way. While he makes it look easy, I know how much work he has put in to get to this point. He sets such high goals for himself. Nothing was given to Joel - he had earned it all.

"The KW Titans and the league are better for having a young man like Joel in the lineup."

Kindred played collegiately at St. Augustine's College in Raleigh. His professional career has included stops with CB Cantaires (Spain EBA), Guelph Nighthawks (CEBL), and CB Benicarlo (Spain LEB Plata).

"Joel came in from day one with the mindset to lead the team," said Neal Foreman, Titans head coach and Director Player Personnel. "His offseason habits and work ethic showed with his overall improvement in play. His ability to lead by example made him stand out among his peers.

"Joel is the type of person and player who you would want to build a team around. His character helped strengthen our culture. The best part is that he's just getting started."

Kindred is the first KW Titan to win the NBL Canada Most Improved Player Award. Previous winners include:

2011-12 | Gabe Freeman, London Lightning

2012-13 | Devin Sweetney, Moncton Miracles

2013-14 | Anthony Anderson, Saint John Mill Rats

2014-15 | Quinnel Brown, Windsor Express

2015-16 | Logan Stutz, Niagara River Lions

2016-17 | Royce White, London Lightning

2017-18 | Carl English, St. John's Edge

2018-19 | Braylon Rayson, Sudbury Five

2019-20 | Billy White, Moncton Magic

All player award winners will receive their own customized championship ring courtesy of long-time NBL Canada partner and playoff sponsor, Baron Championship Rings.

Joel Kindred of the KW Titans (Dan Congdon)

Joel Kindred of the KW Titans (Dan Congdon)

Joel Kindred of the KW Titans (Dan Congdon)

National Basketball League of Canada Stories from May 21, 2022

• Joel Kindred Named Most Valuable Player of the Year - NBL Canada

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