Ottawa SkyHawks Add Brad Tinsley to Backcourt
September 4, 2013 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Ottawa SkyHawks News Release
Ottawa ON -- The Ottawa SkyHawks announced today that they have come to terms with free-agent point guard Brad Tinsley.
The 6-3, 210-lb. Tinsley competed in two professional circuits during the 2012-13 season, most recently for Saint-Vallier of the National Basketball League (LNB) of France. He averaged 10.3 points per game while shooting 42.1 percent from beyond the arc and 80.6 from the free-throw line. Tinsley also saw action last season with the Okapi Aalstar of the Basketball League of Belgium, leading them to three FIBA Europe games.
Tinsley played college basketball for the Vanderbilt Commodores (NCAA Division I), averaging a career- high 11.0 points per contest in his freshman season, including a career-high 20 points on Mar. 12, 2009 vs. Alabama. Tinsley started all 70 games at the point guard position during his junior and senior seasons, and his 482 career assists rank second all-time in the program's 113-year history.
Ottawa SkyHawks head coach Kevin Keathley had great things to say about the acquisition:
"The signing of Brad is a big piece to our SkyHawkspuzzle, he is a true lead guard that proved during his time at Vanderbilt University and playing in the SEC that he was one of the most efficient point guards in America. Brad showcased his ability to lead a team against some of the very best players and programs in the country. He has great floor vision, shooting ability and a tough leader's mentality. I feel we have formed a tremendous backcourt group, with every player being a solid piece to our overall puzzle."
Tinsley is the first and only Commodore in school history to record a triple-double, when he posted 11 points to go along with career highs of 10 assists and 10 rebounds in a 88-47 victory over Presbyterian on Nov. 12, 2010. He helped lead Vanderbilt to NCAA Tournament appearances in each of his last three seasons, the last of which also saw the Commodores win their first SEC championship (over eventual national champion Kentucky) in 60 years.
"I have been a part of a lot of different types of offences in my career, and the most exciting one is to be a part of is a fast-paced one," said Tinsley. "From doing research, I know Coach Keathley likes to push the tempo and score a lot of points. Coming from a point guard that loves to run, I'm very excited to be a part of this team."
The acquisition of Tinsley is the 12th for the SkyHawks, who begin their inaugural season in the National Basketball League of Canada on home court at the Canadian Tire Centre (formerly Scotiabank Place) on Nov. 2. Information on season tickets, on sale for as low as $269 per seat, can be found at www.ottawaskyhawks.com . Single-game tickets and special packages will go on sale at a later date this month.
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