Storm Sign NBL All-Star and Top Four Scorer
September 25, 2014 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Island Storm News Release
(Charlottetown, PE) This off-season one of the main priorities of the Island STORM was to replace the combined scoring of 40 points per game from the departing Antonio Ballard and Nick Okorie from last year's team. Signing Brandon Robinson and his 24.5 points per game from two years ago was a start. Today the STORM finished the job by signing last year's 4th leading scorer and NBL All-Star, Johnny Mayhane.
Mayhane scored 20.57 points per game last season with the rival Moncton Miracles, good for 4th place in league scoring. On Moncton's protected list, Mayhane had not come to terms with the Miracles by the September 21st deadline and was then free to talk with other teams throughout the league.
The 6'5" guard, from Mobile, Alabama, was named All-State in his senior year playing for LeFlore High School, which went 92-12 during Mayhane's high school career and at one point was ranked No. 2 nationally. He went on to play 4 years at Tulane University in Louisiana where he averaged 6.4 points per game, shooting over 41% from the 3 point line in his senior year.
Mayhane has flourished as a pro in the NBL Canada. Not only was he the 4th top scorer in the league last season but he was also a 3 point machine finishing with 138 made from behind the arch, good for 2nd in the league. He was 1st in the league in 3 pointers made per game with 3.14. Mayhane was also 8th in the league in steals with 1.5 per game and foul shooting at over 85%. He scored 30 or more points in a game 3 times last season and went for 20 or more points in 20 games. Mayhane's best game came against the Saint John Mill Rats this past February 2nd when he scored 39 points.
Mayhane was also named NBL Canada "Player of the Week" for the first week of January 2014.
"In my mind this was the final piece to the puzzle to complete this training camp," says STORM Head Coach Joe Salerno. "Johnny was number 1 on our list when it came to potential free agents on other teams protected lists, so you can imagine how excited we were when we were able to come to terms, and Moncton did not match the offer."
"He is a game changer," says Salerno. "There was not a single player in the NBL last season that we had to adjust our entire defensive game plan around more than Johnny Mayhane. Our first round playoff series with Moncton last year, Johnny was the focal point. When you are able to get a guy like that, complimented with the some of the other great talent we have such as Brandon Robinson and Renardo Sidney just to name a few, it can make for a very, very dangerous ball club."
"He has a great feel for the game, and it is no secret in our league how dangerous he is from the 3 point line. He has tremendous range, which can make him a very difficult guard. This is exactly the guy we wanted, and we got him!" Salerno added.
Season tickets for the upcoming season, which starts Thursday November 6th in Charlottetown at Eastlink Centre against the Saint John Mill Rats, are now on sale. Meanwhile, single game tickets to STORM Basketball go on sale Monday October 6th.
STORM Fans purchasing VIP floor seat season tickets or luxury boxes for the coming season will enjoy the Exclusive VIP Pre-Game Reception before each and every STORM home game at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino with a VIP Parking Pass for the first 70 STORM Fans purchasing 2 or more season tickets.
All STOM season ticket holders will receive an "Everybody Loves a STORM Day" Ice Scraper and an invitation to our exclusive STORM season ticket holder pre-season reception and mid-season reception to meet all the STORM Players and Coaching Staff.
For details on STORM tickets and purchases visit the Eastlink Centre Box Office, open Monday to Friday from 11am to 5pm or phone the box office at 902-629-6625.
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National Basketball League of Canada Stories from September 25, 2014
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- Storm Sign NBL All-Star and Top Four Scorer - Island Storm
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