After missing out on months of NBL Canada action, Ed Horton is on his way back to the London Lightning. The guard is expected to make his season debut within the team's next couple games. Horton was signed and activated on Wednesday, after the Lightning placed Garrett Williamson on injured reserve. The move was announced by Morris Dalla Costa of The London Free Press on Tuesday:
Guard Ed Horton, good guy, good player, is returning to the @LondonLightning. Will be here sometime Tuesday. @NBLCanada #ldnont.— Morris Dallacosta (@MoDaCoatLFPress) February 23, 2016
Horton initially joined London to replace Adrian Moss last January. He had an effective first season in the league, averaging about 10 points, 3 assists, and a steal. With head coach Carlos Knox at the helm, he started in about half of the team's games. Horton acted as an inconsistent but explosive offensive threat, putting up a season-high 22 points against defending and eventual champions Windsor Express in his fourth appearance.
The guard returned to the Bolts for training camp, but he found himself overshadowed by fellow guards Nick Okorie, Tyshawn Patterson, and Jeremy Wise. Surprisingly, coach Kyle Julius released Horton in December, before the regular season became underway.
Since leaving the Lightning in 2015, Horton spent some time in the American Basketball Association with the Jacksonville Giants, and in Nicaragua, where he competed for Tiburones Bancentro. With Tiburones, he made it to the All-Import Team and led his team to the Finals, with averages of 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. In his second run in the NBL Canada, Horton hopes to show his improvement as a player.
"I honestly would say [my role] will be more of a leadership role and being a threat on the defensive end of the floor," he said to NBLCNET. "I can score—I'll pick when I score because they have enough scorers—but mainly defensively and leadership."
According to The London Free Press, it is uncertain whether or not Horton will be available to play on Wednesday against the Niagara River Lions. Nevertheless, Julius remains confident in his decision to bring him back.
The coach told the Free Press, "You need a veteran. You need toughness and you need a veteran who is going to be vocal in the dressing room and practice. Ed has all those qualities."
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| Horton drives past a Brampton A's player in his first season with London. |
"I honestly would say [my role] will be more of a leadership role and being a threat on the defensive end of the floor," he said to NBLCNET. "I can score—I'll pick when I score because they have enough scorers—but mainly defensively and leadership."
According to The London Free Press, it is uncertain whether or not Horton will be available to play on Wednesday against the Niagara River Lions. Nevertheless, Julius remains confident in his decision to bring him back.
The coach told the Free Press, "You need a veteran. You need toughness and you need a veteran who is going to be vocal in the dressing room and practice. Ed has all those qualities."