Windsor Express

Last updated
Windsor Express
Windsor Express Logo 2022.png
Leagues Basketball Super League
Founded2012
HistoryWindsor Express
(2012–present)
Arena WFCU Centre
Capacity6,500
Location Windsor, Ontario
Team coloursMaroon, black
  
PresidentDartis Willis, Sr.
Head coach Bill Jones
OwnershipDartis Willis, Sr.
Championships2 (2013–14, 2014–15)
Website windsorexpress.ca

The Windsor Express are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, competing in the Basketball Super League. The Express play their home games at the WFCU Centre.

Contents

History

On June 28, 2012, the NBL announced that Windsor had been awarded an expansion team for the 2012–13 season. As the eighth franchise, the league created divisions and placed the Express in the Central Division. On August 1, 2012 the team nickname was officially confirmed. The Express name is partially a tribute to the Underground Railroad and to the rail yards on the banks of the Detroit River.

The team compiled a 22–18 record in its inaugural year, placing second in the Central Division and being seeded 3rd in the playoffs. It lost its only post-season series, a semifinal against the Summerside Storm, three-games-to-two.

On April 17, 2014, the Express won their first championship against the Island Storm (formerly Summerside Storm), 121–106. [1]

The Express were named the 2015 NBL of Canada Champions on April 30, 2015 when the Halifax Rainmen forfeited game 7 after events that transpired earlier in the day. Halifax opted to forfeit the game and leave Windsor, where the game was set to take place, due to an on-court altercation between the two teams earlier in the day. [2]

On May 11, 2023 it was announced that the 3 other teams the Express competed with in the NBLC would be leaving the league to form the Basketball Super League along with The president of The Basketball League, David Magley. [3] Well the Express initially held off of joining the BSL in favor of exploring other options, it was announced on August 29, 2023 that Windsor would be joining the league for its inaugural season.

Home arenas

Originally opened in 2008, the WFCU Centre is a sports-entertainment arena in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The arena has a capacity of 7,000 when setup for basketball. The Express share the arena with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League. [4] In 2019 The Express proposed a bid to renovate the Windsor Arena to become the new home of the Windsor Express and local recreational activities. [5] In 2021, the proposal was denied by the City. [6]

Current roster

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

Windsor Express roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.Wt.Age
G/F 2 Flag of the United States.svg Taylor, Jachai 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)210 lb (95 kg)26 – (1997-05-29)29 May 1997
PG 3 Flag of the United States.svg Garth, Nick 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)185 lb (84 kg)27 – (1996-05-29)29 May 1996
PG 5 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jackson, Ja'Myrin 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)187 lb (85 kg)26 – (1998-01-01)1 January 1998
PG 10 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Calliste, Jason 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)175 lb (79 kg)34 – (1990-01-27)27 January 1990
PG 11 Flag of the United States.svg Davis, Latin 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)190 lb (86 kg)26 – (1997-08-15)15 August 1997
PF 23 Flag of the United States.svg White, Billy 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)235 lb (107 kg)35 – (1989-01-26)26 January 1989
F 24 Flag of the United States.svg Stuckman, Tanner 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)220 lb (100 kg)27 – (1997-01-01)1 January 1997
PF 25 Flag of the United States.svg Moss, Justin 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)240 lb (110 kg)30 – (1993-06-19)19 June 1993
C 33 Flag of the United States.svg Claiborne, William 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)290 lb (130 kg)27 – (1996-12-19)19 December 1996
SF 44 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Eleeda, Adham 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)205 lb (93 kg)26 – (1998-01-01)1 January 1998
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Aaron McDonald
  • Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Frank Parker

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (I) Inactive
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Updated: April 24, 2023

Season-by-season record

SeasonCoachRegular seasonPost season
WonLostWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
National Basketball League of Canada
2012–13 Bill Jones 2218.5503rd23.400Lost First Round
2013–14 Bill Jones2911.7181st116.647Won Championship
2014–15 Bill Jones2111.6561st117.611Won Championship
2015–16 Bill Jones2119.5252nd54.556Lost Division Finals
2016–17 Bill Jones2218.5502nd34.429Lost Division Finals
2017–18 Bill Jones2020.5003rd03.000Lost Division Semifinals
2018–19 Bill Jones1723.4255thdid not qualify
2019–20 Bill Jones1111.5003rdSeason curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21Bill Jones---did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2022Bill Jones817.3204th03.000Lost in Round 1
2023Bill Jones1215.4443rd55.500Lost in Finals
Basketball Super League
2024Bill Jones1511.5775thdid not qualify
Totals195172.5323230.5148 playoff appearances

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References

  1. "Home | Windsor Star".
  2. "Windsor Express declared 2015 NBL champ after Halifax forfeits Game 7". CBC News. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  3. "NBL Canada Teams To Join Basketball Super League". 2023-05-11.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. "Our Facilities". WFCU-Centre.com. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
  5. "Windsor Express unveils ambitious plan to transform Windsor Arena". WindsorStar.com. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  6. "City now passing on Express plan to convert vacant Windsor Arena". WindsorStar.com. Retrieved April 29, 2021.