The Hamilton Honey Badgers are seven games into the 2021 Canadian Elite Basketball League season and point guard Lindell Wigginton is making a

strong case for the CEBL Player of the Year award.

  The Halifax-native is currently second in the league in scoring average (23.3) and assists average (5.5) while providing invaluable three-point shooting – he has recorded the most threes in the league with 25.

  Wigginton has scored 20-plus points in seven of his eight appearances, setting the tempo with a 30-point performance in the season-opener at

Edmonton. That scoring has been at the forefront during the Honey Badgers’ current six-game win streak, but Wigginton’s leadership has proven to be just as important.

  “I came here to lead guys and get wins----that’s what we’ve been doing,” said the Iowa State product.

  Wigginton’s ability to be the floor general for his team has been crucial to the Honey Badgers’ success. He said ball movement and finding his teammates

is something that he has been working to improve.

  “I’ve been focused on making the right reads on offence and getting my guys involved,” said the 23-year-old. “I think I’ll get better each game.”

  Honey Badgers Head Coach Ryan Schmidt believes Wigginton’s improvement as a floor leader has shown and cited the Elam Ending-winning

shot by Cody John against the Guelph Nighthawks on July 3, where Wigginton found the open John in the far corner and hit him with a perfect pass, as one memorable example. Schmidt said they’ve been focusing on Wigginton’s leadership and making his teammates better, not just him being a scorer.

  “I think that last play defined everything we’ve been talking about and working on,” said Schmidt. “Lindell took one dribble, and there was no hesitation

for him to fire the pass to his teammate who he trusted to knock down the game-winning shot.”

  Wigginton is an elite talent in this league, but he still wants to continue improving as an all-around player.

  “I’ve known Lindell for a long-time and I think his scoring is always going to be there,” added Schmidt. “I think that’s a big reason why he joined us this

summer because he wants to get better.”

  Watching that continued improvement is sure to be a highlight for the Honey Badgers and their fans as the second half of the regular season gets

underway.