3-time MVP Moon represents shining example of burgeoning CEBL, NBA relationship

Three-time Canadian Elite Basketball League MVP Xavier Moon will be at the Edmonton Expo Centre Friday night for the Stingers' home opener.

This season, however, it won't be in his usual starting guard role on the floor, but as that of an honourary guest.

The now Los Angeles Clipper wound his way through numerous stops on the globe on his road to the NBA, but none were more important than his three-year stint in Edmonton with the Stingers in the CEBL.

"We're going to bring [Moon] in for our first game, our home-opener," said Reed Clarke, president of the Stingers. "We're going to do a banner ceremony. He's still a big part of this team and this organization.

"We're still in contact and checking in all the time because we're proud of the success that he's had. And he always remembers that it came from the Stingers and what [head coach and general manager Jermaine] Small and everyone else has done to get him there. He recognizes that very well."

The 27-year-old is quick to pay respect to his roots, as referenced by his appearance at the London Lightning's final home game of the 2022 National Basketball League of Canada season, a team he had two stints with from 2018 to 2020, earning First Team All-NBL Canada honours in 2019-20.

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