Lindell Wigginton becomes 1st Canadian CEBLer to sign NBA contract

Canada's Lindell Wigginton signed a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, making him the first former Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) player to ink a full-season NBA deal.

He also becomes the first Canadian to graduate from the CEBL to NBA.

Four players had previously signed 10-day contracts this season, including three-time CEBL MVP Xavier Moon.

But Wigginton, of Dartmouth, N.S., is slated to be with the reigning NBA champions for the remainder of the season.

Wigginton was named top Canadian for the 2021 CEBL season, and was also nominated for player of the year. The 23-year-old guard averaged 21.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game for the Honey Badgers.

Colter Simmonds, technical director for Basketball Nova Scotia, said Wigginton's hard work over the years is paying off. 

"Did I know it was going to be NBA special? No, but that's because you've never seen it before, right? But on his path I never had a doubt that he would have the opportunity to be at this point," Simmonds said. 

"And I believe he's going to eventually sign a multi-year [contract] in the near future, if not next year, because he works so hard and believes in himself and he doesn't back down from anybody."

He also recorded 17.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists in nearly 31 minutes a game in 17 contests this season with the Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks' G-League affiliate.

Wigginton made his NBA debut Thursday night when the Bucks hosted and defeated the Golden State Warriors, 118 to 99. He scored the first two points of his NBA career in the final minutes of the game with a steal and a rebound.

In addition to Wigginton and Moon, Javin DeLaurier (Bucks) and Xavier Sneed (Memphis Grizzlies) of the Niagara River Lions, as well as Guelph Nighthawks guard Cat Barber (Atlanta Hawks) landed in the NBA this season.

Moon is currently playing on his second 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.