Stover returning to Saint John with 'unfinished business'
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| Photo Credit: James Walsh/Rod Stears Photography |
As the Saint John Riptide get ready for yet another season in the NBL Canada, there is only one goal in mind. Every member of the team's personnel is eyeing a championship.
Few people want redemption more than Riptide center Anthony Stover. He was named Defensive Player of the Year after averaging a league-high 3.5 blocks. His frontcourt presence was immense, and he grabbed over seven rebounds per game. Despite a monumental first year in the league, Stover is not a one-hit wonder—unlike most of his peers.
"I have unfinished business here," he began. "Last season, we fell short of our goal. We played great basketball but didn't win the championship we had our eye on."
In the return of head coach Rob Spon for the 2015-16 season, Saint John brought in proven talent, including two former Most Valuable Players. The team did not disappoint in the regular season, finishing with a 25-15 record. However, the playoffs were something fans would rather forget. In the division finals, the Mill Rats were swept by the Halifax Hurricanes, losing by as many as 44 points.
The big man from UCLA received attractive offers that would have sent him to Argentina and China, but by the end of the summer, his priorities were set.
"Returning wasn't a tough decision," Stover said. "Once coach Spon called and told me his plans for the Riptide, I was convinced we had another shot at that championship."
Despite the increasing talent coming into the NBL Canada, he expects to continue doing what he has done in Saint John. With new ownership and identity, but a similar" core, the Riptide can start fresh with big goals.
"I love the new name and logo," he added. "I'm excited for a new start as an organization."
"I have unfinished business here," he began. "Last season, we fell short of our goal. We played great basketball but didn't win the championship we had our eye on."
In the return of head coach Rob Spon for the 2015-16 season, Saint John brought in proven talent, including two former Most Valuable Players. The team did not disappoint in the regular season, finishing with a 25-15 record. However, the playoffs were something fans would rather forget. In the division finals, the Mill Rats were swept by the Halifax Hurricanes, losing by as many as 44 points.
The big man from UCLA received attractive offers that would have sent him to Argentina and China, but by the end of the summer, his priorities were set.
"Returning wasn't a tough decision," Stover said. "Once coach Spon called and told me his plans for the Riptide, I was convinced we had another shot at that championship."
Despite the increasing talent coming into the NBL Canada, he expects to continue doing what he has done in Saint John. With new ownership and identity, but a similar" core, the Riptide can start fresh with big goals.
"I love the new name and logo," he added. "I'm excited for a new start as an organization."
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