Mike Nuga Signs with Stingers
EDMONTON, AB - The Edmonton Stingers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday the signing of guard Mike Nuga for the 2024 season. Nuga, a former NCAA Division I athlete at Kent State and UNLV, played two seasons for the Saskatchewan Rattlers in 2022 and 2023.
“I am very excited to join the Edmonton family and have the chance to build something in the community, “ said Nuga. “I’m a fan of how coach Baker approached the game as a player and am excited to be able to learn from him as a coach. The goal is a championship, and that’s what I’m giving 110% of my effort to in Edmonton.”
Nuga competed in 19 games for the Rattlers in 2023 where he averaged 13.3 points per game, in-part due to an 11 game stretch of double-digit scoring efforts to start the season. In 2022, the Toronto native was named the Rattlers Breakthrough Player of the Year as a professional rookie, appearing in 9 games and scoring 6.4 points per game.
“We are very excited to be able to bring Mike to Edmonton for the summer,” said Head Coach and General Manager Jordan Baker. “He is a young professional who is always looking for ways to improve his game, and Stingers fans will love his energy. As a proven scorer and playmaker in the CEBL. Mike is a great addition to our backcourt.”
Currently, Nuga is playing in Spain for Caceres CB of the LEB Gold League, averaging 11.3 points across his first four games. He also has professional experience as a member of the London Lightning in 2022-23 and 2023-24; Nuga suited up in 39 games averaging 14.2 points per game in the NBCL and BSL with the Lightning.
Prior to turning professional, Nuga was a member of the 2021-22 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels (NCAA DI), playing in 31 games and averaging 6.1 points and 3.0 rebounds. He had transferred from Kent State, where in 2020-21, he put up 17.9 points in 13 games including an NCAA career high 26 points vs Western Michigan on January 9th, 2021. Previous to his DI experience, he played 3 seasons for Eastern Florida JUCO of the NJCAA, making 54 appearances and scoring 11.3 points per game.
Originally born in Nigeria, the 6’2” guard grew up in the GTA before heading south of the border where he attend Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Nuga and the Stingers will return to the Edmonton EXPO Centre on June 2nd to host the Saskatchewan Rattlers in their home opener. Tickets are available for as low as $20 per seat and can be purchased online or by contacting the Stingers head office via email ([email protected]) or phone (1-87STINGERS).
About the Edmonton Stingers
The Edmonton Stingers play a 20-game season from May to August in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, the top professional league in Canada with 10 teams in major markets from coast to coast. The Stingers joined the league in its inaugural season in 2019 and have twice been crowned CEBL Champions. The Stingers play in the 3,600 seat Edmonton Expo Centre. Our core value as an organization is to offer affordable, family-friendly fun at our games and be a positive force in our community all year long.
About The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Fourteen players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.