by Darren Zary
Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Michael Nuga has more bounce on the court than an official CEBL Spalding basketball.
He’s got enough spring in his step to last him well into the summer months.
His energy is infectious on the Saskatchewan Rattlers as they hope to keep their playoff hopes alive Wednesday night in Canadian Elite Basketball League action against the visiting Vancouver Bandits.
Game-time is 7:30 p.m. at SaskTel Centre.
“He does have a calm demeanour about him, at times, but he’s at his best when he plays hard,” said Rattlers interim head coach Tanner Massey.
Former Rattlers coach Dean Demopoulos used to rave about Nuga’s high energy level.
“I love my Nuga juice,” Demopoulos would often say.
Nuga’s energy, hustle and intensity on the court have made an impact. He’s considered a possible top contender for the CEBL’s sixth man award.
Nuga has averaged 13.4 points, 2.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game.
“I try and bring the energy everywhere I go and in everything I do,” said the 6-foot-2 guard. “Very hyper kid growing up, and I haven’t slowed down.”
Nuga was born in Nigeria and was introduced to soccer at an early age; yet, growing up in the Greater Toronto area, he became acclimatized sports-wise in Canada.
He says he played every sport, growing up — even some hockey.
“Everything, but growing up in Toronto and my neighbourhood, just basketball was the main sport. I just fell in love with that way,” he said.
“I kind of always gravitated towards the sport of basketball.”
ATHLETIC GENES
Nuga went back and forth between Nigeria and Canada during his early years, but has been back in Canada since he was a teen.
His dad, Sigei Nuga, played for Nigeria’s national soccer team internationally. His mom, Folake, did her share of track and field.
“So I come from a pretty athletic background. It kind of trickled on to me and my brothers,” he said.
The Rattlers have become his extended family over the past two summers.
“We’re very close-knit group,” noted Nuga. “Off the court, we hang out all the time. So we just have to make it look like we like each other on the court, as well, the way we are off the court, because we’re so connected as a group. We need to translate that into our game.
“We expected to win a lot more games than this and I think the ups and downs of the season is what’s going to help us in the end.
“Both (2022 and 2023) teams were connected. We had great guys on last year’s team like Tony Carr and (Devonte) Bandoo, who’s here (again now) recovering (from a knee injury) but I think it’s the same in terms of our cohesiveness. We just need to translate it into some wins.”
It’s been a rollercoaster 2023 season for the Rattlers, who are still hoping to move up into a playoff spot.
If they can win out in their last three remaining games, the CEBL Western Conference standings would look completely different than they do now. A lot could still happen.
“I think we know that,” agreed Nuga. “We’re going to go into every game with that sense of urgency. That urgency was seen at the end of game (Monday’s 86-64 win over the Brampton Honey Badgers) in that tight battle.”
The key, he added, is “just keeping our heads straight, making sure we’re working together as a unit, making sure that we’re positive through ups and downs in a game, and if we do that, I feel like nobody can beat us.”
Said coach Massey: “We know where we stand right now. There’s still a lot of work ahead but hopefully we can get to that point where these close games will be able to help us in the playoffs — if we get there — but we’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Nuga played NCAA basketball at Kent State before transferring to UNLV, where he played for the Runnin’ Rebels. He continues to improve and develop his game.
“I think it’s just a testimony to my hard work,” said Nuga. “I put in a lot of work, log a lot of hours. I’m just happy to give my teammates my best effort on a nightly basis.”
He’s been clutch, too, with the game-winning free-throws this past week in Edmonton.
His nicknames on the Rattlers include ‘Star Boy’ and ‘Nuga Juice.’
After Monday’s game, he came out of the locker room wearing a JWF t-shirt — designed by his teammate and Rattlers star Justin Wright-Foreman.
When will we see a ‘Nuga juice’ shirt?
Nuga laughed.
“I’ve got to talk to Justin,” he replied, “and see who his production label is.”
