The Sudbury Five announced this week that power forward Jairus “JR” Holder has re-signed with the team ahead of the upcoming 2023 season.
Holder is a former National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC) Newcomer of the Year and was a Five fan favourite during the 2019-2020 season, the team said in a news release.
Since last playing with The Five a few seasons back, Holder played ball in Israel and Mexico.
"I am excited to be back with The Five,” said Holder in the news release. “We have unfinished business from my first year here, with COVID shutting the season down early. I believe that this will be a very special year.”
Five GM and Head Coach Logan Stutz said he’s pleased Holder will continue to wear Five colours for the upcoming season.
"When I knew I was coming back, I had highlighted JR as a guy I also wanted to return,” said Stutz. “He is exactly what The Five look for in a player. He can do a little bit of everything on the court, he's a great teammate, and he's great in the community. I am very excited to have JR back in Sudbury."
Holder joined the Five for the 2019-2020 season after playing two seasons internationally in the British Basketball League, where he won two British Basketball League Championships with the Leicester Riders. He was also named the Finals MVP during the 2017-2018 season.
In his two seasons overseas, Holder averaged 15 points and five rebounds per game, while shooting 35 per cent from the three-point line. During the 2019-2020 season in Sudbury, Holder played 21 games, averaging 36.4 minutes per game, a 49.5 per cent field goal percentage, a 44.5 per cent three-point percentage and an 80.6 free throw percentage.
Holder is the eighth player to commit to the Five for the upcoming season, joining Jaylen Bland, Evan Harris, Montell McRae, DaRohn Scott, Jeremy Harris, AJ Mosby and Dexter Williams Jr.
The Five will return to action this January when they begin their regular season. Season memberships are on-sale now at the Sudbury Arena box office or online at greatersudbury.ca/tickets.
The Five kick off their season on Dec. 29 with the Pros vs Joes charity game in support of local children’s charities. Tickets are on sale now.
