Christian Nobles Plays With Heavy Heart While Leading Tough Syracuse Stallions Into TBL Playoffs
After suffering the tragic loss of his childhood friend back home in Augusta, the All-Star point guard for Syracuse is staying strong-minded by playing for more than himself
Syracuse, New York – The first week of the 2022 TBL season tipping-off seems like forever ago and it was only the beginning of March.
Even in a short-season professional league that’s prepping for the excitement of the playoffs, the past three months may seem like yesterday to some. It could even feel like just this morning to others. Another day. Another practice. Another bus ride. Another game. Another win.
Another loss.
Another win. On Wednesday night at Liverpool High School in Liverpool, New York the Syracuse Stallions did the same thing they do each time they step out on the floor: they put up a fight and won, 165-128, against a scrappy Lancaster King squad. If you are a fan of The Basketball League and particularly the Stallions there’s a pretty good chance Christian Nobles has caught your eye on the court throughout this season and rightfully so. That’s No. 3. He’s the man behind the smile. He can get to the rim. He can hit from outside. He will find you on the floor. Don’t worry about that. Not only does the quick guard out of the University of South Carolina Aiken where his father, Steve, played for the 1986-87 Pacers, command his own pace perfectly running the point for the Stallions, but Christian also ranks in the category among the league leaders in assists per game (6.3) and has consistently added timely scoring (18.3 points per game) for a sturdy Stallions team that’s built for a deep TBL postseason run. From earning Player of the Week honors to begin the 2022 season, to being selected as an All-Star in Syracuse, and emerging as a team leader, Christian Nobles has done it all while having his mind drift back to Augusta and carrying a heavy heart with him along the way. Another loss.
Another win. Christian was at it again against Lancaster and finished with 19 points, dished out 7 assists, and 4 rebounds to propel Syracuse that much closer to slamming the door to the regular season behind them. The postseason can’t come fast enough.
In some ways it feels like it’s already here.
First off, it's been an inspiration to watch and cover your season in the TBL in Syracuse and congrats on leading the team into the upcoming playoffs. I also want to pass along my condolences as I understand you lost a very close friend back in Atlanta at the start of this season…
It’s been tough. It was back in Augusta, Georgia where one of my best friends – Jarrad “JQ” Quarles, 31 years old – was killed in a car wreck. It’s been hard to stay focused at times. I wasn’t able to make it to the funeral or go home and grieve with family and friends so it’s been tough for me being so far away from home dealing with a tragic incident like that.
How are you doing? And how have you been able to play with a heavy heart during an All-Star season and with the season unfolding over the last few months?
I know my dawg “JQ” is watching over me and is proud of me right now for keeping my head up and staying strong.
I am so sorry, Christian. For those who did not know Jarrad Quarles, how did you guys meet and what did you appreciate the most about JQ?
I met JQ when I was about 5 years old. My pops and his pops were very cool. He was one of my best friends growing up. We played AAU basketball together and went to the same high school (JQ went on to play college football at Paine College). He was the most genuine and positive guy anyone could ever meet. He would always make sure to let me know how proud of me he was and that I’ll always be his favorite point guard ever; he will put money on me against anyone.
Was it a challenge getting back out on the court after receiving the news about his passing or did basketball help get you through that time?
Man, that was tough. I got the news on a game day at 6:00 am and could barely focus but basketball has helped me out for sure. It takes my mind off of it. I know he wouldn’t want me to be nowhere but on the court. It was the first game of the season against the Reading Rebels. This season I have been playing for him.
Through it all you emerged as an All-Star back in April and have become one of the more consistent scorers in the TBL throughout the season with Syracuse…
The Stallions are a family over here. We have a great coach, owners, and fan group that really supports us. It means a lot to be a part of the Syracuse Stallions.
Where do you feel your game is at as a pro coming off of previously playing in Lithuania and also in the TBL with Jamestown prior to this year in Syracuse?
I am not exactly where I want to be as a pro, but I’m right where I need to be to further my career more. I’m just a kid from the country in Augusta, Georgia that never gave up when things got tough. These past two years in the TBL have made me fall back In love with basketball again because I was at a breaking point and was honestly about to quit when I left Lithuania.
What led to that "breaking point" moment for you? Where does that toughness to push through come from for you?
I was over there (Lithuania) right when the pandemic got started. I had a job working at a factory warehouse back in Augusta – a lot of long shifts from 3:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday – and someone convinced me to get back in the gym and not to give up on my dream, so I got back in the gym and got signed and fell back in love with hooping. My toughness probably comes from me being an underdog all my life. I always feel like I have a chip on my shoulder. And also where I come from a lot of people don’t make it in basketball. You’ve got to have that toughness in you when you come from Augusta.
Do you feel like the Stallions have taken on your "toughness" as a team mindset this season? What makes you guys such a hard squad for opposing teams to handle?
They definitely embrace my toughness on the team and it rubs off on everybody else. We are so well balanced on our team from 1-5 and it’s hard to beat a team that has great players at each position. And we are also coming together, figuring each other out at the right time of the season so I’m looking forward to this playoff push. I'm just staying locked in being the leader I am and trying to be the best teammate I can be for my guys, really. I am slowly getting my offensive rhythm back. We are a well coached team so you are going to see us playing the right way and we are going to play hard.
*Photos credited to the Syracuse Stallions
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Wendell Maxey has covered and written about professional basketball and sports for 19 years and has previously been featured on ESPN.com, NBA.com, USA Today, FOX Sports, and SLAM Magazine among other publications and outlets. Connect with him on Twitter and LinkedIn or read through his archive on Linktree.