Worthing Thunder are proud to announce the return of five-time NBL champion Jonathan Lashley for the upcoming season.

After a two-year hiatus from the game, Lashley made an immediate impact upon joining Thunder last season. He averaged 14 points per game (second on the team) and led the squad in rebounding with 7 boards per game. A consistent presence throughout the campaign, he earned multiple Team of the Week selections and proved to be a dominant force in the paint on both ends of the floor.

Head Coach Gary Smith shared his thoughts on the importance of re-signing Lashley:

“Jonathan is definitely someone we needed to retain. He can do so many different things on the court—he’s incredibly versatile and can guard multiple positions. I was very impressed watching him play last season, and even more so coaching against him this summer. He demands a lot of attention inside, and his well-rounded skill set opens up so many opportunities for the team. His return is massive for our aspirations.”

Jonathan Lashley also reflected on his decision to return and the team’s direction:

“Last season didn’t go the way I would’ve liked. But through it all, the Worthing fans were incredibly supportive and continued to show up for us. To be completely honest, the first thing I said in the offseason was, ‘I’m not signing up for another season like last one.’ Zaire gave me his word that things would change—and they have. We’ve improved in nearly every area, and I believe we’ve built a team that’s ready to win silverware.”

General Manager Zaire Taylor added his perspective on Lashley’s re-signing:

“Most Thunder fans don’t realise they’ve only seen a sample of what Lashley is capable of. He joined us just as the season was starting, after two years away from playing competitively. He had no preseason, no ramp-up, yet still delivered a stat line that most players in this league would be proud of. I’m glad he’s back—but I’m even more excited for the fans, because they’re going to see the best version of him this year.”