Tuesday, May 10, 2022. 5:58 p.m.
The Alliance’s first game will be on May 25 when the club will face the Honey Badgers in Hamilton, in the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
Training camp will begin on May 16 and there is excitement in the air as this historic first game approaches.
“We’re so excited,” Alliance CEO Joel Anthony said Tuesday at the 5 to 7. It’s a unique situation for people in Montreal because we have local players but also players from all over the world. This is a Montreal team that the city can be proud of. »
The organization has indeed made an important place for local talent by drafting two very promising players in Canada, Alain Louis and Marc-André Fortin. Montrealer Nathan Cayo has also joined the team.
“It was a priority. It was logical to have Montreal players for a team from here. I want to give our players the chance to play professional in front of their family and friends. For a basketball player, it’s something you dream of. »
The Alliance is an expansion team, but they still hope to be competitive from the first season and they have given themselves the tools to do so.
“It starts with our coach, Vincent, who is the best coach for this situation. He’s very good at youth development, but he also has experience in professional basketball, which is good for players who want a chance to play outside of North America, whether in France, Spain or elsewhere. He knows the style he needs to have that can help everyone get to the top level. »
Joel Anthony played in the NBA and won two championships with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013, and he rubbed shoulders with stars like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. He learned from the best and he is ready to pass on his knowledge himself.
“It’s a chance to share my experience with them, to talk to them about what young people have to do to be a professional. It’s a unique chance for me to go back to Montreal and do that. This is a great opportunity to offer my advice. »
The Alliance’s first home game will be held at the Verdun Auditorium on May 29 against the Scarborough Shooting Stars.
