Alston Sr. Named Head Coach of Montréal Alliance
Montréal, QC – The Montréal Alliance of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), announced Wednesday that Derrick Alston Sr. has been named the second head coach in franchise history. An assistant coach with the College Park Skyhawks, NBA G League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, since 2022, Alston Sr. spent the previous seven seasons with the Westchester Knicks, first as an assistant before being promoted to head coach in 2019. Prior to joining the New York Knicks affiliate, Alston Sr. was a player development coach for the NBA’s Houston Rockets from 2012-2015.
“Derrick is a tremendous leader and competitor who has experience playing and coaching at the highest levels,” expressed Joel Anthony, General Manager of the Alliance. “He brings with him that background and experience that will allow him to build a winning culture and team.”
Alston Sr. played four seasons at Duquesne University where he was named to the All-Atlantic 10 Conference All-Star team in 1994. Selected 33rd overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1994 NBA Draft, Alston Sr. played two seasons with the team (1994-96) before signing with the Atlanta Hawks prior to the 1996-97 season.
The Bronx native spent the next 15 years playing for 13 teams in six different countries, including some of Europe’s top franchises such as Barcelona and Real Madrid. Alston Sr. led Barcelona to the Spanish League title in addition to winning the Finals MVP award.
In the summer of 2014, Alston Sr. worked alongside Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and former WNBA player Allison Feaster to provide opportunities for more than 375 underprivileged youth from the Philippines to participate in SportsUnited clinics and events.
“Being named head coach of the Montréal Alliance is a great honour and something I am very proud of,” declared Alston Sr. “I would like to thank Joel Anthony and Annie Larouche for their trust and for the opportunity. The CEBL is rapidly growing, and I am determined to make the Alliance a force in this very talented and competitive league.”
Alston Sr. succeeds Vincent Lavandier, whose contract was not extended following Montréal’s 4-16 record during its inaugural season in 2022.
About the Montréal Alliance
The Montréal Alliance is a professional basketball team competing in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). The team is entering its second season in the CEBL and plays all its home games at the Verdun Auditorium. The CEBL season runs from May to August and is comprised of 10 home games and 10 away games. Get your tickets and find more information about the team at www.alliancemontreal.ca and on our social media platforms, on Instagram and Tik Tok (@alliancemontreal), Twitter (@mtl_alliance), LinkedIn and Facebook (Montréal Alliance).
About the CEBL
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 percent of its 2022 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.