Calgary Surge Announce Tyrell Vernon as New Head Coach for the 2024 Season
April 18, 2024
Tyrell Vernon will be the next head coach of the Calgary Surge and lead the team for the 2024 season, the team announced Thursday.
Vernon just wrapped his third season as head coach of the St. Francis Xavier X Men basketball program. He joined the X-Men and X-Women coaching staff as an associate coach in April 2019. He then succeeded long-time head coach (and Surge Senior Advisor) Steve Konchalski, as the head coach of the X-Men basketball program at the completion of the 2020-21 season. Vernon was named the 2023 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Coach of the Year and led the X Men to the AUS Championship title and a U SPORTS silver medal.
“Tyrell is one of the most elite young coaches in our country,” said Surge Senior Advisor Steve Konchalski. “He has won at every level (including the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association, U SPORTS, and the Canadian Elite Basketball League) and we are fortunate that he has chosen the Surge to be a part of his coaching journey. I am confident we can continue to grow together.”
The Hamilton, Ontario native is no stranger to the CEBL. He served as assistant coach for the Scarborough Shooting Stars for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He played a critical role in the Shooting Stars’ success with the team making Championship Final appearances in both years and winning the CEBL Championship in 2023 over the Calgary Surge. Vernon has also served as the head coach of the boys basketball team at TRC Academy, a prep school in Brantford, Ontario. During his tenure, the team realized many successes including winning back-to-back OSBA championships in 2018 and 2019. He was named 2019 OSBA Coach of the Year.
“We are thrilled about the addition of Tyrell Vernon to the Calgary Surge. Tyrell is a rising star in the Canadian basketball scene and is known for his infectious positive energy and strong connections within the community,” said Surge General Manager Shane James. “With his extensive knowledge of the game, Tyrell has achieved remarkable success in his coaching career at St. FX University. We have full confidence that he will bring that same level of success to the professional level and could not be more excited to have him on board.”
Prior to his coaching career, Vernon played with the X-Men for two seasons in 2011-12 and 2012-13, having been a key part of the team that won a U SPORTS bronze medal in 2012. He went on to play with the Mississauga Power of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL) and then earned the 2013 North of the Border Basketball League (NBBL) most valuable player and a championship with Team 905.
“I am honoured and excited for this opportunity with the Calgary Surge,” said Surge Head Coach Tyrell Vernon. “I am looking forward to working with everyone in the organization and connecting with the Calgary community.”
Fans can now purchase their tickets to the highly anticipated 2024 Season Opener at the Scotiabank Saddledome on May 21 at www.calgarysurge.ca/surge2thedome.
About the Calgary Surge
The Calgary Surge tipped off their inaugural season at WinSport Event Centre in May 2023, after originating the Guelph Nighthawks, one of the founding members of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). From day one, the Surge have been committed to being the Home Team for Calgary and a space where everyone is welcome.
The Calgary Surge are active members of the community and have participated in a few hundred events (and counting) around the city that connect the team with diverse communities through sport and entertainment. In their inaugural season, the Surge finished 1st overall in the Western Conference
and were crowned Western Conference Champions in the playoffs. For more information, visit www.calgarysurge.ca.
About the Canadian Elite Basketball League
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 73% of its 2023 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. Fourteen players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on
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No longer can teams use “it’s early” as an excuse. As this CEBL season rolls into July and nears the home stretch, the playoff picture is beginning to emerge, title contenders have fully announced themselves and the race to a new-look post-season is heating up. On an individual level, the frontrunners for season-ending awards are also starting to form. Here’s a look at a few MVP candidates: Teddy Allen, Winnipeg Sea Bears Allen returned to the CEBL after a year off, with a vengeance. The Sea Bears star leads the league in scoring by a wide margin, with his 29.3 points per game, four clear of second place. He’s top five in free-throw percentage and has even added a new element on the defensive side, blowing away his previous career high with 36 steals (second in the league) and counting. The favourite to win the award at this point, the 2023 MVP has also been the focal point of a winning Sea Bears squad that still awaits the return of a fellow former MVP Xavier Moon. Winnipeg leads the West at 10-5, including wins in six of its last seven games. Could a first, long-awaited championship be in store for Allen next? His MVP-type performance through 15 games certainly indicates that’s very much in play. Myles Powell, Scarborough Shooting Stars Who’s the guy sitting second behind Allen in scoring? That would be Powell, whose CEBL rookie season has seen him guide the Shooting Stars to an eye-popping 14-2 start and a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference. Powell, an American guard, has taken quickly to Target Score Endings, leading the league with seven winners, while only one other player across the CEBL has even four. His heroics helped launch Scarborough, which started its season with a string of comeback wins and has hardly looked back since. The 28-year-old Seton Hall product is one of two players averaging at least four three-pointers per game on 35.2 per cent shooting, and he leads his team in assists per game at 4.4, also. MVP-calibre stuff, no doubt, and voters may be inclined to give the tie to the player whose team has a better record if it comes down to Allen and Powell. Sean East II, Brampton Honey Badgers This would be among the most poetic wins if East II, last year’s MVP runner-up, turned it around and finished first this season. It was looking even likelier when his Honey Badgers raced to a 7-1 start to their season. However, East II’s chances took a hit with Brampton on a major slide since then to fall back to 8-7 thanks to six losses in seven games. Still, East II’s name is littered across stat leaderboards, sitting fifth in points per game (22.8), second in assists (7.4), third in steals (2.3) and fifth in free-throw percentage (90.6) — though some of that good work is undone by his 4.2 turnover per game, more than one more than second-place Allen. (That House is third shows that turnovers are simply a byproduct of being the best player on your team, but still). East II has not played since June 27. Tyrese Samuel, Bandits The reigning Canadian of the year has returned in even better form this season, as Samuel has provided a frontcourt sidekick for House in the Bandits’ exploits. The Montreal native is second in rebounds per game (9.4) and the leading Canadian scorer at 18.8 points, which sits third on Vancouver. Like House, Samuel will also be imperative in the Bandits’ transition from Julius to Rans Brempong, especially as he is now in his second season with the organization. Perhaps the mid-season switch and the adversity that comes with it will finally help Vancouver win its long-awaited maiden title after years of regular-season success. Weekly schedule (Nine games) Game #77 – Tuesday, July 7 – VAN at SSK – 7:30 p.m. CST / 6:30 p.m. PT / 9:30 p.m. ET – Merlis Belsher Place (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #78 – Wednesday, July 8 – MTL at OTT – 7:30 p.m. ET – The Arena at TD Place (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #79 – Thursday, July 9 – EDM at WPG – 7 p.m. CDT / 6 p.m. MT / 8 p.m. ET – Canada Life Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #80 – Thursday, July 9 – VAN at CGY – 6:30 p.m. MT / 5:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. ET – Scotiabank Saddledome (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #81 – Friday, July 10 – SSS at NRL – 7 p.m. ET – Meridian Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #82 – Friday, July 10 – BHB at MTL – 7:30 p.m. ET – Verdun Auditorium (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #83 – Saturday, July 11 – VAN at EDM – 7 p.m. MT / 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET – Edmonton EXPO Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #84 – Sunday, July 12 – MTL at NRL – 3 p.m. ET – Meridian Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #85 – Sunday, July 12 – CGY at WPG – 2:30 p.m. CDT / 1:30 p.m. MT / 3:30 p.m. ET – Canada Life Centre (CBC, CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #86 – Sunday, July 12 – BHB at OTT – 4 p.m. ET – The Arena at TD Place (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) For the full 2026 CEBL schedule, please visit cebl.ca/games .
The Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of 6’2 American guard Kyle Vinales for the remainder of the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Vinales is expected to make his River Lions debut Friday against the Scarborough Shooting Stars. Vinales joins the River Lions after a 2025-26 campaign which saw him feature for the Sichuan Blue Whales of the CBA and NKA Universitas Pecs of the Hungarian NBIA . Across both stops, the veteran guard posted an impressive stat line of 24.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, showcasing the dynamic scoring and playmaking ability that has defined his professional career. "Kyle is a high-level, experienced pro who has played all over the world," said River Lions Head Coach and General Manager Kimbal Mackenzie. "He will bring us playmaking, scoring, and leadership from the guard spot. We're excited to have him!" "I’m excited for this opportunity and grateful to be joining the River Lions,” said Vinales. “I can’t wait to get to work, compete every night, and do everything I can to help this team win another championship. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Niagara soon." The Farmington Hills, Michigan native started his collegiate career with the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils . Vinales made an immediate impact, capturing the NEC Rookie of the Year award in his freshman season while recording 17.9 points and 3.6 assists per game. He elevated his game during his sophomore campaign, earning NABC All-District First Team and All-NEC First Team honors with a college career-high 21.6 points per game to go along with 3.8 assists and 1.4 steals. Over three seasons with the Blue Devils, Vinales established himself as one of the NEC's premier scoring guards, starting 64 of 79 games and averaging 19.2 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Following his collegiate career, Vinales built an accomplished international career spanning Puerto Rico, Europe, and Asia. Early in his professional career, Vinales emerged as one of Puerto Rico's top offensive guards, highlighted by a standout 2017-18 campaign with Caciques de Humacao where he averaged 20.1 points and 3.6 assists while shooting 47.2 percent from three-point range. Vinales then transitioned to major European markets, blossoming into a true focal point overseas. His international resume includes prolific scoring stints across Europe's top divisions, including leading BC Kalev-Cramo in the VTB United League with 17.7 points and 4.6 assists per game, a dominant run with Legia Warszawa in the Polish League averaging 18.3 points and 6.0 assists per game, and robust performances in France's Jeep Elite with Nancy Basket . The Niagara River Lions are one of the founding franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and the league’s reigning back-to-back champions (2024 & 2025). Competing out of the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, from May to August each season, the River Lions proudly represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region, uniting fans through passion, pride, and purpose. Entering their second decade, the River Lions have earned a reputation for championship-caliber performance and community impact, embodying the strength and spirit of Niagara both on and off the court.
The Vancouver Bandits announced Monday that the club has re-signed American guard Zach Copeland for his third consecutive Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. A 6-foot-4 guard from Oakland, Calif., Copeland has logged 37 games for the club averaging 16.8 points, 3.1 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game across the past two seasons. Having built a reputation as an elite sharpshooter and clutch scorer, Copeland led the CEBL in total three-pointers made during the 2024 season with 67 and ranked second overall in 2025 with an average of 3.5 three-pointers per game. Most recently, Copeland played professionally in Italy during the 2025-26 season splitting time between New Basket Brindisi and Tramec Cento where he averaged 15.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists across 39 games played. His overseas career also includes stops in Germany, Finland, Ukraine and England. Copeland began his post-secondary career at City College of San Francisco, where his performance in the 2016-17 season earned him both the Coast-North Conference Player of the Year and the California Community Colleges Men's Basketball Coaches Association Co-Player of the Year awards. His impressive play at the junior college level led him to transfer to Illinois State University, where he played two seasons of NCAA Division I basketball from 2018-20. In his final year at Illinois State, Copeland became the Redbirds’ leading scorer with 14.5 points per game, also ranking 7th among Missouri Valley Conference leaders and establishing himself as one of the conference's top players. ### About the Vancouver Bandits: The Vancouver Bandits are British Columbia’s professional basketball team. As the westernmost club in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Bandits offer an entertainment experience that combines a fast-paced game day atmosphere with a presentation of some of Canada’s top professional athletes within a world-class venue at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre (LEC), while also being committed to growing the game of basketball by fostering meaningful community connections through youth programming, events, and partnerships.
The Vancouver Bandits have announced that Kyle Julius has stepped down as head coach to accept a head coaching position in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Julius, who has been an integral part of the organization's success since 2020, will remain with the club as general manager for the remainder of the 2026 season. The Bandits organization fully supports Julius in this next chapter of his career, with the opportunity to lead at the CBA level exemplifying the Bandits as the top development organization in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) for both players and coaches. A two-time CEBL Coach of the Year (2024, 2025), Julius guided the Bandits to two CEBL Finals appearances in 2020 and 2024 while leading the team to the postseason in each of his five seasons at the helm. In 2025, he propelled the Bandits to a .792 winning percentage (19-5), the highest by any CEBL club across a full season. "I want to thank our tremendous coaches, president Dylan Kular, our ownership group Kevin Dhaliwal, Bryan Slusarchuk, and Milan Mann, the entire Bandits organization, our players, and the incredible fans for everything we have built together over the past seven seasons. Coaching the Vancouver Bandits has been one of the greatest experiences of my career. Together, we established a culture built on energy, effort, accountability, and player development. I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished on and off the court, but even more proud of the relationships that were built along the way. This opportunity to become a head coach in the CBA is one that is very important for my family and my career and, while it is difficult to leave a place that has meant so much to us, I believe it is the right next step. I will always be grateful to everyone who believed in me and supported our journey. I will be cheering for the Bandits from afar and wish the organization nothing but continued success. Vancouver will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Julius. Julius’ relentless commitment to building a championship culture transformed the Bandits into the CEBL's premier organization, earning its status as a true destination for world-class talent and top basketball development. The Bandits have advanced players to NBA two-way contracts directly following their time with the club in each of the past three seasons, more than any other CEBL organization. "Kyle has become family. He believed in this organization and poured his heart into building something special here. His vision, passion, and commitment to developing players and people have set a standard that will define the Bandits for years to come. Beyond wins, he gave us a foundation built on passion, accountability, and genuine care for every person in our organization. I am grateful for every early morning meeting, every late-night phone call, and every moment we shared chasing this dream together. This isn't goodbye; we will be cheering louder than anyone when he succeeds in China and beyond in the next chapters of his career,” said team president Dylan Kular. Off the court, Julius participated in the Bandits' youth sports development efforts primarily through the Bandits Community Foundation School Tour. Since 2023, the free-of-charge initiative saw Julius support training and skill development directly with nearly 200 school teams across British Columbia. In addition, through the Bandits Community Foundation, Julius has hosted countless youth skill clinics and coaching seminars with athletes and volunteer coaches across the province. In a corresponding move, the Bandits have appointed Lead Assistant Coach Ransford Brempong as Head Coach for the remainder of the 2026 CEBL season. A former Canadian Senior Men's National Team member, Brempong has represented Canada at the highest level for eight years. He also played professionally for six years in Europe and was a standout NCAA DI player at Western Carolina University, where he graduated as both the program’s and conference's all-time leader in blocked shots, a record that still stands today. "The Vancouver Bandits have high expectations for our roster, and I am excited to lend my decades of experience and skills developed at the collegiate, international, and national team levels to help our players get better and to achieve success this summer,” said Brempong. Fans will have an opportunity to connect with Julius in August after he returns from training camp in China, with details to be announced in the coming weeks. ### About the Vancouver Bandits: The Vancouver Bandits are British Columbia’s professional basketball team. As the westernmost club in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Bandits offer an entertainment experience that combines a fast-paced game day atmosphere with a presentation of some of Canada’s top professional athletes within a world-class venue at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre (LEC), while also being committed to growing the game of basketball by fostering meaningful community connections through youth programming, events, and partnerships.
L’Alliance de Montréal de la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB) a annoncé aujourd’hui les signatures de l’ailier canadien Prince Oduro et de l’arrière Blondeau Tchoukuiegno. L’ailier fort de 6 pi 8 po se joint à l’Alliance après avoir passé les cinq dernières saisons avec les Honey Badgers de Brampton, où il s’est imposé comme l’un des meilleurs joueurs de la LECB dans la raquette, contribuant notamment à la conquête du championnat en 2022. Depuis son arrivée dans la LECB en 2022, Oduro a disputé 84 matchs, maintenant des moyennes de 7,6 points, 5,8 rebonds et 1,0 contre par rencontre, tout en devenant le meneur de l’histoire des Honey Badgers pour les matchs disputés, les rebonds et les contres. Cette saison, il a affiché des moyennes de 8,3 points, 5,0 rebonds et 1,0 contre en 11 rencontres avant de se joindre à l’Alliance. Oduro possède également une solide expérience professionnelle à l’international, ayant évolué en Finlande, en Allemagne, en Italie et en Hongrie à la suite d’un parcours universitaire en NCAA Division I avec Siena, South Florida, Mississippi State et Detroit Mercy. L’Alliance accueille également de nouveau le meneur montréalais Blondeau Tchoukuiegno. Après avoir porté les couleurs de l’Alliance lors de la saison 2025, Tchoukuiegno est de retour à Montréal. Plus récemment, il a évolué avec les River Lions de Niagara après avoir amorcé la saison 2026 avec les Cocodrilos de Caracas, au Venezuela, où il a maintenu des moyennes de 8,5 points, 3,4 rebonds et 1,8 passe décisive en 10 matchs. L’Alliance annonce également que Michael Hughes II a été placé sur la liste des réservistes afin de lui permettre de prendre du temps pour des raisons personnelles. L’organisation lui offre tout son soutien durant cette période et lui souhaite le meilleur. -REPMTL- À propos de l’Alliance de Montréal L’Alliance de Montréal est une équipe professionnelle de basketball évoluant dans la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB), le principal circuit estival de basketball professionnel au Canada. L’organisation a comme mission d’offrir un basketball de haut niveau ainsi qu’une expérience engageante aux partisans de Montréal et de partout au Québec.
The Montreal Alliance of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today the signings of Canadian forward Prince Oduro and guard Blondeau Tchoukuiegno. The 6-foot-8 forward joins the Alliance after spending the past five seasons with the Brampton Honey Badgers, where he established himself as one of the CEBL's premier interior players while helping the franchise capture the 2022 CEBL championship. Since entering the league in 2022, Oduro has appeared in 84 career CEBL games, averaging 7.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game while becoming Brampton's all-time leader in games played, rebounds, and blocks. This season, he averaged 8.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 11 games before joining the Alliance. Oduro has also competed professionally in Finland, Germany, Italy, and Hungary following a collegiate career that included NCAA Division I stops at Siena, South Florida, Mississippi State, and Detroit Mercy. The Alliance also welcomes back Montreal guard Blondeau Tchoukuiegno. Tchoukuiegno returns to Montreal after appearing with the Alliance during the 2025 season. Most recently, he suited up for the Niagara River Lions after beginning the 2026 campaign with Cocodrilos de Caracas in Venezuela, where he averaged 8.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 10 games. The Alliance also announces that forward Michael Hughes II has been placed on the club's reserve roster as he steps away from basketball to attend to personal matters. The organization fully supports Michael during this time and wishes him all the best. -REPMTL- About the Montreal Alliance The Montreal Alliance is a professional basketball team competing in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), Canada's premier summer basketball league. The organization is committed to delivering high-level basketball and an engaging experience for fans in Montreal and across Quebec.
The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that they have signed former NBA Draft Selection Trentyn Flowers. After spending the last two years back-and-forth between the NBA and the G League, Flowers is taking his talents to Canada, adding a major boost to the Honey Badgers ahead of the second half of the CEBL season. He is most recently coming off a successful season in the Chicago Bulls organization this past season, where he got into two games with the Bulls in December and played 14 games with the Windy City Bulls, their G League affiliate, where he averaged 12.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 27.9 minutes. “Trentyn is a valuable addition to our team,” said Honey Badgers General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Jermaine Anderson. “He’s an exciting young player who brings versatility and valuable international experience to our roster. We’re looking forward to having him on our team and welcoming him to the Honey Badgers family.” Flowers has been playing professional basketball since 18 years old, as the Matthews, North Carolina native decided to play all the way to Australia instead of going to college. He has eight games of NBA experience under his belt between the Bulls and the Los Angeles Clippers, and had his best year of his career in the 2024-25 season, where he averaged 17.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and just under two assists per game with the San Diego Clippers, LA’s G League affiliate. Trentyn is an exceptional young talent with tremendous upside. At just 21 years old, he's already gained valuable experience competing against professionals in Australia, the NBA G League, and the NBA. What stood out to us was his size, athleticism, versatility, and his desire to continue developing. We believe our environment is a great place for him to grow, and we're excited to welcome him to Brampton and help him take another step in his career. ### About the Brampton Honey Badgers One of the original franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the 2022 CEBL Champion Brampton Honey Badgers proudly call the CAA Centre home. The Brampton front office and basketball operations department bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. With a vision of promoting Brampton grassroots basketball and local businesses through community and corporate engagement, the Honey Badgers will leverage the explosion of basketball as a vehicle for innovation and change. For more information visit honeybadgers.ca .
The Montreal Alliance of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today the signing of guard Ithiel "IT" Horton. The 6-foot-5 guard joins the Alliance after two professional seasons, including 44 games with the NBA G League's Grand Rapids Gold before starring for Belgium's House of Talents Kortrijk Spurs in the BNXT League. A proven scorer and perimeter threat, Horton averaged 14.4 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 39.5 percent from three-point range this past season, helping Kortrijk finish with one of the league's best records. He also led the team in scoring off the bench and recorded eight 20-point performances, including a season-high 30-point outing. "IT is a dynamic scorer with proven professional experience," said Co-Owner and General Manager Joel Anthony. "His ability to create offense and stretch the floor makes him a great addition to our group, and we're excited to welcome him to Montreal." Before turning professional, Horton compiled an impressive collegiate résumé, scoring 1,377 career points across five NCAA Division I seasons with Delaware, Pittsburgh, UCF, and Texas. Along the way, he earned CAA All-Rookie Team honours, established himself as one of the ACC's top three-point shooters during his time at Pittsburgh, and helped Texas reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament in his final collegiate season. Horton's combination of professional experience, perimeter shooting, and offensive versatility gives the Alliance another proven offensive weapon in the backcourt as the team continues its 2026 CEBL campaign. To create an import roster spot for Horton, the Alliance has released guard Davion Warren. The organization thanks Davion for his contributions and wishes him all the best in the next chapter of his professional career. -REPMTL- About the Montreal Alliance The Montreal Alliance is a professional basketball team competing in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), Canada's premier summer basketball league. The organization is committed to delivering high-level basketball and an engaging experience for fans in Montreal and across Quebec.
L’Alliance de Montréal de la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB) a annoncé aujourd’hui la signature de l’arrière Ithiel « IT » Horton. L’arrière de 6 pi 5 po se joint à l’Alliance après deux saisons chez les professionnels, dont 44 matchs avec le Gold de Grand Rapids dans la NBA G League, avant d’évoluer avec les Spurs de House of Talents Kortrijk dans la BNXT League en Belgique. La saison dernière, il a maintenu des moyennes de 14,4 points et 3,4 rebonds par match tout en affichant un taux d’efficacité de 39,5 % derrière l’arc, aidant Kortrijk à terminer parmi les meilleures équipes du circuit. Il a également mené son équipe pour les points inscrits en sortie de banc et signé huit matchs de 20 points ou plus, dont un sommet personnel de 30 points. « IT est un marqueur dynamique qui possède une solide expérience chez les professionnels », a déclaré le copropriétaire et directeur général Joel Anthony. « Sa capacité à créer de l’offensive et à étirer le jeu fera de lui un excellent ajout à notre équipe, et nous sommes impatients de l’accueillir à Montréal. » Avant de faire le saut chez les professionnels, Horton a connu une brillante carrière universitaire, inscrivant 1 377 points en cinq saisons dans la NCAA Division I avec Delaware, Pittsburgh, UCF et Texas. Au fil de son parcours, il a été nommé au sein de l’équipe des recrues de la CAA, s’est imposé comme l’un des meilleurs tireurs de trois points de l’ACC lors de son passage à Pittsburgh et a aidé les Longhorns du Texas à atteindre le deuxième tour du tournoi de la NCAA à sa dernière saison universitaire. Grâce à son expérience professionnelle, à sa capacité d'étirer le jeu et à sa polyvalence offensive, Horton apporte une arme offensive de plus au champ arrière de l'Alliance alors que l'équipe poursuit sa campagne 2026 dans la LECB. Afin de libérer une place de joueur d’importation, l’Alliance a libéré l’arrière Davion Warren. L’organisation le remercie pour sa contribution et lui souhaite le meilleur pour la suite de sa carrière professionnelle. -REPMTL- À propos de l’Alliance de Montréal L’Alliance de Montréal est une équipe professionnelle de basketball évoluant dans la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB), le principal circuit estival de basketball professionnel au Canada. L’organisation a comme mission d’offrir un basketball de haut niveau ainsi qu’une expérience engageante aux partisans de Montréal et de partout au Québec.
Vendredi, Whitehorse a vu pour la toute première fois l'un de ses joueurs être désigné premier choix du repêchage de la LNH, lorsque Gavin McKenna, héros local, a été sélectionné par les Maple Leafs de Toronto. Exactement une semaine plus tard, une nouvelle page de l'histoire sportive du Yukon s'écrira lorsque la LECB viendra en ville pour le tout premier match de basketball professionnel jamais disputé dans les Territoires. À l'occasion de la fin de semaine de la fête du Canada, le Mamba de Saskatoon affrontera le Surge de Calgary à l’aréna Takhini lors du premier match de ce qui devrait devenir une série annuelle au cours des trois prochaines années. Les habitants du Yukon auront le plaisir d'assister à un match passionnant de la Conférence de l’Ouest. Après avoir enchaîné six victoires en sept matchs, le Mamba (6-7) a grimpé rapidement au classement et s’est clairement imposé comme prétendants aux séries éliminatoires. Saskatoon, qui a remporté le tout premier championnat de la LECB en 2019, se rend à Whitehorse avec un mélange d’anciennes et nouvelles vedettes. Le Canadien Devonté Bandoo, meilleur marqueur de trois points de tous les temps parmi les joueurs toujours actifs de la ligue, est de retour pour sa quatrième saison au sein de la franchise. Toujours aussi constant, il réussit 38,9 % de ses tirs à trois points et affiche à nouveau une moyenne à deux chiffres, avec 12,1 points par rencontre. Tevian Jones, quant à lui, figure parmi les 25 meilleurs marqueurs de tous les temps de la ligue. Il n’est plus qu’à 21 points d’atteindre 800 points marqués en saison régulière depuis le début de sa carrière. Ce joueur américain a récemment fait son retour chez le Mamba pour sa deuxième saison à Saskatoon. Il continue de jouer le rôle de pivot offensif qui a fait sa réputation au cours de ses trois années passées dans la ligue au sein de quatre franchises différentes, après avoir débuté la saison à Vancouver. Le Mamba vise toujours la première place de la Conférence de l’Ouest, à seulement trois victoires des Bandits. Pour y parvenir, il est indispensable de remporter des matchs comme celui qui sera disputé à Whitehorse contre le Surge qui a une fiche de 1-11. La saison a été mouvementée à Calgary. En effet, l'équipe en est déjà à son deuxième entraîneur-chef et vient tout juste de remporter son premier match. Même si le Surge affiche le plus mauvais différentiel de points de la ligue, ils se sont montrés compétitifs par moments, notamment lors d'une défaite de six points face au Mamba au début du mois. Et ils arrivent accompagnés d’une légende de la LECB : Rugzy Miller-Moore, le meilleur marqueur canadien de tous les temps, qui réalise une nouvelle saison exceptionnelle à Stampede City avec une moyenne de 20,9 points par match, la meilleure de son équipe. Le Surge a atteint la finale la saison dernière avec un noyau similaire, composé de Miller-Moore et de son coéquipier Evan Gilyard II ; une éventuelle remontée tardive en saison en vue des séries éliminatoires pourrait bien commencer maintenant. Calgary arrivera au Yukon, peut-être revigorée par la bataille de l'Alberta contre leurs rivaux, les Stingers d'Edmonton, disputé deux jours plus tôt à l'occasion de la fête du Canada. La rencontre entre le Surge et les Stingers constitue la deuxième partie d'un programme double prévu le 1er juillet, qui s'ouvrira sur un gros match de l’est opposant les Shooting Stars de Scarborough à l'Alliance de Montréal. Edmonton (5-7), comme Saskatoon, cherchera à tirer parti de la faiblesse de Calgary pour remonter au classement de l’Ouest. Les Stingers ont remporté deux victoires consécutives à l'approche de la fête du Canada, en battant le Mamba à domicile et à l'extérieur. Leur attaque, qui repose sur une répartition équilibrée des points, est menée par Stanley Davis Jr., qui n'a encore jamais commencé un match en huit rencontres, mais qui reste néanmoins le meilleur marqueur de l'équipe avec 13,9 points par match. Même si aucun leader individuel d’Edmonton ne se démarque particulièrement, l’équipe de Jordan Baker pratique le basket collectif qu’il prône, ce qui leur a permis de mettre fin à une série de trois défaites consécutives lors de ces rencontres face au Mamba. Ils vont désormais tenter de renverser complètement la tendance et de se rapprocher à un match d’un taux de victoire de 50 % face à Calgary. Mais le véritable match en tête d’affiche sera le match qui précédera celui-ci, lorsque les Shooting Stars (11-2), en tête du classement, affronteront l'Alliance de Montréal (7-6), qui ont trois victoires consécutives. Scarborough a transformé une série effrénée de remontées spectaculaires en début de saison en une domination sans partage, avec seulement deux défaites à son actif. Les Shooting Stars ont battu l'Alliance de quatre points lors de leur premier match de la saison, mais les effectifs ont beaucoup changé depuis. Il y a toutefois une chose qui n'a pas changé : la présence de Myles Powell, deuxième meilleur marqueur de la LECB, qui affiche une moyenne de 28 points par match et qui en a marqué exactement autant lors de son dernier match contre Montréal. De son côté, le pivot Frank Mitchell affiche une moyenne de double-double (14,8 points, 11,3 rebonds) sous le panier. Montréal ripostera avec des joueurs tels que le Canadien Quincy Guerrier, qui affiche une moyenne de 14,3 points et 7,2 rebonds par match au sein de l'équipe de sa ville natale. Au cours de leur série de victoires, l’Alliance a vaincu Edmonton, Calgary et les River Lions de Niagara. La compétition va cependant monter d'un cran avec les Shooting Stars, qui permettront à l’équipe de Scarborough de prouver qu’elle ne va pas simplement s'emparer facilement de la Conférence de l’Est. Programme hebdomadaire (11 matchs) Match #66 – Le mardi 30 juin – SSK à WPG – 19 h (HAC) / 18 h (HNC) / 20 h (HE) – Canada Life Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #67 – Le mercredi 1er juillet – MTL à SSS – 16 h (HE) – Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #68 – Le mercredi 1er juillet – CGY à EDM – 16 h (HR) / 18 h (HE) – Edmonton EXPO Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #69 – Le jeudi 2 juillet – OTT à BHB – 19 h 30 (HE) – CAA Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #70 – Le vendredi 3 juillet – SSS à MTL – 19 h 30 (HE) – l'Auditorium de Verdun (CBC Gem, YouTube, RDS.ca, CEBL+) Match #71 – Le vendredi 3 juillet – CGY à SSK – 18 h 30 (HNY) / 19 h 30 (HNC)/(HR) / 21 h 30 (HE) – L’aréna Takhini (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #72 – Le vendredi 3 juillet – EDM à VAN – 19 h (HP) / 20 h (HR) / 22 h (HE) – Envision Financial Court au Langley Events Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #73 – Le samedi 4 juillet – OTT à NRL – 19 h (HE) – Meridian Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #74 – Le dimanche 5 juillet – CGY à VAN – 12 h 30 (HP) / 13 h 30 (HR) / 15 h 30 (HE) – Envision Financial Court au Langley Events Centre (CBC, CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #75 – Le dimanche 5 juillet – SSS à BHB – 16 h (HE) – CAA Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #76 – Le dimanche 5 juillet – WPG à EDM – 16 h (HR) / 17 h (HAC) / 18 h (HE) – Edmonton EXPO Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Pour le calendrier complet de la LECB 2026, veuillez consulter cebl.ca/games . ###