Devoe Joseph’s return home to Scarborough a family affair
July 1, 2024
Myles Dichter
Devoe Joseph is typically eager to exit the building after games.
Now, it’s June 21 — his 35th birthday, and the Scarborough Shooting Stars guard has already been held up by media responsibilities following a resounding victory over the Brampton Honey Badgers.
Finally, he’s able to leave the locker-room area, traverse back across the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre court, climb up the stands and open the door onto the concourse level.
He’s greeted by a group of around 25 family and friends, including his dad and CEBL championship-winning assistant coach David, his mom Connie, his sisters Chantal and Danielle and his brother, 2014 NBA Champion and ex-Raptor, Cory.
They immediately burst into song.
“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy biiiiiirthday dear Devoeeee, happy birthday to you.”
David hits Devoe with a couple celebratory pats on the back as the group cheers.
For the first time in his long and winding professional basketball career, Devoe, the Pickering, Ont., native, is playing near home. Other stops on his journey have included – deep breath now – Turkey, Montenegro, Israel, Greece, Finland, Poland, Romania, Kosovo and Mongolia.
“Sometimes you just wake up and you feel blessed that you got to play basketball for so long, you had a healthy career — knock on wood — and then you get to see all these places and meet all these amazing people,” Devoe said.
“And then now, coming back to Scarborough, it's like full circle, right? This is where it started. … And even while I was playing professionally, I never really imagined playing at Scarborough. I can't tell you how happy I am for this opportunity.”
Amid all the movement, there’s been one constant: family.
While the Joseph brothers count Pickering as their hometown, they were both born at Scarborough’s Centenary Hospital.
Now, they’re reunited in the area. Cory said he’s coming to as many games as possible, and he even drove out to Niagara to see Devoe play. David has attended every single game Devoe’s played in the Eastern time zone.
“When you have kids, you've got to back them up first of all, and then when they're doing what they love, you can back them up even more,” said David, who along with Connie trained Devoe and Cory from a young age.
“I obviously love basketball too — I shouldn't say I. My whole family loves basketball. All his friends love basketball. All the friends are just like family.”
In many ways, Devoe paved the way for Cory to succeed in the NBA. Cory, two years younger, was able to learn from everything Devoe did, good and bad.
In high school, they played on the Pickering High team together and won back-to-back championships together.
Devoe’s game-winning shot in one of them has become lore.
“Just electric. We were down one, we called timeout. The whole gym was packed,” David, who was the team’s coach, recalled. “Drake was there, I mean everybody was there. [Devoe] says, I got this, I got this. We all knew he got it. And then he came out, hit the game winner, and everything else is history.”
Cory said Devoe’s attitude from playing together in high school stuck with him throughout his pro career.
“He’s got that killer mentality. So I mean, people knew when they see Pickering, it was Devoe, and then it was me on the defensive end and offence as well, but Devoe was a straight killer on that offensive end. And it was just so much fun,” Cory said.
Cory went on from Pickering High to play NCAA Division I college basketball at Texas before being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs, where he won the 2014 title, and spending time with the Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Detroit Pistons and Golden State Warriors.
The high-profile success meant Devoe soon started becoming better known as Cory’s brother – a joke Devoe even made at Cory’s wedding last summer.
“It was all fun and games. I never mind being called his brother,” Devoe said. “We get associated with each other a lot. Joseph brothers, they put us in categories, but having my family at the game, having my brother at the game, who most times when I'm not playing in the summer time, we're in two different places all the way across the world. So having these people at the game to get to see me play, it means everything to me.”
Still, Cory remains the typical younger brother. His face lights up when asked about his first time beating Devoe one-on-one.
“A lot of excitement. I'll beat up on him now,” Cory said with a grin, “but he would beat up on me and I got a lot of my toughness and my grit and that dog [in me] from him beating up on me at a young age. That's why I learned that defensive mentality because he was a hell of a scorer and a player.”
Devoe, who in his first season in the CEBL is averaging 8.6 points per game, said he considered coming to the league earlier in his career but was tied up with his wedding two summers ago and Cory’s last year.
He’s been impressed with his first taste of CEBL action.
“As long as I have free time, I would love to keep playing in this league,” Devoe said.
There’s just one more thing to tick off his career-long checklist – an on-court reunion with Cory.
“That's kind of what we talked about, you know? Like at the end of our career, playing one more time before we finish. I think that would mean a lot,” Devoe said.
In this moment, Devoe is trying to help the Shooting Stars win their second straight championship – something that would be a definite high on his self-proclaimed “roller-coaster” career.
“When you're young, when you're going through the roller-coaster, it can be emotional. But then as you get older, you kind of get the appreciation for the roller-coaster,” he said.
“You know that, OK, there's tough times, but good times are to come. And even when there's good times, I'm sure there's going to be a tough situation to come. And you just embrace it and just keep going with it.”
For Devoe Joseph and family, these certainly seem like the good times.
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that the team has signed Marko Maletic for the 2026 Season. The 6 '6 forward originally from London, ON will join the BlackJacks after playing four seasons in the NCAA and most recently competing with the Keila Coolbet in the Estonian-Latvian Basketball League. In the 2025-26 season with Keila Coolbet, Maletic averaged 13 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2 assists. Throughout his college career, Maletic played at four schools and averaged 14.2 points throughout the four years. He started at Laramie County Community College in Wyoming, which plays in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). In his first season in 2020-21, Maletic averaged 12.4 points and 2.8 rebounds. Maletic then transferred to Long Island University in the NCAA for the 2022-23 season. There, he averaged 16 points and three rebounds per game. In the 2023-24 season, Maletic played at the University of Toledo, in Ohio. There, he averaged 2.3 points. In Maletic’s last college season, he played at Western Illinois University. He averaged 16.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He received many accolades in his last year of college, including All-OVC Second Team, OVC Player of the Week, and three OVC new-comer of the week awards. Born March 27, 2001, the 25 year old played his high school years at Saunders Secondary School in London, ON. ### About the Ottawa BlackJacks The first expansion franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Ottawa BlackJacks are a professional men’s basketball team competing out of The Arena at TD Place. The club is committed to excellence on-and-off the court and aims to inspire community pride, foster grassroots development and deliver an unparalleled fan experience. For more information, visit theblackjacks.ca.
The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that former Brooklyn Nets G League guard Dre Davis II has signed with the club for the remainder of the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Originally from Indianapolis, IN, Davis began his first professional season with the Brooklyn Nets’ NBA Summer League season before joining the club’s NBA G League affiliate, Long Island Nets, where he averaged 7.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 37 games played. Following the conclusion of the Nets’ season, Davis signed for a brief stint with Venezuelan club Piratas de La Guaira. Davis played his collegiate basketball at Louisville and Seton Hall before finishing his senior season at Ole Miss. During his senior year in 2024-25, he appeared and started in all 34 games for the Rebels while averaging 10.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Davis will wear number 34 with the Bandits. ### 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.
Quoi qu'il en soit, aucun changement n’était nécessaire autour des River Lions de Niagara après avoir remporté leur deuxième championnat consécutif la saison dernière. Il s'agissait d'une organisation qui était au sommet de sa forme derrière un joueur vedette, Khalil Ahmad, et l'entraîneur-chef et directeur général le plus gagnant de la ligue, Victor Raso. Si les River Lions avaient fait la même chose cette saison, tout le monde les aurait compris. Au lieu de cela, en février, ils ont annoncé un changement massif, Raso prendrait un rôle de conseiller et le capitaine de l'équipe, Kimbal Mackenzie, prendrait la relève en tant qu'entraîneur et directeur général. « Je veux que Kimbal fasse avancer les choses en tant qu'entraîneur-chef et je veux que Khalil et [Nathan] Cayo soient indiscutables et incontestables. C'est ce qu'ils sont. Ce sont les meilleurs joueurs de l'histoire ayant joué dans cette ligue. Ils ont bâti la plus grande dynastie de cette ligue à partir de rien », a déclaré Raso. « Et pour prouver cela sur le plan organisationnel, à quel point ce serait cool si nous remportions notre troisième championnat consécutif et que nous le faisions avec l'un de nos joueurs les plus importants prenant les commandes pour la troisième année? » Raso, qui est également entraîneur au Ridley College, a d'abord présenté l'idée de passer les rênes des River Lions à Mackenzie en janvier. L'équilibre entre les deux emplois devenait de plus en plus difficile, donc l'entraîneur, qui a deux titres de champion, a approché la présidente Michelle Biskup au sujet de la possibilité de se diriger vers autre chose. Ils ont discuté des différentes voies possibles, mais ont finalement déterminé que Mackenzie était le choix le plus sensé. « Je ne pense pas que ça aurait pu mieux se passer d'un point de vue organisationnel où nous avons quelqu'un à l'interne, quelqu'un qui a toutes les relations, quelqu'un pour qui les gars veulent revenir et jouer », a déclaré Raso. Mackenzie a été pris par surprise par l’idée. Il venait de jouer un rôle important au sein de l'équipe gagnante du championnat et il pensait qu'il lui restait encore quelques années en tant que joueur. Parallèlement, il avait également commencé à planifier sa transition après sa carrière d’athlète. En effet, il a pris en charge l'équipe féminine du Niagara College en tant qu'entraîneur pour la saison 2024-2025 et il est devenu l’ambassadeur communautaire des River Lions l'an dernier. Le jeune homme de 29 ans, originaire d'Oakville, en Ontario, a pris le temps d'y réfléchir avec sa famille, compte tenu de l'engagement accru que nécessiteraient ces nouveaux postes. « En fin de compte, c'est une carrière que je veux faire pendant de très nombreuses années. C'était donc une occasion sur laquelle j'ai sauté et je suis content de l'avoir fait », a-t-il déclaré. Maintenant vient la partie difficile : une saison complète de la LECB sur la ligne de côté tout en gérant les joueurs, les rotations, les pratiques et les fonctions de directeur général. Mackenzie fera ses débuts en tant qu'entraîneur à domicile avec les River Lions lorsqu'ils accueilleront les Bandits de Vancouver, vendredi. Mackenzie et Raso se parlent tous les jours. « Parfois avec des questions plus importantes, parfois avec les questions les plus simples, comme : “Hé, quand j'envoie une déclaration d’effectif par courriel, ça ressemble à quoi?” Vic a donc été incroyable pour ce qui est d'être toujours là quand j'ai besoin de lui et de m'aider en cours de route », a déclaré Mackenzie. Peut-être fidèle à sa nature d'entraîneur, Raso a dit qu'il aimait ce rôle. « C'était la bonne décision de me retirer. C'est certain. Je n'ai aucun sentiment de regret à ce sujet. Et j’en profite vraiment. Kimbal est exactement ce que je croyais qu'il était. Je veux dire, il valait son pesant d'or en tant que joueur et je n'ai jamais été en mesure de le compenser à prix d’or en tant que joueur parce qu'il y avait les Khalil de ce monde. Mais son rôle était absolument inestimable. C'est simplement un excellent communicateur. Il a tellement une bonne énergie en lui », a déclaré Raso. La plus grande crainte de Raso était que Mackenzie essaierait d'imiter son propre style de trop près et de ne pas être fidèle à lui-même dans le processus. Après tout, la méthode de Raso est reconnue et efficace, mais cela ne s'est pas produit. « Il croit en la façon dont nous l'avons fait et, par conséquent, il a été lui-même avec ses propres ajustements et ses propres choses sur lesquelles il avait une perspective différente en tant que joueur », a déclaré Raso. Mackenzie affirme que les plus grands changements sont survenus dans son style offensif, où il a essayé de donner à ses joueurs plus de créativité et de liberté. Les principes fondamentaux sont restés les mêmes. « Les choses que nous avons faites avec Vic ont fonctionné. J'ai vu ça directement en tant que joueur. Il avait tendance à garder les choses assez simples, mais les attentes étaient là pour ce qui est de l'exécution. Donc je pense que j'ai clairement pris ça, et ensuite j'ai juste essayé de donner ma propre touche aux choses », a-t-il dit. Mackenzie sera également aidé par beaucoup de familiarités, comme Ahmad, Cayo, Elijah Lufile, Curtis Hollis et d'autres joueurs retournant aux River Lions. « Ils adorent tous Kimbal », a déclaré Raso. « Je veux dire, c'est un gars difficile à ne pas aimer. Ils le respectent. Garder la continuité est extrêmement important et ça semblait logique. » Bien sûr, le retour du noyau du championnat pourrait mettre une cible sur le dos des River Lions. Mais cette pression n'existe plus à l'interne. Pas comme ce l’était la saison dernière. « Je pense que si nous étions exactement dans la même situation de copier-coller, l'environnement serait très différent. L'esprit autour de cette équipe est très nouveau et énergique », a déclaré Raso. « Nous avons quelque chose à prouver parce que nous avons presque l'impression que, même si le reste du monde sait que nous voulons un troisième titre consécutif, nous avons fait un changement interne tellement important qu'il y a une nouvelle énergie. » Pourtant, tout comme les deux saisons précédentes, Mackenzie a l'intention de remporter un trophée à la fin de celle-ci. Que signifie gagner pour le nouvel entraîneur des River Lions? « Enfin, tout », a-t-il dit. « En tant que joueur, en tant qu'entraîneur, la raison ultime pour laquelle je le fais est de gagner. »
Any way you slice it, there was no need for change around the Niagara River Lions after winning their second straight championship last season. This was an organization firing on all cylinders behind a star player in Khalil Ahmad and the league’s winningest head coach and general manager in Victor Raso. If the River Lions had simply run it back for this season, no one would have blamed them. Instead, in February, they announced a massive change, Raso would be moving into an advisory role, and team captain Kimbal Mackenzie would take over as coach and GM. “I want Kimbal to get this done as a head coach and I want Khalil and [Nathan] Cayo to be, inarguable and undebatable. This is who they are. They are the greatest players to ever play in this league. They built the greatest dynasty in this league from scratch,” Raso said. “And to prove that organizationally, how cool would this be if we won our third championship in a row and we did it with one of our most important players taking the helm for the third year?” Raso, who also coaches at Ridley College, first brought the idea of transitioning River Lions leadership to Mackenzie in January. Balancing the two jobs had become increasingly challenging, so the two-time champion coach approached president Michelle Biskup about the possibility of moving on. They discussed different potential pathways, but ultimately determined that Mackenzie made the most sense. “I don't think it could have gone better from an organizational perspective where we have somebody in-house, someone who has all the relationships, someone who the guys want to come back and play for,” Raso said. The idea caught Mackenzie by surprise. He had just played an important role on the championship-winning squad, and figured he had a few more years left in him as a player. At the same time, he had also begun planning for his post-playing career, taking over the Niagara College women’s team as coach for the 2024-25 season and serving as the River Lions’ brand and community ambassador last year. The 29-year-old from Oakville, Ont., took some time to think it over with his family, considering the increased commitment the new positions would require. “Ultimately, this is a career that I want to do for many, many years. So it was an opportunity that I jumped at and glad I did,” he said. Now comes the hard part: a full CEBL season on the sidelines, juggling players, rotations, practices and GM duties all at once. Mackenzie will make his home coaching debut when the River Lions host the Vancouver Bandits on Friday. Mackenzie and Raso speak daily. “Sometimes with bigger questions, sometimes with the simplest questions like, ‘Hey, when I'm emailing a roster declaration, what does it have to look like?’ So Vic has been amazing in terms of always being there when I need him, helping me along the way,” Mackenzie said. Perhaps true to his coaching nature, Raso said he’s enjoyed the role. “It was the right decision to step away. It definitely was. I don't have feelings of regret about it at all. And I'm really enjoying it. Kimbal is exactly who I thought he was. I mean, he was worth his weight in gold as a player. And I was never able to compensate him with the gold as a player because there was the Khalils of the world. But his role was absolutely invaluable. He's just such an excellent communicator. He has such a great energy about him,” Raso said. Raso’s greatest fear was that Mackenzie would try to emulate his own style too closely and stray from being true to himself in the process. After all, Raso’s method is proven and effective. But that hasn’t played out. “He believes in the way we did it and therefore he's been himself with his own tweaks and his own things that he had a different perspective on things as a player,” Raso said. Mackenzie said the greatest changes have come in his offensive style, where he’s tried to allow his players more creativity and freedom. The core principles have remained. “The things that we did with Vic worked. I've seen that firsthand as a player. He tended to keep things fairly simple, but the expectations were there in terms of executing it. So I think I've definitely taken that, and then I've just been trying to put my own spin on things,” he said. Mackenzie will also be helped by heaps of familiarity in the form of Ahmad, Cayo, Elijah Lufile, Curtis Hollis and more returning to the River Lions. “They all love Kimbal,” Raso said. “I mean, he's a hard guy not to love. They respect him. To keep the continuity is incredibly important and it just seemed to make sense.” Of course, the return of the championship core could put a target on the River Lions’ backs. But that pressure is no longer there internally. Not like it was last season. “I think if we were in the exact same rinse-and-repeat situation, the vibe would be very different. The vibe around this team is very much new and energized,” Raso said. “We have something to prove because it almost feels like while the rest of the world knows that we're going for a three-peat, we've made such a significant internal change that there's new energy.” Still, just like the previous two seasons, Mackenzie intends to be lifting a trophy at the end of it. What does winning mean to the new River Lions coach? “I mean, everything,” he said. “As a player, as a coach, the ultimate reason that I do it is to win.” After opening the season at 2–2, the River Lions return home Friday night to tip off their home slate against Vancouver, a familiar opponent in a rematch of the 2024 Championship Final. Tickets are available at riverlions.ca/tickets .
The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday the signing of forward Grant Shephard for the remainder of the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. A product of Kelowna, Shephard returns to the Bandits for a fourth season after previously spending time with the organization in 2019 as a Developmental Player, as well as during the 2023 and 2025 campaigns. Most recently, the 6-foot-10 forward played the 2025-26 overseas season with CSB Corona Brasov in Romania. His three-year professional career includes stints in Portugal, Estonia and Sweden. During the 2025 CEBL season, Shephard played in six games for Vancouver, averaging 3.7 points and 2.3 rebounds on .833 shooting from the field. This will be Shephard’s fourth stint with the Bandits and fifth overall in the CEBL; his time with the club includes an appearance in the club’s first-ever game on May 9. 2019. Shephard began his collegiate career at the University of British Columbia before finishing at Carleton University, where he captured back-to-back U SPORTS national championships in 2022 and 2023. He also earned two medals with Canada Basketball at both the junior and senior level, including gold at the 2017 FIBA U19 World Cup and silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Prior to completing his high school basketball at the prestigious Montverde Academy in Florida, Shephard attended Kelowna Secondary. Shephard helped guide the Owls to a B.C. AAAA provincial championship in 2016 while he took home MVP honours as a junior. The Bandits will bring CEBL basketball to the Okanagan for their next home game on Saturday, June 6. This neutral-site matchup against the Saskatoon Mamba at Prospera Place is part of the inaugural Kelowna HOOPFEST, hosted in partnership with the City of Kelowna. Fans can secure tickets and learn more about Kelowna HOOPFEST by visiting https://www.thebandits.ca/kelowna-hoopfest . Bandits Single Game Tickets and additional 2026 ticket options can be purchased here . All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, the CEBL Mobile app, the CBC Gem app and the CBC Sports YouTube channel. Marquee games will air nationally on CBC TV. More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok, as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter.
The Edmonton Stingers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced the signing of experienced guard, Stanley Davis Jr. The 6-foot-5 guard from Chester, Pennsylvania brings five years of professional experience across Europe, most recently competing with TFT Skopje where he averaged 17.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 30 minutes per game. Davis Jr. is known by his signature nickname Bazz. “I’m grateful for the opportunity the Edmonton Stingers have given me to be able to play in the rising and respected CEBL. I love to compete and playing against some of Canada’s best talent will not only be fun but also a learning experience on and off the court. I’m excited to connect and learn with Coach Baker and bring value to his vision.” said Davis Jr. Prior to the 2026 season, Davis Jr. also played professionally in Portugal, Bosnia, Georgia, and the United Kingdom, consistently producing offensively while impacting the game on both ends of the floor. Across 49 professional games overseas, he has averaged 14.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the field. “Stanley is a player the Stingers faithful can get excited about! He is a dynamic playmaker who excels in transition and who can score in a variety of ways. He is an experienced professional who will be joining the CEBL for the first time this summer and looking to make a name for himself in Edmonton!” says Head Coach and President, Jordan Baker. Prior to his professional career, Davis Jr spent 4 years in the NCAA playing with Morgan State from 2016-2020. In his senior year, he averaged 13.7 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists over 30 games played. Bazz is set to make his debut with the team on Sunday May 31st when the Stingers take on their Western Conference rivals, the Calgary Surge, on the road.
The Montreal Alliance of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today the signing of Montreal native Anthony Maxwell. The 6-foot-1 guard joins the Alliance after competing at the NCAA Division I, junior college, and U SPORTS levels, bringing speed, shot creation, and offensive versatility to Montreal’s backcourt. “Anthony is a player who competes hard on the defensive end and fits the identity we want to build as a team,” said Co-Owner and General Manager Joel Anthony. “Being from Montreal, he understands the pride that comes with representing this city, and we’re excited to see him continue to grow within our organization.” Maxwell most recently played for the Concordia Stingers during the 2025-26 season, where he emerged as an impactful offensive contributor in the RSEQ conference. Appearing in 23 games, he averaged 7.7 points and 4.3 rebounds while showcasing his ability to contribute offensively in both starting and reserve roles. Throughout the season, Maxwell delivered several strong performances, including 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting against Ottawa, 15 points against Laval, and 10 points and seven rebounds in a victory over Carleton. Known for his quickness, shifty handle, and ability to get to his spots in the mid-range area, Maxwell consistently provided offensive production for the Stingers. Prior to joining Concordia, Maxwell competed at UMass Lowell during the 2023-24 NCAA Division I season before continuing his collegiate career at Gulf Coast State College in 2024-25. Across each stop, he continued to develop as an offensive-minded guard capable of creating off the dribble and attacking opposing defenses. A native of Lachine, Maxwell developed through Montreal’s basketball scene, including time with Brookwood Elite Basketball, a program that has also helped develop current Alliance players Quincy Guerrier and Keeshawn Barthelemy. He later attended Montreal-based Dynastie Prep, where he averaged 22 points and four assists during his senior high school season, establishing himself as one of the promising young guards to emerge from the city’s basketball community. Maxwell now joins the Alliance as the organization continues its 2026 CEBL campaign. -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 du Montréalais Anthony Maxwell. L’arrière de 6 pi 1 po se joint à l’Alliance après avoir évolué dans la NCAA Division I, au niveau collégial américain ainsi qu’au sein du circuit U SPORTS, apportant vitesse, créativité offensive et polyvalence au champ arrière montréalais. « Anthony est un joueur qui travaille fort défensivement et qui correspond à l’identité que nous voulons bâtir comme équipe », a déclaré le copropriétaire et directeur général Joel Anthony. « Étant originaire de Montréal, il comprend la fierté qui vient avec le fait de représenter cette ville, et nous sommes impatients de le voir continuer à progresser au sein de notre organisation. » Maxwell a récemment porté les couleurs des Stingers de Concordia lors de la saison 2025-2026, où il s’est imposé comme une pièce importante de l’attaque au sein du RSEQ. En 23 rencontres, il a maintenu des moyennes de 7,7 points et 4,3 rebonds par match, démontrant sa capacité à contribuer offensivement autant comme partant que comme réserviste. Au cours de la saison, Maxwell a signé plusieurs solides performances, notamment une récolte de 17 points avec un taux d’efficacité de 7-en-9 contre Ottawa, une soirée de 15 points face à Laval ainsi qu’une performance de 10 points et sept rebonds dans une victoire contre Carleton. Reconnu pour sa rapidité, son maniement de ballon fluide et sa capacité à trouver ses espaces dans la mi-distance, Maxwell a offert une production offensive constante aux Stingers tout au long de la campagne. Avant son passage à Concordia, Maxwell a évolué avec UMass Lowell lors de la saison 2023-2024 dans la NCAA Division I avant de poursuivre son parcours à Gulf Coast State College en 2024-2025. À chacune de ses étapes, il a continué de peaufiner son jeu offensif, développant sa capacité à mettre de la pression sur les défensives adverses. Originaire de Lachine, Maxwell a grandi dans le milieu du basketball montréalais, notamment avec le programme Brookwood Elite, qui a également contribué au développement des actuels joueurs de l’Alliance Quincy Guerrier et Keeshawn Barthélémy. Il a ensuite fréquenté Dynastie Prep, une école montréalaise où il a maintenu des moyennes de 22 points et quatre passes décisives à sa dernière saison au secondaire, s’établissant comme l’un des jeunes gardes prometteurs issus de la métropole. Maxwell se joint maintenant à l’Alliance alors que l’équipe poursuit sa campagne 2026 dans la LECB. -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.
Chaque fois que les Stingers d’Edmonton et le Surge de Calgary s’affrontent, il y a toujours un petit peu plus en jeu entre les rivaux de l’Alberta. Mais dimanche, les enjeux seront encore plus élevés. Le Surge accueillera les Stingers au Marchant Crane Centrium à Red Deer (Alberta), lieu du duel mémorable de l’an dernier, où Edmonton s’est imposé. Cette fois-ci, les deux équipes entrent affamées d’une victoire grandement nécessaire. Edmonton (1-3) et Calgary (0-3) abordent la semaine avec chacun trois défaites et déjà au moins deux matchs derrière les Bandits de Vancouver et les Sea Bears de Winnipeg, meneurs de l’Ouest. Pire encore pour le Surge, l’équipe est toujours à la recherche de leur première victoire. Leur occasion la plus proche de gagner est survenue lors du match d’ouverture, lorsqu’ils se sont rapprochés à une possession des BlackJacks d’Ottawa dans le Pointage cible, mais ont finalement perdu 93-88. Depuis, Calgary a perdu par un écart à deux chiffres face aux Honey Badgers de Brampton et les Bandits. Il y a néanmoins une raison d’être optimiste au sein du Surge, qui a atteint les finales de la LECB l’an dernier. Le meneur Evan Gilyard II a repris exactement là où il s’était arrêté la saison dernière, inscrivant 23,7 points par match et réussissant 38,5 pour cent de ses tirs à trois points, tout en distribuant 6,7 passes décisives par rencontre. Le Canadien Olumide Adelodun a également bien commencé sa deuxième saison dans la LECB en doublant plus que sa moyenne de points à 16,7 points par match et en continuant à réussir des tirs à trois points à un pourcentage élevé. De plus, son compatriote canadien Rugzy Miller-Moore n’a pas encore fait ses débuts de la saison, et il ajoutera une autre menace offensive féroce à son retour. Entre-temps, au nord de Red Deer, les Stingers continuent de chercher leur identité après le départ de joueurs clés, Sean East II et Keon Ambrose-Hylton, cette intersaison. Au cœur de cela se trouve le nouveau venu Dain Dainja, qui mène l’équipe avec un total de 23,8 points et 9 rebonds par match, malgré le fait qu’il n’ait même pas tenté un tir à trois points. Ces deux statistiques sont bonnes pour la cinquième place dans la ligue. Les Stingers ne sont également plus qu’à quatre points d’avoir une perspective complètement différente après leur défaite à domicile, 101-99, contre les champions en titre, les River Lions de Niagara, dimanche. Ceci a marqué leur deuxième défaite de deux points de la saison. Edmonton a également une victoire dominante contre les Bandits à son palmarès comme unique victoire. Mais bientôt, d’autres de ces matchs serrés devront tourner en leur faveur. Il n’y a pas de meilleur moment pour commencer que dimanche contre leurs rivaux provinciaux à Red Deer. Chiffres clés à retenir 3.2 — le nombre de vols par match de Teddy Allen qui mène la ligue. Les 16 vols de la vedette des Sea Bears en quatre matchs constituent déjà le deuxième plus grand total de sa carrière de cinq ans dans la LECB. 17 — l’arrière des Bandits, Jaelen House, a établi un record de passes décisives en un match dans la LECB lors d’une victoire contre les Stingers, au cours de laquelle il a également inscrit 32 points et pris 7 rebonds. 19-0 — la remontée du Pointage cible réalisée par les Shooting Stars de Scarborough lors d’une victoire spectaculaire contre le Mamba de Saskatoon. 42,5 % — le pourcentage de tirs à trois points du Mamba cette saison malgré que l’équipe soit à la dernière place dans l’Ouest avec une fiche de 0-4. Peut-être devraient-ils s’appuyer encore plus sur les tirs à longue distance. 100 % — c’est le pourcentage de lancers francs de Gilyard II en 15 tentatives. C’est le dernier joueur de la ligue à ne pas manquer ses lancers francs (minimum 10 tentatives). Horaire hebdomadaire (neuf matchs) Match #20 – le mardi 26 mai – NRL à MTL – 19 h 30 (HE) – l'Auditorium de Verdun (CBC Gem, YouTube, RDS.ca, CEBL+) Match #21 – le jeudi 28 mai – MTL à BHB – 11 h (HE) – CAA Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #22 – le jeudi 28 mai – SSS à CGY – 19 h 30 (HR) / 21h30 (HE) – WinSport Event Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #23 – le vendredi 29 mai – VAN à NRL – 19 h (HE) / 16 h (HP) – Meridian Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #24 – le vendredi 29 mai – WPG à SSK – 19 h 30 (HNC) / 20h30 (HAC) / 21h30 (HE) – SaskTel Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #25 – le samedi 30 mai – VAN à BHB – 19 h (HE) / 16 h (HP) – CAA Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #26 – le dimanche 31 mai – OTT à MTL – 16 h (HE) – l'Auditorium de Verdun (CBC Gem, YouTube, RDS.ca, CEBL+) Match #27 – le dimanche 31 mai – EDM à CGY – 16 h (HR) / 18 h (HE) – Marchant Crane Centrium (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Match #28 – le dimanche 31 mai – SSS à SSK – 16 h (HNC) / 18 h (HE) – SaskTel Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Pour le calendrier complet de la LECB 2026, veuillez consulter cebl.ca/games . ###
Whenever the Edmonton Stingers and Calgary Surge square off, there’s always a little extra on the line between the Alberta rivals. But on Sunday, the stakes will be even higher. The Surge will host the Stingers at Marchant Crane Centrium in Red Deer, AB, the site of last year’s memorable showdown, where Edmonton came out on top. This time around, both teams enter hungry for a much-needed win. Edmonton (1-3) and Calgary (0-3) each enter the week sitting on three losses and already at least two games back of the West-leading Vancouver Bandits and Winnipeg Sea Bears. Worse yet for the Surge, there’s still a goose egg in the win column. Their closest opportunity came in the season opener when they got within a possession of the Ottawa BlackJacks in Target Score Time but wound up falling 93-88. Since then, Calgary lost by double-digits to each of the Brampton Honey Badgers and Bandits. Still, there is some reason for optimism within the Surge, who reached the CEBL Finals last year. Point guard Evan Gilyard II has picked up right where he left off last season, putting up 23.7 points per game and connecting on 38.5 per cent of his three-point shot attempts while also dishing 6.7 assists per contest. Canadian Olumide Adelodun is also off to a strong start in his second CEBL season, more than doubling his scoring average to 16.7 points per game and continuing to hit three-pointers at a high rate. Moreover, fellow Canadian Rugzy Miller-Moore has yet to make his season debut, and he’ll add another fierce scoring threat once he returns. North of Red Deer, meanwhile, the Stingers continue searching for their identity after key losses in Sean East II and Keon Ambrose-Hylton this off-season. Central to that has been newcomer Dain Dainja, who is registering a team-leading 23.8 points and nine rebounds per game despite not even attempting a three-pointer. Both marks are good for fifth leaguewide. The Stingers are also just four points away from having a completely different outlook after their 101-99 home loss to the defending-champion Niagara River Lions on Sunday marked their second two-point defeat of the season. Edmonton also has a dominant win over the Bandits on their resumé as their lone victory. But before long, more of those tight, late games must swing their way. No better time for that to start than Sunday against their provincial rivals in Red Deer. Early numbers to know 3.2 — Teddy Allen’s league-leading steals-per-game mark. The Sea Bears star scorer’s 16 swipes through four games are already the second-most of his five-year CEBL career. 17 —Bandits guard Jaelen House set a single-game CEBL assists record in a win over the Stingers in which he also had 32 points and seven rebounds. 19-0 — the Target Score Time comeback run put on by the Scarborough Shooting Stars in a stunning win over the Saskatoon Mamba. 42.5% — the Mamba’s three-point percentage for the season despite sitting last in the West at 0-4. Perhaps they need to lean even further into the deep ball. 100% — Gilyard II’s free-throw percentage on 15 tries, the last player in the league not to miss from the stripe (minimum 10 attempts). Weekly schedule (Nine games) Game #20 – Tuesday, May 26 – NRL at MTL – 7:30 p.m. ET – Verdun Auditorium (CBC Gem, YouTube, RDS.ca, CEBL+) Game #21 – Thursday, May 28 – MTL at BHB – 11 a.m. ET – CAA Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #22 – Thursday, May 28 – SSS at CGY – 7:30 p.m. MT / 9:30 p.m. ET – WinSport Event Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #23 – Friday, May 29 – VAN at NRL – 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT – Meridian Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #24 – Friday, May 29 – WPG at SSK – 7:30 p.m. CST / 8:30 p.m. CDT / 9:30 p.m. ET – SaskTel Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #25 – Saturday, May 30 – VAN at BHB – 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT – CAA Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #26 – Sunday, May 31 – OTT at MTL – 4 p.m. ET – Verdun Auditorium (CBC Gem, YouTube, RDS.ca, CEBL+) Game #27 – Sunday, May 31 – EDM at CGY – 4 p.m. MT / 6 p.m. ET – Marchant Crane Centrium (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #28 – Sunday, May 31 – SSS at SSK – 4 p.m. CST / 6 p.m. ET – SaskTel Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) For the full 2026 CEBL schedule, please visit cebl.ca/games . ###