How the CEBL is Developing Talent off the Court
May 10, 2024
Josh Kozelj
Much like CEBL players Canadian broadcasters were honing their skills in the offseason
Mitch Peacock never realized he needed to become a sports broadcaster.
In the 1970s and 80s, as a child growing up in Castlegar, B.C, a town situated in the foothills of the Kootenay Rockies in the southeastern corner of the province, Peacock and his childhood friends would frequently meet up for a game of some kind
after school.
Before he called five Olympic Games and covered a pair of World Cups, Peacock was the voice of their games. Naturally, in the middle of a scrimmage, surrounded by mountains and streetlights, he called the action play-by-play.
His voice rose following a turning point — any big play.
“I was always known for talking a lot,” he said. “But I didn’t put the two and two together. My friends did.”
After graduating from the University of Alberta in 1989 with a degree in recreation administration, Peacock went to work in social services and helped kids who dropped out of school find a career.
For almost five years, he hosted workshops that taught kids how to identify their skill set and find something they were passionate about. Because, he told them, if you can mold those two aspects together, work will take on a different meaning.
But after half a decade, even though he enjoyed working with youth, Peacock realized he wasn’t listening to his own advice.
“I spent a lot of my free time reading about sports, watching sports and playing sports,” he said.
“I started to wonder how I could get into the sports world?”
***
The question is a common one for hundreds, if not thousands, of Canadians across the country.
Over
four million Canadian youth played in at least one organized sport in 2023, or roughly 67 per cent of the total population of people between the ages of three and 17 in the country.
Although a select few of those athletes will continue playing competitive sports in university — including a
record number of Canadians who played in the men’s and women’s NCAA March Madness tournament last year — many will have to look for other opportunities to stay connected to sports in their adult life.
“I liked the life of being a hockey player with a schedule and travel,” Peacock,
a former junior and university goalie, said.
“If I could find a way to work in broadcasting, broadcast hockey games, travel around with a team, it would be a combination of my interests.”
After leaving his career in social work, he started picking up gigs: calling radio for an Alberta junior hockey team, then the ECHL and WHL (and the East Coast Hockey League). He’s since become the English voice on the world feed of the Swedish Hockey League.
Peacock quickly became a jack of all trades broadcaster. Alongside his hockey duties, he built a relationship with the CBC to cover a variety of sports across five separate Olympic Games between 2014 and 2022.
“In Sochi, for example, I did all the freestyle skiing events,” he said.
“For Rio, my main assignments were women’s rugby sevens and men’s field hockey… For 2018 [PyeongChang], I was asked to do all the short track speed skating.”
Peacock, genuinely, gets excited at the prospect of covering a new sport. As a kid who grew up in a small town, sports were accessible, he said. There was no specialization at a young age and he gravitated to many different sports.
“It was just a world that made sense to me,” he said.
But even though he has called various sports as a broadcaster for nearly three decades, there was one sport that he never had the chance to call.
***
When the CEBL was founded in 2017, the league included a mission statement to “develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees,”
according to its website.
On the court, the league has seen fourteen players sign NBA contracts following a CEBL season, numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year, and there are currently six players on either a Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) or Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL) roster.
But off the court, Peacock and other broadcasters across the country have also used the league to sharpen their basketball play-by-play and colour commentating skills.
“I had no experience and was shocked when these guys were giving me an opportunity,” said Dhanung Bulsara when the CEBL asked him to become a regional and national sideline reporter in 2021.
“But they saw something in me.”
Alongside Bulsara, former CEBL broadcaster Amy Audibert, who got her big break as a league sideline reporter in 2020, went on to
work for the Raptors and now serves as an analyst for the Miami Heat.
Matt Bonomi, who started calling basketball play-by-play in 2022 during the Basketball Champions League Americas, impressed the CEBL and has since become a regular broadcaster for multiple southern Ontario games.
Prior to sideline reporting, Bulsara, 37, created digital content for the Guelph Nighthawks. As part of the reporting gig, Bulsara also started hosting a show,
CEBL Weekly, that recapped the latest scores and highlights from across the league.
The front-facing television exposure gave him the confidence to be in front of a camera, and last spring, land an in-game host position with the Toronto Blue Jays.
“It’s always nice when you don’t have the experience but somebody sees potential in you,” Bulsara said. “They want to prepare everyone to get to that next level.”
Similar to Bulsara, Peacock, who joined the Calgary Surge in their inaugural CEBL campaign last summer, said he was drawn to the league because of its focus on allowing players and off-court personnel to grow and showcase their talents for other opportunities.
“I thought it’s one of those energetic, enthusiastic new projects,” he said. “A lot of what they do is development, whether that’s the athletes on the floor, coaches, medical staff or front office personnel.”
Despite not having any basketball play-by-play experience, Peacock was confident his skills would translate to the game. But he needed help understanding the technical aspects of the sport like the rules or strategies in certain moments.
So, prior to the season, Peacock and his broadcast partner, Jamaine Cummings, hopped on a video call once per week to call a CEBL game from the 2022 season. Peacock leaned on Cummings to break down the nuances of the game, and the sessions helped the two gain familiarity with one another.
“I had too much respect for the game, for the audience, to just kind of wing it,” Peacock said.
By the end of the season, Peacock’s play-by-play work did not go unnoticed. He built a demo reel and connected with a broadcast group who asked if he was interested in calling some more hoops.
“They said, ‘We see you got some experience in the CEBL, would you be interested in doing some European basketball?” said Peacock, who now is in the midst of a regular schedule of German BBL games and who has also done Turkish BSL contests.
The CEBL is a place where people — players and broadcasters — can grow, perform and demonstrate their talents, Peacock added.
Last month, for example, Peacock was calling a BBL game remotely from his home office in Calgary when one player jumped off his screen.
Thomas Kennedy, a four-year CEBL veteran who played for the Scarborough Shooting Stars last season, was on the court, playing for a team based in Bonn, Germany.
As Kennedy started knocking down open shots and gaining steam on the court, Peacock gently raised his voice, eager to meet the moment.
“Thomas Kennedy was absolutely rocking it,” Peacock said.
“And here I am, referencing his CEBL resume on an international broadcast of the BBL.”
The Winnipeg Sea Bears today announced the club has signed forward Trevon Scott for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League season. Scott (6-8, 225, University of Cincinnati; born: November 25, 1996, in Townsend, Georgia) returns to Winnipeg following a standout 2025–26 season split across three leagues. Scott suited up for the NBA G League's Long Island Nets, averaging 10.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists, while also appearing with the NBA's Brooklyn Nets, averaging 8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists and logging time with the CEBL's Calgary Surge, where he averaged 8 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists per game. A proven contributor in Winnipeg, Scott averaged 13 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists with the Sea Bears during the 2024-25 CEBL season while simultaneously suiting up for the Long Island Nets in the G League. Scott has established himself as one of the most versatile big men in the CEBL, with previous appearances for the Calgary Surge and a consistent ability to impact games on both ends of the floor. Over his professional career, Scott has suited up for the Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Long Island Nets, Greensboro Swarm, Osceola Magic, San Diego Clippers, Cleveland Charge, Salt Lake City Stars, and Fos Provence Basket in France's LNB Pro A. He is a four-year standout at the University of Cincinnati, where he was named AAC Defensive Player of the Year, AAC Most Improved Player and earned the league's Sportsmanship Award. "I'm excited to be back here, and to play in front of those fans. I'm amped to team up with a few of my guys I've played with before," said Scott. "When I got there last summer, me and Mike Raimbault connected with each other fast, so it's always good to play for a coach you have good chemistry with. And I can't forget about my teammate now coach Alex Campbell, the chemistry is there so it makes everything easier."
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 . ###