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Montréal Alliance Hand Ottawa BlackJacks Their First Loss of the Season with 97-76 Win

Zulfi Sheikh • May 28, 2023

Blake Francis’ game-high 24 points, seven assists, and three rebounds led the Montréal Alliance (2-0) to a 97-76 home win against the Ottawa BlackJacks (1-1) on Sunday afternoon.


Francis followed up his 30-point performance from Friday with another strong outing in this one, despite tweaking his ankle late in the first half. The injury didn’t seem to bother the guard much as he stayed in the game and ended the half with 16 points and a buzzer-beating three. 


Other strong contributions for the Alliance included forward Nathan Cayo who put up 21 points (plus the game-winner), eight rebounds, and four assists on 72 per cent shooting. Guard Ahmed Hill added 22 points, knocking down five threes, and tallying four assists, while Treveon Graham recorded his second double-double of the season at 12 points and 10 rebounds.


“You go down the line and everyone has been a delightful surprise,” said Montréal head coach Derrick Alston Sr post-game. “So I’m very happy with those guys.”


The Ottawa backcourt duo of Michael Flowers and Kadre Gray were impressive once again despite the loss. Flowers put up 23 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Gray scored 22 points, five assists, and four rebounds on 66 per cent shooting from the field.


Just like the BlackJacks last game, Flowers kept the team in the game with his production in the first half. He ended the half with a game-high 21 points, shooting 50 per cent from the field, while knocking down all seven of his free-throws. The guard’s scoring proved vital for Ottawa as it led a 12-4 run that cut down the Alliance lead to 51-46, after being down as much as 10 points with 3:05 remaining in the second.


Despite the efforts of Flowers, Montréal was simply the more efficient team on the night making the most of each possession and converting on the easy shots. All five of the Alliance’s starters had positive plus-minus totals on the night whereas every single player on the BlackJacks ended in the negatives.


Even with all other key statistical categories being practically tied, the two that cost Ottawa the game were three-point shooting and free-throws. The Alliance made eight more threes (+24) than the BlackJacks and shot 83 per cent (15-18) from the line compared to Ottawa’s 57 per cent (12-21). 


The capper on this game was when Ahmed Hill turned the corner from the right baseline with 3:10 left in the third quarter and threw down an emphatic slam plus a foul which gave the Alliance a 72-60 lead. Those were three of his eight points in the quarter, and Montréal never looked back as they outscored Ottawa by nine points the rest of the way.


“This year I wanted things to be different,” said Hill when addressing media post-game. “I just want to get all the way to a championship. Even though we won today I was telling the guys we got to be better if we want to continue to go all the way…I see what we can be as a team.”


Coming into the season the Alliance had the longest odds to make the CEBL finals (+900) yet here they are at 2-0 to start the season with convincing victories over two teams that were in the championship semi-finals a year ago.


The BlackJacks head back home to take on the Scarborough Shooting Stars (1-0) Tuesday night. The Alliance make the trip to the nation’s capital as well, where they’ll wait to take on Ottawa once more on Thursday June 1. 


All games are available on TSN+ and CEBL+ Powered by BetVictor.


A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball. The CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

CEBL STATEMENT REGARDING PASSING OF CHAD POSTHUMUS

November 21, 2024
The Canadian Elite Basketball League mourns the loss of one of our most beloved players, Chad Posthumus. Chad was a founding player in our league, helping lead Saskatchewan to the inaugural CEBL championship in 2019. He was a fan favourite in ensuing years playing with Ottawa and Winnipeg and representing Edmonton and Brampton in international tournaments. Chad had a love for people and for the game of basketball that lit up even the largest arenas. His spirit and passion touched the hearts of fans and inspired teammates and all of us blessed to have shared Chad’s all-too-brief life with him. Chad represented the best in aspiring Canadian basketball players during his professional career in Japan, Argentina, and here at home. Off the court he was an Academic All-American in college and was a dedicated advocate for those living with Diabetes. The impact Chad made on our world is as undeniable as the force that he was on the court. Our deepest sympathies go out to Chad’s family, his legion of friends, fans, and teammates, and to the Winnipeg Sea Bears organization. - CEBL -

The Mindfulness of a Bandit

By Josh Kozelj • November 18, 2024
How Jon Giesbrecht brought mindfulness to Vancouver — paving the way for the best season in franchise history

INDOCHINO CEO Drew Green Named Chair of the CEBL Board of Governors

November 14, 2024
Award-winning Canadian entrepreneur becomes co-owner of the league, with the goal of growing the business of basketball in Canada

Drew Green, chef de la direction d’INDOCHINO nommé président du conseil d’administration de la LECB

November 14, 2024
L’entrepreneur canadien primé devient copropriétaire de la ligue, avec pour objectif de développer la commercialisation du basketball au Canada

Indochino CEO Drew Green’s new role with CEBL promises to provide a snug fit

By Myles Dichter • November 14, 2024
Drew Green’s basketball roots run deep. Green, the CEO of Indochino, played high-school hoops against the likes of Rowan Barrett, starred on the York University squad and went on to ply his trade professionally in Australia and Singapore. Now, his two sons are forging their own careers in the sport — and Green is right there with them. On Thursday, the CEBL announced that the accomplished executive was coming aboard as its first-ever Chair of the Board of Governors and co-owner. “We are a basketball family, right? We've been in the gym, my sons and I, thousands and thousands of hours. We have an NBA half court literally in our front yard that we built during COVID. And so this is going to be a lot of fun,” he said. It’s a partnership that fits as snugly as a well-tailored suit. The Scarborough, Ont., native said that watching his sons find their love for basketball in recent years reignited his own affinity for the sport. “The two areas of passion in my life are basketball and business. And they interplay really well with this role,” Green said. Throughout the many business ventures, Green said his first job was as a father to Liam and Aidan and as a husband to his wife, Andrea Dayco. While his sons are triple-citizens of Canada, the U.S. and the Philippines, Green has made it a point to raise them with Canadian values — and to push them toward the national basketball culture. “I've seen the evolution of basketball in this country firsthand. When I played in high school, I think we had one, maybe two people that ever played in the NBA. The ability to play in the U.S. and go to and play (NCAA) Division One basketball didn't really exist. “Rowan was one of that first cohorts that played, and that was amazing, but it was so rare.” Now, there are nearly 200 Canadians playing in college basketball’s top division. Among those players is Liam, who recently accepted a five-year scholarship at Florida Atlantic University. Aidan plays for the renowned prep school Montverde Academy, which produced the likes of current Raptors RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes. Liam heads to FAU with some CEBL background, having practised with Vancouver Bandits head coach Kyle Julius. Green said the CEBL has quickly become a foundational piece of the Canadian basketball landscape through its partnership with U Sports, its reach to all corners of the country and its affordability. “I think there's just an amazing group of people involved in the league that are really passionate about growing the sport, growing the business (and) providing a really, really incredible experience to customers. “You've got some of the best athletes in Canada and the world playing in the games. … The product continues to get better and better every year,” he said. Besides his impressive basketball resumé, Green has enjoyed a long, successful career in business. He took over as CEO of Indochino, the men’s formal-wear company, 10 years ago and proceeded to launch its retail business, raise over $100 million in strategic capital commitments and guide the brand through the pandemic. Prior to Indochino, Green founded Canada’s first multi-merchant marketplace (now owned by Emerge Commerce) and was an executive at DoubleClick (acquired by Google) and Shop.com. At the CEBL, Green will help introduce the league to potential partners and investors while assisting the league and team owners on business matters. CEBL commissioner Mike Morreale called the partnership with Green “an incredible win.” “Drew’s business success speaks for itself and his passion for the game mimics all involved in making the CEBL a homegrown and global success. His personal financial investment into the league demonstrates his strong belief of our bright future and recognizes the foundation that has been built during our formative years,” Morreale said. “Personally, I look forward to getting right to work with Drew on the next stage of the CEBL and the growth of our game.” Green said the CEBL is on a “great trajectory,” but projected plenty of growth potential too. “Whether that's sponsors or investors or other types of strategic partners that really align with growing the game of basketball and growing the business of basketball in Canada, I think there's lots and lots of opportunities,” he said. “When you try to do something on your own in life, it often takes you a lot longer than it should at the core of it. And so that's why partnerships have always been a core ethos of mine to build businesses.” Green also remained connected to sports through business as Indochino established partnerships throughout the four major North American sports leagues. There was one NBA draft, Green said, in which half of the first round wore Indochino — though the company cannot take credit for Gradey Dick’s infamously bedazzled red suit. “We had a deal to provide him with suits and actually suited him up,” Green recalled, “and then I saw the suit and I was like, what the, how did that happen? That was not an Indochino. So he went off the reservation and did his own thing, but good on him. It got a lot of hits.” Like Dick, CEBL players have quickly become known for their personal branding and tunnel fits. Now, with a former hooper in Green on board, the CEBL brand itself is ready to truly take off. “I just think the CEBL will play a really critical, critical role in the evolution of the game over these next couple decades,” Green said, “and inspire a whole new generation of young athletes to go after their dreams.”

NBA G League Features CEBL Talent Once Again in 2024

November 5, 2024
Twenty-four players with CEBL experience currently attending G League training camps

Vancouver Bandits Named 2024 CEBL Franchise of the Year

October 30, 2024
Bandits swipe three of four annual league Business Awards

Jason Smith Named 2024 CEBL Executive of the Year

October 29, 2024
Winnipeg Sea Bears President wins award for second consecutive season

Vancouver Bandits Named 2024 Community Champion

October 24, 2024
Western Conference club takes home second CEBL Business Award this year

Bandits Extend CEBL Coach of the Year Kyle Julius Through the 2025 and 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League Seasons

October 23, 2024
LANGLEY, BC , Oct. 23, 2024 – The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that the club has extended its head coach and general manager, Kyle Julius, through the 2025 and 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) seasons in a year-round capacity. Julius joined the club in 2020 during the Bandits’ second CEBL season and made an immediate impact, helping the team advance to its first-ever CEBL championship in his dual role. Fast forward to 2024 and Julius once again led the Bandits to the CEBL finals this past August, losing by just two points to the Niagara River Lions. A native of Thunder Bay, Ont., Julius’ tenure with the Bandits has fuelled the rise of BC’s pro basketball team to become an annual CEBL contender. Vancouver has advanced to the CEBL postseason in each of his five seasons at the helm and has won various individual and team accolades along the way; including Julius being named Coach of the Year at the league’s annual awards last August in Montréal. “The past five seasons with the Bandits have been an incredibly rewarding experience for my family and I. It has been truly amazing to have the opportunity to live here locally, build relationships in the community and help drive the growth of the Bandits and develop the club into the CEBL’s premier organization,” Julius said. “We have created a winning culture here in BC through tremendous hard work, trials, tribulations and lots of special moments. Our coaching staff has consisted of great people, our players have been outstanding and our front office has contributed on so many different levels.” The Bandits finished the 2024 season with a 14-6 record – the club’s best regular season result in franchise history. At 2024 CEBL Championship Weekend, Julius led the franchise to win its first-ever western conference championship. The CEBL campaign is expanding to a 24-game regular season slate in 2025. With the club’s best-ever finish and numerous individual and team accomplishments to its name over the past five seasons under the direction of Julius, the organization is primed for an even bigger year ahead. “Coach Kyle is an instrumental part of our organization. Over five seasons of Bandits Basketball, he has instilled core values in our roster and front office that continue to resonate and attract talent to our team. His leadership as a community ambassador during the CEBL offseason and a tactician on the court each summer has been inspiring to watch and we will continue to support his vision for winning basketball and community impact over the next two years,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular. Organizational and roster development is integral to Julius’ approach to recruiting coaches and players. Since joining Vancouver, Julius has created a nurturing culture where players can learn and grow, often earning CEBL award recognition and receiving overseas and NBA contracts following a summer with the Bandits. Players earning notable distinctions following a season with the Bandits include: 2024 CEBL Most Valuable Player: Tazé Moore 2024 CEBL Canadian Player of the Year: Koby McEwen 2022 CEBL Developmental Player of the Year: Thomas Kennedy 2021 Defensive Player of the Year: Brandon Gilbeck “I am very grateful for everyone's hard work, sacrifice and support of our vision to become one of the best sports franchises in all of North America. I am thrilled to build on what we have all worked so hard to create here for the past five summers. We have the best fans in the league and I can't wait to get back out there in front of them again at LEC,” Julius said. “On behalf of the Julius family, I want to genuinely thank our ownership of Kevin Dhaliwal and Bryan Slusarchuk, as well as our team president Dylan Kular for their unwavering support and collaborative efforts in building our vision and culture.” In addition to establishing the Bandits as a perennial contender on the court, Julius has planted far-reaching roots in the province’s basketball community; conducting more than 50 school visits to middle and secondary schools across the Lower Mainland during the 2023-24 CEBL offseason, hosting virtual and in-person Basketball BC and Canada Basketball coaching seminars and leading weekly Train Like A Bandit skill sessions for high school boys and girls athletes this fall at the Bandits’ home venue of Langley Events Centre (LEC). The Bandits’ seventh CEBL season will tip-off in May 2025. A full season schedule is expected to be announced in the coming months. Featuring newly added Courtside Club seating options and a revamped seating bowl configuration, season tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ 2025 season are on sale now at this link . More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter . Fans interested in learning more are kindly invited to subscribe to Bandits Insider for updates or contact the Bandits at 604-455-8881 or [email protected] . 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 Langley Events Centre (LEC). More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter . About the CEBL A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 12 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. Eighteen 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 with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN , TSN+ , RDS , Game+ , Next Level Sports & Entertainment and Courtside1891 . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .
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