Sunday, May 18, 2025 - 4:00 PM

Auditorium de Verdun

Presented by Sun Life

The wait is over for basketball fans in Montréal. After an offseason that brought transformative changes to the organization, the Alliance will finally take the court for their home opener this Sunday against the Brampton Honey Badgers, tipping off their fourth season in the Canadian Elite Basketball League.

New Era Begins

The 2025 season marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Alliance, with head coach Jermaine Small making his Montréal debut after building a championship pedigree in Edmonton where he led the Stingers to back-to-back CEBL titles. The accomplished tactician brings his winning culture to a revamped roster ready to change the narrative in the Alliance-Honey Badgers rivalry, where Brampton has historically dominated with a 7-1 all-time record.

Roster Transformation 

This year’s Alliance squad bears little resemblance to previous iterations, featuring only one returning player from last season - Alain Louis, the heart and soul of the franchise since its inception. The dynamic point guard enters his fourth campaign as the only player to wear the Alliance jersey in every season of the team’s existence. 

Among the notable newcomers, forward Anthony Walker arrives after establishing himself as one of Bulgaria’s premier scorers, averaging 19.4 points per game in his rookie professional season. His impressive collegiate background includes reaching the NCAA Final Four with Miami in 2023. 

Local Flavour 

The Alliance continues its commitment to showcasing local talent, with three Montréal natives in the lineup. Quincy Guerrier returns home after spending last season with the Raptors 905 in the NBA G League, bringing NBA-adjacent experience and a physical presence to the wing position. 

First overall draft pick Sultan Haider Bhatti makes his professional debut after a dominant university career at Brandon, where he averaged 20.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in his final season. The 6’4” guard represents the Alliance’s investment in developing homegrown talent. 

Tough Test Awaits 

The Honey Badgers arrive in Montréal with a roster boasting significant talent, including former NBA champion Quinndary Weatherspoon, who won a title with the Golden State Warriors in 2022. Weatherspoon joins Brampton after averaging 26.3 points per game in China’s professional league.

Kobe McEwen, the 2024 CEBL Canadian Player of the Year with Vancouver, now leads the Brampton backcourt, while Toronto native Prince Oduro provides interior presence. The Honey Badgers also feature two top picks from the 2025 CEBL Draft - Windsor standout Yohann Sam (2nd overall) and McMaster’s Mike Demagus (22nd overall). 

Breaking the Streak 

History hasn’t been kind to the Alliance in this matchup, Montréal has struggled against Brampton since entering the league, with their lone victory coming on June 2, 2024 (MTL 95 vs. BHB 77). 

The last meeting saw Brampton edge Montréal 90-87 at Verdun Auditorium on June 28, 2024 - a competitive game that suggests this matchup may be closer than the overall series record indicates. 

Beyond Basketball

Sunday’s opener promises to be more than just a basketball game. DJ Blaster will provide the soundtrack throughout the contest, while a special halftime performance by Pulsation Production will entertain the crowd. The atmosphere at Verdun Auditorium is expected to be electric as basketball returns to Montréal.

Fans unable to attend can catch all the action live on RDS2, NLSE, TSN+, and CEBL+. 

Looking Ahead 

The home opener kicks off an historic week for the Alliance, who will host the first-ever professional outdoor basketball game in Canadian history when they welcome the Ottawa BlackJacks to IGA Stadium on May 23 for the Éclipse : Match sous les étoiles event.

Game Information 

Date: Sunday, May 18, 2025

Time: 4:00 PM ET

Location: Auditorium de Verdun, 4110 Boulevard LaSalle, Montréal

Presented by: Sun Life

Tickets: Available starting at just $20 at alliancemontreal.ca/billets 

The Montréal Alliance is a professional basketball club competing in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Based in Montréal, Quebec, the Alliance plays its home games at Verdun Auditorium and, for the first time in 2025, at IGA Stadium. Founded in 2022, the team is entering its fourth season in the CEBL with the goal of building a winning culture while actively engaging with the Montréal community.