MONTRÉAL, QC - The Montréal Alliance announced Tuesday that Vincent Lavandier has been named the first head coach of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) expansion franchise.

“We are pleased to welcome Vincent to the Alliance organization,” said Joel Anthony, General Manager of the team in making the appointment. “Vincent is an accomplished competitor who will build a winning culture. His leadership and experience in team and player development will have a direct impact.”

The French native notably held the head coaching position for the Glasgow Rocks in one of Europe’s best leagues, the British Basketball League. After being named Glasgow’s interim coach in February 2019, Lavandier was appointed as the team’s official head coach two months later, before leading the team to the regular season championship and winning the Coach of the Year award. Lavandier was also named the National Pro League B Coach of the Year in 2014 after leading the Angers Basket Club 49 to a playoff championship. Most recently, during the 2020-2021 season, Lavandier coached the Union Sportive Avignon-Le Pontet in the Men’s National League 1 in France.

“Becoming an Ally is a great honour,” Lavandier shared. “I would like to thank Annie Larouche and Joel Anthony for their trust. This opportunity to become the first head coach in Alliance history means a lot to me and my family. Montréal has been an important city in my life for many years.”

Lavandier began his career in 1993 as technical director for the ALM Évreux, a second division team. Since then, he has been appointed as scout, youth development director, technical advisor, assistant coach and head coach for 14 other teams. In total, Lavandier has served as head coach of 10 teams including Avignon-Le Pontet (2020-2021), Glasgow Rocks (2019-2020), Union Tarbes Lourdes Pyrénées (2017-2018), Angers Basket Club 49 (2012-2017), Lagardère Women’s Team in Paris (2007-2008), E.C.S. Trappes (2006-2007), Poissy Yvelines (2000-2001), A.L. Neuville-les-Dieppe (1999-2000) and S.P.O. Rouen (1997-1999).

 In addition to naming their head coach, the Alliance also announced Tuesday that season memberships are now on sale. Season membership holders not only benefit from a 25 percent discount on ticket prices but will also have access to exclusive discounts on merchandise, will be invited to VIP events, have the possibility to get their name written on the court, get two free tickets and more! Visit https://www.alliancemontreal.ca/en-ca/season-memberships-2022 to get your season membership starting at $22,50 per game and for more information.

The Montréal Alliance is a professional basketball team competing in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). The team will play all their home games at the newly renovated Verdun Auditorium. The Alliance opens their inaugural season May 25 against the Honey Badgers in Hamilton. The season, composed of 10 home games and 10 road games, ends August 1 when the team faces the BlackJacks in Ottawa. Get your season membership and find more information about the team at www.alliancemontreal.ca and on our social media platforms, on Instagram (@alliancemontreal), Twitter (@mtl_alliance), LinkedIn and Facebook (Montréal Alliance).  

The CEBL begins its fourth season in May. A league created by Canadians for Canadians, more than 75 percent of its players during the past three seasons were Canadian, the highest percentage of any professional league in the country. CEBL players bring experience from the NBA, the NBA G League, top NCAA programs, the Canadian National team program, top international leagues as well as U SPORTS. All CEBL regular season games will be broadcast live on the free CBC Gem streaming service, cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports mobile app and CEBL+. Additional information about the league is available at www.cebl.ca.

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Media Contact:

Zachary Favreau

Manager, Communications & Community Relations

Montréal Alliance

[email protected]