The Montréal Alliance announced Thursday that it has signed American point guard Blake Francis for the 2023 season of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Francis, 25, played two seasons in the NBA G League with the Westchester Knicks (2021-22), the Capital City Go-Go (2021-22) and the Cleveland Charge (2022-23). The American also played the 2022 CEBL season with the Newfoundland Growlers, averaging 15.3 points, 1.0 rebound, 3.4 assists and 24.1 minutes played.

“I am honoured to join the Alliance and am excited to be part of this great organization,” said Francis. “I had the chance to play against the Alliance last season and was impressed with the support and passion of the Montréal fans. I look forward to turning the boos into cheers and represent the team with pride on and off the court.”

A native of Herndon, Virginia, Francis played the 2022-23 NBA G League season with the Cleveland Charge, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ affiliate. In 14 regular season games, the six-foot point guard averaged 9.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 15.2 minutes while shooting 44.7% from the field and 43.8% from the three-point line. Francis scored 10 or more points on six occasions, including two 26-point games.

In 2022, Francis played in eight regular season games with the Newfoundland Growlers in the CEBL, finishing the season ranked fourth in team scoring with a 15.3 points average. Francis finished the season with 70 combined points over four games.

In 2021-22, Francis played eight games with the Westchester Knicks under the tutelage of Alliance head coach Derrick Alston Sr. and three games with the Capital City Go-Go, the Washington Wizards’ affiliate.

Prior to beginning his professional career, Francis played two collegiate seasons with the Wagner College Seahawks and two more seasons with the Richmond Spiders in the NCAA Division I. Francis led his team in scoring in his two seasons at Richmond, averaging 17.7 points in 2019-20 and 16.1 points in 2020-21. The six-foot point guard also played his two seasons at Richmond alongside Montréal Alliance forward Nathan Cayo.

Francis joins NBA veteran Treveon Graham, returning players Alain Louis and Nathan Cayo, Québec natives Mamadou Gueye and Biniam Ghebrekidan, U Sports draft picks Aryan Sharma and Bahaïde Haïdara and 2022 CEBL Second Team All-Star Ahmed Hill as the ninth member of the team for the 2023 season. The Alliance plays its first of 10 home games at the Verdun Auditorium on May 26 against the Niagara River Lions. For more information or to buy season tickets, visit https://www.alliancemontreal.ca/en-ca/tickets.