Aperçu Hebdomadaire De La LECB : Deux Matchs De Revanche Tôt Dans La Saison Pourraient Définir Le Ton Pour Le Reste De Celle-ci

It’s early days in this CEBL season as teams go through the learning process of discovering who they are and what they might become. But squint closely enough, and the tiniest signs of which teams might emerge as contenders are beginning to show. In fact, you don’t even have to squint all that much to notice Brampton’s 2-0 record and plus-24 point differential. On the west coast, Vancouver’s 124-point opening-game outburst also put opponents on notice. Interestingly, both of those squads will get a unique test in the form of a rematch as we enter the second full week of action. The Honey Badgers will meet the Ottawa BlackJacks in the nation’s capital after Javonte Smart and company gave Brampton a scare on its home court. Meanwhile, the Bandits will get another shot at the Edmonton Stingers — this time at home — after a 13-point loss on Saturday. Let’s dive a little deeper into those two marquee games… Honey Badgers (2-0) vs. BlackJacks (2-1) — Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET, The Arena at TD Place (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Sean East II has come as advertised in his first year with the Honey Badgers. The MVP runner-up last season, East II has scored 47 points, tallied 24 assists and 14 rebounds while shooting 50 per cent from three-point range through two games — exactly why General Manager Jermaine Anderson brought him in. But East II hasn’t done it alone, getting help from Matthew Moncrieffe’s 21 combined rebounds and Cameron Tyson’s incredible outburst of eight three-pointers in the 91-86 win over Ottawa. The BlackJacks, on the other side, might be pointing at that very shooting as a reason for optimism. Ottawa shot just 25 per cent from beyond the arc compared to Brampton’s 48 per cent, with Tyson hitting half of his attempts alone. If the BlackJacks can close that gap at all, it could make all the difference. Ottawa appears to have carried some momentum from the end of last season, when it found a winning mix led by Javonte Smart only to be undone by playoff absences. Smart, in particular, has picked up where he left off, putting up 71 points and 28 assists through three games, including wins over Calgary Surge and defending-champion Niagara River Lions. However, for Ottawa to avoid fighting uphill like it did last season, an early win over the Honey Badgers would be crucial in keeping the standings close and the head-to-head tiebreaker in play. Lose, and the separation becomes significant already. For Brampton, which entered the season with big expectations, it’s a chance to prove all the hype was warranted. Stingers (1-1) vs. Bandits (1-1) — Friday, 5 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. MT / 8 p.m. ET, Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) On paper, Vancouver might just be the best team in the West. Of course, the games aren’t played on paper, and the Stingers have proven they might be a force too despite losing East II along with Keon Ambrose-Hylton to the Honey Badgers in the off-season. Which means there’s plenty at stake in this rematch in terms of both perception — Edmonton would surely gain lots of confidence from another victory here — and the reality of the standings. After losing MVP Mitch Creek in the off-season, the Bandits might have stumbled onto an immediate replacement in Jaelen House, who leads the league with 60 points despite starting just one of two games. House, a 25-year-old American, is second in shot attempts only behind noted gunner Teddy Allen, though he also has 14 assists. Elsewhere, cemented CEBL stars Tevian Jones and Tyrese Samuel have also enjoyed strong starts, with both shooting over 59 per cent from the floor. Edmonton, meanwhile, has been led by the wonderfully named Dain Dainja, who erupted for a 25-point, 14-rebound effort in the win over the Bandits. Preventing Dainja from having that kind of night again will be among the keys for the Bandits in the home opener. And whichever team emerges victorious in this game will present itself as the top challenger to the West-leading Winnipeg Sea Bears. Weekly schedule (8 games) Game #12 – Thursday, May 21 – SSK at SSS – 11 a.m. ET / 9 a.m. CST – Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #13 – Thursday, May 21 – BHB at OTT – 7:30 p.m. ET – The Arena at TD Place (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #14 – Friday, May 22 – NRL at WPG – 8 p.m. CDT / 9 p.m. ET – Canada Life Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #15 – Friday, May 22 – EDM at VAN – 7 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. MT / 10 p.m. ET – Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #16 – Saturday, May 23 – MTL at OTT – 7 p.m. ET – The Arena at TD Place (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #17 – Sunday, May 24 – NRL at EDM – 5 p.m. MT / 7 p.m. ET – Edmonton EXPO Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #18 – Sunday, May 24 – CGY at VAN – 5 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. MT / 8 p.m. ET – Envision Financial Court at Langley Events (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) Game #19 – Monday, May 25 – WPG at BHB – 7:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. CDT – CAA Centre (CBC Gem, YouTube, CEBL+) For the full 2026 CEBL schedule, please visit cebl.ca/games . ###

he Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of 6’5 American guard Keonte Kennedy for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Kennedy will join the team for their season opening game tonight versus the Ottawa Blackjacks. Kennedy joins the team after just days ago finishing his season with Imortal Albufeira of the Liga Betclic in Portugal where he led the team with 17.4 points per game and averaged 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 24 games. The Austin, Texas native graduated from the University of California, Berkeley , where, in his lone year with the Bears , he started all 25 games he played, averaging 9.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists. He finished the season strong, shooting over 42% from three-point range across the final eight games and recording 13 double-figure scoring performances. Prior to Cal, Kennedy averaged 9.2 points per game at the University of Memphis and enjoyed a breakout season at University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) 2021-22, where he posted 14.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Kennedy began his professional career with Umea BSKT of the Swedish Basketball League (SBL) for the 2024-2025 season and finished that year with Sporting FC in Portugal. The Niagara River Lions are one of the founding franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and the league’s reigning back-to-back champions (2024 & 2025). Competing out of the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, from May to August each season, the River Lions proudly represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region, uniting fans through passion, pride, and purpose. Entering their second decade, the River Lions have earned a reputation for championship-caliber performance and community impact, embodying the strength and spirit of Niagara both on and off the court. For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on IG , FB , TikTok , & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X . ###

Al Whitley menait une vie épanouie après sa carrière dans le basketball, après avoir passé 22 ans au sein des Mavericks de Dallas. Puis, Leonard Asper a racheté les Honey Badgers de Brampton. Asper, un ami et associé de Mark Cuban, a sollicité l'avis de l'ancien propriétaire des Mavericks. Cuban l'a orienté vers Whitley. Il n'a pas fallu longtemps pour que leur relation devienne officielle. « Quand on m'a proposé ce projet », se souvient Whitley, aujourd'hui chef de la direction des Honey Badgers, « je me suis dit que c'était une opportunité que je ne pouvais tout simplement pas laisser passer. » L'embauche de Whitley a été annoncée en novembre. Six mois plus tard, Cuban a rejoint le groupe de propriétaires de l'équipe. Entre-temps, les Honey Badgers ont entièrement remanié leur effectif, notamment en recrutant trois vedettes en tant que joueurs autonomes : Sean East II, finaliste du titre du joueur le plus utile, Jameer Nelson Jr., élu meilleur défenseur de l'année, et l'ailier canadien Keon Ambrose-Hylton. « Tout le monde est plein d'énergie. À Brampton, on parle d'une nouvelle ère. Je pense que la communauté s'en rend compte et adhère à cette idée. Et on a hâte », a déclaré Whitley. La nouvelle ère du basketball des Honey Badgers commencera vendredi lorsqu’ils recevront les BlackJacks d'Ottawa au CAA Centre (19 h 30 HE, CBC Gem/YouTube/LECB+). Brampton espère rebondir après deux saisons au cours desquelles leurs fiches cumulées se sont élevées à 11 victoires pour 33 défaites, dont 5 victoires pour 19 défaites l'année dernière. Les Honey Badgers n'ont plus remporté de match dans les séries éliminatoires depuis leur unique titre en 2022. Bien sûr, il y a de nombreuses raisons de penser que cela pourrait maintenant changer. Et Whitley ne recule pas devant ce défi. « Notre objectif est de nous battre pour le titre. C'est le début. C'est ce qu'on a toujours dit. Ce sera notre norme », a déclaré Whitley. East II, ce joueur de 26 ans originaire de Louisville, a déclaré que tout partait d'un objectif simple. « On va sans aucun doute être meilleur que l'année dernière. C'est vers ça qu'on se dirige. … On va simplement continuer à travailler fort et on va voir ce que vous en pensez », a déclaré l’arrière vedette. Pour Whitley, âgé de 52 ans, qui a côtoyé les grands noms du basketball canadien toute sa vie — qu'il s'agisse d'avoir grandi aux côtés de Steve Nash ou de l'avoir croisé à Dallas —, l’opportunité d'avoir un impact direct sur le basketball canadien par l'intermédiaire des Honey Badgers était extrêmement intéressante. Il a déclaré avoir suivi de près la LECB depuis ses débuts et avoir reçu des retours positifs de la part des entraîneurs des Mavericks qui ont consacré du temps dans cette ligue. « C'est l'âge d'or du basketball canadien. Le niveau de jeu dans la NBA est incroyable. Donc, si je peux faire quoi que ce soit pour contribuer au développement de ce sport ici, en m'appuyant sur mon expérience en NBA et au-delà, je vais certainement essayer », a déclaré Whitley. Le projet des Honey Badgers était ambitieux, mais Whitley savait qu'il pouvait s'appuyer sur son expérience acquise lors de son passage dans la NBA. Après tout, il était là lorsque Dirk Nowitzki a remporté le titre NBA en 2011, et il a vu de grands meneurs, comme Nash, Jason Kidd et Luka Doncic, évoluer à Dallas. « Pour moi, c’était simplement l’appréciation de pouvoir être à leurs côtés chaque jour, d’observer leur façon de faire, leur état d’esprit, leur discipline, ce qu’ils accomplissent, et de constater que les petits détails comptent, que le souci du détail compte. Faire partie de ça et côtoyer ces gars au quotidien a été pour moi une expérience incroyable que je n’ai pas tenue pour acquise », a déclaré Whitley. C'est peut-être cette influence du meneur qui a poussé Whitley à recruter East II et Nelson Jr. parmi ses principaux ajouts en tant que joueurs autonomes. East II a connu une première saison remarquable dans la LECB avec les Stingers d'Edmonton l'année dernière, au cours de laquelle il a terminé meilleur marqueur de la ligue avec une moyenne de 22,8 points par match, auxquels s'ajoutent 4,8 rebonds et 4,3 passes décisives, avec un pourcentage de tirs de 53,4 %. Nelson Jr., quant à lui, a dominé la ligue en nombre total de vols et en nombre de vols par match. « Ils ont le bon programme ici », a déclaré East II. « Des installations dignes de la NBA, gérées comme une organisation de la NBA. Je ne sais pas, il y avait juste quelque chose là-dedans qui m'a intéressé. Ça m'a tout simplement attiré. » En effet, Whitley a déclaré que le développement des joueurs constituait un élément clé de sa présentation pendant le marché des agents libres. « Notre travail consiste à faire en sorte que ces gars-là viennent et qu’ils repartent meilleurs. Et comment sont-ils meilleurs ? Nous avons mis en place un système avec nos recruteurs, notre équipe d'entraîneurs, mon expérience dans la NBA, et même au niveau de la direction avec notre directeur général et son adjoint, grâce auquel ces joueurs vont progresser cet été », a déclaré Whitley. « Et on a en quelque sorte mis en place un environnement de type G League pour ce qui est du développement, n'est-ce pas? Nous essayons de leur trouver leur prochain emploi, et c'est notre travail. » East II a déclaré qu'Ambrose-Hylton faisait déjà partie de l'équipe lorsqu'on lui a initialement proposé, après un match de la G League, de rejoindre les Honey Badgers. Ce n'est que plus tard que Nelson Jr. — avec qui il a joué et contre qui il s'est mesuré depuis l'université — a lui aussi fait le grand saut. Bien sûr, aucun d'entre eux ne savait à ce moment-là qu'ils allaient jouer pour une équipe appartenant à Cuban. Pour Whitley, cependant, il s'agissait simplement d'une évolution logique pour les Honey Badgers, qui ne cesse de s’élever. « Il y a là un aspect de loyauté qui compte beaucoup pour Mark », a déclaré Whitley. « Mark, en fin de compte, est un mordu de basketball. Il adore ce sport et souhaite le voir se développer à l'échelle mondial et il connaît très bien le Canada. Il est venu ici plusieurs fois avec moi et mes amis, il considère que Toronto et la région du Grand Toronto sont une ville de classe mondiale, donc je pense que ça a été une décision très facile à prendre pour lui. » Malgré tout, c'est l'une des premières choses qu'East II a mentionnées lorsqu'on lui a posé des questions sur son nouveau logement. « J'aime cette ville. C'est assez grand. De jolis appartements. Tout est bien. De belles installations. Un superbe aréna. Tout est génial. Je viens d'apprendre que Mark Cuban est devenu propriétaire. Tout va très bien. Beaucoup d'énergie. Il faut juste se mettre en route pour la saison », a-t-il déclaré. Whitley a déclaré que la principale leçon qu'il avait tirée de ses décennies passées aux côtés de Cuban à Dallas était que l'expérience des partisans était primordiale. Dans la LECB, a-t-il déclaré, cela se traduit par les moments du pointage cible où l'intensité monte d'un cran au lieu de dégénérer en une succession de fautes. Mais il sait aussi que pour les partisans, rien ne vaut une victoire. « Nous voulons être une franchise dont notre communauté soit fière, tant sur le terrain qu’en dehors. Voilà donc mon état d'esprit », a déclaré Whitley. « C'est un divertissement abordable. Ce sont des basketteurs incroyablement talentueux. À mon avis, la compétition de cette année sera la meilleure de toute l'histoire de la LECB. Et nous avons hâte de commencer. »

Al Whitley was content in his post-basketball life after 22 years in the Dallas Mavericks front office. Then, Leonard Asper bought the Brampton Honey Badgers. Asper, a friend and business associate of Mark Cuban, sought expertise from the ex-Mavericks owner. Cuban referred him to Whitley, and it didn’t take long for the relationship to become official. “When it was presented to me,” recalled Whitley, now CEO of the Honey Badgers, “I think it was just an opportunity I couldn't say no to.” Whitley’s hire was announced in November. Six months later, Cuban joined the team’s ownership group. In between, the Honey Badgers rebuilt their entire franchise, including a trio of star free-agent signings in MVP runner-up Sean East II, Defensive Player of the Year Jameer Nelson Jr., and Canadian forward Keon Ambrose-Hylton. “Everybody's energized. We call it the new era in Brampton. I think the community is seeing that and embracing that. And we can't wait,” Whitley said. That new era of Honey Badgers basketball will tip off Friday when the team hosts the Ottawa BlackJacks at the CAA Centre (7:30 p.m. ET, CBC Gem/YouTube/CEBL+). Brampton is looking to bounce back from a pair of seasons in which its combined record was 11-33, including a 5-19 mark last year. The Honey Badgers have not won a playoff game since the franchise’s lone title in 2022. Of course, there’s plenty of reason to believe that could change now. And Whitley isn’t shying away from it. “Our expectations are to compete for a championship. That's Day 1. That's been the message. That’s gonna be our standard,” Whitley said. East II, the 26-year-old from Louisville, said it all begins with one simple goal. “We’re definitely going to be better than last year. That’s what we’re going towards. … We’re just going to keep putting the work in and see what you guys think,” the star guard said. For the 52-year-old Whitley, who’s been around Canadian basketball royalty his entire life — from growing up with Steve Nash to crossing paths with him in Dallas — the chance to make a direct impact on Canadian basketball through the Honey Badgers was greatly appealing. He said he’s kept tabs on the CEBL throughout its existence and received positive reviews from Mavericks coaches who spent time in the league. “This is the golden age of Canadian basketball. The talent in the NBA is unbelievable. And so anything I can do to help grow the game up here through my experiences in the NBA and beyond, I was definitely all in to try,” Whitley said. The Honey Badgers project was a big one, but Whitley knew he could lean on his expertise from his time in the NBA. After all, he was there as Dirk Nowitzki broke through for an NBA title in 2011, and he watched as great point guards like Nash, Jason Kidd and Luka Doncic plied their trades in Dallas. “For me it was just the gratitude to be around them every day, to see their approach, to see their mindset, how disciplined they are, what they do, that the small things matter, attention to detail matters. To be a part of that and see these guys on a day-to-day basis was an incredible experience for me and one that I did not take for granted,” Whitley said. Perhaps that point-guard influence is why Whitley targeted East II and Nelson Jr. among his key free-agent additions. East II enjoyed a remarkable first CEBL season with the Edmonton Stingers last year, when he put up the most points in the league while averaging 22.8 per game to go with 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists on 53.4 per cent shooting. Nelson Jr., meanwhile, paced the league in total steals and steals per game. “They got the right program over here,” East II said. “Like an NBA facility, running like an NBA organization. I don't know, just something about it was interesting to me. I just gravitated towards it.” Indeed, Whitley said player development was a key part of his free-agency pitch. “Our job is that these guys all come in and they are better when they leave. And how are they better? We have the system in place with our scouts, with our coaching staff, with my NBA experience, even at our executive level with our GM and assistant GM, where these guys are going to get better this summer,” Whitley said. “And we've kind of set it up like a G League type of environment in terms of development, right? We're trying to get them their next jobs and that's our job.” East II said Ambrose-Hylton was already aboard when he was first approached after a G League game about joining the Honey Badgers. It was only later that Nelson Jr. — who he has played with and against since college — also made the move. None of them knew at the time, of course, that they would be playing for Cuban-owned team. For Whitley, however, that was just a natural progression of the rapidly rising Honey Badgers. “There's a loyalty aspect there that goes a long way with Mark,” Whitley said. “Mark, at the end of the day, is a basketball junkie. He loves the game and he wants to see it grow on a world stage and he knows a ton about Canada. He's been up here a bunch of times with myself and my friends, he thinks Toronto and the GTA is a world-class city, so I think it was a very easy decision for him.” Even still, it was among the first things East II mentioned when asked about his new digs. “I like the city. It's pretty big. Nice apartments. Everything's nice. Nice facilities. Great arena. Great everything, man. Just got Mark Cuban on ownership. Everything's great. High energy. Just got to get it rolling towards the season,” he said. Whitley said the biggest lesson he learned over decades with Cuban in Dallas was that the fan experience is most important. In the CEBL, he said, that manifests itself in target time, when the action increases in excitement instead of turning into a foul-fest. But he also knows the ultimate fan experience ends in a win. “We want to be a franchise that our community is proud of on and off the court. And so that's my mindset,” Whitley said. “It's affordable entertainment. These are incredibly talented basketball players. The competition this year is going to be the best it's ever been in CEBL history, in my opinion. And we can't wait to get started.”

The Winnipeg Sea Bears today announced the club has signed point guard Trey McGowens for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League season. McGowens (6-3, 190, University of Pittsburgh; born: May 15, 2000, in Pendleton, South Carolina) arrives in Winnipeg following a 2025–26 season with the NBA G League’s Austin Spurs, where he averaged 6.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. McGowens also competed in the EuroCup with the Trefl Sopot in Poland. In 2023–24, McGowens split time between three NBA G League teams; the Long Island Nets, College Park Skyhawks and Raptors 905, and made his first CEBL appearance with the Edmonton Stingers, where he led the team in scoring at 15.7 points per game while adding 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.2 steals. With the College Park Skyhawks in that same season, he averaged 12.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.9 steals across seven games. McGowens has also represented the United States on the international stage and was named MVP of the 2023 FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup in Lublin, Poland, leading Team USA to a gold medal in the country’s first-ever U23 World Cup title. McGowens finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 54 points and starred in the gold-medal final with 10 points in a 21–3 victory over Israel. The point guard played four collegiate seasons across the University of Pittsburgh (2018-19) and the University of Nebraska. As a freshman at Pittsburgh, he set the freshman single-game records for points (33), steals (7) and free throws (18), and was named ACC Rookie of the Week in both December 2018 and January 2019. After transferring to Nebraska, he averaged 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game in 2020–21, ranking among the Big Ten leaders in scoring, assists and steals. The Sea Bears home opener is this Saturday, May 16 against the Saskatoon Mamba. Don't miss out, the first 5,000 fans through the doors get a free pair of Sea Bears Summer sunglasses. Get your tickets today.

Javan Johnson, a 6’7 forward from Decatur, brings scoring versatility, athleticism, and professional experience to Scarborough’s frontcourt. Known for his ability to stretch the floor, attack off the dribble, and defend multiple positions, Johnson adds another dynamic two-way piece to the Shooting Stars roster. Professional Journey Johnson joins the Shooting Stars following professional experience in the NBA G League and international basketball, where he continued to develop his offensive consistency and defensive versatility against high-level competition. His professional background and ability to contribute in multiple roles make him a valuable addition heading into the 2026 CEBL season. NCAA Career Johnson completed his collegiate career with the DePaul Blue Demons after beginning his NCAA journey with the Troy Trojans. During his time at DePaul, Johnson established himself as one of the team’s top scoring options and a versatile offensive threat in the Big East Conference. In the 2021–22 season, he averaged 15.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while showcasing his ability to score from the perimeter and finish in transition. Throughout his collegiate career, Johnson earned recognition for his athleticism, rebounding ability, and offensive versatility, consistently impacting games on both ends of the floor. International & Development Experience Following college, Johnson continued his professional development through the NBA G League and overseas opportunities, gaining valuable experience against elite competition and expanding his all-around game. Pro Impact Johnson’s size, versatility, and scoring ability give the Shooting Stars another athletic and skilled option in the frontcourt. His ability to defend multiple positions, create offence, and stretch the floor makes him a strong fit within Scarborough’s fast-paced style of play. With Johnson joining the lineup, the Shooting Stars continue to build a deep and competitive roster ready to contend for a championship in the 2026 CEBL season.

L’Alliance de Montréal a annoncé aujourd’hui la signature du garde Javon Freeman-Liberty, ancien joueur des Raptors de Toronto et l’un des arrières les plus dynamiques de la NBA G League. Freeman-Liberty apporte une expérience NBA à Montréal après avoir disputé 22 matchs avec les Raptors de Toronto lors de la saison 2023-2024, dont six départs. Le garde de 6 pieds 3 pouces a maintenu des moyennes de 7,0 points, 3,2 rebonds et 1,8 passe décisive par match, tout en démontrant son athlétisme, sa polyvalence et sa capacité à avoir un impact des deux côtés du terrain au plus haut niveau. Originaire de Chicago, Freeman-Liberty s’est également imposé comme l’un des joueurs les plus productifs de la NBA G League. Lors de son passage avec les Raptors 905 en 2023-2024, il a affiché des moyennes de 24,0 points, 6,8 rebonds et 4,0 passes décisives par match, réalisant plusieurs performances offensives dominantes, dont une récolte de 40 points face aux Legends du Texas le 9 janvier 2024. Plus récemment, Freeman-Liberty a évolué avec les Nets de Long Island dans la NBA G League, où il a continué de démontrer sa capacité à créer de l’offensive tout en maintenant une moyenne de plus de 13 points par match. Avant de faire le saut chez les professionnels, Freeman-Liberty s’est illustré à l’université DePaul, où il s’est établi parmi les meilleurs arrières de la conférence BIG EAST. Lors de sa dernière saison universitaire, il a enregistré des moyennes de 21,7 points, 7,2 rebonds et 3,2 passes décisives par match, notamment grâce à une performance de 39 points contre St. John’s le 27 février 2022. « Chaque fois que vous avez l’occasion d’ajouter un joueur possédant une expérience de haut niveau et un parcours éprouvé dans plusieurs ligues, ça élève le niveau de votre équipe », a déclaré le directeur général et copropriétaire de l’Alliance, Joel Anthony. « Javon possède une capacité naturelle à marquer des points, un excellent sens du jeu et l’habileté de se lever dans les moments importants. Ce sont des qualités que nous valorisons et qui, selon nous, s’intégreront parfaitement au système de nos entraîneurs en vue de la prochaine saison. » Au cours de sa carrière professionnelle, Freeman-Liberty présente des moyennes de 17,8 points, 5,5 rebonds et 3,1 passes décisives par match. Après s’être établi comme un marqueur dominant à tous les niveaux, il apportera maintenant son expérience et ses aptitudes offensives à Montréal pour la saison 2026 de 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 au Canada. L’organisation s’engage à offrir un basketball de haut niveau ainsi qu’une expérience rassembleuse et divertissante aux partisans de Montréal et de partout au Québec.

The Montreal Alliance announced today the signing of guard Javon Freeman-Liberty, a former Toronto Raptors player and one of the NBA G League’s most dynamic two-way guards. Freeman-Liberty brings NBA experience to Montreal after appearing in 22 games with the Toronto Raptors during the 2023–24 season, including six starts. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 7.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while showcasing his athleticism, versatility, and ability to impact both ends of the floor at the highest level. The Chicago native also established himself as a standout performer in the NBA G League. During his stint with the Raptors 905 in 2023–24, Freeman-Liberty averaged 24.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, delivering multiple dominant scoring performances, including a 40-point outing against the Texas Legends (January 9, 2024). Most recently, Freeman-Liberty competed with the Long Island Nets in the NBA G League, continuing to demonstrate his playmaking ability while averaging over 13 points per game. Before turning professional, Freeman-Liberty starred at DePaul University, where he emerged as one of the top guards in the BIG EAST Conference. In his final collegiate season, he averaged 21.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, including a 39-point performance against St. John’s (February 27, 2022). “Any time you can add a player with high-level experience and a proven track record across multiple leagues, it raises the level of your team,” said Alliance General Manager and Co-Owner Joel Anthony. “Javon has a natural ability to score, a strong feel for the game, and the capacity to step up in big moments. Those are qualities we value and believe will fit well within our coaches’ system heading into the upcoming season.” Throughout his professional career, Freeman-Liberty has averaged 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. Now, after establishing himself as a proven scorer at every level, Freeman-Liberty brings his experience and scoring ability to Montreal for the 2026 CEBL season. -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.

Yuot, a 6’8 forward from Calgary, brings size, athleticism, and international professional experience to Scarborough’s frontcourt. Known for his rebounding ability, physical play, and versatility on both ends of the floor, Yuot adds another high-energy presence to the Shooting Stars lineup. Yuot joins the Shooting Stars following a standout professional season with SC Vasco da Gama in Portugal, where he emerged as one of the top forwards in the league. During the 2025–26 season, Yuot averaged over 18 points and 7 rebounds per game while competing in Portugal’s top division. His strong performances earned him recognition across the league, including being named MVP of Round 12 in Portugal’s Liga Betclic Masculina after a dominant outing against FC Porto. Throughout his professional career, Yuot has built a reputation as a physical two-way forward capable of scoring efficiently, rebounding at a high level, and defending multiple positions. Before beginning his professional career overseas, Yuot developed through the Canadian basketball system, including time with the SAIT Trojans, where he continued to refine his game and establish himself as a versatile frontcourt player. His progression through collegiate and international basketball reflects his growth into a pro-ready forward capable of impacting winning in multiple ways. As a Canadian athlete with South Sudanese roots, Yuot represents the continued rise of diverse Canadian basketball talent competing professionally around the world. His international experience and physical style of play bring additional toughness and versatility to Scarborough’s roster. Yuot’s combination of size, rebounding, and defensive versatility gives the Shooting Stars another strong frontcourt option heading into the 2026 season. His ability to play with energy, finish inside, and compete physically on both ends of the floor makes him a valuable addition to the team. With Yuot joining the lineup, Scarborough continues to build a deep, athletic, and competitive roster ready to contend for a championship in the 2026 CEBL season.