In its first-ever U SPORTS draft as an official franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) on Tuesday, the Montreal Alliance set its sights on two Quebecers: Alain Louis (2and) and Marc-André Fortin (19and).
Posted at 7:00 a.m.
“The number does not mean much,” remarks Alain Louis, second choice of the session.
“What says it all is that I was drafted by the team where I come from. It is an accomplishment. The world doesn’t realize what a dream it is to play in front of my family and friends. »
With only two rounds and a total of 20 picks, this annual auction allows LECB teams to award players from the U SPORTS Canadian university circuit for one year.
Louis, a Carleton University product, previously played in the LECB in 2021. In 15 games with the Ottawa Blackjacks, the 6’1″ Montreal guard posted averages of 7.2 points, 1 .9 rebounds and 2.8 assists. This experience allowed him to ease his transition from university to professional level, as he told The Press. This should logically help him with the Alliance.
Three-time champion with the Carleton Ravens, the 24-year-old athlete intends to continue his momentum. “I want to try to win as much as possible. It’s my only goal when I enter the field, ”he says.
The first game will be a little bit emotional. I’m a pro, gotta keep that inside. But in terms of emotions, it will be a bit special for me and for all the other guys who come from Montreal.
Alain Louis
An atypical journey
Marc-André Fortin, a 6’8″ center who spent the last five years with the Université Laval Rouge et Or, was the only RSEQ player to be selected Tuesday night in the LECB. It is a source of pride for him.
“I’m really happy,” he said on the phone. Playing in the LECB had already been a personal goal for a few years. I’m really excited. And Montreal was even more of a goal than the rest of the league. »
PHOTO LOUIS CHARLAND, PROVIDED BY THE MONTREAL ALLIANCE
Marc-André Fortin (20) scores a dunk during a game between the Université Laval Rouge et Or and the Concordia Stingers.
Now 26, the 245-pound guy posted 12.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 2021-22, earning him a First-Team All-Star honour. of the RSEQ in his last university season.
But the native of Sainte-Marie, Beauce, has not always given priority to basketball. In fact, he only began to devote himself to it seriously after two inconclusive training camps for the Victoriaville Tigres in the QMJHL in 2014. Hockey has nevertheless brought him qualities: today , he considers himself a fairly physical player, which should do him a favor in the pros.
“I now expect a better caliber. All the guys drafted have been dominant in the U SPORTS. There are also a lot of guys playing in Europe and in the G League during the year. I work hard, I saw myself in Montreal, and I want to be in the line-up as much as possible during the summer. »