April 8. 2025
Montreal Alliance co-captain Kemy Ossé announces his retirement
The Montréal Alliance announced today that Kemy Ossé, the first player signed in franchise history and former co-captain, has officially retired from professional basketball after six seasons.
Ossé, a Montréal native, made history as the inaugural player to join the Alliance ahead of their 2022 CEBL debut season. During his two seasons with the organization, Ossé became a cornerstone of the franchise both on and off the court, notably scoring the game-winning basket in the team’s first-ever home victory and serving as co-captain.
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“Kemy has been fundamental not only to the Alliance but to the growth of basketball in Montréal,” said Alliance General Manager and co-owner Joel Anthony. “As our first signing, he set the standard for what it means to represent this city and this franchise. His leadership, professionalism, and community involvement embodied everything we wanted the Alliance to stand for.”
Throughout his professional career, Ossé played for multiple teams across Canada, including the Charlottetown Island Storm, Saint John Riptide, and Windsor Express in the NBLC, as well as the Saskatchewan Rattlers in the CEBL before returning home to represent Montréal. His basketball journey began on the courts of Parc-Extension and took him through Collège Notre-Dame, representing Québec at the Canada Games, and competing in NCAA Division I with Arkansas-Little Rock, where he participated in the March Madness tournament.
“From day one, Kemy represented the vision we had for local talent within our organization,” said Ibrahim Appiah, Alliance Assistant General Manager. “His decision to return home and help build this franchise from the ground up created a pathway for other Montréal players to follow. Beyond his contributions on the court, Kemy has been an ambassador for the game throughout the community, inspiring the next generation of players from this city.”
In his retirement letter, Ossé expressed his gratitude to the fans, the organization, and his family:
“To the fans who filled the Verdun Auditorium with energy and passion – merci. Your support meant everything to me, especially as a Montréal native playing in his hometown. The atmosphere you created made every minute on the court special,” wrote Ossé.
“I will forever cherish being the first player to sign with the Alliance, making history as the inaugural member of Montréal’s CEBL franchise. Scoring the game-winning basket in our first-ever home win and serving as co-captain of this team have been highlights of my career.”
Ossé has already begun his transition to coaching, sharing his knowledge to the next generation of players at Fort Erie International Academy.
The organization will honour Ossé’s contributions to the franchise during an upcoming game during the 2025 season.
The full statement from Ossé reads as follows;
“After six years of professional basketball, I am announcing my retirement as a player.
Basketball has taken me on an incredible journey – from the courts of Parc-Extension where I grew up, to my time at Collège Notre-Dame, representing Québec at the Canada Games, competing in NCAA Division I with Arkansas-Little Rock and experiencing the March Madness tournament, and ultimately playing professionally across Canada. Through it all, Montréal has always been home.
I will forever cherish being the first player to sign with the Alliance, making history as the inaugural member of Montréal’s CEBL franchise. Scoring the game-winning basket in our first-ever home win and serving as co-captain of this team have been highlights of my career.
Each step of my journey has shaped who I am today – from my time with the Charlottetown Island Storm, the Saint John Riptide, and the Windsor Express in the NBLC, to my seasons with the Saskatchewan Rattlers, and finally returning home to represent Montréal for two seasons with the Alliance.
To the fans who filled the Verdun Auditorium with energy and passion – merci. Your support meant everything to me, especially as a Montréal native playing for his hometown. The atmosphere you created made every minute on the court special.
To my teammates and coaches throughout my journey – thank you for pushing me to be better every day. To the Alliance organization, especially Joel Anthony, Annie Larouche, and Ibrahim Appiah who believed in me from day one – your trust and support have been invaluable.
I must also express my deepest gratitude to my family, particularly my brothers Nelson and John. You both have been my rock, my toughest critics, and my biggest supporters from day one. Those countless hours spent training together shaped not only my skills but my character.
While my playing days are now behind me, I’ve already begun my transition to coaching. Being able to share my knowledge with the next generation of players has been incredibly fulfilling, and I’m excited to continue growing in this role. I’m committed to giving back to the sport and the community that has given me so much.
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I will always be a proud Montrealer and will continue to support the growth of basketball in our city and across Canada. This isn’t a goodbye – I’ll be seeing you at the Auditorium, but this time I’ll be cheering from the stands too.”
The Montreal Alliance start their new season on May 18th, at home at the Verdun Auditorium against visitors, the Brampton Honey Badgers. Tickets available now.
