March 20, 2025
Montreal Alliance sign Michael Diggins Jr.
The Montréal Alliance is proud to announce the signing of forward Michael Diggins Jr. for the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. The 6’9” Las Vegas native joins the Alliance after establishing himself across multiple professional leagues, most recently with Esgueira in Portugal’s top league, where he has averaged 13.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.
“Michael’s length, defensive versatility, and shot-blocking prowess address key needs for our roster,” said Joel Anthony, General Manager and co-owner of the Alliance.
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“His international experience across several competitive leagues has prepared him to make an immediate impact, and his skill set complements our existing pieces perfectly as we continue building for the upcoming season.”
“Michael reminds me a lot of Chris Boucher with his heart and hustle mindset,” said Jermaine Small, head coach of the Alliance. “He brings similar athleticism and length, plus the ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting. These are exactly the qualities we value in our system, and we’re excited to see him make an impact for us.”
Diggins Jr. arrives in Montréal with a proven track record of defensive excellence and offensive efficiency. Prior to his current stint in Portugal, he averaged 18.6 points and 8.3 rebounds with the Noarlunga City Southern Tigers in Australia’s NBL1, and previously posted impressive numbers of 18.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game with Serhedci PIK Baku in Azerbaijan’s Superleague.
The 27-year-old forward enjoyed a five-year collegiate career at the University of Illinois-Chicago, where he totaled 1,057 points, 633 rebounds, and 111 blocks while shooting an efficient 57.0% from two-point range in 152 games played.
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“I’m thrilled to join a vibrant basketball community like Montréal,” said Diggins Jr. “The Alliance has built a strong foundation, and I look forward to contributing to help the team compete at the highest level in the CEBL. I’ve heard amazing things about the fan atmosphere at Verdun Auditorium and can’t wait to experience it firsthand.”
The upcoming 2025 will be the longest in CEBL history with each team playing 24 regular season games, including 12 home contests for the Alliance at the Verdun Auditorium. The Alliance will play its home opener on May 18 against the Brampton Honey Badgers.
