New coach, new era: Jermaine Small leads Montreal Alliance into promising season
Posted May 16, 2025 7:12 pm.
Last Updated May 20, 2025 8:53 am.
It’s a slam dunk for the Montreal Alliance!
With their basketball season just around the corner, the team is getting ready to hit the court with a new head coach.
Jermaine Small is a two-time CEBL champion and former coach of the year and is set to lead the Alliance. He spent the last four seasons as head coach and general manager of the Edmonton Stingers, helping build one of the league’s most successful franchises. Under his leadership, the Stingers won back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021.
Now, he brings that winning mindset to Montreal.
Taking on the challenge
For Small, joining the Alliance is about more than just basketball.
“It was a challenge,” he said.
“The ownerships there happen to be good friends of mine and, you know, for me Montreal is a place—having family and friends here—somewhere I wanted to be in the summer. And yeah, just make the most of it and take on that challenge.”
He’s excited to coach a new team, and says his style is all about helping players grow.
“Some would say tough love, but I always say the love is the most important part,” Small said.
“I’m a players coach. I’m someone that could relate to our players and understand what they’re going through on and off the court… it’s always about making the players get to their max potential and keep developing.”
A team fans can get behind
Small wants the Alliance to play a style of basketball that fans enjoy.
“We want to make sure we have a team that they’re proud to support, they want to come and support, and that represents them—that kind of like underdog mentality, that toughness, and just play a team game. And of course, an exciting game as well.”
He’s not promising a championship—but he is promising effort.
“I can’t promise the team that plays hard for 40 minutes, a team that… will once again make the community and the city proud, and a team that will win more games than last year.”
Players ready to compete
Alliance center Dontay Bassett said the team is excited to start strong.
“It feels good. We’ve been working hard, excited to get out here and play in front of everyone for the home opener, so I’m very excited,” he said.
Bassett says Small brings “energy, experience and defensive mindset,” which is already helping the team.
His goal this year is simple: “Win as much as we can and try to, you know, make a show for the fans—have them come out and watch a good game and have us get some wins.”
When it comes to effort, Bassett said fans can expect the team to bring it every game.
“We’re going to play hard every night, you know, and wherever the cards lay at the end, you know, that’s that,” he said.
“We’re definitely going to shoot for the stars and hopefully, you know, get the championship. But, you know, that’s everyone’s goal—so definitely just going to compete every night and play hard.”
Forward Anthony Walker said the energy around the team is high.
“I’m excited. I mean he’s very excited to represent the city. He’s very excited to bring something the city can be proud of and we’re excited to be a part of it… excited is just a word to sum it all up.”
Walker also praised the team’s attitude so far.
“We’re building,” he said.
“Obviously, a lot of us—the imports, the American players—we don’t know the Canadian players, and the Canadian players are pretty familiar with themselves… As the season goes on, and as days go by, we’ll get closer and closer as a team.”
A fresh start
Small knows the league has changed since his days in Edmonton, but his focus stays the same.
“I think it always comes down to the people you have around,” he said.
“You want guys that are here for the right reasons and then to play with that underdog mentality. That’s something we did in Edmonton very well and that’s something that I’m going to bring here.”
He says being here is a big moment.
“It’s a very humbling moment. I feel very blessed and fortunate… I’m just really looking forward to the opportunity and making the most of it and, you know, hopefully win some games.”
If you’ve never been to a game before, Small says now’s the time to start.
“I guarantee if you come to one game you’ll keep wanting to come back,” said Small.
“It’s going to be fun and it’s going to be a team that you want to support.”
With Coach Small’s leadership and the players determination, the Montreal Alliance is prepared for their first home game Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Verdun Auditorium.
