MONTRÉAL, April 19, 2023 – The Montréal Alliance announced Wednesday the selections of Aryan Sharma and Bahaïde Haïdara in the 2023 CEBL U Sports Draft. Sharma, the first-round pick, was selected second overall, while Haïdara was selected 19th overall. Both players have been selected as U Sports Developmental Players and will return to their respective universities following the 2023 CEBL season.

Sharma, a Western University standout, had an impressive 2022-23 season, averaging 23.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 22 games. Haïdara, a transfer from St. Francis Brooklyn in the NCAA Division I, played 16 games at UQAM, averaging 13.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Aryan and Bahaïde to the Montréal Alliance”, said Alliance general manager Joel Anthony. “Aryan has proven himself as a top performer in the OUA, and we look forward to seeing him continue to develop his skills at the professional level. Haïdara has a wealth of experience playing in the NCAA Division I and brings a unique set of skills to the team. We are excited to see how both players will contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming season.”

Anthony also mentioned last year’s second overall pick, saying “We are excited to continue to build our team through the draft, as we did with last year’s second overall pick, Alain Louis.”

Sharma has been a dominant force in the OUA over the last four seasons. The 6’5” forward notably played a key role in leading Western to the OUA second place and the U Sports Championship semi-final during the 2019-20 season. Sharma’s impressive on-court performance is matched by his commitment to academic excellence and community service. He was awarded the Dr. Craig Boydell Award for Academic Excellence & Community Service following the 2022-23 season, highlighting his outstanding achievements both on and off the court.

Haïdara was the Alliance’s second-round pick, selected 19th overall. The 6’7” guard has had an impressive collegiate career, including two seasons at George Mason University in the NCAA Division I, followed by a season at St. Francis Brooklyn, also in the NCAA’s Division I, before transferring to UQAM. This season, Haïdara was named the RSEQ Defensive Player of the Year and a RSEQ First Team All-Star. He was also named UQAM’s Male Athlete of the Year. 

Both players will be part of the team’s roster for the 2023 CEBL season before returning to their respective universities. 

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About the Montréal Alliance 

The Montréal Alliance is a professional basketball team competing in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). The team is entering its second season in the CEBL and plays all its home games at the Verdun Auditorium. The CEBL season runs from May to August and is comprised of 10 home games and 10 away games. Get your tickets and find more information about the team at www.alliancemontreal.ca and on our social media platforms, on Instagram and TikTok (@alliancemontreal), Twitter (@mtl_alliance), LinkedIn and Facebook (Montréal Alliance).   

Media Contact 

Zachary Favreau 

Manager, Communications & Community Relations 

[email protected]