The Montréal Alliance has selected Brandon University standout Sultan Haider Bhatti with the first overall pick in the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Draft. The club also added York University’s Liam Rietschin with the 20th overall selection and homegrown talent Jaheem Joseph from Concordia University with the 21st pick, solidifying a draft class that blends scoring prowess, rim protection, and local connections. 

SULTAN HAIDER BHATTI: FIRST OVERALL PICK

A 6’4” guard/forward from Laval, Québec, Bhatti returns to his home province after a dominant university career with the Brandon University Bobcats. The versatile player capped his senior season averaging 20.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game while earning Canada West First Team All-Star and Second Team All-Canadian honours. 

“Sultan represents exactly what we’re building in Montréal - a versatile, high-IQ player with deep local roots who can impact the game in multiple ways,” said Montréal Alliance General Manager and co-owner Joel Anthony. “His combination of scoring ability and playmaking at his position, plus his double-double production at the university level, made him the clear choice at number one. We believe his game will translate well to the professional level.”

Throughout his university career, Bhatti demonstrated remarkable consistency and development, improving his production each season while maintaining efficiency. In 75 career games, he averaged 16.9 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting 46.8% from the field and 80.2% from the free-throw line. 

“Growing up in Montréal, playing professional basketball in Montréal has always been a dream,” said Bhatti. “I’m honoured to be selected first overall by the Alliance and can’t wait to bring my game back home and contribute to building something special here.” 

LOCAL TALENT ROUNDS OUT ALLIANCE DRAFT CLASS

With their second and third selections, the Alliance continued their strategy of blending skill with size while maintaining connections to the province. 

Liam Rietschin (20th overall) brings imposing size and elite shot-blocking ability to the Alliance frontcourt. The 6’11” center from York University led the OUA in blocks last season with 62 total rejections, averaging 2.8 blocks per game. The Toronto native also demonstrated offensive growth in his final university season, posting career-highs with 14.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. 

“Liam’s combination of size and improving skillset offensively gives us a dimension that we haven’t quite seen at this level,” added Joel Anthony. “We’re excited to see where this untapped potential will take him professionally.”

Jaheem Joseph (21st overall) represents the Alliance’s commitment to local talent. The 6’5” guard from Concordia University brings a compelling story and proven production in the RSEQ conference. Despite losing vision in his right eye in 2020, Joseph rebuilt his game and earned RSEQ First Team All-Star and Second Team All-Canadian honours this past season while averaging 13.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. 

“Jaheem embodies resilience and determination,” said Joel Anthony. “His production on the court speaks for itself, and he’s already familiar with our organization, having participated in our training camp last season. We’re excited to see his progression.”

All three draftees will join the Alliance for training camp, with the 2025 Alliance season set to tip off on May 18 against the Brampton Honey Badgers at the Verdun Auditorium. 

In a groundbreaking event, the Alliance will host the first-ever outdoor 5x5 professional basketball game in Canadian history at IGA Stadium on May 23. The event, named “Éclipse : Match sous les étoiles”, offers fans a unique opportunity to experience professional basketball under the open sky. Tickets start at just $25 and are available at www.alliancemontreal.ca/en-ca/eclipse.