Montreal is about to witness the birth of a new era in professional basketball as the Montreal Toundra, the city’s freshest basketball sensation, gears up to hit the court for its upcoming season. Newly established, this team carries with it the weight of expectations, with a mission to prove itself on the hardwood and demonstrate to Montrealers that the city is not only a great basketball town but also a city that knows how to win.

“We’re trying to represent the city, and we haven’t had a winning team in a long time in Montreal, so we’re trying to show people that Montreal is a good basketball city and that it’s a city of winners,” explains Olivier Cadieux, a shooting guard for the Tundra with 16 years of basketball experience under his belt. “We’re trying to win. We’re trying to ensure that the city is on the map.”

What sets the Montreal Toundra apart is that they are the first Canadian team to join The Basketball League (TBL) with a roster comprised exclusively of players from Quebec. Juan Mendez, the team’s general manager, sees this as a remarkable opportunity to unite the city and the province through the sport.

“It represents our city, who we are. I believe that bringing the community together through this sport is one of the best ways for me to give back,” said Mendez.

For the players, being part of the Toundra is more than just playing basketball; it’s an opportunity for hometown representation.

“It’s a blessing. You know, a hometown kid, a hometown team. Opportunities are opening up for everybody else. So playing in front of friends and family is always a blessing,” said Narcisse Kalamba, a guard and forward for the team.

When asked to describe the new team, Misi-Boye Jeanneau-Mobiala, a point guard with fifteen years of basketball experience, said, “aggressive,” a sentiment echoed by Mendez who added, “hard-working, blue-collar, and just fierce.”

Cadieux describes the team as “tough… We’re going to compete, and we’re going to do anything to put Montreal on the map.”

The highly anticipated season began on March 4, 2023 with the Toundra facing off against the Virginia Valley Vipers on their home court at Centre Pierre Charbonneau. Notably, the team’s first season game was completely sold out, creating an electrifying atmosphere for the players.

Montreal Toundra embodies the spirit of Kevin Durant’s famous quote, “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.” As Kalamba put it, “You can’t rely on talent alone; you have to rely on hard work. Without hard work, you won’t realize your potential, and hard work is what we do out here.”

The Tundra, or Toundra, proudly claims its position as the first Canadian team in The Basketball League (TBL), the largest professional basketball league south of the border. This team is a true reflection of Montreal’s essence, donning shades of blue and a fierce-looking bird emblem.

“Montreal is a Nordic city, and that gives us a tenacious, fierce edge… The Toundra for us means a wide-open field of opportunity and potential,” says Juan Mendez, the team’s general manager.

Mendez, a celebrated former professional basketball player and coach, is also the first Canadian to be inducted into the MAAC Naismith Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for the most accomplished players.

Igor Rwigema, the team’s coach and the founder of basketball academies in Thetford Mines and Alma, is another driving force behind the Toundra. He points out that Montreal and Quebec are teeming with basketball talent, with four current NBA players hailing from the region.

In previous years, local basketball talents had to seek opportunities in Europe, but this is no longer the case with the arrival of the Toundra. The team aims to give Montreal’s best basketball players the chance to pursue their careers at home, close to their friends, family, and fans.

Part of the TBL ethos is giving back, and the Toundra players living in Montreal are actively engaged with local communities through school visits, youth camps, and non-profit events.

As the Montreal Tundra takes its first steps into the exciting world of professional basketball, they are also taking a monumental leap in 2024 by joining the newly formed Basketball Super League (BSL), marking a significant milestone in the team’s journey. The BSL promises an elevated level of competition and a platform to showcase their talent to a global audience. Get ready to witness the Montreal Toundra’s journey to the “Next Level Up” in the world of basketball.