Team adds new medical freelancer

The Boulazac Basket Dordogne team has signed Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe as a medical freelancer to replace Godwin Omenaka, who has been out for a month due to a knee injury. The move comes as the 2026-2027 Betclic ELITE season continues, with an upcoming match against Le Mans scheduled for October 24 at the Palio. Moncrieffe's eligibility for that game is still uncertain.

Moncrieffe's background and skills

Moncrieffe is a 25-year-old Canadian who stands 2.03 meters tall and plays the inside position. His addition gives Alexandre Ménard, the coach of the Périgord team, more options in the frontcourt. Moncrieffe’s size and position make him a strong presence near the basket, focusing on rebounding and scoring close to the rim.

Academic career in the US

Before turning professional, Moncrieffe played college basketball in the United States. He attended Oklahoma State from 2020 to 2022, then Georgia for two seasons. His most successful academic season was at Seattle University in 2024-2025, where he averaged 15.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, shooting 55.5% from the field.

International experience and youth achievements

Moncrieffe represented Canada in the U17 and U19 World Championships in 2018 and 2019. During the U17 tournament, he averaged 11.2 points and 7.7 rebounds over six games. These experiences helped shape his development as a player and contributed to his eventual professional career.

Professional experience in North America

After college, Moncrieffe played for the Motor City Cruise, an affiliate of the Detroit Pistons in the NBA G League. In the 2025-2026 season, he averaged 4.5 points and 3.7 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game. He also played for the Brampton Honey Badgers in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), where he averaged 10 points and 8.8 rebounds in 26 minutes per game.

Challenges and opportunities at Boulazac

Moncrieffe’s skills are well-suited for the French and European championships, but his effectiveness is limited to the inside game. His ability to score near the rim and rebound will be key, but his limited outside shot may present challenges. How Alexandre Ménard integrates Moncrieffe into the team’s rotation remains to be seen.