It would appear the Montreal Alouettes have a big-name fan who’s playing across enemy lines.
Toronto Raptors’ centre Khem Birch arrived to their game in Portland on Monday night wearing a Montreal Alouettes jersey. The number on the jersey, 24, matches the digits that he wears as a member of the Raptors.
The 29-year-old was born in Montreal but attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School in Russell, Ont. before postsecondary stints with Pittsburgh and UNLV. He went unselected in the 2014 NBA Draft and spent time in the G League, Turkey, and Greece before getting an extended look in the NBA.
Birch was a member of the Orlando Magic for four seasons (2017-2021) and started a career-high 24 games during the 2019-20 season. He was waived by the team this past April and signed a three-year, $20 million contract with the Raptors two days later.
The six-foot-nine, 235-pounder made an immediate impact with Toronto, starting 17 games while averaging 7.6 rebounds and 11.9 points through the end of the 2020-2021 season. He has dressed for 12 games so far this year, averaging 6.1 points and 5.8 rebounds.
The Alouettes currently sit tied for second place in the East Division at 7-6 and still have a shot to earn a home playoff game. The Argonauts just clinched first place in the division at 9-4 and might have to send Birch one of their jerseys — after all, the Raptors and Argos are both owned by MLSE.
The Raptors lost 118-113 to the Trail Blazers.
