The opportunity to continue playing basketball was definitely a key decision for Alaina McMillan.
The fact she is able to explore France while playing basketball at the professional level was an absolute win-win situation for the standout from Brantford, ON.
McMillan, who capped a remarkable Atlantic University Sport career with the Saint Mary’s University Huskies last season, also spent two seasons in the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association.
She made the most of her MWBA time, too.
McMillan was part of the first-ever Pro*Line Legacy Cup championship in 2022 with the Halifax Hornets before taking the 2023 MWBA season off. She returned last spring, suiting up with rival Halifax Thunder, earning her second league crown as part of an undefeated season.
After a dominant AUS career with the Huskies, McMillan inked a deal to play with Arras Pays D’Artois Basket Femin in France.
The organization was founded in 1946 and features multiple club teams from youth to the senior level.
McMillan is thrilled to have landed in France, arriving across the pond in August for some travel and training camp preparation before the season opens Sept. 22.
‘I’ve been fortunate enough to have time to adjust to the city of Arras and the staff that would be looking after me in the coming season,’ she said. ‘I have loved exploring and traveling. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to the south of France, passing through Paris, and even visit history rich cities like Dunkirk only an hour away from Arras. So far, I’ve loved my experience and look forward to continue to travel and make new connections outside of basketball as well.’
The Town of Arras is in northern France, with a population near 40,000.
There is plenty of historical sites in the region and McMillan plans to visit as many as possible, balancing the reason she is in town and that’s to produce on the floor.
She left Saint Mary’s with a litany of accolades. McMillan was a four-time AUS all-star, two-time conference playoff MVP, two-time champion with the Huskies and a four-time MVP with the program.
McMillan amassed 1,419 points in Saint Mary’s colours, adding 359 assists and 160 steals.
She knew a pro career was in the cards and entertained some other offers including a pair in Portugal.
In the end, she felt Arras was the best decision.
McMillan is the fifth player with MWBA experience to earn a European contract.
She follows in the footsteps of Karissa Kajorinne (Portugal), Tiffany Reynolds (Nicaragua), Sophia Widmeyer (Ireland) and Elizabeth Iseyemi (Germany). McMillan’s Saint Mary’s teammate and member of the MWBA’s Lake City 56ers, Courtney Donaldson, was anticipating turning pro, but has been stymied with a foot injury.
‘It was evident that the club was very community oriented and looking to make my experience and transition as positive as possible,’ she said, explaining the decision to sign pen to paper in Arras. ‘I had spoken with several people affiliated with the team and it was evident that I would be able to make genuine connections when overseas. It was also clear that they were looking for me to come in and make a big impact, so I felt it was a great opportunity to craft my overseas game.’
McMillan is the only Canadian on the team and is now in the midst of preparing for some pre-season games prior to games that count later next month.
She enjoyed her return to the MWBA last season, jumping into a talented Thunder crew to help win the team its second straight crown. McMillan was named MVP of Pro*Line Legacy Cup weekend as the Thunder defeated Lake City in the final.
‘I chose to return to the MWBA because I knew it would give me an opportunity to stay competitive following my senior season at SMU and prepare me for my upcoming professional season,’ she said. ‘There have been several athletes who have competed in the MWBA who went off to compete overseas and I’m sure there will be others as well.’
McMillan said goodbye to Atlantic Canada in early summer, but the memories will continue to create hellos in the form of communication from her days at Saint Mary’s and the MWBA.
‘I will remember the amazing connections and community that accepted me from the moment I stepped on the court at Saint Mary’s,’ she said. ‘I’ve created life-long friendships and connections that I will cherish throughout this professional process and look forward to continue to make an impact in the community any time I return. I am thankful to call the Maritimes home and thankful for (head coach) Scott Munro and staff who were able to make that happen six years ago.’
Basketball has opened many doors for McMillan as she continues to add to her book of experience.
The latest chapter in France is one she hopes is a page-turner.
‘I am most excited and grateful that basketball has given me an opportunity to explore the world and create new relationships and experiences,’ she said. ‘That’s exactly what I hope to do this year while furthering my basketball career.’
– Halifax Thunder guard Alaina McMillan has signed a pro deal in France (DWinston Photo)