In the heart of Montreal’s university sports scene, a unique sibling rivalry is unfolding on the basketball court. Matt Phaneuf, playing for the McGill Redbirds, and his brother Alec Phaneuf, representing the Concordia Stingers, share more than just DNA. Their love for each other and their competitive spirit has been fostered through countless hours of backyard games and has shaped them into the athletes they are today. The brothers sat down with The Tribune to discuss their sibling bond.
“Anything we did growing up was always competitive,” Alec reflected.
“Playing football one-on-one, whatever it was—after 15 minutes of doing nothing, we just had to compete against each other,” Matt added.
Growing up in a family where sports were not just played but lived, the Phaneufs were destined for athletic success. Their mother, Marie Drapeau, was a competitive swimmer at Université Laval (ULaval) who nearly made the Olympics. Their uncle, Simon Noël, won the National Championships with ULaval Volleyball in 1993-94. Their cousin, François Gauthier-Drapeau, recently competed in the 2024 Olympics in Judo, and cousin Isaac Noël played football for the Carleton Ravens.
The brothers’ shared profound love for basketball began in their family’s driveway. Their father Chrystian Phaneuf has been their biggest supporter, going as far as to serve as the two boys’ coach. In fact, Matt and Alec attributed their mastery of the mid-range shot—a favourite for both players on the court—to their father.
“He was never really into one sport—he was [a] multi-sport [athlete] when he played, but now that we play basketball for rival universities, he’s not shy to say, ‘I’m living my dream through you guys,’ which is kind of inspiring,” Matt said. “It’s always nice to know that you have people in your corner.”
Today, they find themselves on opposite sides of one of Quebec’s most intense university rivalries. In their most recent matchups on Jan. 16 and 18, Concordia emerged victorious with 76-54 and 94-47 wins over McGill. However, the score tells only part of the story.
With around 30 family members attending each of their matchups, these games are more than just regular season contests; they become family-wide affairs.
“I think I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a little more importance when I play against [McGill],” Alec said.
The uniqueness of their situation is not lost on Matt, either.
“It still feels unreal. On the court, it’s just a regular basketball game. But as soon as [Alec] steps on I feel like I’m back home,” he added.
Living together on Montreal’s South Shore adds another dimension to their relationship. After games, regardless of the outcome, they drive home together. When describing the aftermath of their games, the boys highlighted how they maintain perspective. After all, basketball is just one part of their relationship.
Matt’s view on living with a rival—and sibling—is refreshing.
“When I’m at home, post-practice, or a game, or a long day of school, I just want to be ‘Matt who cooks,’ or ‘Matt who likes to watch Sunday Night Football,’ so we do that together on our one day off (Sunday) during the season,” he noted. “It’s nice, you know, to wind down and relax together without talking about basketball all the time.”
When asked about their advice for younger players entering collegiate sport, both brothers emphasized the importance of growth and balance.
“Keep progressing, keep working on new stuff, keep improving,” Alec said.
“Take it day by day,” Matt also added. “Don’t put all your eggs in the same basket. Don’t focus on just basketball, when it feels like there is no light at the end of the tunnel, you have to remind yourself that it is one day at a time, so enjoy it while you can.”
As their careers progress, both brothers may wonder what it would be like to play together rather than against each other. But for now, they will continue their rivalry, pushing each other to greater heights while maintaining a bond that only brothers can share. Currently, in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec, Concordia sits just under the Bishop’s University Gaiters in second place, while McGill is last in the standings. Both teams are aiming for playoff positions—potentially setting up another chapter in the Phaneuf brothers’ story.
