3 KEYS TO THE GAME - JUNE 18 VS. SCARBOROUGH

Cassidy Kannemeyer • June 18, 2022

Next Man Up

Mike Taylor has done an amazing job this season riding the ups and downs of this Fraser

Valley Roster. Every time I think I have it figured out, Coach Taylor starts Kyle Adnam, rides

Maxie Esho through a tough shooting month, and a Usports athlete patrolling the paint.

Kadre Gray has had his ups and downs as well, but bringing him off the bench the other

night in a gutty road win versus Edmonton seemed to be the right call at the right time. Maxie

Esho’s shooting was abysmal the other night, barely grazing rim on his first two jumpers, but

there he was at the end of the game doing a yeoman's work on the glass in Elam time. This

staff clearly emphasizes defensive effort and rebounding on both ends, so if players perform

in those three areas they are rewarded with playing time. Music to my ears as the team is

beginning to build an identity as one of the tougher teams to play.


Sharing is Caring

Kyle Adnam started the game for the Bandits on Wednesday and delivered, getting the team

off to a great start on the road against the Stingers. The teams only “traditional” point guard,

a throwback to old days of the NBA where game managers ruled, Adnam has a great sense

of the moment. Versus the Stingers Shane Gibson was on heater in the second half and his

point guard called his number several possessions in a row to maximize his rhythm. He’s

also the team's best player at navigating each part of the high pick and roll. He sees every

opening and does his best to get everyone involved. When everyone feels involved

offensively, it’s much easier to demand that everyone gives their all defensively.


The Last Import

Maxie Esho’s minutes have been sporadic all season, but coach Mike Taylor might have

found the magic formula on Wednesday. Clearly a four man in the team's offence in the first

chunk of games this season, the team allowed him to get some post touches against the

Stingers. He looked uncomfortable, and traveled on two occasions but like many bigs it

sparked his greatest skill, his rebounding. At the end of many gritty defensive possessions

on Wednesday the ball was up for grabs. Esho’s rangy athletic ability and tremendous

wingspan allowed him to tap the ball to himself, plucking it with one hand on several

occasions. The team would be wise to build on this performance, to alleviate the pressure

currently on our Usports five man and have a three man big rotation that the team can rely

on.

LATEST NEWS

By Bandits Staff September 10, 2026
The Vancouver Bandits, BC’s professional basketball team, hosted a youth basketball camp on Wednesday, September 9 in Williams Lake, in partnership with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC) and FortisBC. The Bandits welcomed over 40 local athletes and their families to the camp, with the main goal of building confidence, inspiring young athletes, and bringing youth sports development and mentorship to athletes across the province. Held at Lake City Secondary, the camp marked the first community visit by BC’s professional basketball team to the Cariboo region, bringing more basketball to more people across our province. “Community is a core pillar of the Bandits organization, and we are proud to host camps and opportunities that help shape and inspire the next generation of players and leaders,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “Thank you to our partners at I∙SPARC and FortisBC for their support in bringing this camp to fruition, and to the Williams Lake basketball community for welcoming our team this week.” "We're proud to support opportunities that help young people build confidence, strengthen their skills and create lasting connections," said Janet Devaney, senior manager, community & Indigenous initiatives at FortisBC. "Through initiatives like this basketball camp, Indigenous youth can connect with peers and mentors, develop new skills and experience the positive impact that sport can have on confidence, leadership and a sense of belonging.” The free-of-charge camp was part of the Indigenous Basketball Collective, representing the ongoing collaboration between I∙SPARC and the Vancouver Bandits. Established in 2023, ongoing and past projects through the Collective include camps and clinics for Indigenous youth and coaches, building new basketball courts in Indigenous communities, and hosting the 2026 Junior All Native Basketball Tournament.
By Bandits Staff September 4, 2026
Vancouver Bandits guard Jarkel Joiner has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Charlotte Hornets. The news was announced by the Hornets on social media . During his time with the Bandits in the 2026 season, Joiner made 21 appearances, including 13 starts, and finished with 16.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals per games. Introduced in the NBA’s 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement, Exhibit 10 contracts are one-year deals. They can include a potential bonus if the player spends time with the team’s G League affiliate.
By Bandits Staff September 3, 2026
Former Vancouver Bandits guard Kyle Mangas has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Charlotte Hornets. The news was announced by the Hornets on social media. Mangas is expected to practice and compete with the Hornets during the 2026-27 Training Camp and preseason from October 3rd to 12th. During his time with the Bandits in the 2025 season, Mangas finished top five on the team in points (15.3), rebounds (4.6), assists (3.3) and steals (1.3). Introduced in the NBA’s 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement, Exhibit 10 contracts are one-year deals. They can include a potential bonus if the player spends time with the team’s G League affiliate.
By Bandits Staff September 1, 2026
The Vancouver Bandits have partnered with the Vancouver Park Board, Bandits Community Foundation and Little Legends Foundation to unveil a newly renovated outdoor basketball court at Grays Park in South Vancouver. Part of the Bandits Community Foundation’s Court Projects initiative, the team officially unveiled the refurbished court on Saturday (August 30). The grand opening included a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a free youth basketball clinic led by local coaches. Attendees also enjoyed a complimentary BBQ lunch, free haircuts and massages, and free backpacks and school supplies distributed for local youth. “The Bandits Community Foundation’s Court Projects initiative was designed to build and enhance public outdoor courts,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “The love for the game grows in spaces like Grays Park. This project would not have been possible without the support of our community partners. We will continue to enhance outdoor public courts, make them more inviting, and create stronger communities through basketball.” “Over the past few years, we have been trying to build one of the nicest courts here in South Vancouver for the community,” said community leader Spensir Sangara. “We recognized that Grays Park was one of the few neighbourhood parks without a quality basketball court for the community. Thank you to our businesses and donors who came together to make our vision a reality. This court is filled with a rich basketball culture and this is a legendary day for our community.” “When the Vancouver Bandits approached the Vancouver Park Board with the idea to upgrade this park, it seemed like the right fit and partner to help renew an important asset in a community where basketball plays such an important role,” said Vancouver Park Board Director of Business Services John Brodie. “Thank you to the Bandits and our partners for their generous contributions, and for being examples of what having a strong, community-oriented mission looks like.” The court refurbishment at Grays Park, located at 4850 St. Catherines Street in Vancouver, includes upgrades to the basketball hoops, playing area resurfacing and seating areas. Grays Park was identified as one of Vancouver’s most active outdoor basketball spaces, and community feedback strongly supported the refurbishment. Established in October 2023, the goal of Court Projects is to enhance outdoor basketball courts across British Columbia, creating productive and safe spaces for individuals to play while enriching local basketball at the community level. To date, this partnered team effort has featured the construction and installation of six brand new outdoor basketball courts and upgrading hundreds of basketball rims in communities across BC.​​

LATEST VIDEO

By Bandits Staff May 15, 2026
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Mamba on May 14, 2026.
By Bandits Staff August 18, 2025
A message from Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius on the 2025 season and thoughts on the CEBL Western Conference Semifinal.
By Bandits Staff August 16, 2025
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on August 16th, 2025.
By Bandits Staff August 4, 2025
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on August 3rd, 2025.