Bandits aim to bounce back against BlackJacks in lone 2024 matchup

Zulfi Sheikh • June 22, 2024

In the only game between the cross-conference opponents this season, the Ottawa BlackJacks (2-6) visit the Vancouver Bandits (7-2) at Langley Events Centre on Saturday night.


Live coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. PT / 10:30 p.m. ET, available on CEBL+, TSN+, and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. 


Despite Ottawa and Vancouver entering the matchup on opposite ends of their respective conferences – BlackJacks at the bottom, Bandits at the top – both need a bounce back.


For Ottawa, they haven’t been able to string together much success to this point. If there’s anything they can see as a positive, however, is that things are trending in the right direction at least. Since their 0-3 start, the BlackJacks have gone 2-3 and their previous two games have been decided by a combined margin of just five points.


Most recently, Ottawa dropped a 92-91 contest to the Edmonton Stingers who sit in a tie with Vancouver atop the West. The BlackJacks nearly overcame a 16-point lead in that ball game, using a balanced offensive attack (48 per cent from the field, 40 per cent from three) while uncharacteristically winning the rebound battle (47-43). 


Leading them in scoring against Edmonton was Tyrell Tate with 21 points on an efficient 60 per cent field goal shooting. The guard may not lead the team in scoring -- that’s Isaih Moore (17.8 points per game) -- but as of late he’s been on a tear. Tate has put up over 20 points in three of his last four appearances and is averaging 23.5 points during that span.


Meanwhile, despite a one-point loss, Ottawa won the rebound battle for just the second time all season. Much of that was thanks to recent returnee Zena Edosomwan. The forward not only brings familiarity, having played with the BlackJacks last season, he adds a much-needed paint presence. In just his second game back Edosomwan stuffed the stat sheet for a double-double of 10 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and three blocks.


The Los Angeles native helped Ottawa grab well above their usual 35.5 boards per game that ranks second-last in the CEBL. The BlackJacks will need that once again as the Bandits presents a much tougher challenge on the glass as the league’s second-best squad in that regard (42 rebounds per game).


Speaking of Vancouver, despite losing just two games all season, they have plenty of motivation entering the contest. Coming off an 88-84 loss to the Winnipeg Sea Bears, the Bandits look to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season.


It was a rare case of both teams blowing notable leads within the same ball game. Winnipeg led by as many as 14 points, even being up 13 mid-way through the third. Meanwhile, Vancouver overcame that deficit and was up 14 points with as little as six minutes left in the game yet crumbled in Target Score Time.


An offence that usually scores 91.8 points per game (second-most) and put up 112 on the same Sea Bears a week prior, was held to its third lowest scoring output of the season. It’s hard to know if that was simply an off-night or if there’s greater cause for concern.


It didn’t help that the starting lineup combined to shoot 32.8 per cent from the field. Koby McEwen and Zach Copeland went an identical 5-of-15 (33 per cent) from the field while Tazé More did slightly better at 5-for-12 (41 per cent). Meanwhile, Nick Ward, who’s one of the top scorers in the league (16.9 points per game), was held to just one point which came from the free throw line.


Bandits’ fans can at least take comfort in the fact that the BlackJacks might be the right team to face in hopes of a bounce back performance. Ottawa gives up 94.6 points per game, the second most in the CEBL.


Key matchup

Edosomwan is realistically the only bit of size the BlackJacks have to battle against Ward in the paint, especially in the starting lineup. The 30-year-old will have the unenviable task of trying to slow down the Bandits’ big man who’ll be extra motivated as he tries to avoid another lackluster performance.


How much Ward produces (or Edosomwan limits him) will likely play a swing factor in Saturday’s outcome.


2023 season series

If last year is any indication of 2024’s lone matchup, fans should expect a tightly contested ball game. Ottawa and Vancouver split the season series in 2023, the first being decided by four points and the second by just one.


Ward will likely hope for a repeat of last year, at least from an individual performance standpoint. The big man averaged 20 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks through those two contests.

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Bandits Fall To Montreal on Final Road Game of Regular Season

By Roid Chand • July 29, 2026
A season-high 25 points from Shamar Givance wasn’t enough as the Vancouver Bandits came up short in the final road game of the season. The Montreal Alliance defeated the Bandits 87-82 on Tuesday night, a game where three Bandits recorded their highest point totals of the season. Along with his 25 points, Givance also added eight rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes of action. “He was the definition of a warrior tonight,” said Bandits head coach Ransford Brempong. Givance, who came off the bench, took a bulk of the guard minutes after leading scorer Jarkel Joiner exited the game in the first half. “He picked up 94 feet and he went over every screen. It’s commendable. That’s why we brought Shamar here for the effort he gives,” said Brempong. Stephen Zimmerman in just his second game with Vancouver recorded 13 points and six rebounds. Jarrell Eddie scored a season-high 17 points and notched his first double-double of the season with 10 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. “Certain guys were thrust into positions they’re not normally in and that’s growth,” said Brempong. Both teams struggled offensively, particularly outside the paint, but what they lacked in offence was made up by their defence. The Bandits shot 9-33 from beyond the arc, and the Alliance cashed in on just 11 of the 32 three point opportunities. The Bandits recorded seven blocks and six steals, while the Alliance recorded four blocks and six steals. Montreal native Tyrese Samuel recorded 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. He played just 22 minutes after picking up two early fouls in the first quarter. No Canadian player has scored more points than Tyrese Samuel’s 358 points this season. Neither team separated themselves as the game stayed close for all four quarters. The largest lead of the game was eight, which belonged to Montreal. Vancouver exploded in the third quarter and outscored Montreal 27-17, yet their scoring wouldn’t translate to the fourth quarter. The Bandits offence lacked consistency all night, scoring just 16 points in the final frame. Quincy Guerrier led the Alliance with 26 points and seven rebounds. The Bandits will head home for the final game of the regular season against the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The Bandits (14-9) currently sit top of the Western Conference while the Sea Bears (13-10) sit in second place. “The mission is still the same.”

Bandits Pick Up Win Over Saskatoon, Secure Playoff Home Court Advantage

By Rois Chand • July 26, 2026
Five players were in double figures as the Vancouver Bandits defeated the Saskatoon Mamba 104-97 on Saturday night. The Bandits led for the entirety of the game, leading by as many as 17 points. Vancouver now sits atop of the Western Conference at 14-8, topping the Winnipeg Sea Bears (13-9). This win also secured home court advantage in the playoffs for the Bandits, who will officially begin the postseason on Thursday, August 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. Tevin Brown led the Bandits in scoring with 23 points and seven three pointers made. “My teammates did a good job of getting me open,” said Brown. “They just let me play my game. (We) play a fast-paced offence and that’s where I thrive.” James Karnik followed with 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. The Bandits jumped out to an early 31-15 lead as Brown scored 11 of his 23 points in the first quarter. The Mamba went on a 29-21 run in the second quarter to cut the lead to 52-44 by halftime. Bandits head coach Ransford Brempong applauded his team for their resilience in the wire-to-wire win, even as the lead dwindled. “They might fight back but (we) still have to stay aggressive,” said Brempong. “Credit to Saskatoon. They made their run, but I’m more proud of the team and the resilience they’ve shown during the last handful of games.” All 11 players who played tonight recorded a made basket. Former NBA draft pick Stephen Zimmerman made his Bandits debut, recording two points and four rebounds in just three minutes of action. “It’s going to take everybody. Whether you come off the bench, I don’t care. Be strong enough that you affect the game and you impact winning,” said Brempong. Brempong said the Bandits are still bought into the mentality of being “on the hunt”, despite being first in the Western Conference. Brempong also said they can’t take their recent success for granted. “Don’t let it lull you to sleep. You still have to stay sharp,” he said. A layup from Shamar Givance won the game for the Bandits in target time. He finished with nine points and eight assists. Next, the Bandits will head on the road for a matchup with the Montreal Alliance on Tuesday, before wrapping up the season at home against the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

Former NBA Draft Pick Stephen Zimmerman Signs With Vancouver Bandits

By Bandits Staff • July 24, 2026
The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that the club has signed former NBA draft selection and decorated overseas champion Stephen Zimmerman for the remainder of the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. A 7-foot centre hailing from Las Vegas, Nev., Zimmerman was selected 41st overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2016 NBA Draft and appeared in 19 games as a rookie. With the signing, Zimmerman becomes the first-ever NBA draft selection to sign with the Bandits. “Zimmerman brings additional size to our team and experience from the highest levels of the game around the world,” said Bandits general manager Kyle Julius. “His signing is part of our strategic plan to ensure we have a strong roster to compete in the CEBL playoffs.” A veteran of 10 professional seasons, Zimmerman most recently played for Gigantes de San Francisco in the Dominican Republic during the 2025-26 season where he helped lead the club to a Dominican LNB championship. He also earned championships in the Czech Republic, guiding ERA Nymburk to both a Czech Cup and Czech NBL title in 2021. His journeyman career overseas includes previous stops in Germany, Poland, Australia, Japan, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Malaysia and China. In addition, Zimmerman played parts of four NBA G League seasons with the Orlando Magic’s affiliate (Erie Bayhawks, now Osceola Magic) in 2016-17, the Los Angeles Lakers’ affiliate (South Bay Lakers) in 2017-18, the New York Knicks’ affiliate (Westchester Knicks) in 2018-19, and San Antonio Spurs’ affiliate (Austin Spurs) in 2022-23. Internationally, Zimmerman represents the United States. He competed for his country at the senior level at the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup and 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, and won a gold medal at the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship in 2014. Before playing professionally, Zimmerman played one season of NCAA DI basketball for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). As a freshman, he started 24 of 26 games played and averaged 26.2 minutes, 10.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocked shots per game while shooting .477 per cent from the field.

Bandits Regain Top Spot in West after road win in Winnipeg

By Rois Chand • July 24, 2026
WINNIPEG, MB - July 23, 2026 - The Vancouver Bandits are back in the win column after a second half comeback against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on Thursday night. The Bandits defeated the Sea Bears 92-77 to take them atop of the Western Conference, now tied with the Sea Bears at 13-8. “For the past two years, we’ve been in first place and we’ve been hunted. We’re the hunters this time around,” said Bandits head coach Ransford Brempong. Vancouver trailed for most of the game, and by as many as 14 points, before exploding in the final 20 minutes of the game. The Bandits shot just one-for-seven from three point range in the first half. “We’ll make mistakes but keep the game close and see if we can steal it, which is what we did.” Vancouver’s defence stepped up in the second half, holding Winnipeg’s best stars to a rough shooting night. Isiah Osborne, who averages 12.9 points, was held to four points on two-for-eight field goal shooting, while Emmanuel Akot made just one field goal for four points. CEBL scoring leader Teddy Allen scored 26 points, but he took 22 shots to do it and committed four turnovers. Jarkel Joiner’s 24 points once again led the Bandits. He also recorded three assists and two steals. “He’s quick and he’s strong,” said Sea Bears head coach Mike Raimbault about Jarkel Joiner. Joiner said there’s a “fight” within the team, especially with a close schedule remaining. “We know we’re fighting for homecourt advantage,” he said Bremprong praised the Bandits for sticking together in an unorthodox season. “This team is extremely resilient,” said Brempong about the Bandits’ second comeback win in three games. “The year has already thrown punches. We got thrown into the fire, but the fire is also a place where iron gets sharpened.” The paint was dominated by the Bandits as they scored 62 of their 92 points in the paint, including countless ferocious dunks from Tyrese Samuel and James Karnik. Rookie big man Dominic Parolin also poured in seven points, eight rebounds and two steals in 24 minutes of action. “We got those guys because they’re big boys and they’re Canadian,” said Brempong. Tied at 70 heading into the fourth, Tevin Brown was the answer Vancouver needed, scoring 10 of his 12 points in the final frame. Brown’s play catapulted a 22-7 scoring run in the fourth quarter to clinch the win. A putback layup by Karnik was the game winner. He finished with a season-high 17 points and season-high 12 rebounds. “To slay a Sea Bear isn't easy,” said Brempong. The Bandits will return home for a quick one game home stand on Saturday against the Saskatoon Mamba at 6 p.m. Tickets can be found at thebandits.ca . “Every game is a new challenge.”

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