ABBOTSFORD, BC, September 21, 2020 –
The Fraser Valley Bandits are set to unveil this week the winners of the club’s inaugural team awards for the 2020 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Recipients will be announced across five award categories based on their performance at the CEBL Summer Series and contributions to the Fraser Valley community.
Award winners will be announced daily on the Bandits’ social media accounts beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 10 a.m. PT.
The award categories are:
• Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY)
• Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY)
• Community Ambassador of the Year
• Warrior of the Year
• Most Valuable Player (MVP)
The OPOY award recognizes the play of a unique player who contributes on the offensive end with consistent shot-making, playmaking and an overall ability to spark the offence at any moment.
The DPOY award commemorates an exemplary player who is capable of playing multiple positions and is a tenacious rebounder and team-first defender who thwarts opposing offences with his ability to congest the passing lanes and handle a variety of defensive responsibilities.
The community ambassador of the year award is given to a team leader who is dedicated toward giving back to the Fraser Valley fan base and community through service, media availability and a selfless approach toward being involved at several events and activations.
The warrior of the year award recipient is an individual who epitomizes what it means to be a Fraser Valley Bandit. This player is a vocal, positive and tireless leader that inspires others through their grit, two-way play, passion for the game and willingness make sacrifices for their teammates.
The MVP award is given to a player who exhibits a proficiency on both sides of the basketball through a driven approach on offence and defence. The MVP is an elite performer who consistently leads by example.
“It has been incredibly rewarding to see how the community has rallied behind our team and organization. Fraser Valley fans have supported us since day one and through these team awards, we look forward to annually recognizing the exceptional on-court performance, overall character and dedication toward giving back to the Fraser Valley community exhibited by the players on our roster,” said Bandits vice president Dylan Kular.
A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 80 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players come from the NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season typically runs from May through August. More information is available at www.cebl.ca.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Andrew Savory, Director of Operations, (604) 217-6213, asavory@thebandits.ca
About the Fraser Valley Bandits
The Fraser Valley Bandits are British Columbia’s professional basketball team. As the westernmost club in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the club is proud to call Abbotsford Centre home. The Bandits offer a riveting entertainment experience that combines a fast-paced game day atmosphere with a presentation of some of Canada’s top professional athletes within a world-class venue. PerfectLens, a Vancouver-based contact lens supplier, is the official presenting partner of the Bandits’ 2021 season. Head to thebandits.ca for more information.