Bandits close out regular season today in Montréal

Dillon White • July 28, 2024

The Vancouver Bandits will wrap up a three-game road trip against the Montréal Alliance on Sunday in a potential championship preview. 


The game is set for 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT on Game+, streaming live on CEBL+, TSN+, Courtside 1891, RDS.ca, and the RDS App.


The two sides will meet in the regular season finale at Verdun Auditorium – the destination for CEBL Championship Weekend from August 9-11.


Each team has a spot clinched in the Conference Final on August 9, though they took different routes to get there.


The Alliance had a spot in the Eastern Conference Final secured at the beginning of the season due to hosting and the team struggled in stretches of the season. Montréal enters the final contest of the campaign at 5-14 – sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference. 


However, the hosts come into Sunday’s matchup with positive momentum. A sharp fourth quarter on both ends pushed the Alliance to an 89-72 victory over the Saskatchewan Rattlers on Friday night. A two-way clinic from Guillaume Payen-Boucard aided Montréal in snapping a four-game losing streak.


The Alliance will look to replicate the performance in the final game of the regular season as a nearly two-week break awaits. 


It’s a situation the Vancouver Bandits are all too familiar with. CEBL Championship Weekend was hosted by Vancouver at Langley Events Centre last year and the Bandits also near the bottom of the Conference ahead of a long break.


While the team will still need to stay in form over 11 days without games, this iteration of the Bandits has proven itself to be a dominant force in the league. Vancouver clinched first place in the Western Conference and a bye to Championship Weekend with a 104-90 win in Scarborough on Friday.



Twenty-two points from guard Marcus Carr drove the Bandits to their fourth straight win. If Vancouver emerges victorious again, the team would tie its longest win streak of the season ahead of Championship Weekend.


Vancouver’s last meeting with Montréal came in the season opener at Langley Events Centre. The Bandits downed the Alliance 95-75 in that outing, though injuries and acquisitions have slightly changed the look of both teams in the interim.


Montréal head coach Derrick Alston Sr. and Vancouver head coach Kyle Julius will each have interesting lineup choices ahead of them in regards to resting players or favouring sharpness with Conference Final berths clinched.


Player spotlight


Marcus Carr’s 22 points in 25 minutes off the bench was a team-high for the Bandits on Friday. It was his largest output in a Bandits uniform since recently joining the squad.


He suited up for the first time against the Sea Bears at the Langley Events Centre on June 18 in a limited role and played four minutes in the Bandits’ trip to Brampton earlier in the week.


The former Texas Longhorns playmaker seems ripe for another opportunity to get acquainted with his new teammates on Sunday.


Meanwhile, Vancouver will have to deal with Payen-Boucard for the first time this season. The Montréal guard finished with 21 points, five rebounds, four steals and two blocks in an outstanding performance on both ends against Saskatchewan.


After the win, Alston Sr. said he’s one of the Alliance’s best defensive players, if not one of the best in the league.


Milestone Watch


  • Montréal’s Ahmed Hill is 25 points away from 1,300 for his career, regular season only
  • Montréal’s Elijah Ifejeh is 10 rebounds away the all-time franchise record for rebounds, including playoffs
  • Montréal’s Chrs Smith is two steals away from 30 for the season
  • Vancouver’s Nick Ward leads the CEBL in free throws made and is one away from 100 for the season
  • Vancouver’s Ward is six rebounds away from the all-time franchise record held by Alex Campbell, including playoffs
  • Vancouver’s Tazé Moore has 121 assists on the season, battling Calgary’s Corey Davis Jr. (119) for most in the league and the CEBL regular season record


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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.

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