Bandits cruise to 99-70 victory over Rattlers

Gary Ahuja • July 8, 2024

It was the Koby McEwen Show down the stretch.



McEwen scored 15 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and Target Score Time – setting a new professional high in the process – as the Vancouver Bandits hammered the Saskatchewan Rattlers 99-70 on Sunday afternoon at Langley Events Centre in Canadian Elite Basketball League action.


The 6-foot-4 guard hit half of his team’s 3-pointers –6-for-14 compared to 6-for-20 by the rest of the roster – but McEwen passed the credit to his teammates.


“I did force a couple of bad ones. Not proud of that, but a lot of the shots I got, I was open. And that’s a credit to my team because we have good players and everyone has to account for everybody,” he said. 


Sunday’s game featured a close first quarter with the Bandits up 23-20 after 10 minutes before the team locked down defensively, holding the Rattlers to 11 points in the period for a 49-31 advantage and a double-digit lead for the rest of the game. Saskatchewan did get the score to within 10 points in the opening minute of the fourth quarter before Vancouver quickly reestablished a commanding lead.


Vancouver improved to 8-1 on their home floor with an average margin of victory of more than 21 points. This was also the fifth time this season a team has failed to surpass 75 points against the Bandits, who are allowing a league-low 83.9 points per game. They are also the only CEBL teams with a points differential in triple digits at + 129 as they improved to 10-4 on the season.


“We just have guys who are willing to guard. I don’t think defence is a complicated thing … it is just all effort and guys being on the same page. Once you have effort and everyone on the same page, everything becomes easy,” McEwen said. 


The Bandits finished with 10 blocked shots, led by Kur Jongkuch’s three swats and two apiece from McEwen, Tazé Moore and Nick Ward, and one from Sam Maillet. 


While McEwen posted the gaudy number, he was one of five Vancouver players to reach double digits with Moore scoring 18 – as well as 13 rebounds and seven assists – Ward had 15 and eight boards while Duane Notice added 12 points, eight rebounds and five steals and Zach Copeland chipped in with 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.


And that is what helps Vancouver so dangerous: balance.


“Basketball, especially at the pro level, is very ego driven, everyone is trying to get theirs. I think this team, everyone is just trying to win, we like each other, we hang out off the court. We are able to hold each other accountable; no one takes anything personal. Kyle and Dylan did a great job of getting a solid group of guys to come together,” McEwen said referencing head coach and general manager Kyle Julius and team president Dylan Kular.


This was the fifth time McEwen has led the team in scoring and for the season, he is at 18.8 per game.


“He means everything to this team. He is just an absolute force. His work ethic, his competitive nature, his fire, his personality, one of the best players I have ever had the opportunity to coach. He is our heartbeat, a big piece to what we are doing,” Julius said.


The loss was a seventh straight for the Rattlers, who fell to 5-9 on the season as they sit last in the Western Conference with six games to play.


“I think the Bandits did a great of picking up their defensive intensity. We had too many turnovers which led to some runouts and easy points for them,” said Saskatchewan assistant coach Eric Magdanz on the 10-minute second quarter where they game got away. “The Bandits shot the ball well and we didn’t and that was enough to sink the ship.”


For the game, Vancouver was nearly 42 percent from the field, including 35 percent from downtown while the Rattlers struggled at 31 percent from the field and just 21 percent from beyond the arc. 


Another key factor was turnovers with Saskatchewan committing 14 in the first half, compared to just seven after half-time.


The Rattlers’ Cody John had 17 to lead his team with Emmanuel Bandoumel and Teddy Allen each scoring 14.


The Bandits now hit the road for a pair of games, July 11 in Calgary against the Surge before a visit to Winnipeg to face the Sea Bears on July 13. Vancouver’s next home game at Langley Events Centre will be on July 18 as they complete the home-and-home series with Winnipeg. It is also the final regular season home contest for the Bandits and will be Fan Appreciation Game with a 7:00pm tip-off.

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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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