FRASER VALLEY BANDITS TO HONOUR CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK BRITISH COLUMBIANS AND COACHES THROUGHOUT BHM
Bandits Staff • February 2, 2021
ABBOTSFORD, BC, February 1, 2021
– The Fraser Valley Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that the club will be honouring the contributions of Black British Columbians and coaches throughout the month of February through a series of interviews and commemorative posts that will be made across the Bandits’ social media channels.
The editorial series will live on the Bandits’ website and will highlight coaching leaders in British Columbia and Canada’s Black communities that are making an impact on and off the basketball court.
In celebration of Black History Month and as a precedent for the editorial series, the Bandits shared a tribute graphic that honoured the below British Columbians, who made historic contributions in their respective fields and disciplines (listed in alphabetical order according to last name):
- Emery Barnes
- A force in the world of sport and politics, Barnes emigrated to Canada in 1957 where he studied at the University of British Columbia. Prior to moving to Canada, Barnes studied at the University of Oregon and excelled as a multi-sport athlete – serving as an alternate high jump member for the U.S. Olympic track team in 1952 and was later drafted by the Green Bay Packers before joining the BC Lions in 1957. Following sport, Barnes entered the world of politics and social justice. Barnes became the first Black speaker of any Canadian legislature when he was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in B.C. in 1994 and in 1995 was appointed a member of the Order of B.C.
- Rosemary Brown
- Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Brown became the first Black woman elected to provincial legislature in 1972 as the New Democratic Party candidate for Vancouver-Burrard. She was re-elected three times. Brown became the first woman to run for leadership of a federal political party in 1975. Brown advocated for minority groups and helped break barriers faced by women and people of colour. In 1956 she helped establish the British Columbia Association for the Advancement of Coloured People and throughout her career as an MLA helped reduce barriers faced by women and minority groups.
- Seraphim Joseph ‘Joe’ Fortes
- Born in the British West Indies, Fortes arrived in Vancouver in 1885 and worked as a bartender at a variety of institutions but exhibited a passion for helping others, particularly when it came to swimming and teaching. He became a lifeguard in the early 20th century and in 1910 the City of Vancouver recognized him as the first English Bay lifeguard. Fortes taught several Vancouverites to swim and is credited with saving various individuals from drowning, becoming a local celebrity for his valour. For his efforts and dedication, the Vancouver Historical Society recognized Fortes as “Citizen of the Century” in 1986.
- Doug Hudlin
- A native of Victoria, B.C., Hudlin was nicknamed the “Gentleman Umpire” and was inducted into the Victoria Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, the Umpires Association Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Canadian Baseball Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. Hudlin was a founding member of the B.C. Black History Awareness Society and was the first non-American to be invited to umpire the 1967 and 1974 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
- Harry Jerome
- Jerome represented Canada at the Rome (1960), Tokyo (1964) and Mexico City (1968) Olympic Games. Jerome captured a bronze medal in Rome and is remembered for many achievements beyond his Olympic medal and the seven world records that he set during his career. Jerome worked in the federal ministry of sport and worked to open doors for young Canadians. Today, a statue of Jerome can be found in Stanley Park, B.C.
- Ruby Sneed
- Sneed was an esteemed classical pianist and music educator. Sneed completed her Associate Diploma (ARCT) at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and broke colour barriers throughout her career by performing at public concerts, in addition to recording, performing and writing musical arrangements for CBC. Sneed later dedicated herself as an educator by teaching young musicians at her private studio in Vancouver for nearly three decades.
- Emma Stark
- Stark lived in Nanaimo, B.C. and became the first Black teacher on Vancouver Island in 1874 when at the age of 18 she was appointed the first teacher at the new North Cedar School.
The Fraser Valley Bandits obtain no rights to the intellectual property of BCBHAS other than the right to display the content as noted. Historical and textual records and accounts have kindly been provided by the © BC Black History Awareness Society (all rights reserved).
Photos kindly provided courtesy of:
- Emery Barnes
- Photo provided by the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
- Rosemary Brown
- Photo provided by The Province (Postmedia)
- Seraphim Joseph ‘Joe’ Fortes
- Photo provided by Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House
- Doug Hudlin
- Photo provided by Barbara Hudlin
- Harry Jerome
- Photo provided by University of Oregon Athletics
- Ruby Sneed
- Photo provided by Theresa (née Sneed) Lewis
- Emma Stark
- Photo provided by Barbara Hudlin
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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.
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Seven players who have previously suited up for the Vancouver Bandits, including five from the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season, have been named to NBA G League training camp rosters ahead of the start of the 2026-27 season on November 6, 2026. The NBA G League serves as the NBA’s official minor league and features 31 teams, with 30 clubs having one-to-one affiliations with NBA franchises. Surrey, B.C.’s James Karnik will join the Portland Trail Blazers’ affiliate, Rip City Remix. Karnik has participated in 36 regular season games across four seasons dating back to 2022, including four games in 2026. This marks the first time that he has been named to an NBA G League training camp squad. Jaelen House, a former NBA G League All-Star who played in 10 games for the Bandits during the 2026 season, will be competing for a roster spot on the Utah Jazz’s affiliate, Salt Lake City Stars. He set the Bandits’ single-game scoring record, recording 42 points against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on June 18, 2026. The Charlotte Hornets’ affiliate and defending NBA G League champion, Greensboro Swarm, will feature Jarkel Joiner. Joiner played 21 games for the Bandits in 2026, leading the team in points per game (17.8), before being named to the Hornets’ training camp roster and logging minutes in four NBA preseason games. Joining Joiner on the Swarm is Kyle Mangas, who appeared in 16 games with 14 starts for the Bandits during the 2025 season. John Knight III, who logged 18 games for the Bandits in 2026, joins the Houston Rockets’ affiliate, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, a club he has played for since 2023. D’Andre Davis, who appeared in three games for the Bandits in 2026, looks to secure a roster spot with the Boston Celtics’ affiliate, Maine Celtics. A member of the 2023 Bandits roster, Georgian-born forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili will take the court with the Atlanta Hawks’ affiliate, College Park Skyhawks. The opening night rosters for all 32 NBA G League teams must be submitted by Sunday, November 5.
Former Vancouver Bandits forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Atlanta Hawks. The news was announced by the Hawks via social media on Wednesday. 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.
HAIDA GWAII, BC - October 6, 2026 - This past weekend, Vancouver Bandits, BC’s professional basketball team, and the Bandits Community Foundation hosted a series of youth basketball clinics on Haida Gwaii, continuing its ongoing series of community visits across the province in partnership with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC). The community visits and youth camps on Haida Gwaii were also made possible through the generous support of Langara Island Lodge and Skidegate Band Council. Led by Bandits Team President Dylan Kular and Community Manager Pavan Kalair, local youth athletes aged 10 to 17 from across Haida Gwaii participated in free-of-charge workshops and basketball camps, furthering the Bandits Community Foundation’s goal of bringing more basketball to more people across the province. "Haida Gwaii has an incredible passion for basketball, and it was an honour for our staff to spend time on the court with so many talented young athletes," said Vancouver Bandits Team President Dylan Kular. "Our partnership with I·SPARC through the Indigenous Basketball Collective is about building lasting relationships with communities across the province and making sure every young player has access to the game. We are grateful to Langara Island Lodge, the Skidegate Band Council and everyone in Old Massett, Masset and Skidegate who welcomed us, and we cannot wait to come back." “Programs like this show what is possible when partners come together for Indigenous youth,” said I·SPARC’s Chief Executive Officer Rick Brant. “We are proud to work with the Vancouver Bandits to bring high-quality basketball coaching to Haida Gwaii, where the game is so deeply loved." Bandits staff led PHE classes with students at Chief Matthews School in Old Massett, and ran skill development clinics for local youth athletes aged 13 to 17 across three communities at Kwiiyaans Community Hall (Old Massett), Daaxiigan Sk’adáa Née School (Masset) and George Brown Recreation Centre (Skidegate). “We are grateful for the opportunity for the Vancouver Bandits and I·SPARC to come in and work with our youth,” said Trevor Russ, head coach of the Old Massett Raiders boys basketball team. “Basketball plays a big role for our youth in Masset, and the Bandits coming to town provides an opportunity for them to work with some high-level coaches at the professional level. Our youth are very happy to have this opportunity.” “To be able to have the Vancouver Bandits come to Skidegate and Haida Gwaii is very important,” said Desi Collinson, Recreation Coordinator and elected representative to the Council of the Haida Nation. “Basketball means a lot to Haida Gwaii; it brings excitement, hope and inspiration to our communities. Organizations like the Bandits and I·SPARC give us different insights and outlooks that our young athletes have not experienced before, and we are happy to have them here to uplift our youth.” The camps are part of the Indigenous Basketball Collective, representing the ongoing collaboration between I∙SPARC and the Vancouver Bandits. Established in 2023, previous community visits hosted through the Collective since its inception include Ahousaht, Bella Coola (Nuxalk First Nation), Kitimat (Haisla Nation), Nanaimo (Snuneymuxw First Nation), Victoria, West Vancouver and Williams Lake with future youth camps and coaching seminars currently being planned for 2027.
This weekend, youth across Haida Gwaii will have the opportunity to learn and sharpen their basketball skills from British Columbia’s professional basketball team. Through the generous support of the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC) and Langara Island Lodge, the Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation will be hosting free-of-charge youth basketball camps across Haida Gwaii, marking the organization’s first community visit to the North Coast region. “Haida Gwaii means a great deal to us, and we know how much basketball means to these communities. The game gives young people a place to grow, brings families together, and creates opportunities for teams to proudly represent where they come from,” said Yos Gladstone, Sales Coordinator, Langara Island Lodge. “The young players, coaches, families, and teams here deserve every opportunity we can help bring their way. We are grateful to the Vancouver Bandits, I∙SPARC and the Bandits Community Foundation for their commitment to make this program happen, and especially to those in Haida Gwaii who give so much of their time, energy, and efforts to basketball year-round.” “For us, supporting this program is personal. We care about the communities and the people who make them so special. If this visit from the Vancouver Bandits gives local players more time on the court, encouragement to keep going, and a chance to connect through the game, that is something we are proud to be part of.” The camps are hosted in collaboration with I∙SPARC, Bandits Community Foundation, Haida Gwaii Recreation and School District 50 Haida Gwaii. Across three days, over 200 youth athletes aged 10 to 17 and their families will gather in gymnasiums across Haida Gwaii for camps and workshops led by Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation staff members. Youth participants will also receive complimentary Vancouver Bandits merchandise. "Haida Gwaii holds a legendary place in this province and Indigenous basketball culture and being on the ground in Masset and Skidegate truly showcases how powerful this sport is," said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. "The competitive drive and skill level of these youth are incredible, but what is even more inspiring is how basketball acts as a heartbeat for the entire region. Seeing the immediate connection between the youth, the coaching staff, and the local fans highlights exactly why we wanted to bring the Bandits to Haida Gwaii.” “We want to extend our deepest thanks to the Haida Nation and our partners at I∙SPARC and Langara Island Lodge for hosting us and sharing their incredible hospitality. This visit marks an exciting milestone for our organization, and we look forward to building on this relationship for years to come." The camp schedule for this weekend is as follows: Friday, October 2 Kwiiyaans Community Hall, Old Massett 12:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Daaxiigan Sk’adáa Née School, Masset 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, October 3 George Brown Recreation Centre, Skidegate 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, October 4 George Brown Recreation Centre, Skidegate 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The forthcoming camps are part of the Indigenous Basketball Collective, representing the ongoing collaboration between I∙SPARC and the Vancouver Bandits, and build upon recent previous community visits to Williams Lake and Bella Coola earlier this year. 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.
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