Bandits look to secure playoff spot in battle against resilient Surge
Myles Dichter • July 11, 2024
Vancouver is within grasp of the playoffs. Calgary is still fighting for its life.
The Bandits visit the Surge on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. MT / 6 p.m. PT with post-season implications for both teams beginning to come into focus. Live broadcast coverage from WinSport Event Centre is available on Next Level Sports & Entertainment, while you can stream the game on CEBL+ and TSN+.
For Vancouver (10-4), which currently sits first in the Western Conference, a victory combined with a Saskatchewan Rattlers loss would secure a playoff berth.
Calgary (7-7), meanwhile, ranks fourth in the conference, just two games ahead of the last-place Rattlers. Beating the Bandits, then, would provide some cushion as the regular season enters its final stretch.
The Surge are coming of a blowout victory over the Edmonton Stingers on Tuesday in which it held its Alberta rival to a franchise-low 58 points and snapped a two-game skid in the process.
Despite losing three key players -- Gabe Osabuohien, Justin Lewis and Trhae Mitchell – to NBA Summer League, Calgary put together arguably its best performance of the season in the 87-58 rout.
It’ll need a similar effort to topple the Bandits, against whom it’s already dropped two games while failing to score 75 points in either one.
However, the Surge did not have the services of lead guard Stefan Smith in either of those defeats. Smith, who returned to the team late after finishing his campaign overseas, has averaged 17.4 points and 4.4 assists in five games, providing a backcourt boost to a team that leads the league in both overall and three-point field-goal percentage.
Vancouver, meanwhile, sits top-three in both categories, tops everyone with 93.1 points per game and owns the stingiest defence, allowing just 83.9 points per game.
The Bandits are led by guard Tazé Moore, possibly the MVP frontrunner, whose 8.2 assists per game are nearly two dimes more than second-place Justin Wright-Foreman of Winnipeg. Moore is also second leaguewide in rebounds at nine per game and 10th with 17.7 points per game.
The B.C. squad stormed to a 7-1 start to the season but is even in six games since, perhaps showing some vulnerability from its perch atop the West as it’s fallen to Winnipeg and twice to Edmonton in that span.
Thursday marks the final game of the season between the Bandits and the Surge. Vancouver won 100-74 on June 1 and 70-65 six days later.
Key matchup
In Calgary’s previous game, centre Jordy Tshimanga stepped up in the absence of fellow big men Osabuohien and Lewis.
Tshimanga, the Montreal native, poured in 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting, to go with 13 rebounds and stout interior defence.
But he’ll face a tough test in Bandits big man Nick Ward, who sits fifth league-wide in both blocks per game (1.4) and field-goal percentage (57.2). Ward is also Vancouver’s third-leading scorer with 17.6 points per game.
Given the low-scoring nature of the previous contest between Vancouver and Calgary, paint points from Tshimanga and Ward could ultimately prove the difference on Thursday.
Milestone watch
- Calgary’s Smith is 29 points away from 500 for his career, regular season only
- Calgary’s Mathieu Kamba is three rebounds away from 250 for his career, regular season only
- Vancouver’s Koby McEwen is four assists away from 200 for his career, regular season only
- Vancouver’s Moore is 13 assists away from surpassing the single-season league record of 110, set by Tony Carr in 2022
LATEST NEWS
The Vancouver Bandits announced that reigning Canadian Player of the Year Tyrese Samuel has re-signed with the club for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League season. Making an immediate impact during his debut CEBL campaign in 2025, Samuel led all players league-wide in field goal percentage (65.9) while finishing top three on the Bandits in points (21.7) and rebounds per game (10.8) in 15 games played. He broke the club’s single-game scoring record during his CEBL debut on May 15, 2025 recording 36 points along with 12 rebounds, and was named CEBL Player of the Week on August 11, 2025. “ We’ve got some unfinished business to take care of ,” said Samuel. The 6-foot-10, Montréal, Que. product capped off his dominant season by being named Canadian Player of the Year and a Second Team All-CEBL selection at the 2025 CEBL Awards . His stellar play also earned him a roster spot with the Brooklyn Nets during the 2025 NBA Summer League and an Exhibit 10 contract with the Phoenix Suns during 2026 NBA training camp. “We are all very excited that we get another chance to work with Tyrese, he is a special player and an even better person. Tyrese is one of the best Canadians to ever play in our league and we are looking forward to building our roster around him,” said head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. The 25-year-old forward has spent the 2025-26 season with the Phoenix Suns’ NBA G League affiliate, Valley Suns, where he has appeared in 24 games and logged 8.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 18.2 minutes played. A top Canadian prospect while in university, Samuel played four seasons at Seton Hall University from 2019 to 2023 before transferring to the University of Florida for his graduate year, where he earned Second Team All-SEC honours. Internationally, Samuel has represented Canada on two occasions, earning a silver medal at the 2018 FIBA U18 AmeriCup and appearing in the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup. The Bandits open the 2026 CEBL season on Thursday, May 14 on the road in Saskatchewan before coming home for two exciting matchups as part of 2026 Home Opener Weekend at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. The club will host the Edmonton Stingers on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. PT before facing the Calgary Surge on Sunday, May 24 at 5:00 p.m. PT in a rematch of the 2025 CEBL Western Conference Quarterfinal. Fans can take advantage of a special Home Opener Weekend ticket offer; buy three tickets to either or both games and receive an additional ticket for free. Tickets for the Bandits’ Home Opener Weekend, and additional 2026 ticket options, can be purchased here . All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices). The schedule of nationally televised games, along with broadcast and streaming information will be announced at a later date. More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .
The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday the club’s 2026 CEBL regular season schedule, a 24-game campaign that will see the club open its eighth Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season on Thursday, May 14 in Saskatchewan at 6:30 p.m. PT. The Bandits will tip off the home portion of their schedule with a pair of games as part of Home Opener Weekend at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. The home opener will be played on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. PT against the Edmonton Stingers, while the second game will take place on Sunday, May 24 at 5:00 p.m. when the Bandits host the Calgary Surge in a rematch of the 2025 CEBL Western Conference Quarterfinal. Fans can take advantage of a special Home Opener Weekend ticket offer; buy three tickets to either or both games and receive an additional ticket for free. Tickets for the Bandits’ Home Opener Weekend can be purchased here . The Bandits enter 2026 off the heels of the club's best regular season performance in its seven-year history, which included a 19-5 record and a league-best 7 sellout games last year in front of the best fans in the CEBL at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. The Bandits’ full season schedule can be accessed by clicking here . “Our 2026 schedule represents a major step forward for our club, community gathering and entertainment in British Columbia,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “Coming off our strongest season to date, we were intentional about building a fan-first calendar that reflects how our community wants to experience live sporting events with weekend games, accessible start times, and meaningful matchups at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. From Home Opener Weekend to our first-ever neutral site game, 2026 is about continuing to grow the Bandits as a team, a live experience and a community pillar. We are excited to welcome the best fans in the CEBL back and build on the momentum together.” Featuring the club’s most fan-friendly schedule to date, Bandits home games will feature start times on Friday nights at 7:00 p.m. (3), Saturday nights at 6:00 p.m. (5), and Sunday afternoons at 5:00 p.m. (2). Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre will be the place to be for professional basketball in British Columbia this summer, further solidifying the Bandits’ fast-growing reputation as one of the most exciting and dynamic live event offerings in the Lower Mainland. The 2026 season will also see the inclusion of the Bandits’ first-ever neutral site game when the club hosts Saskatchewan on Saturday, June 6. Further details of the game will be announced in the coming weeks along with upcoming theme nights and single-game ticket sales. The 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League Playoffs will begin with single-elimination Conference Semifinals on Thursday, August 6, where the 1st seed faces the 4th seed and the 2nd seed faces the 3rd seed in each conference. Winners will advance to the Conference Finals on Saturday, August 8, also single elimination, with higher seeds hosting each round. The CEBL Finals will be a best-of-three series from August 12–16, marking the first multi-game playoff series in league history: Game 1 – Wednesday, August 12 Game 2 – Saturday, August 15 Game 3 (if necessary) – Sunday, August 16 The lower seed team will host Game 1, while the higher seed will host Games 2 and 3 (if necessary), replacing the previous single-elimination Championship Weekend host team model. “These historic changes to our playoff format represent a major milestone for the CEBL and our fans, and they mark a natural progression as the league continues to grow and evolve,” explained CEBL President Tyler Mazereeuw. “Our focus remains on delivering the best possible experience for our teams, players, and fans, and this is another step forward in fulfilling that mission. Our fans and communities have supported this league from the start, and we’re proud to give them a playoff experience that reflects their passion.” Mazereeuw added, “Championship Weekend played a key role in building the foundation of our league and grew into Canada’s largest annual celebration of professional basketball. While we’re proud of what it became, moving to an in-market model allows us to deepen connections with our local communities and create new traditions that reflect the growth and maturity of the league.” All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ , and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices). The schedule of nationally televised games, along with broadcast and streaming information will be announced at a later date. Vancouver Bandits 2026 CEBL season schedule: Note: All times PT | Home dates are in bold | * June 6 game location TBA Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Saskatchewan | 6:30 p.m. at SaskTel Centre Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Edmonton | 6:00 p.m. at Edmonton EXPO Centre Friday, May 22, 2026 vs. Edmonton | 7:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Sunday, May 24, 2026 vs. Calgary | 5:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Friday, May 29, 2026 at Niagara | 4:00 p.m. at Meridian Centre Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Brampton | 4:00 p.m. at CAA Centre Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at Ottawa | 4:30 p.m. at TD Place Arena Saturday, June 6, 2026 vs. Saskatchewan | 6:00 p.m. at Location TBA* Saturday, June 13, 2026 vs. Ottawa | 6:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Monday, June 15, 2026 vs. Scarborough | 7:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Thursday, June 18, 2026 at Winnipeg | 5:00 p.m. at Canada Life Centre Saturday, June 20, 2026 vs. Brampton | 6:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Saturday, June 27, 2026 vs. Winnipeg | 6:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Friday, July 3, 2026 vs. Edmonton | 7:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Sunday, July 5, 2026 vs. Calgary | 12:30 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at Saskatchewan | 6:30 p.m. at SaskTel Centre Thursday, July 9, 2026 at Calgary | 6:30 p.m. at WinSport Events Centre Saturday, July 11, 2026 at Edmonton | 6:00 p.m. at Edmonton EXPO Centre Friday, July 17, 2026 vs. Montreal | 7:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at Calgary | 6:30 p.m. at WinSport Events Centre Thursday, July 23, 2026 at Winnipeg | 5:00 p.m. at Canada Life Centre Saturday, July 25, 2026 vs. Saskatchewan | 6:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at Montreal | 4:30 p.m. at Verdun Auditorium Sunday, August 2, 2026 vs. Winnipeg | 12:30 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre
The following is a letter to Vancouver Bandits fans from Dylan Kular, Bandits team president: As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to thank the entire Bandits Basketball community for another unforgettable season. In 2025, you once again proved why this organization is built on more than basketball. It’s built on people, connection, and belief. From the energy inside Langley Events Centre to the impact we continue to make in schools, gyms, and neighbourhoods across British Columbia, this year reinforced what makes the Bandits special. Together, we’ve continued to grow the game, strengthen our community roots, and push forward with purpose both on and off the court. Your passion, loyalty, and support fuel everything we do. It’s felt by our players, our staff, our partners, and every young person who connects with the game through the Bandits. We don’t take that responsibility lightly. As we turn the page to 2026, we do so with momentum, ambition, and a deep sense of gratitude. Thank you for believing in this journey and for standing with us every step of the way. From all of us at Vancouver Bandits Basketball, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season, and a healthy, successful New Year. Thank you for being the heartbeat of our organization. Together, we move forward. With gratitude, Dylan Kular Team President, Vancouver Bandits
Vancouver Bandits guard Kyle Mangas has signed a two-way contract to join the San Antonio Spurs. The news was announced Saturday by the NBA G League on social media. Mangas was a key member of the Bandits’ best season in franchise history as the club amassed a 19-5 record. During the 2025 summer campaign, Mangas finished top five in points (15.3), rebounds (4.6), assists (3.3) and steals (1.3). His stellar performance earned him a call up to the San Antonio Spurs’ NBA Summer League squad in July 2025. At the conclusion of the 2025 CEBL season, Mangas suited up for San Antonio’s NBA G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs, dressing in 10 games. Mangas becomes the third player to sign an NBA two-way contract after playing for the Bandits; the most from any Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) franchise (2023: DJ Steward - Chicago Bulls, 2024: Tazé Moore - Portland Trail Blazers). Mangas is one of two Bandits players to have signed with an NBA organization in 2025-26. Tyrese Samuel signed an Exhibit 10 contract in September 2025 and is working his way towards a two-way contract. More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter . Fans interested in learning more are kindly invited to subscribe to Bandits Insider for updates or contact the Bandits at 604-455-8881 or tickets@thebandits.ca.
LATEST VIDEO
A message from Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius on the 2025 season and thoughts on the CEBL Western Conference Semifinal.
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on August 16th, 2025.
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on August 3rd, 2025.
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on July 25, 2025.