Bandits, Nighthawks set to Duel for Semifinals
August 5, 2020
The Bandits and Nighthawks have already earned a berth in the CEBL Summer Series playoffs, but Wednesday’s matchup has big implications for both the victor and the loser. The winner automatically moves ahead to Saturday’s playoff semifinals, while the loser returns to the Meridian Centre Thursday night for a quarterfinal game.
Both the Nighthawks and Bandits sport 3-2 records. Guelph is coming off an 85-71 loss against the Edmonton Stingers, while the Bandits are coming off a 70-57 win over the Niagara River Lions.
Guelph was outrebounded by 18 against Edmonton and felt the impact of the Stingers’ energy on the glass as Travis Daniels and Jordan Baker did their part to keep possessions alive. Guelph has relied on a team effort to consistently play quality basketball throughout the Summer Series.
Fraser Valley was able to get back on track against Niagara after losing consecutive games to Ottawa and Hamilton. The Bandits held the River Lions to a CEBL-record low 57 points in the contest and will look to channel that same defensive intensity against an athletic Nighthawks group.
Tonight’s game is being livestreamed on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Gem App and Twitch (CEBLeague). Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT)
Beware Jonathan Arledge
Arledge currently sits fourth in blocks per game at 1.4 and is averaging 8.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Typically, a formidable presence on the offensive glass and in the paint defensively, Arledge was rendered ineffective against Edmonton and attempted just three shots before fouling out with no blocks in just shy of 10 minutes of action.
Arledge is a two-way force who can alter the game on both sides of the ball. The big man has also showed a willingness to take the three, connecting on 33 percent of his attempts in the Summer Series. Standing 6-foot-10, Arledge has the size and athleticism to make Fraser Valley pay, especially considering the fact that the Bandits’ tallest player, Tavarion Nix, is 6-foot-7.
Punching Above Their Weight
The Bandits’ two tallest players are the aforementioned Nix and Olu Ashaolu (6-foot-6). The rest of Fraser Valley’s roster consists of a talented collection of guards that have been asked to size up and defend players much larger than them. Six-foot-4 guard Marcus Capers epitomizes the Bandits’ small ball approach. Despite having a wiry frame, Capers is defensively sound thanks to his understanding of angles, footwork and defensive principles. Like Arledge, Capers is averaging 1.4 blocks per game thanks to his sense of timing and ability to obstruct shooters and opposing forwards without fouling.
Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius has also tasked Junior Cadougan (6-foot-1) and Malcolm Duvivier (6-foot-2) with managing the paint. The results have been mixed as in an opening night win over Edmonton, Cadougan and Duvivier were able to keep larger forwards off the block, but in case of the game against the BlackJacks, mobile bigs like Thomas Scrubb were able to shoot over the top thanks to their size advantage.
Turning It Around
Guelph and Fraser Valley finished fifth and sixth during the CEBL’s inaugural season. Fast forward to 2020 and both teams have qualified for the Summer Series playoffs. Guelph has leaned on both a new cast of players, as well as key returnees such as Kimbal Mackenzie, Olu Famutimi and Myles Charvis to lead the way, while Fraser Valley hit the reset button and brought in an entirely new cast in support of its lone returning player, Marek Klassen.
Both clubs have rewarded their respective fanbases with a quality of basketball that will certainly fuel a hunger for more of the same in 2021. But for head coaches Kyle Julius of Fraser Valley and Charles Kissi of Guelph, the future is now as they seek to capture the 2020 CEBL Championship this weekend.
Next Up
This evening’s contest is both teams’ final game of the round robin. The winner is seeded second in the playoffs and plays next on Saturday. The loser will be seeded either fourth or fifth depending on the outcome of tonight’s second game between Ottawa and Saskatchewan and dependent on tie-breakers. Both games are available to watch on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Gem App and Twitch (CEBLeague).
LATEST NEWS
The Vancouver Bandits, BC’s professional basketball team, hosted a youth basketball camp on Wednesday, September 9 in Williams Lake, in partnership with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC) and FortisBC. The Bandits welcomed over 40 local athletes and their families to the camp, with the main goal of building confidence, inspiring young athletes, and bringing youth sports development and mentorship to athletes across the province. Held at Lake City Secondary, the camp marked the first community visit by BC’s professional basketball team to the Cariboo region, bringing more basketball to more people across our province. “Community is a core pillar of the Bandits organization, and we are proud to host camps and opportunities that help shape and inspire the next generation of players and leaders,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “Thank you to our partners at I∙SPARC and FortisBC for their support in bringing this camp to fruition, and to the Williams Lake basketball community for welcoming our team this week.” "We're proud to support opportunities that help young people build confidence, strengthen their skills and create lasting connections," said Janet Devaney, senior manager, community & Indigenous initiatives at FortisBC. "Through initiatives like this basketball camp, Indigenous youth can connect with peers and mentors, develop new skills and experience the positive impact that sport can have on confidence, leadership and a sense of belonging.” The free-of-charge camp was part of the Indigenous Basketball Collective, representing the ongoing collaboration between I∙SPARC and the Vancouver Bandits. 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.
Vancouver Bandits guard Jarkel Joiner has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Charlotte Hornets. The news was announced by the Hornets on social media . During his time with the Bandits in the 2026 season, Joiner made 21 appearances, including 13 starts, and finished with 16.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals per games. 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.
Former Vancouver Bandits guard Kyle Mangas has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Charlotte Hornets. The news was announced by the Hornets on social media. Mangas is expected to practice and compete with the Hornets during the 2026-27 Training Camp and preseason from October 3rd to 12th. During his time with the Bandits in the 2025 season, Mangas finished top five on the team in points (15.3), rebounds (4.6), assists (3.3) and steals (1.3). 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.
The Vancouver Bandits have partnered with the Vancouver Park Board, Bandits Community Foundation and Little Legends Foundation to unveil a newly renovated outdoor basketball court at Grays Park in South Vancouver. Part of the Bandits Community Foundation’s Court Projects initiative, the team officially unveiled the refurbished court on Saturday (August 30). The grand opening included a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a free youth basketball clinic led by local coaches. Attendees also enjoyed a complimentary BBQ lunch, free haircuts and massages, and free backpacks and school supplies distributed for local youth. “The Bandits Community Foundation’s Court Projects initiative was designed to build and enhance public outdoor courts,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “The love for the game grows in spaces like Grays Park. This project would not have been possible without the support of our community partners. We will continue to enhance outdoor public courts, make them more inviting, and create stronger communities through basketball.” “Over the past few years, we have been trying to build one of the nicest courts here in South Vancouver for the community,” said community leader Spensir Sangara. “We recognized that Grays Park was one of the few neighbourhood parks without a quality basketball court for the community. Thank you to our businesses and donors who came together to make our vision a reality. This court is filled with a rich basketball culture and this is a legendary day for our community.” “When the Vancouver Bandits approached the Vancouver Park Board with the idea to upgrade this park, it seemed like the right fit and partner to help renew an important asset in a community where basketball plays such an important role,” said Vancouver Park Board Director of Business Services John Brodie. “Thank you to the Bandits and our partners for their generous contributions, and for being examples of what having a strong, community-oriented mission looks like.” The court refurbishment at Grays Park, located at 4850 St. Catherines Street in Vancouver, includes upgrades to the basketball hoops, playing area resurfacing and seating areas. Grays Park was identified as one of Vancouver’s most active outdoor basketball spaces, and community feedback strongly supported the refurbishment. Established in October 2023, the goal of Court Projects is to enhance outdoor basketball courts across British Columbia, creating productive and safe spaces for individuals to play while enriching local basketball at the community level. To date, this partnered team effort has featured the construction and installation of six brand new outdoor basketball courts and upgrading hundreds of basketball rims in communities across BC.
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