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 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that the Vancouver Bandits have been named the 2025 CEBL Community Champion, earning the honour for a second consecutive season . The Community Champion Award is the second of four 2025 CEBL Business Awards to be presented this week.  COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD Awarded to the franchise that has demonstrated a dedication to and understanding of local communities through notable, creative, and sustainable outreach that prioritize the CEBL values of innovation, inclusion, diversity, and meaningful experiences for fans and others. 2025 Winner: Vancouver Bandits In 2025, the Vancouver Bandits expanded their community reach through the launch of the Bandits Community Foundation , a charitable organization overseeing programs such as the Community Champion Initiative, Indigenous Basketball Collective, First Buckets, Secondary Buckets, and Inspiring Bandits Scholarship. The club also became the first CEBL team to unveil a Filipino Heritage jersey and logo , with proceeds benefiting United Way BC and the Canadian Red Cross to support those affected by events following the Vancouver Lapu-Lapu Day Festival. Continuing their commitment to the Terry Fox Foundation, the Bandits signed a multi-year partnership supporting Canadian cancer research, including the return of their Terry Fox tribute jerseys. Community engagement remained a cornerstone of the Bandits’ efforts this year, with additional highlights including: Hosting the fourth annual BC Basketball Festival at Langley Events Centre Awarding six scholarships through the Inspiring Bandits program at the BC High School Basketball Championships Delivering 77 on-court sessions and 12 free coaching clinics through Secondary Buckets, led by Bandits head coach Kyle Julius Refurbishing Grays Park in South Vancouver through the Court Projects initiative Hosting three cultural heritage theme games (Filipino Heritage, South Asian Heritage, and Indigenous Celebration), each ranking among the club’s top five attended home games in 2025 The Bandits also launched a successful bid to host the 2026 Junior All Native Basketball Tournament, one of the largest youth basketball events in Canada, in partnership with Kwantlen First Nation and Vancity Nation youth basketball. The 2025 Community Champion Award recognizes the Vancouver Bandits’ sustained leadership and impact across British Columbia, reflecting their ongoing commitment to community, inclusion, and excellence in basketball. The 2025 CEBL Business Awards consist of four awards, given in recognition of accomplishments at both the team and executive levels ( Award – Announcement Date – Winner): Digital Excellence Award – Monday, October 27 – Calgary Surge Community Champion – Tuesday, October 28 – Vancouver Bandits Executive of the Year – Wednesday, October 29 – TBA Franchise of the Year – Thursday, October 30 – TBA Award winners were voted on by various groups comprised of league and team executives, including, but not limited to, members of the CEBL’s Leadership Team and all 10 team presidents.
The Vancouver Bandits, Bandits Community Foundation, Vancity Nation Basketball and Kwantlen First Nation are proud to host the 2026 BC Junior All Native basketball tournament, taking place March 15-20, 2026 in Langley, BC. The Junior All Native Tournament (JANT) is the largest Indigenous youth sports gathering in British Columbia and one of the biggest basketball tournaments in Canada, drawing over 1,200 youth athletes, over 10,000 travellers and over 100 teams from across the province. Additionally, more than 100 Indigenous communities will be attending and represented at the annual tournament. “Vancity Nation is proud to partner with Kwantlen First Nation, Bandits Community Foundation and Vancouver Bandits to bring JANT to Langley,” said Nicole Cardinal, team manager of Vancity Nation basketball club. ”This is an opportunity for Vancity Nation to showcase our urban youth who live away from their communities and play a sport they love with Indigenous youth from across BC. Vancity Nation is made of volunteer coaches and managers who provide low cost basketball opportunities for our youth, and together we hope we build pathways that strengthen identity, and community connection. This goes a long way in raising young, productive leaders in a sport they love.” Langley Events Centre will serve as the tournament’s primary venue, hosting the opening ceremony on March 15 and championship games on March 20. Games will also be played at venues that include RE Mountain Secondary, Langley Secondary, Walnut Grove Secondary, Peter Ewart Middle and Yorkson Creek Middle schools in Langley. The 2026 edition of the tournament marks the first time in eight years that the event has been hosted in the Lower Mainland, with the last occurrence in 2018 hosted at North Vancouver’s Capilano University. “On behalf of Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation, we are honoured to serve as custodians of the 2026 BC Junior All Native basketball tournament while standing side-by-side with Kwantlen First Nation and VanCity Nation Basketball. Basketball has always been a powerful connector and the Junior All Native basketball tournament is a testament to that,” said Dylan Kular, president of the Vancouver Bandits. “The Junior All Native basketball tournament represents the very best of what sport can do such as bringing people together, celebrating culture, and inspiring the next generation.” The Junior All Native Tournament has been a cornerstone event for nearly 50 years, uniting young athletes and their families from Indigenous communities across BC. The tournament aims to inspire Indigenous youth to pursue their goals and make the most of their potential, while improving their fitness and skill levels. The tournament rotates annually between the three regions of Northern BC, Coastal BC, and Interior BC, with the most recent tournament hosted by the Syilx Okanagan Nation in 2025. Information on the 2026 tournament, including team registration, can be found at www.jant.ca
Electrolit athlete and viral basketball sensation Tristan Jass has officially broken four Guinness World Records™ titles in just four hours. The record-shattering event took place at the home of the Vancouver Bandits — Langley Events Centre in Langley, British Columbia — with Electrolit fueling Jass’s monumental performance. With laser focus and electrifying energy, Jass shattered multiple Guinness World Records, each verified on-site by an official Guinness World Records judge, including: Longest Basketball Shot (Blindfolded) Farthest Basketball Bounce Shot Most Consecutive Behind-the-Backboard Shots Most Basketball Layups in One Minute With more than 10 million followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, Tristan Jass is a global sensation, known for his jaw-dropping trick shots and ball-handling skills. The record-breaking day marks another high point in Jass’s rising career, following his recent stint playing with the Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Watch the full video on Tristan Jass’ YouTube channel to see every record-breaking moment in action: https://youtu.be/_J6Z71vhe3U “Man, this is unreal. I’ve always been about doing things differently, pushing the limits, getting creative, and just having fun with the game. Breaking four Guinness World Records titles in one day? It was a grind. But Electrolit kept me hydrated, and that’s everything when it comes to performing at my best. I’m grateful, I’m hyped, and I’m just getting started,” said Jass. Electrolit is available at major retailers as well as online through Amazon, to support active lifestyles of all shapes and sizes, from work to play to sports. For more information, visit www. electrolit.com or follow them on Instagram or Facebook @Electrolit
Bandits Forward Tyrese Samuel Signs Exhibit 10 Contract With Phoenix Suns for 2025 NBA Training Camp
Vancouver Bandits forward Tyrese Samuel has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Phoenix Suns and was named to the club’s 21-player training camp roster. The news was announced by the Suns on social media and the club’s website in a release . 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. Samuel is expected to practice and compete with the Suns during the 2025-26 Training Camp and preseason from October 3rd to 14th, which will feature four games including two matchups played in Macau as part of the NBA China Games series. The reigning CEBL Canadian Player of the Year and CEBL First Team All Star, Samuel was an integral member for the Bandits, appearing in and starting in 16 games. Establishing himself as a dominant presence, Samuel finished second in the CEBL in scoring with 24.4 points per game, ranked third in three-point percentage (48.6%), and fourth in field goal percentage (58.4%).
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