BANDITS OPEN TRAINING CAMP, PREPARE FOR '22 SEASON

Gary Ahuja • May 22, 2022

In Ty Rowell’s final high school basketball game, the graduating senior helped the Walnut Grove Gators  capture the BC 4A Boys Basketball Tournament. 


That game was played at Langley Events Centre five years ago and Rowell is back and ready to hit that  same LEC court, this time as a professional as he debuts for the Fraser Valley Bandits in the 2022  Canadian Elite Basketball League season. 


“There is obviously pressure, but it’s fun. I love playing basketball and it’s my hometown … there is  nothing better than that,” Rowell said on Friday, during the Bandits’ media day ahead of their CEBL  season opener on May 25 in Ottawa against the BlackJacks. 


It is part of a three-game easter road trip for Fraser Valley before they make their Langley Events Centre  home debut on June 4 (2:00pm) against the Saskatchewan Rattlers. 


Rowell – who went south after high school and starred at California Baptist University, earning Western  Athletic Conference (WAC) all-star honours – is one of four local players on the Bandits roster, alongside  Delta’s Sukhjot Bains and Adam Paige and Sukhman Sandhu, who are both out of Surrey. 


Providing a place to play for local talent is one of the fundamental goals of the CEBL.


“I think it is extremely important; that is one of the reasons why I came back to help out because  basketball has done so much for me, and this community has done so much for me to get to the level I  have gotten to,” said Rob Sacre, who serves as a senior advisor to Bandits president Dylan Kular. 


Sacre starred for North Vancouver’s Handsworth Royals before playing collegiately at Gonzaga and was  then drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, playing four seasons with the NBA team. 


“It is important for our young guys to see they are role models on the court. That is the most important thing. I remember growing up watching the Grizzlies and that motivate me. If we can establish that here  in the Lower Mainland and they can local talent, they can feel that energy,” he said.


While three of the four Lower Mainland players are new to the league (Paige was re-signed as a U Sports  Development athlete) the Bandits roster does feature a handful of players with CEBL experience under  their belts in Murphy Burnatowski, Alex Campbell, Malcolm Duvivier, Kadre Gray and Chris McLaughlin. 


Campbell and Duvivier were part of the Bandits last season while McLaughlin played for the club in  2019. Burnatowski also has CEBL experience, playing for Hamilton in 2019. 


Campbell was Fraser Valley’s MVP in 2021 as the guard averaged 14.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.1  assists while shooting 45.9 and 41.9 per cent from field goal and three-point range, respectively, while  Duvivier averaged 10.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2. assists. 


They will be joined in the backcourt by two-time former U Sports MVP Kadre Gray. Gray played last  season for Ottawa and had 14 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the BlackJacks in his first  professional season. Gray has also been a member of the Canadian national team for the past five years  and following his 2021 CEBL rookie season, he played with Coruna in Spain’s LEB Oro. 


The rest of the roster features Edmonton’s Geoffrey James, Australia’s Kyle Adnam and Americans  Maxie Esho, Shane Gibson and Usama Zaid, with all five being newcomers to the CEBL.


“Let’s give (General Manager) Kyle Julius a lot of credit – he has done a great job of building a core based on team and toughness. We have tried to establish that as valuable for us as well,” said head coach Mike  Taylor. “(And) we have pieces that complement each other well.” 


While Taylor is a rookie coach in the CEBL with the Bandits, he brings a wealth of experience, having  been a head coach of Poland’s men’s national team and in the G League. He was with the Polish national  team from 2014 to 2021, helping the country rise from 42nd in the world to 13th.


“I think when you watch some of the teams I have coached … you see a real team-oriented system, you  see hopefully great ball movement, great pace, a commitment to defend. I hope when people come  (our) way, they say those guys are fun to watch,” he said. 


The Bandits assembled for their first day on May 16 and have hit the ground running with two-a-day  practices.


“We have worked really hard, we have made a lot of progress, but there is still a lot of work to do,”  Taylor said. “I really love the attitude, the effort, the work ethic and I hope we can create a good  foundation for the CEBL season up ahead.” 


“They look like they want to be here and that is the key, you don’t want guys moping or being  disappointed that they have to go practice; this is why we are here, we want to be here. I am super  excited to see the energy that comes into the gym. I think it is going to be a positive season,” added Sacre.

LATEST NEWS

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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