BANDITS TAKE ON GUELPH IN FIRST-EVER PLAYOFF GAME AT LEC THIS THURSDAY

Bandits Staff • August 2, 2022

LANGLEY, B.C., August 2, 2022 – The Fraser Valley Bandits announced Tuesday that the club will host the Guelph Nighthawks this Thursday, Aug. 4 for its first-ever Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) playoff game at Langley Events Centre (LEC).


Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT and tickets for the rematch of last year’s quarterfinal are on sale now at this link. A berth in the CEBL quarterfinals hangs in the balance for the winner of Thursday’s win-or-go-home tilt.


New for the 2022 CEBL season is the introduction of a “play-in” round, which precedes the quarterfinals on Sunday, Aug. 7, where a date with the Scarborough Shooting Stars awaits the victor of Thursday’s contest. 


Thursday’s play-in has no shortage of storylines to watch; first of which is the fact that the Bandits and Nighthawks split the season series at one game a piece. Fraser Valley won the first matchup 90-85 on the road versus Guelph on June 21 and Guelph won 87-79 on the road at LEC on July 15.


Separated by a head-to-head point differential of just three points, the narrative does not stop there. The two rivals met last year in the CEBL quarterfinals on Aug. 15. Fraser Valley won 104-84 to earn a trip to Championship Weekend in Edmonton last summer.


Rewind to 2020 and the Bandits defeated the Nighthawks 84-70 in the final regular season game of the CEBL Summer Series on Aug. 5, 2020, to earn a bye to the semifinals. 

Both teams rounded out the recent CEBL regular season in winning fashion. Fraser Valley won three of its last four games to finish 12-8 (fourth overall) and Guelph won its last two games of the campaign to finish 10-10 (seventh overall). 


“This year has been an awesome debut at one of the best venues in all of Canadian sports and entertainment at Langley Events Centre. Our fans have supported us all season long and have given us a home court advantage unlike any other in the CEBL,” Bandits president Dylan Kular said.


“Our players feed off the energy of our passionate fanbase and I am excited to welcome our supporters for a great evening of professional basketball and for one more chance to defend home court.”



In addition to the thrilling playoff atmosphere where fast-paced basketball and riveting audiovisual effects will take centre stage, the Bandits have special promotional offers and giveaways planned for fans to help create a raucous atmosphere on Thursday night.


In particular, Fraser Valley will be giving away team branded t-shirts courtesy of the club’s 2022 season presenting partner, PerfectLens, to the first 300 fans that arrive in the building. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. PT. A $20 pre-game buffet is available for fans that arrive within the first 30 minutes of doors opening. The buffet costs $25 afterward and closes at tip-off.


Fans that come to the game will have access to enjoy 15 per cent off all apparel available for sale on the concourse and at ATO Basketball Merchants. Season ticket members will be able to access a 20 per cent discount with proof of their “season ticket member rewards pass.” 


If fans and season ticket members wear any orange item of clothing, they will be able to capitalize on a larger discount of 25 and 30 per cent off all apparel, respectively. Headwear and jerseys are excluded from discount eligibility. 


Fans are kindly asked to call (604) 866-0529 or email tickets@thebandits.ca for any questions or ticket related inquiries.

CEBL games are available on CEBL+ live internationally and in Canada at cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices and the free CBC Gem streaming service. Games are also available on the CEBL’s official app, CEBL Mobile (available on iOS and Android devices), as well as TELUS Optik TV Channel 1901 Lower Mainland and via live streams on 604 Now’s Facebook and Twitter pages.


Head to thebandits.ca for more information or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

LATEST NEWS

Vancouver Bandits, FortisBC, I SPARC Host Youth Basketball Camp in Williams Lake

By Bandits Staff • September 10, 2026
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.

Bandits Guard Jarkel Joiner Signs Exhibit 10 Contract With Charlotte Hornets

By Bandits Staff • September 4, 2026
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 Bandits Guard Kyle Mangas Signs Exhibit 10 Contract with Charlotte Hornets

By Bandits Staff • September 3, 2026
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.

Bandits Unveil Newly Refurbished Basketball Court in South Vancouver

By Bandits Staff • September 1, 2026
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.​​

LATEST VIDEO

Full Game Highlights | Bandits at Saskatoon, 05/14/2026

By Bandits Staff • May 15, 2026
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Mamba on May 14, 2026.

A Message from Vancouver Bandits head coach Kyle Julius

By Bandits Staff • August 18, 2025
A message from Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius on the 2025 season and thoughts on the CEBL Western Conference Semifinal.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Calgary Surge (08/16/2025)

By Bandits Staff • August 16, 2025
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on August 16th, 2025.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Winnipeg Sea Bears (08/03/2024)

By Bandits Staff • August 4, 2025
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on August 3rd, 2025.