Bandits, Rattlers Put Undefeated Records on the Line

Zulfi Sheikh • May 30, 2024

In a battle atop the Western Conference, the Vancouver Bandits (2-0) visit the Saskatchewan Rattlers (2-0) on Thursday night with stakes heightened as one of them will lose their undefeated start.


All the action will take place at 7:30 p.m. local/9:30 p.m. ET from the SaskTel Centre, with live coverage available on CEBL+, TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.


What a difference a year can make. At the end of 2023, the Bandits and Rattlers were also duking things out but at the bottom of the West instead of the top with dueling 8-12 records. Yet fast forward through the first week of this season and into the first of three matchups between the conference rivals, both squads are leading the conference, have yet to lose and are in the midst of two of the best stretches to start a year. 


Saskatchewan is already in uncharted territory as they’ve never opened a season 2-0 while Vancouver is halfway to their record of four consecutive wins to begin the 2021 campaign.


The Rattlers and Bandits have gotten to this point in similar fashion as well. Both picked up convincing season-opening wins and then rallied in their follow up performances to start their first win streaks of 2024.


Saskatchewan enters Thursday on the heels of a 96-90 victory over the Montréal Alliance in which the squad had to overcome a 23-point deficit. That comeback effort last Saturday can be largely credited to Jalen Harris and Grant Basile who scored 31 and 27 points, respectively. The duo accounted for more than 60 per cent of the Rattlers baskets and over half of their 13 triples on the night.


Harris was notably instrumental as he scored 19 points in the third quarter to spark Saskatchewan’s initial rally and capped things off by hitting the game-winning layup in Target Score Time.


On the other side, Vancouver overcame a 13-point third quarter margin against the Scarborough Shooting Stars on Sunday. And although the Bandits effort involved a more balanced attack with all five starters hitting double figures, four of which scored 17 or more points, they too had a standout performance spark their comeback.


James Karnik scored Vancouver’s first 10 points of the fourth quarter, with 14 of his 18 points on the night coming in the final frame, including the game-winning layup. It was the Surrey B.C. native’s second game back after missing all of last year due to injury and so far, he’s had a strong start to his comeback campaign. Karnik is nearly averaging a double-double, putting up 13.5 points and nine rebounds through two games.


Keys matchup

Fans in attendance and watching from home are going to be treated to a stellar guard matchup between two CEBL experienced guards as Koby McEwen and Jalen Harris go head-to-head. Both are in their first year with new squads and have immediately made their presence felt as their teams’ scoring leaders.


McEwen is averaging 19.5 points on a CEBL career-high 53 per cent shooting from beyond the arc to go with his five rebounds and one steal through two games. Meanwhile, Harris is averaging a staggering 27 points per game, third highest in the league so far.


The pair also have plenty of history, dueling as Eastern Conference rivals throughout the last two seasons with Brampton and Scarborough, respectively. They even faced off on opposite sides of the 2022 Championship Final with McEwen coming out on top. The former Sixth Man of the Year scored 16 points off the bench and was vital in Target Score Time scoring five of the Honey Badgers’ nine points to capture a title. Harris, on the other hand, had one of his quietest outings as he finished with 12 points, his third lowest all year, and a season-high eight turnovers.


2023 season series

Saskatchewan had the edge over Vancouver last season winning two of the three regular season matchups, doing so in convincing fashion as they won both contests by over 20 points. 


Take that with a grain of salt however as the Bandits didn’t have the services of their leading scorer Nick Ward in either of those losses. In Vancouver’s lone win, the big man put up 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting to go with nine rebounds. And with all indications that Ward will play on Sunday, expect him to be just as impactful. So far this season, the 2023 team MVP is averaging 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds with a steal and two blocks through two games.

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CEBL MVP Mitch Creek Re-Signs With Vancouver Bandits

By Bandits Staff • June 14, 2026
The Vancouver Bandits announced Sunday that the reigning Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Most Valuable Player Mitch Creek has re-signed with the club and will suit up on Monday, June 15 against the Scarborough Shooting Stars. The 6-foot-5 forward and fan favourite returns to the Bandits after a stellar 2025 campaign in which he was named Most Valuable Player and an All-CEBL First Team Selection. Creek had one of the most statistically productive stretches of his career during the 2025 CEBL season. Starting in all 20 regular season games, he averaged a team-high 24.4 points per game along with 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals in 34.4 minutes.Creek made his CEBL debut during the 2024 season and currently ranks second on the Bandits’ all-time leading scorers list (643 points). Creek appeared in five NBA regular season games during the 2018-19 season, splitting time between the Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves averaging 4.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game on 50 per cent shooting from the field across both clubs. A veteran of 15 professional seasons, Creek was a mainstay and all-star in his home country’s National Basketball League (NBL), logging 338 games and served as captain for both the Adelaide 36ers and South East Melbourne Phoenix. Most recently, Creek competed for Romanian club U-BT Cluj-Napoca during the 2025-26 season where he captained the team to a Romanian League championship and received All-EuroCup Second Team honours. A native of Horsham, Australia, Creek is a major basketball figure in his home country and has been instrumental to the success of the national team, known as the Boomers, and was recently named to Australia’s roster for the upcoming 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers taking place in July. Creek will step away from the Bandits’ roster later this month to join the Australian national team in advance of its FIBA World Cup Qualifier games on July 3 and 6 against Guam and the Philippines, respectively. He will rejoin the Bandits at the conclusion of his international duties. Bandits Single Game Tickets 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+, the CEBL Mobile app, the CBC Gem app and the CBC Sports YouTube channel. Marquee games will air nationally on CBC TV. More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok, as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter.

Bandits Victorious Over BlackJacks on Record Scoring Night

By Gary Ahuja • June 14, 2026
The Vancouver Bandits led nearly from start to finish, avenging an earlier loss with a 104-95 victory over the Ottawa BlackJacks. The teams met on Saturday night on Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre, with the Bandits improving to 7-2 atop the Canadian Elite Basketball League's Western Conference. The BlackJacks fell to 4-5, dropping into a tie for third place in the Eastern Conference. “The way they beat us was pretty evident and obvious,” said Vancouver Bandits coach Kyle Julius of the earlier meeting on June 2. “So, I thought we did a great job – for the most part – correcting what hurt us, so that was nice to see.” “I think there was probably a little more urgency defensively,” he explained. The Bandits led for all but 29 seconds of the game, thanks in large part to a 30-point opening quarter. From there, however, the offence struggled to maintain the same rhythm. “Fatigue. We just didn’t have our rotation,” Julius said. “We were shorthanded, and I wasn’t really surprised with the ebb and flow and the dips we had. “Even D’Andre Davis – who is going to be a very good player for us – but if you look at his ankle, it’s still swollen, so he’s out there hobbling around.” The offence was powered by Jarkel Joiner, who had 37 points – a franchise record – seven assists and four rebounds. “The coaches had a great game plan, and we executed it,” Joiner said. “We locked in, we didn’t take the game for granted.” Joiner had a larger role in the game, especially with point guard and leading scorer Jaelen House sidelined. “Honestly, it’s hard without him. He makes the game so much easier with his quickness, how fast he is, how explosive he is, how he sees the game,” Joiner admitted. “But coach needed me to step up tonight, and (Duane Notice) helped with the point guard role, and everybody stepped up.” Miller Kopp added 15 points and eight rebounds, Mychal Mulder finished with 13 and Tyrese Samuel chipped in 10 points and eight boards. Dominic Parolin came off the bench to finish with a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds, giving Vancouver five scorers in double figures. Ottawa was led by Javonte Smart’s 29 points with Matthew Cleveland and Justin Harmon both adding 19. "They play hard. They have respect for the game and force you into a lot of contested shots, so for us, we have to continue to fight for great shots," said BlackJacks coach Justin Mazzulla. “We have to continue to play together and have our energy not be impacted by whether the ball goes in or not.”  Up next, the Bandits return to Envision Financial Court on June 15 to host the Eastern Conference-leading Scarborough Shooting Stars (7-1). Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.

Internationally Acclaimed Singer-songwriter Sukshinder Shinda to Perform at Vancouver Bandits South Asian Heritage Game

By Bandits Staff • June 11, 2026
The Vancouver Bandits professional basketball team have announced that internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and music producer Sukshinder Shinda will perform at the club’s third annual South Asian Heritage Game, presented by Westland Insurance, Envision Financial and SDC by Tut on Saturday, June 20 when the Bandits host the visiting Brampton Honey Badgers at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. Exclusive to Bandits ticket holders, fans attending the game can look forward to two performances on June 20; including a pre-game concert in the arena bowl and a half-time show during the intermission between the second and third quarters of gameplay. Tickets for Shinda’s performances, which are included with the purchase of a game ticket, start as low as $30 each; all ticket prices are inclusive of taxes and fees are on sale now at this link . Fans in attendance are strongly encouraged to arrive prior to 6:00 p.m. PT to ensure that they have time to find parking (free on-site) and locate their seats before Shinda’s performance, which will be shortly after the top of the hour before the Bandits and Honey Badgers tip-off at 6:00 p.m. The festivities celebrating basketball, community and culture begin with the free Bandits Backyard BBQ presented by Otter Co-op starting at 4:00 p.m. Taking place outside Gate 4 adjacent to Willoughby Community Park, the Backyard BBQ will feature an array of outdoor food vendors, live music, and family-friendly activities for fans of all ages to enjoy. Widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in the Punjabi music industry, Shinda has built an extraordinary legacy both as a powerful vocalist and as a pioneering music producer. His distinctive voice, innovative productions, and ability to blend traditional sounds with contemporary influences have helped shape the modern Punjabi music landscape and inspired artists around the world. Over the years, Shinda has delivered numerous hit songs and produced music for some of the biggest names in Punjabi entertainment. His groundbreaking work behind the scenes, combined with his success as a recording artist and live performer, has earned him international acclaim and a devoted fan following spanning generations. Join us for a night of unforgettable music and exciting pro basketball action as Sukshinder Shinda brings his legendary sound, celebrated catalogue, and unparalleled stage presence to the 2026 Vancouver Bandits South Asian Celebration Game Halftime Show on Saturday, June 20. Ticket to the game required; the halftime show is included as part of your Vancouver Bandits game experience.

BANDITS VICTORIOUS IN FIRST PRO BASKETBALL GAME PLAYED IN KELOWNA

By Rois Chand • June 7, 2026
A change of scenery didn’t stop the Vancouver Bandits’ wrecking crew in Kelowna on Saturday night. The Bandits cruised to a dominant 105-85 win over the Saskatoon Mamba as part of the first ever Kelowna HOOPFEST. Jarkel Joiner (23 points) and Tyrese Samuel (22 points) led the team while Miller Kopp followed with 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists. With this win, the Bandits boast a 6-2 record and are winners of five of their last six games. Kelowna native Grant Sheppard also chipped in with a CEBL career-high 10 points and three rebounds on perfect five-for-five efficiency from the floor. Shephard credited his hometown fans for a jolt of support. “I just had that extra energy and passion tonight. I want to play my best but tonight it was just for Kelowna,” said Shephard. “This whole stadium reminds me of Langley Events Centre. The atmosphere and the fans were great.” Bandits head coach Kyle Julius also applauded the atmosphere at Prospera Place as “tremendous” and said his team felt the support from the fans for all four quarters. “I knew it was going to be good, but this was better than I could’ve expected,” he said. Julius praised Shephard’s play and his ability to enter action without seeing heavy minutes. “He doesn’t complain. He comes in everyday with a smile and he’s locked and loaded and ready to go,” said Julius. The Bandits controlled the game from the opening tip, jumping out to a 23-3 lead in the first quarter. The lead would only build, extending to as many as 21 points in the opening half and eventually 29 points as the game went on. Samuel scored 13 of his 22 points by halftime. Eight Bandits were on the scoresheet, including seven points and nine rebounds from standout rookie Dominic Parolin. Everything went right for Bandits tonight as they shot 12-27 from three point land and forced the Mamba into a hole that was too deep to climb out of. “To play the way we did feels great,” said Julius. The Bandits are back in action at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre on June 13 to battle the Ottawa BlackJacks in the second game of a three game home stand.

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