Bandits Re-sign Veteran Power Forward, Surrey BC Product James Karnik
Bandits Staff • July 17, 2026
The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that the club has re-signed homegrown talent James Karnik for the remainder of the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.
A 6-foot-9 forward from Surrey, B.C., Karnik is set to compete in his fourth CEBL campaign. He has appeared in 29 games for the club dating back to the 2022 season, averaging 10.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.
During the 2025-26 season, Karnik suited up for three different teams: Neptunas Klaipeda in Lithuania, Basquet Girona in Spain, and IHC Apes in Mongolia, where he helped the latter to a domestic championship. His international career also featured previous playing stints in Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Karnik represents the Czech Republic in international FIBA play by way of naturalized citizenship. His most recent call up to the national team was for the 2027 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers, which were held earlier this month.
Prior to turning professional, Karnik played five years of NCAA DI basketball between Lehigh University (2017-20) and Boston College (2020-22), while he played high school basketball at Earl Marriott Secondary in Surrey and BC Christian Academy in Port Coquitlam before transferring to Orangeville Prep in Mono, Ont..
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The Vancouver Bandits are set to wear specialty jerseys, designed in collaboration with Realtree, for its second-annual Country Night game tomorrow (Friday, July 17) when country music, fashion and culture take centre stage at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. A nod to the rich agricultural, western and outdoor lifestyles of the Fraser Valley and beyond, the first-of-its-kind jersey incorporates Realtree’s iconic camouflage design, featuring photorealistic tree bark, leaf, and branch patterns, into various uniform elements including the side panelling, player numbers, and within a unique cursive team wordmark on the front. With only three home games remaining in the regular season, the Bandits currently sit second in the CEBL’s Western Conference and are gearing up for a crucial push to clinch home court advantage for the 2026 CEBL Playoffs . Tip-off for the Bandits’ second-annual Country Night this Friday against the visiting Montreal Alliance is set for 7:00 p.m. PT. Alongside exciting basketball action, fans can enjoy a halftime musical performance by Langley-based country recording artist and BC Country Music Association (BCCMA) award winner Shawn Daniels. Boasting over 12,000 monthly Spotify listeners, his latest release “Good Time Drinking Song” has amassed over 100,000 streams and counting. Additionally, the Canadian national anthem will be sung by Canadian Country Music Award (CCMA) nominee Jojo Mason. Known as the “Horse Capital of Canada,” the Township of Langley, home of the Bandits, serves as a major hub for country life and agricultural commerce in the region. Nearly half of all farms in Metro Vancouver are located in the Township (1,103 farms total), while total farm capital accounts for $2.9 billion, totalling greater than any other municipality in Metro Vancouver. Furthermore, the Township accounts for approximately seven per cent of the province’s total horse and pony population, according to a recent Census of Agriculture. The Vancouver Bandits provide an affordable and unique entertainment option for fans of all ages in the Metro Vancouver area. One of 10 teams in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Bandits deliver a thrilling entertainment experience, combining the excitement of fast-paced basketball with the chance to see some of Canada's top professional athletes. Tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ Country Night start as low as $20 per person, with special discounts and experiences available for groups of 10 or more. Bandits Single Game Tickets and additional 2026 ticket options can be purchased here .
The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that the club has signed NBA-experienced forward and former European and NBA Summer League champion Jarell Eddie for the remainder of the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. A 6-foot-7 forward hailing from Tampa, Fla., Eddie played parts of four NBA seasons for the Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics, totalling 34 games between 2015 to 2018. He made his NBA debut on October 6, 2014 as a member of the Atlanta Hawks’ preseason roster. In his rookie season in 2015-16, Eddie won an NBA Summer League championship with the San Antonio Spurs under Basketball Hall of Fame coach Becky Hammon. Later that regular season, he earned a roster spot with the Washington Wizards and suited up in 26 games alongside the likes of NBA All-Stars John Wall and Bradley Beal. A veteran of 12 professional seasons, Eddie has built a decorated basketball career overseas. In 2019, he helped lead French club SIG Strasbourg to a LNB Pro A Leaders Cup championship while, in 2023-24, he captured both a Romanian League and Romanian Cup championship with U-BT Cluj-Napoca, the latter competition being named MVP. Most recently during the 2025-26 season, Eddie played for Pioneros Del Avila in Venezuela where he averaged 14.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 14 games played. His career includes previous stops in Spain, Turkiye, Greece, Puerto Rico and Saudi Arabia. Internationally, Eddie represented the United States at the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup where he helped lead his country to a bronze medal finish. Eddie played four seasons of university basketball at Virginia Tech University from 2010 to 2014 where he scored over 1,000 career points for the Hokies and was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference’s All-Academic team in his junior and senior seasons.
The Vancouver Bandits have announced the following roster update: Zach Copeland has been placed on the Bandits' Reserve Roster due to challenges surrounding his international clearance from FIBA. It is unlikely he will be able to play for the Bandits this 2026 CEBL season.
Mychal Mulder caught fire on Saturday night in Edmonton, drilling six three pointers to lead the Vancouver Bandits to victory. The Bandits defeated the Edmonton Stingers 112-98 in the final game of a three-game road trip. “We knew what had to be done,” said Bandits head coach Ransford Brempong. “Winning isn’t easy. We had to run, play defence and be tough. [Our] will was ready to do that.” Mulder only played a combined six minutes over the last two games but put up a season-high 25 points and went six-for-nine from downtown in just 16 minutes of play. “Part of being a pro is staying ready. Whenever your number is called you’ve got to be ready to answer the call,” said Mulder. Vancouver entered action looking to win the road trip, defeating Saskatoon on Tuesday while losing to Calgary on Thursday. The Bandits controlled just about every aspect of tonight’s game, including a dominating 52 bench points, led by Mulder. Brempong spoke earlier about wanting an identity of playing fast as the Bandits won the fastbreak points battle 30-21. The Bandits outscored the Stingers in every quarter and jumped out to a lead as large as 31 points. Brempong said tonight’s performance was evidence of the Bandits’ “next man up” mentality. “We’re always going to be encouraging our guys even when they’re struggling to keep with the process,” he said. Mulder wasn’t the only Bandit to put up a season-high in points tonight. Shamar Givance scored 20 points along with six assists. He is averaging 6.6 points and 2.8 assists this season. Givance knocked down two clutch free throws in target time to secure the win. “It was a great team win. It was really a credit to everyone,” said Mulder. Five players had 10+ points tonight, including 20 points from Tevin Brown, the fourth time he’s hit that mark this season. Tyrese Samuel finished with 17 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. Jarkel Joiner followed with 13 points and six assists. “It’s good to end with a win. We’re bringing some momentum back home and we’ve got a lot of big games coming up,” said Mulder. The Bandits will travel back home to take on the Montreal Alliance on Friday at Envision Financial Court Langley Events Centre at 7 p.m for Country Night. Tickets can be purchased at thebandits.ca .
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