Bandits, Stingers Face-Off in All-West CEBL Championship Final
August 9, 2020
The top two seeded teams heading into the CEBL Summer Series playoffs have reached the championship game and will now do battle to claim Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) supremacy. The Edmonton Stingers and Fraser Valley Bandits will relive their Summer Series opening game on Sunday with the stakes raised to the ultimate degree.
The Stingers, who boast the most productive offence in the league at 89.5 points a game and are riding a six-game win streak, defeated the Ottawa BlackJacks, 88-75, Saturday afternoon to advance to their first CEBL Championship. The Bandits took down the Hamilton Honey Badgers on Saturday by a score of 76-75 off an Olu Ashaolu bucket in Elam Ending time.
The Stingers enter Sunday’s game with only one loss in the Summer Series – an opening night defeat at the hands of the Fraser Valley Bandits. The Bandits cruised to a 113-110 victory on July 26. With their past history, the Bandits know they are capable of toppling the CEBL’s top team. However, the Stingers will come out hungry looking to rectify that opening night defeat.
Sunday’s CEBL Summer Series championship final between Edmonton and Fraser Valley tips-off at 12 p.m. ET (10 a.m. MT, 9 a.m. PT) and will be nationally televised by CBC and live-streamed on Twitch, CBCSports.ca and the CBC Gem App.
Playoff Jitters
This is the first Championship berth for both the Edmonton Stingers and the Fraser Valley Bandits. The Stingers nearly made it to the finals last year, dropping an 85-83 heartbreaker to the eventual champions, the Saskatchewan Rattlers, in the semifinals at Championship Weekend. Fast forward nearly a full calendar year and the hottest team to end the regular season is looking as polished as ever at the Summer Series. With a returning cast of stars that includes Xavier Moon, Jordan Baker and Travis Daniels, the continued development of Mathieu Kamba and Brody Clarke, as well as welcome additions like Mambi Diawara, the Stingers are a formidable group.
Factor in the fact that head coach and general manager Jermaine Small has led Edmonton to a 16-4 record during his tenure as head coach, and the Stingers have the look of a team that is ready for its moment on the big stage.
The Fraser Valley Bandits are the Cinderella story of the Summer Series. After finishing last in the standings a year ago, the Bandits have flipped the script. Given this is Fraser Valley’s first time in the CEBL postseason, the Bandits will look to lean on team veterans such as Junior Cadougan, Kyle Johnson, Jahenns Manigat and Olu Ashaolu to lead the team to the promised land.
Battle in the Paint
The Bandits are the lone team to defeat the Edmonton Stingers during the round robin, but the Stingers improved with each and every game they played. Although the Bandits own the modest head-to-head advantage, the Stingers are an imposing team when it comes to owning the glass and protecting the paint. Big man Daniels leads all players with 1.6 blocks per game, while Baker leads the league with 9.9 rebounds per game.
With Fraser Valley adopting a small-ball approach to rebounding, the Bandits’ guard corps will face the physically taxing task of keeping Edmonton off the boards, and equally, of avoiding an elite shot blocker like Daniels when coming into the paint.
All Eyes on the West
Today’s championship final will feature the two furthest west teams in the CEBL.
More than 130 million new viewers will be able to watch the CEBL championship game thanks to distribution agreements secured by MEDIAPRO Canada, the international media rights and production partner of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. The finals will be available to viewers in Australia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan.
The finals will be televised across Canada by CBC, as well as live-streamed on CBC Gem, cbcsports.ca, and on Twitch.tv (CEBLeague). Fans can catch Sunday’s CEBL Championship game on CBC and all of those online platforms starting at 12 noon ET (10 a.m. MT, 9 a.m. PT).
Fox Sports, the top sports broadcaster in Australia with more than two million subscribers, Astro SuperSport, Malaysia’s dominant pay-TV sports broadcaster, and Singapore’s Singtel mioSports channels will be airing the games throughout Asia-Pacific territories.
In the Philippines where there are 75 million smartphones in use, the free TapGo app will deliver the games to a country that is renowned for its passion for basketball and is the third biggest market for the NBA behind the United States and China. In Taiwan, Sportcast, operated by CSTV Group, will telecast the three games.
MEDIAPRO Canada previously facilitated the live streaming of all 26 CEBL Summer Series games on Twitch.tv, the world’s leading live, interactive streaming service for gaming, sports, entertainment, and music with 17.5 million users. Games are available on the twitch.tv/cebleague channel. Twitch recently launched a standalone sports category, featuring other top professional basketball leagues, including the NBA G League, Australia’s National Basketball League, and Brazil’s Novo Basquete.
LATEST NEWS
Vancouver Bandits guard Kyle Mangas has signed a two-way contract to join the San Antonio Spurs. The news was announced Saturday by the NBA G League on social media. Mangas was a key member of the Bandits’ best season in franchise history as the club amassed a 19-5 record. During the 2025 summer campaign, Mangas finished top five in points (15.3), rebounds (4.6), assists (3.3) and steals (1.3). His stellar performance earned him a call up to the San Antonio Spurs’ NBA Summer League squad in July 2025. At the conclusion of the 2025 CEBL season, Mangas suited up for San Antonio’s NBA G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs, dressing in 10 games. Mangas becomes the third player to sign an NBA two-way contract after playing for the Bandits; the most from any Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) franchise (2023: DJ Steward - Chicago Bulls, 2024: Tazé Moore - Portland Trail Blazers). Mangas is one of two Bandits players to have signed with an NBA organization in 2025-26. Tyrese Samuel signed an Exhibit 10 contract in September 2025 and is working his way towards a two-way contract. More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter . Fans interested in learning more are kindly invited to subscribe to Bandits Insider for updates or contact the Bandits at 604-455-8881 or tickets@thebandits.ca.
The Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have teamed up with Envision Financial , a division of First West Credit Union, in a groundbreaking partnership that redefines the fan experience and deepens community connections. Under this multi-faceted agreement, the Bandits’ home court at Langley Events Centre will officially be known as “Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre.” This move marks a significant milestone in the Bandits’ growth and underscores Envision Financial’s deep commitment to the communities of British Columbia. The relationship extends well beyond venue naming, aligning both organizations around culture, youth development, and community engagement. “This partnership with Envision Financial represents an investment in the long-term growth of basketball in British Columbia,” said Dylan Kular, President of the Vancouver Bandits. “Their values align deeply with our commitment to community, accessibility, and creating meaningful experiences for families across British Columbia.” Beyond the naming rights, the partnership delivers impact: Heritage Series: Co-presented by Envision Financial, these marquee game nights will honour Indigenous, South Asian and Filipino communities, creating vibrant cultural celebrations for fans. School Tour: Envision Financial joins the Bandits Community Foundation to expand youth leadership and basketball education. Last season, the program visited 77 schools and hosted 12 free coaches’ clinics. “Partnering with the Vancouver Bandits is about creating something meaningful together, " says Tamara Hendsbee, President at Envision Financial. “By bringing culture and sport to the forefront, we can help communities flourish and open doors for youth to learn and grow. Naming the court is just the beginning; through the Heritage Series and School Tour, we’re proud to work alongside the Bandits to deliver experiences that unite fans and build stronger communities across British Columbia.”  This upcoming season the Bandits will carry forward this strategic collaboration with Envision Financial as a cornerstone of their game-day identity, cultural engagement and community legacy.
Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular has been named a recipient of a 2025 B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Annual Award, announced by the Government of B.C. on Tuesday. The annual awards celebrate people and organizations that demonstrate leadership in promoting multiculturalism, anti-racism and intercultural understanding. Nearly 50 people and organizations were nominated for 2025 awards, recognizing contributions to building inclusive communities. In addition to Kular, three people and one organization are also receiving the B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards for their exceptional efforts to fight racism and promote inclusion in British Columbia. “These award recipients exemplify the values of inclusion and respect that strengthen our province,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. “Their leadership and creativity are inspiring. I am proud to honour their exceptional efforts to break down barriers, foster inclusion and build stronger, more equitable communities across British Columbia.” Kular was named a recipient of the “Breaking Barriers” award, which recognizes individuals and organizations for their work in tackling systemic or institutional racism and reducing barriers for marginalized communities. “It is an honour to receive this recognition from the Government of B.C . This award truly reflects the collective efforts of our entire organization,” said Kular. “Our team ownership group provides the leadership that empowers our organization to build and foster meaningful change. The Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation are committed to continue breaking barriers and connecting communities across B.C. through the sport of basketball.” Under Kular’s leadership in 2025, which saw him earn CEBL Executive of the Year honours for a league-record third time, the Vancouver Bandits led efforts in building inclusive communities through sports and partnerships with Indigenous organizations and diverse populations across the province. Through partnerships and initiatives through the Bandits Community Foundation , such as the Indigenous Basketball Collective , in collaboration with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I-SPARC) and the Junior All Native Tournament (JANT). Kular and the Bandits worked to address systemic barriers and foster meaningful engagement, particularly for individuals with intersecting identities and those in remote areas. “Advancing anti-racism and intercultural trust requires courage, collaboration and commitment,” said Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives. “These honourees demonstrate all three values through their actions every day. Their efforts to break down barriers and amplify marginalized voices are making a real difference in schools, workplaces and communities across B.C. I am deeply grateful for their leadership and inspired by the positive change they continue to drive.” The B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards are part of the government’s broader efforts to counter hate and racism by celebrating and empowering local, community-based advocates. Since launching in 2008, more than 60 individuals and organizations have been honoured. Other initiatives include: an anti-hate community support fund that supports marginalized and at-risk groups with funding for security equipment, graffiti removal and repairs to damaged property the Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network that connects communities with the information, supports and training they need to respond to and prevent future incidents of racism and hate the B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grants, which provide funding to support projects that tackle racial inequity and foster intercultural understanding throughout the province the Racist Incident Helpline, which partners with local organizations to connect people who have experienced racism with resources to help them heal
The Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation announced the launch of its School Tour program for the 2025-26 school year. The program will see Vancouver Bandits’ Head Coach & General Manager, Kyle Julius, visit secondary schools across British Columbia to host basketball skill and training sessions with student-athletes and their teams. Entering its third year, this free-of-charge initiative is part of the Bandits’ ongoing commitment to fostering youth basketball and building community connections throughout the province. The tour will run from November to February and will make weekly stops in different cities. Starting this week, communities that will be visited within the first two weeks of the program include schools in Abbotsford, Mission, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. The full schedule will be announced soon as additional communities are confirmed. Julius, a passionate advocate for youth sports development and mentorship, will be working directly with student-athletes and volunteer coaches at each school visited to offer insights into the game while emphasizing key life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and discipline. Throughout the tour, Julius will provide each secondary school’s basketball program with dedicated and tailored practices along with motivational talks and training materials. Each visit aims to elevate the game of basketball in BC high schools and offer a unique opportunity for students and coaches to learn from BC’s only professional basketball coach. The School Tour program is proudly supported by Preston Chevrolet and NOVO Dental Centre, community-minded sponsors who believe in the value of sports as a catalyst for positive change. During the previous 2024-25 school year, the Vancouver Bandits School Tour and Julius visited with 77 high school teams across British Columbia from November 2024 to February 2025.
LATEST VIDEO
A message from Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius on the 2025 season and thoughts on the CEBL Western Conference Semifinal.
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on August 16th, 2025.
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on August 3rd, 2025.
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on July 25, 2025.