UNDEFEATED BANDITS AND HONEY BADGERS SQUARE OFF IN HAMILTON

CEBL Staff • May 27, 2022

Friday May 27 provides an opportunity for two undefeated teams in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) – the Hamilton Honey Badgers and Fraser Valley Bandits – to continue their undefeated season. 


The Bandits travel to Hamilton to take on the Honey Badgers at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT). Both teams won their first games of the season on May 25. Hamilton led the newcomers Montréal Alliance for most of the game before pulling away for the 80-72 win in the Elam Ending. Fraser Valley mounted a comeback on the road against the Ottawa BlackJacks after trailing for most of the game. They pulled out a tight 90-87 win. 


Two players to watch out for also happened to score the winning baskets on Wednesday. Burlington native Caleb Agada scored a game-high 17 points in a variety of ways – inside, from deep, attacking the paint and getting to the foul line. He finished off the win over the Alliance with a free throw. 


After the game, Hamilton head coach Ryan Schmidt also lauded his leadership, which will be something to watch for against Fraser Valley. The former University of Ottawa guard carries with him previous CEBL experience as well as experience with Melbourne United in Australia and Olympic experience with the Nigerian national team. 


The Bandits were led by a former U SPORTS guard as well in former Windsor Lancer Alex Campbell. Like Agada, Campbell led the way for his team offensively with a team-high 23 points and nine rebounds in addition to two steals and one block. Campbell was accurate from beyond the arc, shooting four for seven. His last three turned out to be the game-winner. 


Heading into Friday’s game, look for Agada and Campbell to continue to be the focal points for their teams’ attack. 


Another thing both teams have in common is strong three-point shooting in their first game. Hamilton shot 11 for 26 (42.3 per cent) while Fraser Valley shot 11 for 27 (40.7 per cent). Both sides have numerous players who can light it up from deep – aside from Agada and Campbell. 


Former Honey Badger Murphy Burnatowski shot five for eight from deep against Ottawa in addition to being a presence in the paint as well on both ends of the floor. He played with current Fraser Valley teammates Campbell and Malcolm Duvivier (who didn’t play in the season opener) on the Edmonton Stingers in the Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLA) tournament this past season. 


First-year Honey Badger guard Christian Vital showed his prowess from three as well, hitting five of nine three-pointers attempted. Several of those came late in the game as well, proving crucial to helping his team secure the victory. The guard brings G League experience with him, having played for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in 2021-22. 


While Campbell and Agada are the leading scorers so far, their supporting cast will also play a key role in deciding the outcome. The Bandits also feature two-time former U SPORTS Player of the Year Kadre Gray and Burnatowski, who scored 17 points a piece on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Honey Badgers also showed off their balanced attack with Vital (15 points) and Jeremiah Tilmon Jr. (15) and Koby McEwen (12). 


What’s notable is that many of the newcomers to the club have made an immediate impact. Friday night also presents a chance for one newcomer, former Honey Badger forward Thomas Kennedy, to return to Hamilton. The Windsor Lancer forward averaged 5.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in 14 games with the Honey Badgers in 2021 and had four points and five rebounds in his Fraser Valley debut. 


Regardless of the result, one team will leave the game on Friday with their undefeated streak still intact while the other team will have its first defeat of the season.

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.

The Bandits will debut at Langley Events Centre (LEC) for their home opener against the Saskatchewan Rattlers on Saturday, June 4.


Full and partial season ticket packages, as well as group and single game tickets are available for purchase at thebandits.ca/tickets. Fans are kindly asked to call (604) 866-0529 or email tickets@thebandits.ca for any questions or ticket related inquiries.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & 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.