Edge-of-your-seat Excitement Expected When Fraser Valley, Hamilton Clash in Semifinals of CEBL Summer Series
Ottawa BlackJacks • August 8, 2020
Before the CEBL Summer Series began, league prognosticators were looking at Fraser Valley and wondering how much better they might be than the Bandits team from a year ago that finished 4-16 and last in the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s inaugural campaign. New head coach and general manager Kyle Julius brought an impressive international coaching resume and a roster of players familiar to him to Abbotsford to relaunch a franchise that dropped the first nine games in its history.
Midway through the Bandits opening game of the Summer Series, those questions were answered. Fraser Valley would be a team that would get after its opponent from the opening tip through the final buzzer. They opened eyes around the league by taking a 59-42 lead into halftime of their opening game against an Edmonton team that would lose that night but then roll off five straight wins over every other club in the league en route to securing the top seed in the playoff rounds. The Stingers were a popular pick to win the CEBL Summer Series before it began, but it was Fraser Valley that turned heads on opening weekend.
Julius made it a point to explain how his Bandits are everything today’s opponent, the Hamilton Honey Badgers, are not, posting a team video rightly touting that his club lacked the NBA G League and Canadian National team flavour of some other clubs. The Honey Badgers weren’t named, but they didn’t need to be. Their roster is filled with well-known players, while the Bandits roster is filled with players who have only become better known to observers who have watched the Summer Series since it began July 25.
Hamilton lost three probable starters, all with NBA G League pedigree, for different reasons the week before the Summer Series began - and then lost spiritual leader Duane Notice, also from the G League and national team program, to a torn Achilles during the Series. Head Coach Ryan Schmidt has had to reshape his roster multiple times in the past month, especially in the past 10 days, as players have been lost along the way. Yet the Honey Badgers still lead several CEBL statistical categories and have shown they can play with anybody on any given night.
Today’s matchup presents two teams similar in that they rely heavily on ball pressure and scoring in transition. While it may look like controlled chaos to the casual fan, generating scoring from defense and ball movement is key to both clubs. Fraser Valley rolls four guards much of the time, led by sharp-shooting veterans Marek Klassen and Junior Cadougan. Youngster Malcolm Duvivier and vocal team leader Jahenns Manigat push the ball, get to the basket, and wreak havoc on defense. In the black pinstripes, Brianté Weber has shown to be the best defensive player in the Summer Series and why he’s had stints in the NBA with Miami, Houston, Golden State, Charlotte, and Memphis. He’s averaging a league-best 2.43 steals a game, but more than that, he’s a presence on all 94 feet of hardwood any time he’s in the game.
Hamilton has shown the most balanced lineup in the Summer Series with eight players averaging 19 or more minutes of playing time through seven games. Weber’s 25.4 average leads the way. Only Weber (12.9) and Jean-Victor Mukama (12.7) are averaging double-digit scoring on the Hamilton roster for today’s game. Hamilton’s 44.1 to 41.7 rebounding advantage enables the team to get out and run as it likes to do.
Look for Hamilton to exploit its size advantage in the frontcourt and force Fraser Valley to beat them with outside shooting. The Bandits are averaging 22.0 points off opponents’ turnovers, so will be working to force Hamilton, already generous with league-high 19.4 giveaways per game, into sloppy play and careless mistakes.
Number three seed Hamilton topped second-seed Fraser Valley, 102-96, in their August 1 meeting. But since then both clubs have lost key producers—Cameron Forte who was the Bandits most productive offensive threat in the frontcourt, and Caleb Agada for Hamilton who scored 16 points in 19 minutes despite not having had a minute of practice time with the Honey Badgers prior to being added to the active roster 90 minutes before tipoff.
Expect an entertaining high-octane game fueled by ball pressure and grit this afternoon. The winner draws either top-seed Edmonton or the expansion Ottawa BlackJacks in the CEBL Championship game at 12 noon Sunday. Knowing these two clubs, the loser starts work Monday preparing for the 2021 CEBL season.
Quarterfinal Recap
After defeating Guelph, 84-70, on Wednesday to earn the number-two seed and a bye into the semifinals, Fraser Valley had the advantage of watching Thursday as Hamilton and Ottawa each played quarterfinal games. The BlackJacks grounded the Guelph Nighthawks, 83-75, to advance to the semifinals to face top-seed Edmonton at 3:50 p.m. ET today.
The Honey Badgers knocked out Niagara for the second year in a row to open the playoffs, 85-83, in a game that looked out of reach for the River Lions before they waged a furious comeback and took the Elam Ending the distance. With the target score of 84 posted, Weber rolled home a tough layup in traffic to deliver the victory. Hamilton had led 75-69 heading into the Elam Ending. Mukama scored a game-high 23 points and pulled down eight rebounds to pace the Honey Badgers.
First Meeting
Playing for the first time without guard Duane Notice, who appeared to be on his way to contending for tournament MVP honours, the Hamilton Honey Badgers welcomed Caleb Agada to the team 90 minutes before tip-off and needed all of his 16 points, plus the team-high 18 from Manny Diressa to seal a 102-96 victory. Fraser Valley got off to a slow start in this one, something that was a pattern for the team throughout the six-game regular season portion of the competition and had to play catch up most of the contest. Hamilton led 76-59 midway through the third quarter and resisted short rallies from Fraser Valley down the stretch. The Bandits posted an 18-10 scoring edge during the Elam Ending to narrow the final margin.
Hamilton shot .507 from the floor in this contest, and had six players score in double figures led by Diressa’s 18. The Honey Badgers dominated the boards by a 46-39 advantage, with the Bandits total including a game-high 10 retrieves from the now-departed Cameron Forte. Fraser Valley scored 26 points off 20 Hamilton turnovers, a key area the Bandits will need to exploit again today.
| PPG | FG-FGA | FG% | FT-FTA | FT% | O-D-REB | AST | TO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | 86.6 | 211-486 | .434 | 116-161 | .721 | 92-217-309 | 131 | 134 |
| HBB Opp. | 84.7 | 210-496 | .423 | 112-151 | .742 | 90-202-292 | 132 | 122 |
| Fraser Valley | 87.7 | 185-423 | .437 | 100-131 | .763 | 73-182-255 | 113 | 94 |
| FV Opp. | 80.7 | 170-416 | .409 | 90-124 | .726 | 78-178-256 | 92 | 112 |
CEBL On the World Stage
More than 130 million new viewers will be able to watch this weekend’s semifinals and championship game of the CEBL Summer Seriesthanks to distribution agreements secured by MEDIAPRO Canada, the international media rights and production partner of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. The three games are now available to viewers in Australia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan.
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 are airing the games throughout Asia-Pacific territories.
In the Philippines, where there are 75 million smartphones in use, the free TapGo app is delivering 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 Seriesgames 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.
Next Up
The winner of this matchup meets the winner of today’s second game between top-seed Edmonton and four-seed Ottawa in the CEBL Championship game Sunday at 12 noon. Defending champion Saskatchewan failed to qualify for the playoff portion of the Summer Series after posting a 1-5 record during the round robin portion of the competition, so a new league champion will be crowned.
LATEST NEWS
This weekend, youth across Haida Gwaii will have the opportunity to learn and sharpen their basketball skills from British Columbia’s professional basketball team. Through the generous support of the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC) and Langara Island Lodge, the Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation will be hosting free-of-charge youth basketball camps across Haida Gwaii, marking the organization’s first community visit to the North Coast region. “Haida Gwaii means a great deal to us, and we know how much basketball means to these communities. The game gives young people a place to grow, brings families together, and creates opportunities for teams to proudly represent where they come from,” said Yos Gladstone, Sales Coordinator, Langara Island Lodge. “The young players, coaches, families, and teams here deserve every opportunity we can help bring their way. We are grateful to the Vancouver Bandits, I∙SPARC and the Bandits Community Foundation for their commitment to make this program happen, and especially to those in Haida Gwaii who give so much of their time, energy, and efforts to basketball year-round.” “For us, supporting this program is personal. We care about the communities and the people who make them so special. If this visit from the Vancouver Bandits gives local players more time on the court, encouragement to keep going, and a chance to connect through the game, that is something we are proud to be part of.” The camps are hosted in collaboration with I∙SPARC, Bandits Community Foundation, Haida Gwaii Recreation and School District 50 Haida Gwaii. Across three days, over 200 youth athletes aged 10 to 17 and their families will gather in gymnasiums across Haida Gwaii for camps and workshops led by Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation staff members. Youth participants will also receive complimentary Vancouver Bandits merchandise. "Haida Gwaii holds a legendary place in this province and Indigenous basketball culture and being on the ground in Masset and Skidegate truly showcases how powerful this sport is," said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. "The competitive drive and skill level of these youth are incredible, but what is even more inspiring is how basketball acts as a heartbeat for the entire region. Seeing the immediate connection between the youth, the coaching staff, and the local fans highlights exactly why we wanted to bring the Bandits to Haida Gwaii.” “We want to extend our deepest thanks to the Haida Nation and our partners at I∙SPARC and Langara Island Lodge for hosting us and sharing their incredible hospitality. This visit marks an exciting milestone for our organization, and we look forward to building on this relationship for years to come." The camp schedule for this weekend is as follows: Friday, October 2 Kwiiyaans Community Hall, Old Massett 12:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Daaxiigan Sk’adáa Née School, Masset 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, October 3 George Brown Recreation Centre, Skidegate 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, October 4 George Brown Recreation Centre, Skidegate 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The forthcoming camps are part of the Indigenous Basketball Collective, representing the ongoing collaboration between I∙SPARC and the Vancouver Bandits, and build upon recent previous community visits to Williams Lake and Bella Coola earlier this year. 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.
The Vancouver Bandits, BC’s professional basketball team, and the Bandits Community Foundation partnered with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC) and Nuxalk First Nation to host a series of youth basketball clinics throughout the Bella Coola Valley earlier this month, marking the club’s first visit to the region. Led by Bandits Team President Dylan Kular and Community Manager Pavan Kalair, nearly 200 local youth athletes participated in free-of-charge workshops and basketball camps, furthering the Bandits Community Foundation’s goal of bringing more basketball to more people across the province. Beginning with a welcome ceremony from Nuxalk Nation community leaders and drummers, Bandits staff led PHE classes at Acwsalcta School, hosted skill development clinics at Sir Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School (SAMSS), and assisted community coaches with tryouts for Nuxalk Nation’s U13 and U17 teams participating at the 2027 Junior All Native Basketball Tournament, taking place in March. "Bella Coola has one of the richest basketball traditions anywhere in this province, and you feel it the moment you walk into their gyms. The passion that Nuxalk Nation has for this game runs deep, and it gets passed down from generation to generation," said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. "What stood out to us all week was how basketball brings this community together. Elders, parents, coaches and kids were all in the same room, and that is what the game is supposed to look like. We are grateful to Nuxalk Nation for welcoming us, and to I∙SPARC for helping us get here. This is the first time we have made the trip to the Valley, but it certainly will not be the last." “It was a pleasure to host the Bandits in Bella Coola; we are super grateful for the Bandits and I∙SPARC for their partnership and making the trip to experience the passion and love that Nuxalk Nation has for basketball,” said Nuxalk Nation youth coordinator Cole Sankey. “As a coach, it was a great opportunity to bring high-level basketball minds to our community and show our youth a little bit of what professional players go through. Dylan and Pavan brought great energy to our workshops at Acwsalcta, SAMSS and Nuxalk Hall, and they emphasized in each session that the best players master the basic details every day. Stutwiniititsxw Vancouver Bandits and I∙SPARC!” The camps were 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.
Former Vancouver Bandits guard Jarkel Joiner has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Utah Jazz. The news was announced by the Jazz via press release on Friday . During his time with the Bandits in the 2026 season, House made 10 appearances, including 9 starts, averaging 24.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game and earned CEBL Western Conference Player of the Month honours for May 2026. On June 18, 2026 at Winnipeg, he set the Bandits' single-game franchise scoring record with 42 points. 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.
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.
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