CEBL ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE PROMOTIONS FOR FRASER VALLEY BANDITS
Bandits Staff • September 15, 2021
ABBOTSFORD, B.C., September 15, 2021 – The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday two executive promotions for its westernmost club, the Fraser Valley Bandits, promoting Dylan Kular from vice president to president and Andrew Savory from director of operations to vice president.
Kular and Savory joined the organization in July and October 2018, respectively, and have worked in tandem with CEBL head office to develop a community footprint in the Fraser Valley that has seen the Bandits consistently perform among the league’s best in per game attendance, open the league’s flagship CEBL Academy at the TELUS Bandits Athletic Centre in Abbotsford and earn trips to the CEBL finals and semifinals in 2020 and 2021.
“The CEBL is thrilled to announce these promotions in the Fraser Valley. Dylan has been a steadfast leader and has built a dedicated front office and roster that have proven their capabilities both on the court and in the business community. The Bandits are a committed and engaged cornerstone of the Fraser Valley and I look forward to Dylan and Andrew taking the Bandits to even greater heights ahead of what will be an exciting 2022 season,” said CEBL commissioner and CEO Mike Morreale.
The CEBL became the first Canadian professional sports league to return to play following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when it commenced and executed the CEBL Summer Series in July-August 2020. In 2021, the Bandits built upon this historic feat by becoming the first professional sports team in B.C. to welcome fans back in stands on July 14. The soldout affair set the stage for three consecutive regular season sellouts hosted at Abbotsford Centre by the Bandits, as well as a soldout quarterfinal postseason 104-84 victory against the Guelph Nighthawks on Aug. 15.
Kular was previously named vice president in September 2019. Since stepping into the role, Kular has hired current general manager, Kyle Julius, who led the Bandits to the championship game at the CEBL Summer Series in 2020. Despite falling to Edmonton in the final, the Bandits ranked among the CEBL’s leading teams in several statistical categories; including first in point differential (+7), second in points (87.7) and steals (10) per game.
"It's a privilege to lead this great organization and I'm very grateful to the CEBL for the opportunity. As we continue to build off a strong 2020 season, our priority will be to continue expanding our reach across the Fraser Valley and British Columbia,” Kular said.
“To do that alongside Andrew is an honour. Since 2018 Andrew has been an integral pillar to this team and there was not a single hesitation in putting Andrew in a leadership position. Andrew continues to demonstrate he is an up-and-coming leader in sport through projects such as #IAmValley, the TELUS Bandits Athletic Centre and leading one of the premier game day experiences in British Columbia — that being a Fraser Valley Bandits gameday.”
Following a successful 2020 campaign on the court, Kular and Savory set out to make a positive impact in the community by renovating a 16,000 unit at West Oaks Mall in Abbotsford. The TELUS Bandits Athletic Centre opened in January 2021 and is a home for kids, adults and sports organizations to utilize a multi-sport facility with five distinct sport zones, including basketball, baseball and softball, volleyball and weightlifting. Today, the facility is currently home to more than 30 rental groups from across the Fraser Valley who use the venue on a daily and weekly basis.
Two months later, the Bandits aligned with the regional health authority, Fraser Health, in the fight against COVID-19. In a March 24 news release from the provincial government, the Bandits among other organizations from the tourism and hospitality sectors were announced as partners in the province’s immunization efforts. Since late March and throughout the CEBL season, the Bandits have worked in concert with Fraser Health to support the day-to-day non-clinical logistics at its COVID-19 vaccination sites in Abbotsford and Chilliwack.
With a firm dedication to growing its community in 2021, the Bandits set an exciting tone for an electric 2021 CEBL regular season. Fraser Valley ultimately fell 84-82 in a climactic semifinal against Niagara at Championship Weekend in Edmonton, but the club performed strongly across several statistical categories during the regular season. Notable team statistics include first in blocks per game (3.9) total rebounds per game (43.8), second in points per game (85.9), total point differential (+14) and offensive rebounds per game (13.9), as well as third in points against per game (84.9).
The CEBL’s executive promotions in Fraser Valley are effective immediately as the club looks to build upon the promising precedent built in 2021 ahead of the upcoming 2022 regular season.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Andrew Savory, Vice President, (604) 217-6213, asavory@thebandits.ca
About the Fraser Valley Bandits:
The Fraser Valley Bandits are British Columbia’s professional basketball team. As the westernmost club in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Bandits offer a riveting entertainment experience that combines a fast-paced game day atmosphere with a presentation of some of Canada’s top professional athletes within a world-class venue. Head to thebandits.ca for more information.
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The following is a letter to Vancouver Bandits fans from Dylan Kular, Bandits team president: As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to thank the entire Bandits Basketball community for another unforgettable season. In 2025, you once again proved why this organization is built on more than basketball. It’s built on people, connection, and belief. From the energy inside Langley Events Centre to the impact we continue to make in schools, gyms, and neighbourhoods across British Columbia, this year reinforced what makes the Bandits special. Together, we’ve continued to grow the game, strengthen our community roots, and push forward with purpose both on and off the court. Your passion, loyalty, and support fuel everything we do. It’s felt by our players, our staff, our partners, and every young person who connects with the game through the Bandits. We don’t take that responsibility lightly. As we turn the page to 2026, we do so with momentum, ambition, and a deep sense of gratitude. Thank you for believing in this journey and for standing with us every step of the way. From all of us at Vancouver Bandits Basketball, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season, and a healthy, successful New Year. Thank you for being the heartbeat of our organization. Together, we move forward. With gratitude, Dylan Kular Team President, Vancouver Bandits
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.
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