Fraser Valley Bandits 2022 Free Agency Update

Tejpaul Garcha • April 11, 2022

The Fraser Valley Bandits lace up for their inaugural season at Langley Events Centre on May 25th.


A new venue brings excitement for fans new and old as the club’s fanbase from across the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland regions eagerly awaits a new entertainment product and revamped game presentation. 


The Bandits have welcomed new additions to the squad. Head coach Mike Taylor is one of them. Taylor is a decorated coach coming off a historic run with the Polish men’s basketball team that saw Poland rise from 42 to 13 in the world rankings during his tenure, which lasted from 2014 to 2021. Taylor is excited to coach the Bandits and help the team win. 


“As a new coach coming in, I want to beat everybody. You know, the end goal is a championship and whoever is competing for that championship, those are the people you want to compete with,” Taylor said.


The 20 game Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season will feature key matchups against rivals, as well as one game at home and on the road against each of the CEBL’s expansion franchises.

 

The Montréal Alliance, Newfoundland Growlers, and the Scarborough Shooting Stars are the latest additions to the CEBL fold. The Shooting Stars are the first expansion team to challenge the Bandits when they visit the LEC on June 18th. 


An issue last season for the Bandits was road trips. The Bandits finished 2-5 on the road last season. With three new teams scattered further east in Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland, CEBL road trips will be more difficult this season. Taylor has determined areas of address that he believes will help the team remedy its woes on the road.


For Taylor, it begins on the defensive end.


“You've got to have an improved defensive mentality,” Taylor said. “If you want to be a championship calibre team, defence travels well, so you got to make the commitment to defend. That's number one.”


The former bench boss for the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League is looking to maximize the team's potential this season. After a Fraser Valley championship berth in 2020 and a trip to the semifinals in 2021, he knows that the Bandits' fanbase is hungry for a big season.

Free Agency in Full Swing


All signs point towards an exciting 2022 campaign for the Bandits thanks to the arrival of some key returning players in Alex Campbell and Malcolm Duvivier, as well as the recently announced signing of a left-handed sharpshooter, Murphy Burnatowski. 


The 6-foot-8 forward had an impressive showing in Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLA). Burnatowski started four out of six games and averaged 10.3 points per game and shot 38.7 percent 45% from beyond the arc throughout six games played in Nicaragua and Canada.


Taylor has high praise for Burnatowski.


"He makes his teammates better out there on the court. You talk about a guy that can impact the game from the front court – I think Murphy is that,” Taylor said.


Burnatowksi previously suited up for the Hamilton Honey Badgers in 2019, helping the club advance to the CEBL finals.

Key Matchups in Ontario 


Here are storylines to look forward to before the Bandits tip-off on May 25th: 

 

Guelph Nighthawks (Historical Head-to-Head Record: 3-3)

 

The Bandits look to win the tiebreaker this season against their rivals from Guelph. The two franchises have a history together. In 2020 the Bandits beat the Nighthawks to earn a bye to the CEBL semifinals in the final regular season game of the CEBL Summer Series. In 2021, the Bandits defeated Guelph 104-84 on Aug. 15, 2021, in an emphatic quarterfinal playoff win that sent Fraser Valley to CEBL Championship Weekend in Edmonton.

 

The Nighthawks host the Bandits on June 15 and will visit LEC on July 15.

 

Niagara River Lions (Historical Head-to-Head Record: 2-5)

 

Following an 84-82 semifinal defeat at the hands of the River Lions in the 2021 postseason, the Bandits are ready to bounce back The two teams will meet in Langley in July. Niagara will then host the Bandits on July 25. 


Hamilton Honey Badgers (Historical Head-to-Head Record: 2-4)


The Bandits will travel to  FirstOntario Centre on May 27 and look to notch their first-ever road victory against the Honey Badgers.


The June 27 matchup will also be Burnatowski’s first game against his former CEBL team.

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Game Start Delay Notice - Sunday, August 2

By CEBL Staff • August 2, 2026
Tomorrow's Canadian Elite Basketball League game in Vancouver between the Winnipeg Sea Bears and the Vancouver Bandits has been moved from 12:30 p.m. PT / 3:30 p.m. ET to 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET due to travel disruptions. All tickets for the game remain valid. For any further ticketing issues or inquiries, please contact tickets@thebandits.ca.

Bandits Fall To Montreal on Final Road Game of Regular Season

By Roid Chand • July 29, 2026
A season-high 25 points from Shamar Givance wasn’t enough as the Vancouver Bandits came up short in the final road game of the season. The Montreal Alliance defeated the Bandits 87-82 on Tuesday night, a game where three Bandits recorded their highest point totals of the season. Along with his 25 points, Givance also added eight rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes of action. “He was the definition of a warrior tonight,” said Bandits head coach Ransford Brempong. Givance, who came off the bench, took a bulk of the guard minutes after leading scorer Jarkel Joiner exited the game in the first half. “He picked up 94 feet and he went over every screen. It’s commendable. That’s why we brought Shamar here for the effort he gives,” said Brempong. Stephen Zimmerman in just his second game with Vancouver recorded 13 points and six rebounds. Jarrell Eddie scored a season-high 17 points and notched his first double-double of the season with 10 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. “Certain guys were thrust into positions they’re not normally in and that’s growth,” said Brempong. Both teams struggled offensively, particularly outside the paint, but what they lacked in offence was made up by their defence. The Bandits shot 9-33 from beyond the arc, and the Alliance cashed in on just 11 of the 32 three point opportunities. The Bandits recorded seven blocks and six steals, while the Alliance recorded four blocks and six steals. Montreal native Tyrese Samuel recorded 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. He played just 22 minutes after picking up two early fouls in the first quarter. No Canadian player has scored more points than Tyrese Samuel’s 358 points this season. Neither team separated themselves as the game stayed close for all four quarters. The largest lead of the game was eight, which belonged to Montreal. Vancouver exploded in the third quarter and outscored Montreal 27-17, yet their scoring wouldn’t translate to the fourth quarter. The Bandits offence lacked consistency all night, scoring just 16 points in the final frame. Quincy Guerrier led the Alliance with 26 points and seven rebounds. The Bandits will head home for the final game of the regular season against the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The Bandits (14-9) currently sit top of the Western Conference while the Sea Bears (13-10) sit in second place. “The mission is still the same.”

Bandits Pick Up Win Over Saskatoon, Secure Playoff Home Court Advantage

By Rois Chand • July 26, 2026
Five players were in double figures as the Vancouver Bandits defeated the Saskatoon Mamba 104-97 on Saturday night. The Bandits led for the entirety of the game, leading by as many as 17 points. Vancouver now sits atop of the Western Conference at 14-8, topping the Winnipeg Sea Bears (13-9). This win also secured home court advantage in the playoffs for the Bandits, who will officially begin the postseason on Thursday, August 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. Tevin Brown led the Bandits in scoring with 23 points and seven three pointers made. “My teammates did a good job of getting me open,” said Brown. “They just let me play my game. (We) play a fast-paced offence and that’s where I thrive.” James Karnik followed with 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. The Bandits jumped out to an early 31-15 lead as Brown scored 11 of his 23 points in the first quarter. The Mamba went on a 29-21 run in the second quarter to cut the lead to 52-44 by halftime. Bandits head coach Ransford Brempong applauded his team for their resilience in the wire-to-wire win, even as the lead dwindled. “They might fight back but (we) still have to stay aggressive,” said Brempong. “Credit to Saskatoon. They made their run, but I’m more proud of the team and the resilience they’ve shown during the last handful of games.” All 11 players who played tonight recorded a made basket. Former NBA draft pick Stephen Zimmerman made his Bandits debut, recording two points and four rebounds in just three minutes of action. “It’s going to take everybody. Whether you come off the bench, I don’t care. Be strong enough that you affect the game and you impact winning,” said Brempong. Brempong said the Bandits are still bought into the mentality of being “on the hunt”, despite being first in the Western Conference. Brempong also said they can’t take their recent success for granted. “Don’t let it lull you to sleep. You still have to stay sharp,” he said. A layup from Shamar Givance won the game for the Bandits in target time. He finished with nine points and eight assists. Next, the Bandits will head on the road for a matchup with the Montreal Alliance on Tuesday, before wrapping up the season at home against the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

Former NBA Draft Pick Stephen Zimmerman Signs With Vancouver Bandits

By Bandits Staff • July 24, 2026
The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that the club has signed former NBA draft selection and decorated overseas champion Stephen Zimmerman for the remainder of the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. A 7-foot centre hailing from Las Vegas, Nev., Zimmerman was selected 41st overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2016 NBA Draft and appeared in 19 games as a rookie. With the signing, Zimmerman becomes the first-ever NBA draft selection to sign with the Bandits. “Zimmerman brings additional size to our team and experience from the highest levels of the game around the world,” said Bandits general manager Kyle Julius. “His signing is part of our strategic plan to ensure we have a strong roster to compete in the CEBL playoffs.” A veteran of 10 professional seasons, Zimmerman most recently played for Gigantes de San Francisco in the Dominican Republic during the 2025-26 season where he helped lead the club to a Dominican LNB championship. He also earned championships in the Czech Republic, guiding ERA Nymburk to both a Czech Cup and Czech NBL title in 2021. His journeyman career overseas includes previous stops in Germany, Poland, Australia, Japan, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Malaysia and China. In addition, Zimmerman played parts of four NBA G League seasons with the Orlando Magic’s affiliate (Erie Bayhawks, now Osceola Magic) in 2016-17, the Los Angeles Lakers’ affiliate (South Bay Lakers) in 2017-18, the New York Knicks’ affiliate (Westchester Knicks) in 2018-19, and San Antonio Spurs’ affiliate (Austin Spurs) in 2022-23. Internationally, Zimmerman represents the United States. He competed for his country at the senior level at the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup and 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, and won a gold medal at the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship in 2014. Before playing professionally, Zimmerman played one season of NCAA DI basketball for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). As a freshman, he started 24 of 26 games played and averaged 26.2 minutes, 10.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocked shots per game while shooting .477 per cent from the field.

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