FRASER VALLEY BANDITS LOOK TO CLOSE OUT ROAD TRIP WITH WIN OVER SASKATCHEWAN RATTLERS

Dillon White • June 1, 2022

The Fraser Valley Bandits look to stay undefeated as they venture further west to take on the Saskatchewan Rattlers Wednesday at 7:30 CT/6:30 PT at SaskTel Centre in the final game of their season-opening three game road trip. 


The match-up is the first of a home-and-home with the Rattlers, who will travel to Langley for a rematch on Saturday afternoon. The Bandits have a 5-4 advantage all-time against Saskatchewan and have won the last five meetings between the two franchises.


The Bandits enter the game coming off of a pair of narrow victories to open the season in Ontario, defeating the Ottawa BlackJacks 90-87 in the opener and the Hamilton Honey Badgers 71-70.  


Alex Campbell and Kadre Gray go into Wednesday’s match-up with Saskatchewan as the Bandits’ leading scorers. Campbell, Fraser Valley’s MVP last season, is averaging 18.5 points and 8.5 rebounds on 50 per cent shooting from the field and a league-best 42.9 per cent from three. Campbell closed out the season opener in the nation’s capital, scoring the Bandit’s final 7 points including the game-winning three.  


Two-time U SPORTS MVP Kadre Gray is averaging 17 points, 6 assists and 3.5 rebounds in his first two games with Fraser Valley. However, the point guard will look to cut down on turnovers averaging a league worst 6 turnovers per game to open the season. 


Meanwhile, the Sakatchewan Rattlers will look to bounce back from a loss to the defending champion Edmonton Stingers 84-71 on Sunday. The Rattlers were in a tight game until going cold in the Elam ending, with the Stingers closing the game on a 15-0 run. 


The Rattlers struggled from the field against Edmonton, shooting 33 per cent from the floor. After shooting 43 per cent in an opening night win against the Niagara River Lions, the Rattlers will look to return to form.


Saskatchewan has been solid from beyond the arc to start the season, sitting second in the league in both three-point percentage (38.2) and three pointers made (26). 


Their hot shooting can be largely attributed to new acquisition Scottie Lindsey, who enters Wednesday’s game leading the CEBL in threes made with 10 on 41.7 per cent shooting, good for 5th best in the league. Lindsey led the Rattlers in scoring in both games, averaging 23.5 points against Niagara and Edmonton. 


Saskatchewan will also look to Devonte Bandoo, their leading scorer last season, and newcomer Anthony Carr for contributions. Bandoo, a Baylor alumnus, averaged 17.4 points per game last season and has scored 14 points in both games in 2022. Meanwhile former New Orleans Pelicans draft pick Anthony Carr has had a strong start to his CEBL career, averaging an impressive 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6.5 assists to open the season. Carr will look to steer the Rattler’s offense with his playmaking ability against Fraser Valley. 


In the paint, Wednesday’s game will see a match-up between Fraser Valley’s Chris McLaughlin and Saskatchewan’s Jordy Tshimanga. Thomas Kennedy has also been a major contributor at the five for the Bandits, but both Fraser Valley big men have struggled with foul trouble so far this season. Tshimanga leads the Rattlers in rebounding and will look to provide a strong interior presence against Fraser Valley. 


The game will stream 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.


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.