FRASER VALLEY BANDITS SIGN OLU ASHAOLU
Fraser Valley Bandits • June 30, 2020
Prominent Canadian power forward and former Oregon Duck and Louisiana Tech Bulldog inks deal with British Columbia’s professional basketball team prior to the start of the CEBL Summer Series.
ABBOTSFORD, B.C., June 30, 2020 –
The Fraser Valley Bandits announced Tuesday that the club has signed former University of Oregon and Louisiana Tech University power forward Olu Ashaolu.
Ashaolu is coming off a strong 2019-20 campaign that saw him play in Korea with the Goyang Orions and the St. John’s Edge in Canada. Ashaolu averaged 10.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game on 56.2 per cent from field goal range, while also connecting on 79.3 per cent of his free throw attempts while with the Edge. Ashaolu has played across the globe, particularly in Asia, and has enjoyed immense success with the NLEX Road Warriors, a club that competes in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). In 2017-18, Ashaolu averaged 28 points, 14.3 rebounds and 37 minutes per game while playing for the Road Warriors. The following year with the Road Warriors, he averaged 23.4 points and 13.3 rebounds over the course of eight total games between the Commissioner’s Cup (three games) and Governors’ Cup (five games).
“I have wanted to play for coach (Kyle Julius) for quite some time because we’ve been in the same basketball circles for years and we’ve grown familiar with one another’s work ethic. This summer presented a great chance to join the Bandits and reunite with my high school peers like Junior Cadougan, Kyle Johnson and Jabs Newby,” Ashaolu said. “This team has a roster that already feels like a family and I’m excited to be part of a special group of individuals who will leave everything they have out on the floor.”
A native of Lagos, Nigeria, Ashaolu’s professional career has seen the talented high-flyer soar in some of the top professional leagues across Spain, France, Japan, Korea, the Philippines and now Canada. Prior to kickstarting his decorated pro career, Ashaolu grew up in Toronto and played for Canada’s Junior National Team at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Under-18 Americas Championships in 2006. Ashaolu averaged 13.2 points per game at the tournament and helped lead Canada to a fourth place finish.
Ashaolu then accepted an offer to Louisiana Tech University. After redshirting the 2007-08 campaign, Ashaolu emerged as a key cog for Louisiana Tech. Over three seasons, Ashaolu averaged 10.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists on 52.2 per cent from field goal range. In his third and final season, Ashaolu posted 16 double-doubles, good for 19th most in the entire NCAA in 2010-11. He was also named all-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Honorable Mention and was awarded a place on the all-WAC Defensive Team. Following three seasons with the Bulldogs, Ashaolu transferred to the University of Oregon for his senior season where he shone for the Ducks.
Over the course of 34 games with Oregon in 2011-12, Ashaolu ranked fourth in the Pacific-12 Conference in field goal percentage, shooting 56.5 per cent. He led the Ducks in field goal percentage and offensive rebounds (71) on the year and averaged 9.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game throughout the campaign.
“Olu is a very accomplished pro. He has proven himself to be a reliable scorer and a great teammate in some of the best leagues in the world. I think he has been an underrated Canadian power forward for a long-time. Olu is another player who brings tremendous value to our grit and grind culture,” Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said.
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Andrew Savory, Director of Operations, (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 club is proud to call Abbotsford Centre home. 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.
About the Canadian Elite Basketball League
Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is a new basketball experience that features world-class professional basketball in a fan-friendly entertainment environment across seven cities in Canada. The 2019 inaugural season saw more than 100 Canadian and international players take to the court, culminating with the Saskatchewan Rattlers earning the first CEBL championship trophy. CEBL players come from NBA G League clubs, top NCAA programs, the Canadian national program, U SPORTS and other Division 1 FIBA leagues. As the First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, all games are live-streamed by CBC Sports. This season, the CEBL’s seven teams will convene at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines, Ont., starting July 15 to play the CEBL Summer Series, a round robin competition that will culminate in crowning the second-year league’s 2020 champion. The timing of the Summer Series, subject to the status of the province of Ontario’s phased in reopening, will make the CEBL the first professional league in Canada to return to play following the COVID-19 outbreak in March. Head to cebl.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to learn more.
LATEST NEWS
The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday the club’s 2026 CEBL regular season schedule, a 24-game campaign that will see the club open its eighth Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season on Thursday, May 14 in Saskatchewan at 6:30 p.m. PT. The Bandits will tip off the home portion of their schedule with a pair of games as part of Home Opener Weekend at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. The home opener will be played on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. PT against the Edmonton Stingers, while the second game will take place on Sunday, May 24 at 5:00 p.m. when the Bandits host the Calgary Surge in a rematch of the 2025 CEBL Western Conference Quarterfinal. Fans can take advantage of a special Home Opener Weekend ticket offer; buy three tickets to either or both games and receive an additional ticket for free. Tickets for the Bandits’ Home Opener Weekend can be purchased here . The Bandits enter 2026 off the heels of the club's best regular season performance in its seven-year history, which included a 19-5 record and a league-best 7 sellout games last year in front of the best fans in the CEBL at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. The Bandits’ full season schedule can be accessed by clicking here . “Our 2026 schedule represents a major step forward for our club, community gathering and entertainment in British Columbia,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “Coming off our strongest season to date, we were intentional about building a fan-first calendar that reflects how our community wants to experience live sporting events with weekend games, accessible start times, and meaningful matchups at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. From Home Opener Weekend to our first-ever neutral site game, 2026 is about continuing to grow the Bandits as a team, a live experience and a community pillar. We are excited to welcome the best fans in the CEBL back and build on the momentum together.” Featuring the club’s most fan-friendly schedule to date, Bandits home games will feature start times on Friday nights at 7:00 p.m. (3), Saturday nights at 6:00 p.m. (5), and Sunday afternoons at 5:00 p.m. (2). Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre will be the place to be for professional basketball in British Columbia this summer, further solidifying the Bandits’ fast-growing reputation as one of the most exciting and dynamic live event offerings in the Lower Mainland. The 2026 season will also see the inclusion of the Bandits’ first-ever neutral site game when the club hosts Saskatchewan on Saturday, June 6. Further details of the game will be announced in the coming weeks along with upcoming theme nights and single-game ticket sales. The 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League Playoffs will begin with single-elimination Conference Semifinals on Thursday, August 6, where the 1st seed faces the 4th seed and the 2nd seed faces the 3rd seed in each conference. Winners will advance to the Conference Finals on Saturday, August 8, also single elimination, with higher seeds hosting each round. The CEBL Finals will be a best-of-three series from August 12–16, marking the first multi-game playoff series in league history: Game 1 – Wednesday, August 12 Game 2 – Saturday, August 15 Game 3 (if necessary) – Sunday, August 16 The lower seed team will host Game 1, while the higher seed will host Games 2 and 3 (if necessary), replacing the previous single-elimination Championship Weekend host team model. “These historic changes to our playoff format represent a major milestone for the CEBL and our fans, and they mark a natural progression as the league continues to grow and evolve,” explained CEBL President Tyler Mazereeuw. “Our focus remains on delivering the best possible experience for our teams, players, and fans, and this is another step forward in fulfilling that mission. Our fans and communities have supported this league from the start, and we’re proud to give them a playoff experience that reflects their passion.” Mazereeuw added, “Championship Weekend played a key role in building the foundation of our league and grew into Canada’s largest annual celebration of professional basketball. While we’re proud of what it became, moving to an in-market model allows us to deepen connections with our local communities and create new traditions that reflect the growth and maturity of the league.” All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ , and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices). The schedule of nationally televised games, along with broadcast and streaming information will be announced at a later date. Vancouver Bandits 2026 CEBL season schedule: Note: All times PT | Home dates are in bold | * June 6 game location TBA Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Saskatchewan | 6:30 p.m. at SaskTel Centre Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Edmonton | 6:00 p.m. at Edmonton EXPO Centre Friday, May 22, 2026 vs. Edmonton | 7:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Sunday, May 24, 2026 vs. Calgary | 5:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Friday, May 29, 2026 at Niagara | 4:00 p.m. at Meridian Centre Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Brampton | 4:00 p.m. at CAA Centre Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at Ottawa | 4:30 p.m. at TD Place Arena Saturday, June 6, 2026 vs. Saskatchewan | 6:00 p.m. at Location TBA* Saturday, June 13, 2026 vs. Ottawa | 6:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Monday, June 15, 2026 vs. Scarborough | 7:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Thursday, June 18, 2026 at Winnipeg | 5:00 p.m. at Canada Life Centre Saturday, June 20, 2026 vs. Brampton | 6:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Saturday, June 27, 2026 vs. Winnipeg | 6:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Friday, July 3, 2026 vs. Edmonton | 7:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Sunday, July 5, 2026 vs. Calgary | 12:30 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at Saskatchewan | 6:30 p.m. at SaskTel Centre Thursday, July 9, 2026 at Calgary | 6:30 p.m. at WinSport Events Centre Saturday, July 11, 2026 at Edmonton | 6:00 p.m. at Edmonton EXPO Centre Friday, July 17, 2026 vs. Montreal | 7:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at Calgary | 6:30 p.m. at WinSport Events Centre Thursday, July 23, 2026 at Winnipeg | 5:00 p.m. at Canada Life Centre Saturday, July 25, 2026 vs. Saskatchewan | 6:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at Montreal | 4:30 p.m. at Verdun Auditorium Sunday, August 2, 2026 vs. Winnipeg | 12:30 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre
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.
The Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have teamed up with Envision Financial , a division of First West Credit Union, in a groundbreaking partnership that redefines the fan experience and deepens community connections. Under this multi-faceted agreement, the Bandits’ home court at Langley Events Centre will officially be known as “Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre.” This move marks a significant milestone in the Bandits’ growth and underscores Envision Financial’s deep commitment to the communities of British Columbia. The relationship extends well beyond venue naming, aligning both organizations around culture, youth development, and community engagement. “This partnership with Envision Financial represents an investment in the long-term growth of basketball in British Columbia,” said Dylan Kular, President of the Vancouver Bandits. “Their values align deeply with our commitment to community, accessibility, and creating meaningful experiences for families across British Columbia.” Beyond the naming rights, the partnership delivers impact: Heritage Series: Co-presented by Envision Financial, these marquee game nights will honour Indigenous, South Asian and Filipino communities, creating vibrant cultural celebrations for fans. School Tour: Envision Financial joins the Bandits Community Foundation to expand youth leadership and basketball education. Last season, the program visited 77 schools and hosted 12 free coaches’ clinics. “Partnering with the Vancouver Bandits is about creating something meaningful together, " says Tamara Hendsbee, President at Envision Financial. “By bringing culture and sport to the forefront, we can help communities flourish and open doors for youth to learn and grow. Naming the court is just the beginning; through the Heritage Series and School Tour, we’re proud to work alongside the Bandits to deliver experiences that unite fans and build stronger communities across British Columbia.”  This upcoming season the Bandits will carry forward this strategic collaboration with Envision Financial as a cornerstone of their game-day identity, cultural engagement and community legacy.
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