From Last Dance to a Championship Berth: Bandits Complete Comeback to Defeat Honey Badgers, Advance to CEBL Summer Series Final
August 9, 2020
ST. CATHARINES, ON, August 8, 2020 – The Fraser Valley Bandits pulled off a miraculous comeback in the semifinals of the CEBL Summer Series on Saturday afternoon, turning around a 14-point fourth quarter deficit and winning a game for the ages on the strength of a reverse lay-up from Olu Ashaolu that sealed the game, 76-75. With the win, the Bandits advance to the CEBL Championship game Sunday afternoon where they will meet the Edmonton Stingers, 88-75 winners over the Ottawa BlackJacks in the back-end of Saturday’s semifinal double-header.
After finishing last in the league standings during the 2019 inaugural season with a 4-16 record, the Bandits hit reset and entered the 2020 campaign with one returning player – Marek Klassen. Head coach and general manager Kyle Julius recruited an entirely new roster that was athletic and guard oriented. With a roster featuring eight guards and two forwards, pundits labelled the Bandits undersized. But they failed to account for the size of the hearts in the orange and blue jerseys.
The Bandits trailed the Honey Badgers 39-32 at halftime and 64-50 entering the final period. A 12-1 run during the first five-and-a-half minutes of the fourth quarter cut the deficit to 65-62, and a Junior Cadougan three-pointer made the score 67-65 in favour of Hamilton heading into the Elam Ending.
With an Elam Ending target score of 76, the Honey Badgers clawed to a 73-67 lead after Mukama hit a pair of free throws. The Bandits clamped down defensively and converted one timely bucket after another. Ashaolu hit a lay-up to put the Bandits ahead, 74-73, but the lead was short-lived as Kalif Young threw down another dunk to draw Hamilton to within a single point of victory. But the Bandits would not be denied a comeback. Ashaolu barrelled his way to the rim off a pass from Cadougan and dropped in the game winning basket on a reverse lay-up.
“We lost our composure a few times today, but I think we regrouped. I don’t think it’s about not losing your composure, it’s about how you react to it, and I think we did a great job of that,” Julius said. “If we don’t make that last shot and they make the last shot, I’m really proud of the fight in our guys.
It was Fraser Valley’s third come-from-behind victory of the season, with the previous two coming over Saskatchewan and Guelph.
One week removed from a 102-96 thriller during round robin play that ended with a Hamilton Honey Badgers victory, these two teams picked up right where they left off.
Hamilton got out to a big lead in the first half as rising star Jean-Victor Mukama continued his hot shooting, scoring 14 of his 18 first-half points in the second quarter, fueling an 11-point run for Hamilton. Mukama nailed four three-pointers in the second quarter to fuel a 39-32 lead for the Honey Badgers at halftime.
Hamilton continued to pull away from Fraser Valley in the third quarter on the ability to navigate the pick-and-roll and break the Bandits down off the dribble, leading to 14 points in the paint for the team in pinstripes. Young threw down a two-handed slam a split a pair of free throws in the quarter’s closing moments to give the Honey Badgers a 14-point lead entering the final frame.
The Bandits were left to play the fourth quarter without Marcus Capers, who was ejected from the game midway through the third for unsportsmanlike conduct after appealing a foul call to the officials.
With a small-ball lineup of four guards in Cadougan, Jahenns Manigat, Malcolm Duvivier, Klassen and Ashaolu as the lone forward, Fraser Valley came alive in the fourth quarter. The Bandits outscored the Honey Badgers 26-11 in final frame, though Fraser Valley did not take the lead until the game’s closing moments.
“We’re happy to get over that hump,” Ashaolu said. “I think this game of basketball is about trying to win possessions – you’re trying to win possessions offensively and defensively and put some stops together.”
The semifinal win marks another exciting chapter in the Bandits’ bounce back season. The loss sends Hamilton home with a 4-4 record.
“To their credit, they kept competing as we knew they would,” said Honey Badgers head coach Ryan Schmidt, who had his contract extended July 31 for the 2021 season. “We made way too many mistakes and too many self-inflicted errors. But like I said, hats off to them. I thought they played a good game. They competed from start to finish, and we didn’t make enough plays down the stretch to win.”
The Bandits and Stingers will compete for the league championship Sunday, with tip-off scheduled for 12 p.m. ET (10 a.m. MT, 9 a.m. PT).
Sunday’s Championship game will be nationally televised by CBC and livestreamed on Twitch, CBCSports.ca and the CBC Gem App. A complete broadcast schedule can be found here.
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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A message from Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius on the 2025 season and thoughts on the CEBL Western Conference Semifinal.
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on August 16th, 2025.
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on August 3rd, 2025.
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on July 25, 2025.