BANDITS SIGN HOMEGROWN NCAA STAR AND FORMER BC PROVINCIAL CHAMPION TY ROWELL

Bandits Staff • April 28, 2022

LANGLEY, B.C., April 28, 2022 – The Fraser Valley Bandits announced Thursday that the club has signed former Western Athletic Conference (WAC) all-star and California Baptist University (CBU) starting point guard, Ty Rowell, for its upcoming season at Langley Events Centre (LEC).


Rowell recently completed a stellar five-year career with the Lancers that saw the him average 11 points, 2.8 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 30.4 minutes per game on 41.7 and 40.5 per cent from field goal and three-point range, respectively, over the course of four seasons of NCAA Division I basketball after being promoted from DII following the 2017-18 season.


During his four-year career at CBU, Rowell earned a reputation as a gritty guard thanks to his ability to lead his team’s offence and his prowess on the defensive end. His perseverance was put on full display on Nov. 25, 2020, when in his first game in more than 350 days following an ACL injury suffered the season prior, Rowell poured in 32 points and nine three-pointers in a non-conference overtime loss against the University of Southern California Trojans and future 2021 NBA third overall draft pick Evan Mobley.


“It is a special feeling to be able to return to the Township of Langley and the Walnut Grove community to begin my professional career. Playing as a member of the Gators allowed me to build many special relationships that have lasted throughout my time at CBU,” Rowell said. “After four seasons with the Lancers, I am grateful for the experiences that I have had as a Division I student-athlete and I am looking forward to building on that at the next level with the Bandits.”


After being limited to just eight games in 2019-20, Rowell bounced back in 2020-21 and finished top five in several of the WAC’s leaderboards; including minutes played (1st), assists per game (1st), three-point field goal attempts (1st), three-point field goals made (2nd) and total points (3rd). Rowell’s all-around play led to the talented guard being named All-WAC First Team for 2020-21.


In his senior season, Rowell continued to write his name in the CBU record books. He led the WAC in minutes played and three-pointers made for a second consecutive season and broke the Lancers’ program record for most three-pointers in a career with 251.


“We are really excited about adding Ty to the mix. He is a hard-nosed shooter that fits well with our group and culture. He will have a great opportunity here to grow and develop as a first-year pro and we believe he can help bolster our roster,” said Bandits general manager Kyle Julius.


A highly recruited prospect from Langley, Rowell starred at Walnut Grove Secondary and won a B.C. High School 4A Boys Basketball Championship as a member of George Bergen’s 2016-17 Gators, who boasted a 40-1 record on their way to a provincial title. 


The 2022 CEBL season will serve as the 6-foot-2 guard’s professional debut after a five-year college career that saw the sharpshooter start 57 of the 96 games that he played for the Lancers. 


Fraser Valley opens its fourth Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season on the road on Wednesday, May 25 at 4:30 p.m. PT against the Ottawa BlackJacks. Following a three-game road swing to start the year, the Bandits will make their debut at LEC against the Saskatchewan Rattlers on Saturday, June 4 at 2 p.m. PT.


Full and partial season packages are available for purchase at thebandits.ca/tickets. Fans are kindly asked to call (604) 866-0529 or email tickets@thebandits.ca for any questions or ticket related inquiries. Fans can also fill out this form to register their interest for tickets and to arrange to be contacted directly by a team representative.


All CEBL regular season games will be livestreamed on the free CBC Gem streaming service, cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices and CEBL+.


Head to thebandits.ca for more information or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

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.