BANDITS ADD SPORT BUSINESS LEADER GRAHAM WALL TO EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

Bandits Staff • November 1, 2022

Wall brings over a decade of success with the Vancouver Canadians and experience from the Canucks and Grizzlies to BC's pro basketball team.

LANGLEY, B.C. – The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that former Vancouver Canadians executive Graham Wall will join its leadership team and serve as its vice president of sales and service ahead of its 2023 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

A prominent figure in BC’s professional sports business ecosystem, Wall previously spent 14 years as vice president of sales and marketing for the Canadians, a minor league affiliate of the MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays. Wall was a key cog in the Vancouver Canadians’ rise as one of Canada’s preeminent sports and entertainment experiences and a popular summertime fixture for families in the Lower Mainland.

Now, the East Vancouver resident joins the fastest growing pro sports brand in BC to accelerate and support the Bandits’ preparations for the biggest season in club history.

A lifelong fan of the game, Wall is an avid supporter of local basketball. A former Magee Lion, he grew up immersed in Metro Vancouver’s hoops scene and was selected to play on Basketball BC’s under-19 team representing the province at nationals before later playing post-secondary basketball at Mount Royal University.

“I am ecstatic to join the Vancouver Bandits front office to help welcome fans of all ages to take in an extremely high level of basketball. A key focus of my tenure with various professional teams has been creating an inclusive game day atmosphere, presenting stories of our tremendous, homegrown athletes through thoughtful marketing and a quality game day entertainment experience that families can enjoy,” Wall said.

“I believe in the power of sport and have experienced firsthand how it inspires youth and unites communities. That is what Bandits basketball is all about and I am grateful to our co-owners and president for the chance to showcase an amazing game day at our beautiful venue of LEC.”

The upcoming 2023 season at LEC will be the Vancouver Bandits’ fifth CEBL campaign, which tips-off in late May and runs until early August. The Bandits’ regular season schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

Adding to the hype of the highly anticipated season is Championship Weekend, a multi-day playoff event and festival, that will be hosted at LEC in August 2023.

As hosts of the postseason event, the Bandits will receive an automatic berth in the semifinals. Tickets to Championship Weekend are included in the price of Bandits season tickets. Deposits on season tickets can be made now by clicking here. Inquiries can be directed to tickets@thebandits.ca

While with the Canadians, Wall led business operations and was responsible for planning all revenue generating activities; such as the team’s corporate sponsorship programs, marketing and advertising platforms and game day presentation initiatives at Nat Bailey Stadium.

During his tenure between 2006-20, Wall increased the Canadians’ advertising revenue tenfold. Success on and off the diamond led to an increase in sponsorship revenue as the club surpassed its all-time attendance records, enjoyed frequent sellouts and won four Northwest League Championships (2011-13, 2017).

Through his dedication to customer satisfaction, Wall and the Canadians sales team built a loyal fan base through various successful ticketed experiences and sponsored seating areas. Beyond the venue, he helped elevate the Canadians’ brand by co-negotiating and solidifying the ballpark’s naming rights position of then ‘Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium’ and also secured national and local media partnerships, including agreements with Rogers Sportsnet television and Sportsnet 650 radio.

“I am thrilled to welcome a professional sports and entertainment leader of Graham’s calibre to our front office. He brings a proven track record honed with the Canucks and Canadians where he produced sales driven results on some of the biggest stages in Canadian sports,” said Bandits co-owner Kevin Dhaliwal. “One of Graham’s most exciting qualities is the organizational culture and mindset that he has fostered throughout his career – one that is predicated on customer service, an elite fan experience and an enriching front office environment where business leaders can grow and make an impact.”

Some of Wall’s proudest accomplishments are helping grow the Canadians’ community footprint through co-launching its at risk boys and girls youth foundation, a ‘Strike Out Heart Disease’ initiative alongside St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation and ‘Nooners at the Nat,’ a grassroots program designed to support charities in the community.

Resulting from excellence on and off the diamond, the Canadians were recognized as leaders in Minor League Baseball (MiLB), becoming the first non-American club to win the John H. Johnson President’s Award and several John Henry Moss Community Service Awards.

Prior to baseball, Wall sold and managed the Vancouver Canucks and Grizzlies ticketing assets from 1997 to 2004.

“Graham has an impressive resume in the world of pro sports and we are incredibly happy to have him join the Bandits organization. Through his experience with the Canucks and Canadians, he has built an amazing network among sports fans and the business community in B.C. Graham knows and loves basketball. It is a sport he is passionate about and he is ecstatic that Vancouver has professional basketball again,” said Bandits co-owner Bryan Slusarchuk.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok, as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter.

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7 Bandits Players Named to 2026 NBA G League Training Camp Rosters

By Bandits Staff • October 27, 2026

Seven players who have previously suited up for the Vancouver Bandits, including five from the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season, have been named to NBA G League training camp rosters ahead of the start of the 2026-27 season on November 6, 2026. The NBA G League serves as the NBA’s official minor league and features 31 teams, with 30 clubs having one-to-one affiliations with NBA franchises. Surrey, B.C.’s James Karnik will join the Portland Trail Blazers’ affiliate, Rip City Remix. Karnik has participated in 36 regular season games across four seasons dating back to 2022, including four games in 2026. This marks the first time that he has been named to an NBA G League training camp squad. Jaelen House, a former NBA G League All-Star who played in 10 games for the Bandits during the 2026 season, will be competing for a roster spot on the Utah Jazz’s affiliate, Salt Lake City Stars. He set the Bandits’ single-game scoring record, recording 42 points against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on June 18, 2026. The Charlotte Hornets’ affiliate and defending NBA G League champion, Greensboro Swarm, will feature Jarkel Joiner. Joiner played 21 games for the Bandits in 2026, leading the team in points per game (17.8), before being named to the Hornets’ training camp roster and logging minutes in four NBA preseason games. Joining Joiner on the Swarm is Kyle Mangas, who appeared in 16 games with 14 starts for the Bandits during the 2025 season. John Knight III, who logged 18 games for the Bandits in 2026, joins the Houston Rockets’ affiliate, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, a club he has played for since 2023. D’Andre Davis, who appeared in three games for the Bandits in 2026, looks to secure a roster spot with the Boston Celtics’ affiliate, Maine Celtics. A member of the 2023 Bandits roster, Georgian-born forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili will take the court with the Atlanta Hawks’ affiliate, College Park Skyhawks. The opening night rosters for all 32 NBA G League teams must be submitted by Sunday, November 5.

Former Bandits Forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili Signs Exhibit 10 Contract With Atlanta Hawks

By Bandits Staff • October 15, 2026

Former Vancouver Bandits forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Atlanta Hawks. The news was announced by the Hawks via social media on Wednesday. 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.

Vancouver Bandits & I SPARC Host Youth Basketball Camps in Haida Gwaii

By Bandits Staff • October 7, 2026

HAIDA GWAII, BC - October 6, 2026 - This past weekend, Vancouver Bandits, BC’s professional basketball team, and the Bandits Community Foundation hosted a series of youth basketball clinics on Haida Gwaii, continuing its ongoing series of community visits across the province in partnership with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC). The community visits and youth camps on Haida Gwaii were also made possible through the generous support of Langara Island Lodge and Skidegate Band Council. Led by Bandits Team President Dylan Kular and Community Manager Pavan Kalair, local youth athletes aged 10 to 17 from across Haida Gwaii participated in free-of-charge workshops and basketball camps, furthering the Bandits Community Foundation’s goal of bringing more basketball to more people across the province. "Haida Gwaii has an incredible passion for basketball, and it was an honour for our staff to spend time on the court with so many talented young athletes," said Vancouver Bandits Team President Dylan Kular. "Our partnership with I·SPARC through the Indigenous Basketball Collective is about building lasting relationships with communities across the province and making sure every young player has access to the game. We are grateful to Langara Island Lodge, the Skidegate Band Council and everyone in Old Massett, Masset and Skidegate who welcomed us, and we cannot wait to come back." “Programs like this show what is possible when partners come together for Indigenous youth,” said I·SPARC’s Chief Executive Officer Rick Brant. “We are proud to work with the Vancouver Bandits to bring high-quality basketball coaching to Haida Gwaii, where the game is so deeply loved." Bandits staff led PHE classes with students at Chief Matthews School in Old Massett, and ran skill development clinics for local youth athletes aged 13 to 17 across three communities at Kwiiyaans Community Hall (Old Massett), Daaxiigan Sk’adáa Née School (Masset) and George Brown Recreation Centre (Skidegate). “We are grateful for the opportunity for the Vancouver Bandits and I·SPARC to come in and work with our youth,” said Trevor Russ, head coach of the Old Massett Raiders boys basketball team. “Basketball plays a big role for our youth in Masset, and the Bandits coming to town provides an opportunity for them to work with some high-level coaches at the professional level. Our youth are very happy to have this opportunity.” “To be able to have the Vancouver Bandits come to Skidegate and Haida Gwaii is very important,” said Desi Collinson, Recreation Coordinator and elected representative to the Council of the Haida Nation. “Basketball means a lot to Haida Gwaii; it brings excitement, hope and inspiration to our communities. Organizations like the Bandits and I·SPARC give us different insights and outlooks that our young athletes have not experienced before, and we are happy to have them here to uplift our youth.” The camps are part of the Indigenous Basketball Collective, representing the ongoing collaboration between I∙SPARC and the Vancouver Bandits. Established in 2023, previous community visits hosted through the Collective since its inception include Ahousaht, Bella Coola (Nuxalk First Nation), Kitimat (Haisla Nation), Nanaimo (Snuneymuxw First Nation), Victoria, West Vancouver and Williams Lake with future youth camps and coaching seminars currently being planned for 2027.

Vancouver Bandits to Host Free-of-Charge Youth Basketball Camps in Haida Gwaii

By Bandits Staff • October 2, 2026

This weekend, youth across Haida Gwaii will have the opportunity to learn and sharpen their basketball skills from British Columbia’s professional basketball team. Through the generous support of the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC) and Langara Island Lodge, the Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation will be hosting free-of-charge youth basketball camps across Haida Gwaii, marking the organization’s first community visit to the North Coast region. “Haida Gwaii means a great deal to us, and we know how much basketball means to these communities. The game gives young people a place to grow, brings families together, and creates opportunities for teams to proudly represent where they come from,” said Yos Gladstone, Sales Coordinator, Langara Island Lodge. “The young players, coaches, families, and teams here deserve every opportunity we can help bring their way. We are grateful to the Vancouver Bandits, I∙SPARC and the Bandits Community Foundation for their commitment to make this program happen, and especially to those in Haida Gwaii who give so much of their time, energy, and efforts to basketball year-round.” “For us, supporting this program is personal. We care about the communities and the people who make them so special. If this visit from the Vancouver Bandits gives local players more time on the court, encouragement to keep going, and a chance to connect through the game, that is something we are proud to be part of.” The camps are hosted in collaboration with I∙SPARC, Bandits Community Foundation, Haida Gwaii Recreation and School District 50 Haida Gwaii. Across three days, over 200 youth athletes aged 10 to 17 and their families will gather in gymnasiums across Haida Gwaii for camps and workshops led by Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation staff members. Youth participants will also receive complimentary Vancouver Bandits merchandise. "Haida Gwaii holds a legendary place in this province and Indigenous basketball culture and being on the ground in Masset and Skidegate truly showcases how powerful this sport is," said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. "The competitive drive and skill level of these youth are incredible, but what is even more inspiring is how basketball acts as a heartbeat for the entire region. Seeing the immediate connection between the youth, the coaching staff, and the local fans highlights exactly why we wanted to bring the Bandits to Haida Gwaii.” “We want to extend our deepest thanks to the Haida Nation and our partners at I∙SPARC and Langara Island Lodge for hosting us and sharing their incredible hospitality. This visit marks an exciting milestone for our organization, and we look forward to building on this relationship for years to come." The camp schedule for this weekend is as follows: Friday, October 2 Kwiiyaans Community Hall, Old Massett 12:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Daaxiigan Sk’adáa Née School, Masset 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, October 3 George Brown Recreation Centre, Skidegate 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, October 4 George Brown Recreation Centre, Skidegate 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The forthcoming camps are part of the Indigenous Basketball Collective, representing the ongoing collaboration between I∙SPARC and the Vancouver Bandits, and build upon recent previous community visits to Williams Lake and Bella Coola earlier this year. 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 ADD SPORT BUSINESS LEADER GRAHAM WALL TO EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

Wall brings over a decade of success with the Vancouver Canadians and experience from the Canucks and Grizzlies to BC's pro basketball team.

7 Bandits Players Named to 2026 NBA G League Training Camp Rosters

Former Bandits Forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili Signs Exhibit 10 Contract With Atlanta Hawks

Vancouver Bandits & I SPARC Host Youth Basketball Camps in Haida Gwaii

Vancouver Bandits to Host Free-of-Charge Youth Basketball Camps in Haida Gwaii

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