Coach Kannemeyer’s 3 Keys vs. HHB - July 23
By: Cassidy Kannemeyer • July 23, 2021
Here are Coach Kannemeyer's 3 Keys to the Game:
So far this season the Fraser Valley Bandits are 5-0 at home and winless in two games on the road. At home the Bandits play with better ball movement on the offensive end thanks to the off-ball activity of its athletic guards and forwards. Very rarely are any of Fraser Valley’s perimeter players standing still as the ball zips from side-to-side creating great shots instead of good shots.
Clearly the roster plays with more unselfishness at home and because more guys get involved offensively their defensive energy dramatically increases. The Bandits travel to Hamilton to face the Honey Badgers who have won four of five at home. On the road the Bandits haven’t shared the ball with the same effectiveness, opting for an isolated brand of basketball that calls for a lot of one-on-one play. The Bandits are at their best when the opposing team can’t focus on one offensive threat. Sharing the ball allows for several players to carry the load during different points in the game. If the Bandits can focus their attention offensively on side-to-side ball movement, inside-out dribble penetration and kicking to open teammates, the game should be close down the stretch and should allow for the Bandits to have a shot at winning their first road game this season.
Shut Down Lindell Wigginton
The Fraser Valley Bandits are one of the most balanced offensive teams in the CEBL. The Hamilton Honey Badgers through nine games have only two players averaging double figures in scoring. Meanwhile, the Bandits have seven. Lindell Wigginton is the head of the Honey Badgers’ attack. Like the Guelph Nighthawks led by Cat Barber, if the Bandits can shut down the one man scoring show it will force Hamilton’s role players to step up offensively. Wigginton is one of the league's brightest combo guards with the ability to be a three-level scorer. He has shown a tremendous ability to get to the free throw line. The Bandits would be wise to shut down all of Wigginton’s driving lanes in order to force the ball out of his hands. In pick and roll scenarios the Bandits should occasionally double team for the same effect. Seven footer Brandon Gilbeck would be the only defender that I would not want to double twenty five feet from the basket as he has been prone to foul trouble in the two road losses this season. In the Honey Badgers' worst loss of the season versus the Edmonton Stingers, Wigginton was harassed every time he touched the ball. Two defenders often stayed with him on pick and rolls. Alex Campbell, Kenny Manigault, and Malcolm Duvivier can all guard the ball effectively and will no doubt have the assignment of shutting down one of the best guards in the CEBL.
Zone or Man?
The Hamilton Honey Badgers play more zone than anyone in the CEBL so far this season. Make or miss the team drops back into a two-three zone on a high percentage of their defensive sequences. I suspect part of the reason for this is to hide their lack of an interior presence. Khalif Young and Jean-Victor Mukama at both six-foot-nine and six-foot-eight, respectively, are the linchpins in one of the smallest frontlines in the league. Their zone is essentially deployed to keep both of those big men out of foul trouble and crowd the paint to limit offensive paint touches. In their worst loss of the season versus the Edmonton Stingers, they were repeatedly gashed inside by high-low feeds versus their zone. If they deploy the zone versus the Bandits I expect the team to put a playmaker in the high post like Shaquille Keith or Kenny Manigault with Brandon Gilbeck and Ryan Ejim roaming the baseline for easy buckets. Fraser Valley’s shooting prowess could also expose the Honey Badgers’ zone but based on how the team has shot on the road, high-low basketball is the best way to expose Hamilton’s lack of front court rim protection.
LATEST NEWS
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.
Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular has been named a recipient of a 2025 B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Annual Award, announced by the Government of B.C. on Tuesday. The annual awards celebrate people and organizations that demonstrate leadership in promoting multiculturalism, anti-racism and intercultural understanding. Nearly 50 people and organizations were nominated for 2025 awards, recognizing contributions to building inclusive communities. In addition to Kular, three people and one organization are also receiving the B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards for their exceptional efforts to fight racism and promote inclusion in British Columbia. “These award recipients exemplify the values of inclusion and respect that strengthen our province,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. “Their leadership and creativity are inspiring. I am proud to honour their exceptional efforts to break down barriers, foster inclusion and build stronger, more equitable communities across British Columbia.” Kular was named a recipient of the “Breaking Barriers” award, which recognizes individuals and organizations for their work in tackling systemic or institutional racism and reducing barriers for marginalized communities. “It is an honour to receive this recognition from the Government of B.C . This award truly reflects the collective efforts of our entire organization,” said Kular. “Our team ownership group provides the leadership that empowers our organization to build and foster meaningful change. The Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation are committed to continue breaking barriers and connecting communities across B.C. through the sport of basketball.” Under Kular’s leadership in 2025, which saw him earn CEBL Executive of the Year honours for a league-record third time, the Vancouver Bandits led efforts in building inclusive communities through sports and partnerships with Indigenous organizations and diverse populations across the province. Through partnerships and initiatives through the Bandits Community Foundation , such as the Indigenous Basketball Collective , in collaboration with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I-SPARC) and the Junior All Native Tournament (JANT). Kular and the Bandits worked to address systemic barriers and foster meaningful engagement, particularly for individuals with intersecting identities and those in remote areas. “Advancing anti-racism and intercultural trust requires courage, collaboration and commitment,” said Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives. “These honourees demonstrate all three values through their actions every day. Their efforts to break down barriers and amplify marginalized voices are making a real difference in schools, workplaces and communities across B.C. I am deeply grateful for their leadership and inspired by the positive change they continue to drive.” The B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards are part of the government’s broader efforts to counter hate and racism by celebrating and empowering local, community-based advocates. Since launching in 2008, more than 60 individuals and organizations have been honoured. Other initiatives include: an anti-hate community support fund that supports marginalized and at-risk groups with funding for security equipment, graffiti removal and repairs to damaged property the Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network that connects communities with the information, supports and training they need to respond to and prevent future incidents of racism and hate the B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grants, which provide funding to support projects that tackle racial inequity and foster intercultural understanding throughout the province the Racist Incident Helpline, which partners with local organizations to connect people who have experienced racism with resources to help them heal
The Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation announced the launch of its School Tour program for the 2025-26 school year. The program will see Vancouver Bandits’ Head Coach & General Manager, Kyle Julius, visit secondary schools across British Columbia to host basketball skill and training sessions with student-athletes and their teams. Entering its third year, this free-of-charge initiative is part of the Bandits’ ongoing commitment to fostering youth basketball and building community connections throughout the province. The tour will run from November to February and will make weekly stops in different cities. Starting this week, communities that will be visited within the first two weeks of the program include schools in Abbotsford, Mission, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. The full schedule will be announced soon as additional communities are confirmed. Julius, a passionate advocate for youth sports development and mentorship, will be working directly with student-athletes and volunteer coaches at each school visited to offer insights into the game while emphasizing key life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and discipline. Throughout the tour, Julius will provide each secondary school’s basketball program with dedicated and tailored practices along with motivational talks and training materials. Each visit aims to elevate the game of basketball in BC high schools and offer a unique opportunity for students and coaches to learn from BC’s only professional basketball coach. The School Tour program is proudly supported by Preston Chevrolet and NOVO Dental Centre, community-minded sponsors who believe in the value of sports as a catalyst for positive change. During the previous 2024-25 school year, the Vancouver Bandits School Tour and Julius visited with 77 high school teams across British Columbia from November 2024 to February 2025.
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Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on July 25, 2025.