THOMAS KENNEDY WINS CEBL U SPORTS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has drafted three homegrown players–all hailing from the Lower Mainland–in Adam Olsen from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Jerric Palma from Western University and Connor Platz from Trinity Western University (TWU) at the sixth annual Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Draft. Olsen was chosen by the Bandits fourth overall in the first round, followed by Palma who was taken in the second round, 17th overall, and Platz, who was selected in the third and final round, 24th overall. “I am really excited about the opportunity to work with all three of our draft picks this summer. The goal for our organization is to grow the game from the grassroots level and up. We want to help produce more professional players from B.C. and drafting talented local players is fundamental in the process,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. A 6-foot-7 swingman from Surrey, B.C., Olsen recently completed his freshman season with the Thunderbirds where he appeared in 20 contests (three starts) and averaged 17.8 minutes, 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 three-pointers made per game. Olsen was named to the Canada West all-rookie team following his impressive debut as a university freshman this past season. His best scoring performance of the 2023-24 campaign arrived on Jan. 13 when the skilled shooter nailed five three-pointers and racked up 24 points in 24 minutes of action against the Manitoba Bisons. “I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Bandits family this summer. It is a great chance to grow my game and learn from a strong group of professionals who are committed to winning and building something special together,” Olsen said. Prior to UBC, Olsen starred at Elgin Park Secondary where he led the Orcas to a second place finish at the Triple A provincial championship in 2022. No stranger to playing on big stages, Olsen also suited up as a starter for British Columbia’s under-18 provincial team that earned a silver medal at the Canada Games in the summer of 2022. “We are thrilled for Adam to be drafted by the Vancouver Bandits. It is an amazing opportunity for Adam and we appreciate the Bandits identifying him as someone that they want involved in their team and their organization. Adam is an elite three-point shooter that has deep range and can really stretch the defense,” said UBC Thunderbirds head coach Kevin Hanson. “It is great to see the Bandits drafting local university talent and giving them the opportunity to play in the CEBL. Having the opportunity to play against professionals all summer bodes well for Adam’s development heading into the 2025 U SPORTS National Championships that UBC is hosting in March.” The Bandits tabbed Palma in the second round. A 6-foot-1 guard from Richmond, B.C., he recently wrapped up his fourth year with the Western University Mustangs in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) conference, where he has enjoyed a tremendous U SPORTS career since debuting at the post-secondary level in 2019 after starring at St. George’s School in Vancouver. Palma is averaging 24.2 minutes, 13 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game on 41.2 per cent shooting from three-point range over the course of 77 games played (55 starts) for Western. “It is an honour to be selected by the Bandits as part of this year’s CEBL draft class. Playing professionally for my hometown team has always been a dream of mine. I am grateful to be joining an organization that focuses on player development and to be a part of a team with a progressive mindset. I am looking forward to this incredible opportunity to continue doing what I love,” Palma said. The Mustangs were a national contender in 2020 during Palma’s freshman season, earning a trip to the U SPORTS semifinals after finishing second in the OUA – a feat the Mustangs repeated this past winter only to fall to Brock University in the conference semis. “Jerric is an absolute pleasure to coach and is someone who works on his game relentlessly. Jerric is one of the best three-point shooters in Canada and has unlimited range. We are extremely excited for Jerric and support him every step of the way,” said Western head coach Brad Campbell. Rounding out the Bandits’ 2024 draft class is towering centre and Walnut Grove product Connor Platz, who at 6-foot-11 has emerged as one of the elite shot blockers in all of Canada, leading not only Canada West in blocked shots last season, but all of U SPORTS. Platz nearly averaged a double-double in 2023-24, posting imposing averages of 34.4 minutes, 12.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 2.9 assists per game. The skilled big man also hit 24 three-pointers in his third year with the Spartans, demonstrating an added dimension to his game by being able to stretch the floor with his long-range shooting. “Being drafted by my hometown team is a special moment in my career. I am looking forward to working as hard as possible this summer to elevate my game and to learn from my teammates as well as the Bandits’ coaching staff,” Platz said. No stranger to writing his name in the history books, Platz nearly recorded the first-ever quadruple-double in Canada West history on Feb. 7, 2024 when he racked up 13 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and seven blocks. A month prior, Platz scored a career-high 26 points against the eventual Canada West champions, Victoria Vikes. “We are thrilled for Connor to be drafted into the CEBL and to be part of a first-class organization and coaching staff in the Bandits. We have seen firsthand with Mason Bourcier the impact it can have on a player's game coming back in the fall for the U SPORTS season after a summer in the CEBL. I am very proud of Connor to achieve this honour to play in the CEBL and I know he will do great and make us proud,” said TWU head coach Trevor Pridie. The Vancouver Bandits open the club’s sixth season when the club tips off on May 23rd at 7 p.m. for its highly anticipated home opener against the Montréal Alliance. Tickets for the highly anticipated opening night match-up are on sale now at this link . Vancouver will play a total of 10 regular season home games in 2024 between Thursday, May 23 and Thursday, July 18. The Bandits wrap up regular season action on the road against Montréal on Sunday, July 28 at 1 p.m. PT. All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on TSN+, as well as the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ , and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices). Individuals interested in ticket flexibility or purchasing a bundle of tickets are invited to consider a flex pack or season tickets . More information can be found at thebandits.ca/tickets or by speaking with a Bandits representative by calling (604) 455-8881 or emailing tickets@thebandits.ca . A complete regular season schedule can be found by clicking here . More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .