Unheralded journeyman Kyle Johnson returns to Canada with something to prove
By Contributing CEBL Writer: Grant Vassos • July 13, 2020
Johnson and the Bandits tip-off against the Edmonton Stingers on July 26 at the CEBL Summer Series.
Kyle Johnson remembers the rush he felt as he prepared to walk through the tunnel at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Years of practice and months of anticipation had added up to a single climactic moment as he braced himself for his chance to take centre stage in the eyes of thousands at Olympic Stadium and millions more watching at home around the world.
Wearing his white and gold-collared Great Britain uniform, Johnson scanned the packed crowd as the host-nation and its athletes made their entrance. Team Great Britain reached skywards and waved as the audience roared back. Those sitting at the opposite end glimmered in camera flashes under the shadowy gradient of a dark blue light. Seven-billion bits of confetti rained from the ceiling, showering Johnson and his team as they walked to David Bowie's Heroes playing in the background.
The emotional impact was overwhelming. Still, Johnson could not help but smile through it all.
"The whole experience was crazy. It kind of went so fast," Johnson said. "Everybody was messaging (me) after because a lot of family and friends all over the world are watching that stuff. It's kind of a surreal moment."
Although the 10-year journeyman holds both Canadian and British dual-citizenship, Johnson has never had the chance to play for the Canadian national men's team.
"I chose the British national team route and that's okay," Johnson said.
As a member of Great Britain's 2011 U-23 basketball team, an opportunity arose for two players from Johnson's squad to attend the British national team training camp in Houston, TX, later that summer.
After playing well enough during a tournament in Germany, Nick Nurse, who was then the assistant coach of Britain’s men's team and now head coach of the Toronto Raptors, chose the Scarborough, Ont., native as one of the invitees.
Near the end of camp, the coaching staff called Johnson into a room for an exit meeting where he sat in front of head coach Chris Finch. They gave him the news. Johnson made the 12-man roster and was going to the Olympics. At the time, he was the second-youngest player on a team that featured NBA All-Star Luol Deng and former Toronto Raptor Pops Mensah-Bonsu.
“I kind of had to ask a few guys again like, 'Are you sure?'" Johnson said. "It was a stressful camp, man. It was tough."
Following his four seasons playing NCAA Division I basketball at Long Island University (LIU) in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he ranks 13th in program history for career points, Johnson has enjoyed a prolific career competing in Europe and Canada. Most notably playing in France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Iceland.
As an international player, knowing your job could be taken away at any time, Johnson found travelling to be a blessing in disguise. It offered an escape from the reality faced by prominent Canadian professional basketball players who prior to the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), had the sole option of competing overseas for a club in a domestic league of a country that was not their own. Their task was simple.
Produce, or be replaced.
Typically, domestic professional leagues outside of the NBA have a small number of 'import' roster slots dedicated to international players who aren't from the country of a particular domestic pro league. This means that if you occupy one of the coveted import roster spots, you better perform. Otherwise, management might swap you out for the next player waiting to fill the void.
"There's a lot of guys that I know that – and I used to do this when I was younger – when you travel you just stay in your hotel room and you don't really get to experience the city or the culture of some of these countries. So, I definitely, especially as I got older, try to take advantage of that more," Johnson said.
Former Marquette Golden Eagle and current Bandits teammate Junior Cadougan shares a hometown connection with Johnson. The two friends grew up in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and spent the 2017 summer playing together for team M.A.D.E. in the Nike Crown League. Over the years, Johnson earned the nickname 'Smooth KJ' due to his laid back, low key personality.
Growing up, they found themselves playing against each other during summer and rep leagues – Johnson with the Scarborough Roadrunners and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Toronto Mission and Cadougan with Grassroots Canada and the Toronto Five-O, a fellow AAU program.
"He always had the IQ and the sharpshooting abilities, so it was always tough playing against him," Cadougan said. "But then, when I got to play with him, now I understand why the games were close all the way growing up."
In 2016, Johnson was hesitant about making the jump over to the NBLC. It took some convincing from Cadougan, who signed with the London Lightning that same season.
"I was telling him to come play with me. But he was kind of iffy about it," Cadougan said. "And then he came. So that was the first time really playing high-level professional basketball together. And that was one of our best seasons in both of our careers. It was crazy."
Johnson appeared in 46 games during the Lightning's 2016-17 championship-winning season, earning first-team all-Canadian NBLC honours and setting a team record for points in a game with 51 points against the Moncton Miracles on February 4, 2017.
After signing with the Fraser Valley Bandits of the CEBL this past February, Johnson is ready to lead by example. He has a history of being depended on by his coaches. In particular, by current Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius, who coached Johnson and Cadougan to the NBLC title in 2017.
"I still think I'm underrated, but I don't really care," Johnson said. "I'm just going to come and do my business and go under the radar."
Johnson was told he would have to stay in Canada to play post-secondary basketball when he was a high school player at West Hill Collegiate Institute in Scarborough. Skeptics said that he wasn't good enough to get an NCAA scholarship or to play professionally abroad.
History has proven otherwise. The CEBL Summer Series will be another source of motivation for Johnson to show he can still win against some of the best players in Canada.
Summer Series action begins on July 25, with the Bandits playing their first game on July 26 against the Edmonton Stingers. All games will be available on CBC Sports’ live-stream, with the Bandits’ matchup against the Hamilton Honey Badgers on Saturday, Aug. 1 set to be available on CBC TV as a national broadcast.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Andrew Savory, Director of Operations, (604) 217-6213, asavory@thebandits.ca
About the Fraser Valley Bandits
The Fraser Valley Bandits are British Columbia’s professional basketball team. As the westernmost club in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the club is proud to call Abbotsford Centre home. The Bandits offer a riveting entertainment experience that combines a fast-paced game day atmosphere with a presentation of some of Canada’s top professional athletes within a world-class venue. Head to thebandits.ca for more information.
About the Canadian Elite Basketball League
Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is a new basketball experience that features world-class professional basketball in a fan-friendly entertainment environment across seven cities in Canada. The 2019 inaugural season saw more than 100 Canadian and international players take to the court, culminating with the Saskatchewan Rattlers earning the first CEBL championship trophy. CEBL players come from NBA G League clubs, top NCAA programs, the Canadian national program, U SPORTS and other Division 1 FIBA leagues. As the First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, all games are live-streamed by CBC Sports. This season, the CEBL’s seven teams will convene at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines, Ont., starting July 25 to play the CEBL Summer Series, a round robin competition that will culminate in crowning the second-year league’s 2020 champion. The timing of the Summer Series, subject to the status of the province of Ontario’s phased in reopening, will make the CEBL the first professional league in Canada to return to play following the COVID-19 outbreak in March. Head to cebl.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to learn more.
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The Vancouver Bandits are set to close out the 2025 CEBL regular season with a bang. As part of Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday, August 3rd, Bandits guard and social media sensation Tristan Jass returns to Langley Events Centre for the Tristan Jass $10,000 Halfcourt Shootout . Four lucky fans in attendance will be randomly selected to participate in the competition at halftime against Jass. The last shooter standing takes home $10,000. Event Format: Four fans are drawn from the crowd in the first half. At halftime, each fan takes a shot from halfcourt, followed by Tristan Jass to end the round. If no one scores, they go again. If one person hits, they win the cash. If multiple fans hit, only those who made it advance to the next round. Repeat until one winner remains. Entry Rules: Must be in attendance and hold a valid ticket. If your seat is drawn, you can shoot or nominate someone from your ticket group. All participants must sign a media release waiver before participating. The Bandits, who clinched a playoff berth on July 13 , host the Winnipeg Sea Bears in a tight race for playoff positioning. Fans can expect a sellout crowd with post-season implications on the line, marking one of the most crucial matchups of the season. The Tristan Jass $10,000 Halfcourt Shootout is one of the many additions to what is shaping up to be the Bandits’ most electric night of the year. Pre-game activities begin with the Bandits Backyard BBQ starting at 3 p.m. outside Langley Events Centre , featuring $1 hot dogs, live music, an inflatable kids play area, a sign making station and a beer garden for fans 19 and over. Tip-off takes place at 5 p.m. and single game tickets are available for purchase by following this link . Jass, who appeared in two preseason games for the Bandits on May 8 and 10 respectively, has been placed on the Bandits’ Suspended List since July 1, 2025 as a result of the CEBL’s Import player limitations, restricting clubs to a maximum of four Import (non-Canadian) players on an Active Roster at a time. His “ YouTuber to Pro Hooper ” web series, documenting his day-to-day experience playing with the club, has garnered over 1.2 million views on YouTube. ### For Vancouver Bandits media inquiries, please contact: Senior Manager, Brand & Communications, Justin Sulpico, media@thebandits.ca , 604-626-8513 About Vancouver Bandits The Vancouver Bandits are British Columbia’s professional basketball team. As the westernmost club in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Bandits offer an entertainment experience that combines a fast-paced game day atmosphere with a presentation of some of Canada’s top professional athletes within a world-class venue at Langley Events Centre (LEC).  About the CEBL: A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 12 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ , TSN, TSN+, RDS , Game+ and Next Level Sports & Entertainment . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .
A few friendly bounces at the rim made all the difference for the Calgary Surge in a tense battle against rival Vancouver on Friday night (July 25). With the game on the line in Target Score Time at WinSport Events Centre, Calgary guard Evan Gilyard Jr. launched a deep three that rattled in after a few tense moments. It was Gilyard’s first triple of the game, but it lifted the Surge past the Bandits 98-96. The Surge have now swept the regular season series against the top-ranked Bandits, with both teams already locked into playoff spots in the Western Conference. The intensity of Friday’s contest mimicked a postseason showdown. Calgary head coach Kaleb Canales said the group executed the game plan on both ends of the floor with togetherness and championship poise. “We felt we had a great week of practice. We knew this was a heavyweight fight. We have a lot of respect for that team but I love our team and I love our squad and I love where we’re at,” Canales said. Both teams saw the return of NBA Summer League talent, with Vancouver’s Tyrese Samuel and Calgary’s Jameer Nelson Jr. making an impact after their time in Las Vegas. Nelson Jr. netted 21 points, including 15 in the first half, while tallying six rebounds, six assists and four steals. “[Jameer] was playing both ends at an … elite level. We absolutely love him and he was making plays when it was time to make plays,” Canales said. Sean Miller-Moore and Greg Brown III also had standout performances in the win. Miller-Moore dropped a game-high 27 points and hauled in eight rebounds, while Brown III notched a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double. Meanwhile, Samuel finished with a team-high 26 points for Vancouver on 12-15 shooting. He said he could’ve done better on the boards, but was happy with his return to the lineup overall. “It feels good to be back out there with the guys. Obviously, today wasn't the result we wanted but we're just gonna go back to the drawing board and just be ready for the playoffs,” Samuel said. Aussie big man Mitch Creek was also a force in the frontcourt with 25 points and 13 rebounds in the loss, while Kyle Mangas added 12 off the bench in his second game back from NBA Summer League. After three consecutive games with at least 15 threes, the Bandits cooled down on Friday with eight from long range at a 29 per cent clip. Calgary also capitalized on 18 Vancouver turnovers with 25 points. “Some turnovers and giving them some easy offensive rebounds I think was part of the problem for sure,” Vancouver head coach Kyle Julius said. The range of talent for both squads was on full display in the early stages of the game. The Bandits and Surge each started hot before the pace slowed. A catch-and-shoot triple from Corey Davis Jr. gave the Bandits their first lead at 16-14, and they stayed ahead 25-22 after 10 minutes. Vancouver extended its lead to nine in the second quarter following inside finishes from Creek, Zach Copeland, Samuel and a three from Davis Jr. However, Nelson Jr. willed the Surge back into the game with 11 points in the quarter. He showed off his complete game as well, stealing the rock on defence before dishing to Brown III in transition for a massive slam. After trailing for the entire second quarter, Calgary tied it up heading into the locker room with a buzzer-beating putback from Javonté Brown. Miller-Moore regained the lead for the Surge to kick off the third quarter with a transition dunk. Calgary locked in defensively for the remainder of the frame, limiting the high-powered Bandits' offence to just 18 points. Brown III added to his highlight reel late in the quarter, spinning for a left-handed dunk on Kur Jongkuch that put him on the free throw line as well. Down four points entering the final quarter, Creek and Samuel went to work inside for Vancouver. The frontcourt duo combined for 17 points before Target Score Time to knot the game at 87, but Brown III finished a putback to give Calgary a two-point advantage heading into the final stretch. The bigs continued to duel in Target Score Time, with Samuel opening the scoring before Brown III showed his versatility, connecting on back-to-back threes and rejecting Creek on the other end. Calgary missed multiple shots for the win, and Samuel added another layup before fouling out. A putback from Creek vaulted Vancouver back in front at 96-95, putting both teams a bucket away from victory. On the following possession, Gilyard did his best Kawhi Leonard impression to win the game with a deep three that needed multiple bounces before dropping. Box Score https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600650
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The Vancouver Bandits have announced today the following roster update in advance of its Friday, July 25 away game against the Calgary Surge at 7:00 p.m. PT: F Tyrese Samuel has been removed from the Suspended List and added to the Club's active roster; he will be available for tonight's game. G Izaiah Brockington and G Tristan Jass remain on the Club's Suspended List.
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