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.
###
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.
LATEST NEWS
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that Dylan Kular, President of the Vancouver Bandits, has been named the 2025 CEBL Executive of the Year, earning the honour for a league-record third time (2021, 2022). The recognition comes a day after the Bandits secured the 2025 CEBL Community Champion Award, marking the second Business Award for the franchise this season and the fifth in just two years . The CEBL has now revealed three of its four annual Business Award winners this year, with the Calgary Surge capturing the Digital Excellence Award on Monday. The league’s 2025 Franchise of the Year recipient will be announced tomorrow (October 30). EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR Awarded to a team executive who best lives the values of the CEBL by leading with integrity and good governance, fosters a positive organizational culture, leads a franchise that has demonstrated success on the basketball court, in the community and with the overall performance and development of their club’s business during the past year, demonstrates a long-term vision to grow their franchise in its market, and contributes to the success of the league beyond their own club while being an inspiration and valued colleague to peers around the CEBL. 2025 Winner: Dylan Kular, President, Vancouver Bandits Under Dylan Kular’s leadership in 2025, the Vancouver Bandits combined on-court excellence with strong business and community performance. The team finished the regular season with the league’s best record (19-5), led all CEBL franchises in ticketing and group sales growth, and achieved the highest year-over-year gains in digital engagement and social media followership. The Bandits also earned top individual basketball honours this summer at the 2025 CEBL Awards , including Coach of the Year (Kyle Julius), MVP (Mitch Creek) and Canadian Player of the Year / Clutch Player of the Year (Tyrese Samuel). Off the court, Kular oversaw the successful launch of the Bandits Community Foundation, leading to the aforementioned back-to-back Community Champion Awards, and helped secure the addition of renowned basketball content creator and viral sensation Tristan Jass to the CEBL , in collaboration with the league and Electrolit Canada. Other notable off-court highlights include: Fifth Business Award in two seasons for the franchise Expansion of fan and group engagement initiatives across British Columbia Kular’s leadership continues to set the standard for excellence in the CEBL, blending competitive success with business growth, community engagement, and innovation. The 2025 CEBL Business Awards consist of four awards, given in recognition of accomplishments at both the team and executive levels ( Award – Announcement Date – Winner): Digital Excellence Award – Monday, October 27 – Calgary Surge Community Champion – Tuesday, October 28 – Vancouver Bandits Executive of the Year – Wednesday, October 29 – Dylan Kular, President, Vancouver Bandits Franchise of the Year – Thursday, October 30 – TBA Award winners were voted on by various groups comprised of league and team executives, including, but not limited to, members of the CEBL’s Leadership Team and all 10 team presidents.
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that the Vancouver Bandits have been named the 2025 CEBL Community Champion, earning the honour for a second consecutive season . The Community Champion Award is the second of four 2025 CEBL Business Awards to be presented this week.  COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD Awarded to the franchise that has demonstrated a dedication to and understanding of local communities through notable, creative, and sustainable outreach that prioritize the CEBL values of innovation, inclusion, diversity, and meaningful experiences for fans and others. 2025 Winner: Vancouver Bandits In 2025, the Vancouver Bandits expanded their community reach through the launch of the Bandits Community Foundation , a charitable organization overseeing programs such as the Community Champion Initiative, Indigenous Basketball Collective, First Buckets, Secondary Buckets, and Inspiring Bandits Scholarship. The club also became the first CEBL team to unveil a Filipino Heritage jersey and logo , with proceeds benefiting United Way BC and the Canadian Red Cross to support those affected by events following the Vancouver Lapu-Lapu Day Festival. Continuing their commitment to the Terry Fox Foundation, the Bandits signed a multi-year partnership supporting Canadian cancer research, including the return of their Terry Fox tribute jerseys. Community engagement remained a cornerstone of the Bandits’ efforts this year, with additional highlights including: Hosting the fourth annual BC Basketball Festival at Langley Events Centre Awarding six scholarships through the Inspiring Bandits program at the BC High School Basketball Championships Delivering 77 on-court sessions and 12 free coaching clinics through Secondary Buckets, led by Bandits head coach Kyle Julius Refurbishing Grays Park in South Vancouver through the Court Projects initiative Hosting three cultural heritage theme games (Filipino Heritage, South Asian Heritage, and Indigenous Celebration), each ranking among the club’s top five attended home games in 2025 The Bandits also launched a successful bid to host the 2026 Junior All Native Basketball Tournament, one of the largest youth basketball events in Canada, in partnership with Kwantlen First Nation and Vancity Nation youth basketball. The 2025 Community Champion Award recognizes the Vancouver Bandits’ sustained leadership and impact across British Columbia, reflecting their ongoing commitment to community, inclusion, and excellence in basketball. The 2025 CEBL Business Awards consist of four awards, given in recognition of accomplishments at both the team and executive levels ( Award – Announcement Date – Winner): Digital Excellence Award – Monday, October 27 – Calgary Surge Community Champion – Tuesday, October 28 – Vancouver Bandits Executive of the Year – Wednesday, October 29 – TBA Franchise of the Year – Thursday, October 30 – TBA Award winners were voted on by various groups comprised of league and team executives, including, but not limited to, members of the CEBL’s Leadership Team and all 10 team presidents.
The Vancouver Bandits, Bandits Community Foundation, Vancity Nation Basketball and Kwantlen First Nation are proud to host the 2026 BC Junior All Native basketball tournament, taking place March 15-20, 2026 in Langley, BC. The Junior All Native Tournament (JANT) is the largest Indigenous youth sports gathering in British Columbia and one of the biggest basketball tournaments in Canada, drawing over 1,200 youth athletes, over 10,000 travellers and over 100 teams from across the province. Additionally, more than 100 Indigenous communities will be attending and represented at the annual tournament. “Vancity Nation is proud to partner with Kwantlen First Nation, Bandits Community Foundation and Vancouver Bandits to bring JANT to Langley,” said Nicole Cardinal, team manager of Vancity Nation basketball club. ”This is an opportunity for Vancity Nation to showcase our urban youth who live away from their communities and play a sport they love with Indigenous youth from across BC. Vancity Nation is made of volunteer coaches and managers who provide low cost basketball opportunities for our youth, and together we hope we build pathways that strengthen identity, and community connection. This goes a long way in raising young, productive leaders in a sport they love.” Langley Events Centre will serve as the tournament’s primary venue, hosting the opening ceremony on March 15 and championship games on March 20. Games will also be played at venues that include RE Mountain Secondary, Langley Secondary, Walnut Grove Secondary, Peter Ewart Middle and Yorkson Creek Middle schools in Langley. The 2026 edition of the tournament marks the first time in eight years that the event has been hosted in the Lower Mainland, with the last occurrence in 2018 hosted at North Vancouver’s Capilano University. “On behalf of Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation, we are honoured to serve as custodians of the 2026 BC Junior All Native basketball tournament while standing side-by-side with Kwantlen First Nation and VanCity Nation Basketball. Basketball has always been a powerful connector and the Junior All Native basketball tournament is a testament to that,” said Dylan Kular, president of the Vancouver Bandits. “The Junior All Native basketball tournament represents the very best of what sport can do such as bringing people together, celebrating culture, and inspiring the next generation.” The Junior All Native Tournament has been a cornerstone event for nearly 50 years, uniting young athletes and their families from Indigenous communities across BC. The tournament aims to inspire Indigenous youth to pursue their goals and make the most of their potential, while improving their fitness and skill levels. The tournament rotates annually between the three regions of Northern BC, Coastal BC, and Interior BC, with the most recent tournament hosted by the Syilx Okanagan Nation in 2025. Information on the 2026 tournament, including team registration, can be found at www.jant.ca
Electrolit athlete and viral basketball sensation Tristan Jass has officially broken four Guinness World Records™ titles in just four hours. The record-shattering event took place at the home of the Vancouver Bandits — Langley Events Centre in Langley, British Columbia — with Electrolit fueling Jass’s monumental performance. With laser focus and electrifying energy, Jass shattered multiple Guinness World Records, each verified on-site by an official Guinness World Records judge, including: Longest Basketball Shot (Blindfolded) Farthest Basketball Bounce Shot Most Consecutive Behind-the-Backboard Shots Most Basketball Layups in One Minute With more than 10 million followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, Tristan Jass is a global sensation, known for his jaw-dropping trick shots and ball-handling skills. The record-breaking day marks another high point in Jass’s rising career, following his recent stint playing with the Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Watch the full video on Tristan Jass’ YouTube channel to see every record-breaking moment in action: https://youtu.be/_J6Z71vhe3U “Man, this is unreal. I’ve always been about doing things differently, pushing the limits, getting creative, and just having fun with the game. Breaking four Guinness World Records titles in one day? It was a grind. But Electrolit kept me hydrated, and that’s everything when it comes to performing at my best. I’m grateful, I’m hyped, and I’m just getting started,” said Jass. Electrolit is available at major retailers as well as online through Amazon, to support active lifestyles of all shapes and sizes, from work to play to sports. For more information, visit www. electrolit.com or follow them on Instagram or Facebook @Electrolit
LATEST VIDEO
A message from Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius on the 2025 season and thoughts on the CEBL Western Conference Semifinal.
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on August 16th, 2025.
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on August 3rd, 2025.
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on July 25, 2025.