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The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that the club has signed 6-foot-10 forward Grant Shephard for its upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season at Langley Events Centre (LEC). Hailing from Kelowna, B.C., Shephard recently played for Swedish club Jämtland Basket in the Basketligan, the country’s highest division of men’s pro basketball. During the 2024-25 season, he averaged 13.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 28.5 minutes in 32 games played while shooting 62 per cent from the field. Prior to Sweden, Shephard also played in Estonia (BC Kalev-Cramo, 2023-24) and Spain (Esguiera Basket, 2023-24). Shephard established himself as a dominant big man during his U SPORTS career, playing at the University of British Columbia (2017-20) before transferring to Carleton (2021-23). He captured a national championship with the Ravens in 2022-23 while also being named a U SPORTS Final 8 tournament all-star and Ontario University Athletics (OUA) second team all-star. “Grant has had two great seasons playing overseas since he was last with us. He is one of BC's best big men and I am really looking forward to getting back to work with him,” said head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. This will be Shephard’s third stint with the Bandits and fourth overall in the CEBL. He made his league debut in 2019 with the Bandits as a Development Athlete, including playing in the club’s inaugural game on May 9, 2019, and made subsequent appearances with the Niagara River Lions in 2021 and with the Bandits a second time in 2023. Across three CEBL seasons, Shephard has appeared in a combined 22 games and averaged 8.1 minutes, 2.4 points and 1.6 rebounds per game. “I am grateful to be back with the Bandits this season and ready to grind. I can already tell that this summer will be special,” said Shephard. Prior to finishing his high school career at the prestigious Montverde Academy in Florida, Shephard attended Kelowna Secondary. Shephard helped guide the Owls to a B.C. AAAA provincial championship in 2016 while he took home MVP honours as a junior. On the international stage, Shephard has represented Canada at both the junior and senior levels. Most notably, he captured the FIBA U19 World Cup in 2017, alongside current Toronto Raptor RJ Barrett, and earned a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The Vancouver Bandits announced today that Headlands Environmental has signed a three-year extension as an official partner of the club through the 2028 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. The renewed partnership continues Headlands Environmental’s commitment to youth development, community building, and Indigenous reconciliation through basketball and environmental stewardship. A cornerstone of the collaboration is the Indigenous Basketball Collective (IBC) , a long-term initiative powered by the Bandits Community Foundation and supported by Headlands since its inception. “Headlands Environmental has been a driving force behind the vision and growth of the Indigenous Basketball Collective,” said Dylan Kular, team president of the Vancouver Bandits. “This renewed partnership is a reflection of shared values — using sport as a tool for access, empowerment, and opportunity in Indigenous communities.” Since 2022, the partnership has helped fund basketball camps for Indigenous youth, officials and coaches, many of whom are attending their first ever organized training sessions led by professional athletes and coaches. In addition, Headlands has played a key role in supporting Court Projects — a program focused on building and revitalizing outdoor basketball courts including in Indigenous communities across British Columbia to create more accessible, safe, and vibrant places to play. Bandits and Headlands worked specifically on the development of an outdoor basketball court in Shxwhá:y Village (near Chilliwack) . "Headlands Environmental is proud to be a founding partner of the Indigenous Basketball Collective (IBC). As avid basketball fans we believe in the power of sport, and giving back to the communities in which we work,” said Mike Hofer, principal and owner of Headlands Environmental. “We’re very excited to be working with the Vancouver Bandits and with our Indigenous partners to be a part of this exciting initiative and to build on this with future opportunities for youth and community development". In addition to supporting Court Projects and Indigenous Basketball Collective, Headlands has played a key role in supporting youth from Mission in basketball participation through the Community Champion program. The Community Champion program with Headlands specifically supports Mission groups such as schools, not-for-profits and charitable organizations. With the 2025 season approaching, the Bandits and Headlands Environmental are excited to expand the reach of the Indigenous Basketball Collective to more communities and continue making sport a sustainable pathway for connection, confidence, and cultural pride. 
The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has re-signed 6-foot-4 Canadian guard and Hong Kong national team member Glen Yang for its 2025 season in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Born in Burnaby, B.C. and splitting time between Hong Kong and Calgary, Alta. in his youth, Yang played five seasons of U SPORTS basketball starring at Mount Royal University from 2014-2019. “I’m extremely excited to re-join the Bandits and go after a championship after so much success as a team last season,” said Yang. “The fans, support and resources that both the city and team provide are unmatched. In terms of basketball clubs, the Bandits are as professional as it gets.“ The 2025 season will be Yang’s third in the CEBL. Making his league debut in 2023, he started in all 20 games with the Winnipeg Sea Bears during their inaugural season before signing with the Bandits last year where he appeared in 19 regular season games. “Glen is a tremendous Canadian player in our league. He is the consummate professional and makes everyone around him better,” said head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. “I’m really excited about getting back to work with Glen this summer.” Yang is currently in his fifth season of professional basketball, playing the 2024-25 season with Hong Kong-based club, Eastern, who competed in the East Asia Super League and Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner's Cup competitions. During his time in the PBA, he shot a career high 45 per cent from the three-point line while helping his squad reach the Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals. At the international level, Yang represents Hong Kong. He received his first call up to the national squad during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers this past February, suiting up in games against New Zealand and Chinese Taipei. Tickets for the 2025 season, including Season Tickets, Jam Packs and Single Game Tickets, are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link . The Bandits tip-off the 2025 CEBL campaign on Thursday, May 15 when the club hits the road to take on the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Fans will have their first chance to watch the club at home on Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m. PT when Vancouver hosts the Niagara River Lions in a rematch of the 2024 CEBL Final. Vancouver will play a total of 12 regular season home games in 2025 between Thursday, May 22 and Sunday, August 3. The Bandits wrap up regular season action on the road in Ottawa on Sunday, August 10 at 12 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 learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2025 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email 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 .
The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that the club has signed San Antonio Spurs’ NBA G League starter and the all-time leading scorer in Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) program history, Kyle Mangas. A 6-foot-4 guard from Warsaw, Ind., Mangas recently completed his second season in the NBA G League appearing in 98 games for both the Indiana Mad Ants, the Indiana Pacers' minor league affiliate, and Austin Spurs, affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs. He averaged 15.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 34.4 minutes per game during the 2024-25 season and was also selected to the 2024 NBA G League Next Up Game, as part of the NBA’s All-Star Weekend festivities. “We have been recruiting Kyle for the past two years. He is a beast and a relentless competitor with big time instincts and feel for the game,” said Bandits head coach and general manager, Kyle Julius. “He produces everywhere he goes and he will enhance our culture this summer.” In addition to his time in the NBA G League, Mangas also suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2024 NBA Summer League and also played overseas in Lithuania (BC Siauliai, 2022-23) and the Czech Republic (USK Praha, 2021-22). “I’m incredibly excited to join the Bandits this summer and represent the city of Vancouver,” said Mangas. “The organization has a strong culture and a passionate fan base; I look forward to helping this team compete for a championship.” Mangas played post-secondary basketball at Indiana Wesleyan University where he is the school’s all-time leading scorer and cemented himself as a star. In all four seasons with the Wildcats, he was named Crossroads League Player of the Year and earned NAIA DII All-American honours. Additionally, he helped lead IWU to an NAIA DII championship in 2017-18 where he was named tournament MVP. Rounding out his accolades, he was named NAIA National Player of the Year during his senior year in 2020-21. Tickets for the 2025 season, including Season Tickets, Jam Packs and Single Game Tickets, are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link . The Bandits tip-off the 2025 CEBL campaign on Thursday, May 15 when the club hits the road to take on the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Fans will have their first chance to watch the club at home on Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m. PT when Vancouver hosts the Niagara River Lions in a rematch of the 2024 CEBL Final. Vancouver will play a total of 12 regular season home games in 2025 between Thursday, May 22 and Sunday, August 3. The Bandits wrap up regular season action on the road in Ottawa on Sunday, August 10 at 12 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 learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2025 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email 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 .
LANGLEY, B.C. , April 18th, 2025 – The Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that the club will host a charitable preseason game Saturday, May 10 against the Sikh Warriors from The Basketball Tournament (TBT) at Langley Events Centre. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. PT. This exclusive matchup will offer fans their first opportunity to see the 2025 Vancouver Bandits squad, featuring newly signed player Tristan Jass, as the club gears up for its highly anticipated seventh season in the CEBL. The popular basketball content creator, influencer, and viral social media sensation signed his first professional contract with the Bandits on April 17. Proceeds from the game will benefit the Bandits Community Foundation , which uses basketball to empower youth across British Columbia through grassroots programs, life skills education, and expanded access to the sport. “This game is more than a preseason tilt, it is a celebration of our mission to grow the game and give back to communities across B.C.,” said Dylan Kular, Vancouver Bandits team president. “We are proud to welcome the Sikh Warriors to LEC and shine a light on the impact of our foundation.” The Sikh Warriors are competing in the 2025 edition of The Basketball Tournament, a high-stakes U.S.-based summer tournament broadcast on ESPN that showcases top talent from around the world. The May 10 contest will serve as a key tune-up for both squads and a unique opportunity for fans to witness international flair and Canadian professional basketball. The Warriors roster is highlighted by numerous high-calibre players and homegrown talent that includes: Vick Toor – A 6-foot-1 guard and University of the Fraser Valley alumnus Bikram Gill – A 6-foot-9 forward, product of Ball State University and former Team Canada 3x3 representative Amaan Sandhu – A 7-foot-1 centre from Manhattan College and former member of India men's national basketball team Tickets are available now at thebandits.ca/tickets . Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and fans are encouraged to arrive early for giveaways, a special pre-game ceremony, and to celebrate a night of culture, community, and hoops for a cause. Individuals interested in learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2025 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email 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 .
The Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that the club has signed popular basketball content creator, influencer, and viral social media sensation Tristan Jass. Known for his jaw-dropping ball-handling skills and incredible trick shots, Jass previously joined the CEBL’s Scarborough Shooting Stars in 2024 for a workout through his partnership with Electrolit, the league’s official hydration sponsor. This summer, he will take the next step in his athletic career as he competes at the professional level in Vancouver. “Tristan has clearly developed a skill set worthy of competing with pros at a high level,” said Bandits head coach and general manager, Kyle Julius. “We are all really excited to see what he can do in our system with our guys.” The Kenosha, Wis. native has amassed millions of followers on social media platforms like YouTube (5.62 million), TikTok (3.1 million) and Instagram (2.4 million) with his eye-catching basketball content, becoming one of the most influential figures in that space in the last five years. The Wasserman Creators client and Electrolit athlete has built a strong following by engaging with fans, collaborating with influencers and celebrities, and creating viral videos that have been featured on ESPN and other televised programs. Jass most recently suited up in the 2024 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, posting 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists while playing alongside and against star professional athletes like the NFL’s Micah Parsons, Puka Nacua, and CJ Stroud. “I started with a basketball, a camera, and a dream. From making basketball videos on YouTube to joining a professional basketball team—I am grateful and blessed for this opportunity,” said Jass. “I can’t wait to get to Vancouver to join the Bandits and bring some good vibes to the city. Let’s get to work!” Jass will join the Bandits when they open training camp on May 6. The first opportunity for the public to see Jass play in a game will be Vancouver’s preseason game in partnership with the Bandits Community Foundation on Saturday, May 10 at 5:00 p.m. PT at Langley Events Centre. Tickets are available for purchase at this link . Tickets for the 2025 season, including Season Tickets, Jam Packs and Single Game Tickets, are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link . The Bandits tip-off the 2025 CEBL regular season campaign on Thursday, May 15 when the club hits the road to take on the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Fans will have their first chance to watch the club at home on Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m. PT when Vancouver hosts the Niagara River Lions in a rematch of the 2024 CEBL Final. Vancouver will play a total of 12 regular season home games in 2025 between Thursday, May 22 and Sunday, August 3. The Bandits wrap up regular season action on the road in Ottawa on Sunday, August 10 at 12 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 learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2025 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email 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 .
 The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that the club has signed Canadian guard Shamar Givance ahead of the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League season at Langley Events Centre. Givance is in the middle of his second season in professional basketball, suiting up for AEL Limassol B.C. of the OPAP Basket League in Cyprus, and will report to the Bandits at the conclusion of his season overseas. He currently leads the league with 8.1 assists per game while also averaging 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 35.8 minutes in 21 games. The 5-foot-10 native of Brampton, Ont. is no stranger to the CEBL, having split time between the Scarborough Shooting Stars and Ottawa BlackJacks during the 2024 season. Through 17 regular season games, he averaged 8.2 points, 3.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds on 47.2 and 44.1 per cent shooting from field goal and three-point range, respectively. “I am excited to return to the CEBL and be part of the Bandits organization,” said Givance. “Everything I've heard about the team’s culture, passionate fans and incredible energy in Vancouver has me looking forward to the summer ahead. I’m ready to put in the work with my teammates and bring that championship to BC.” Givance’s career also includes a stop in Slovakia during the 2023-24 season. In his first year as a pro with BKM Lucenec of the Slovakian Basketball League, the rookie averaged 19.9 points, 7.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals through 34 games played. “Shamar is an extremely tough player with big time speed and an ability to generate scoring opportunities for himself and others,” said head coach and general manager, Kyle Julius. “Between Shamar and Mike Nuga I think we have the two fastest players in the CEBL, I can't wait to get started with these guys!” Givance played four seasons of post-secondary basketball at the University of Evansville from 2018 to 2022, where he earned All-Missouri Valley Conference Second Team honours in 2021 and surpassed the 1000-point mark in 2022. He then transferred to the University of Texas El Paso for his graduate season in 2022-23 where he averaged the third-most assists and steals per game in Conference USA and ranked eighth in program history with 62 steals on the season.
The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that the club has signed 2025 U SPORTS national champion and the University of Victoria’s all-time leading scorer Diego Maffia to a Standard Player Contract. A product of Victoria, B.C. and an alumnus of Oak Bay High School, Maffia leaves UVic with a decorated university career including back-to-back U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian and Canada West Player of the Year honours in 2023 and 2024, as well as being named U SPORTS player of the Year in 2024. He was instrumental in the Vikes’ recent success, contributing to three consecutive Canada West championships (2021, 2022, 2023) and four straight U SPORTS Final 8 appearances, culminating with a national championship in 2025. Over the course of five seasons, Maffia averaged 29.0 minutes, 20.3 points, 3.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds 1.2 steals and 3.4 three-pointers made on 33.3 per cent shooting across 103 games played (80 starts). He finishes his career as UVic’s all-time leading scorer, amassing 2,096 points. Maffia’s 2024-25 season ended prematurely after sustaining a season-ending knee injury in January. He is currently recovering from successful surgery and will be placed on the club’s Suspended List for the 2025 CEBL season. With this signing, the Bandits will have the first chance to retain Maffia’s rights for the 2026 season. “Diego has always been a huge part of our development culture. We want to help Diego through his recovery process and make sure he is set up for success with us when he is ready to get back to action,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. Originally drafted sixth overall in the 2023 CEBL Draft, Maffia has appeared in 30 games for the Bandits across two seasons with averages of 4.9 points, 1.6 assists 1.0 rebounds and 11.2 minutes per game. Bandits fans were first introduced to his talents at the pro level when, in his first career pro start, Maffia recorded a double-double and the game-winning basket as part of a 15-point, 11-assist performance against the Calgary Surge on June 3, 2023. Tickets for the 2025 season, including Season Tickets, Jam Packs and Single Game Tickets, are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link . The Bandits tip-off the 2025 CEBL campaign on Thursday, May 15 when the club hits the road to take on the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Fans will have their first chance to watch the club at home on Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m. PT when Vancouver hosts the Niagara River Lions in a rematch of the 2024 CEBL Final. Vancouver will play a total of 12 regular season home games in 2025 between Thursday, May 22 and Sunday, August 3. The Bandits wrap up regular season action on the road in Ottawa on Sunday, August 10 at 12 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 learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2025 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email 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 .
The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has selected a total of three homegrown players – all hailing from the Lower Mainland – in Nikola Guzina from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Mikyle Malabuyoc from the University of Western Ontario (UWO) and David Mutabazi from Trinity Western University at the seventh annual Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Draft. Guzina was selected by the Bandits 10th overall in the first round, followed by Malabuyoc who was chosen in the second round, 11th overall, while Mutabazi completed the 2025 draft class in the final round, 30th overall. “We are all really excited about the opportunity to work with this draft class,” said Bandits head coach and general manager, Kyle Julius. “We have a strong mandate to draft locally in order to grow and develop the game in BC. Working with this group and giving them the opportunity to earn pro minutes this summer aligns perfectly with our mandate.” All players selected in the CEBL Draft were signed to a Developmental Player Contract, therefore retaining a student-athlete’s eligibility for the 2025-26 post-secondary basketball season. CEBL teams are incentivized to have developmental players on their active roster as up to a maximum of three will not count against a club’s per game active roster salary cap. Guzina, a 6-foot-10 forward from Vancouver, B.C., recently completed his fourth season at UBC where he earned Canada West Third Team All-Star honours. After a shortened junior year due to injury, Guzina experienced a bounce back season in 2024-25 averaging 21.0 minutes, 13.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game in 29 games (26 starts) while finishing in double figures on 18 occasions. Prior to his time with the Thunderbirds, Guzina starred at Vancouver’s King George Secondary where he helped lead the Dragons to a pair of Double-A provincial championship final appearances in 2018 and 2020. The Bandits selected Malabuyoc, a 5-foot-10 guard from Vancouver, B.C., in the second round. He recently completed his sophomore year at the University of Western Ontario in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) conference and attended Vancouver College prior to his post-secondary career. During the 2024-25 season, Malabuyoc placed fourth in total assists across all U SPORTS players with 116 helpers, while his 654 total minutes played led all Mustangs. He averaged 28.6 minutes, 12.4 points, 5.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.7 rebounds per game on 48.8 per cent shooting from field goal range over the course of 23 games played. Closing out the Bandits’ 2025 draft class is 6-foot-5 guard David Mutabazi of Trinity Western University. Born in Kirinda, Rwanda and now calling Langley, B.C. home, he averaged 12.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals in 23 games played during the 2024-25 season. Additionally, Mutabazi recorded 164 total rebounds during the 2024-25 season, which placed him in the top 10 among all U SPORTS men’s basketball players. Prior to transferring to TWU, Mutabazi played for Columbia Bible College in the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST) during the 2021-22 season, where he led the Bearcats in points, rebounds, assists, steals and field goals made and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player. Tickets for the 2025 season, including Season Tickets, Jam Packs and Single Game Tickets, are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link . The Bandits tip-off the 2025 CEBL campaign on Thursday, May 15 when the club hits the road to take on the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Fans will have their first chance to watch the club at home on Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m. PT when Vancouver hosts the Niagara River Lions in a rematch of the 2024 CEBL Final. Vancouver will play a total of 12 regular season home games in 2025 between Thursday, May 22 and Sunday, August 3. The Bandits wrap up regular season action on the road in Ottawa on Sunday, August 10 at 12 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 learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2025 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca . A complete regular season schedule can be found by clicking here .