Project rebuild leaves Fraser Valley Bandits with future blueprint for success
Emily Wilson • November 3, 2020
After finishing in last place in their inaugural season, the Fraser Valley Bandits went back to the drawing board determined and focused on rebranding themselves as true competitors.
When the Bandits returned to play nearly a year later, the new-look organization had engineered a sharp turnaround, proving themselves to be a championship contender by finishing as runners up in the 2020 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL).
But with such a dramatic turnaround, where do the Bandits go next?
Led by new head coach Kyle Julius, the organization travelled almost 4,500 kilometres from Abbotsford, B.C. to St. Catharines, Ont. to participate in the ‘bubble-style tournament’ for a pandemic impacted season.
Their opponents were familiar, but the Bandits looked reborn. The team sported a new roster with just one returning player in B.C. native, Marek Klassen. Right from the start, they had a game plan moving into year two.
“The first thing that we did as the team [was] just mostly reflecting after year one. We were the worst team based on record in year one, we lost a lot of close games but there was definitely an edge that we were missing and right away we knew that we had to rebuild,” said Bandits vice president Dylan Kular.
“We knew that we wanted to be the developmental hub for the CEBL. We wanted to make sure that if players were coming to the Fraser Valley, that they knew they were going to get the best medical treatment, the best basketball development, they're going to develop as people and they are going to propel their careers.”
Starting from scratch might have been seen as a setback, yet the Bandits held a slight advantage as Julius knew most of the players and their playing styles from previous years. With those connections, it didn’t take long for the team to make themselves known in the CEBL.
“My coaching style is process-driven and I wanted a group of guys that I knew were going to play as hard as they could,” said Julius on constructing the roster. “I wanted a group of guys that really wanted to be there in the CEBL and specifically for the Bandits.”
“What you saw was what we planned to do.”
Kular echoed the same thoughts. “We knew if we brought those kinds of people in that we were going to give ourselves a really good chance to be successful in the Summer Series and that ended up being the case.”
However, while the prior on-the-court experience enhanced the team’s cohesiveness, it was the individual drive that pushed them to be their best and earn a spot in the final.
“Coach Julius gathered a bunch of guys who had something to prove, myself included,” said guard Jahenns Manigat. “A bunch of guys who have felt underappreciated, undervalued.”
“In the locker room, it was just a bunch of guys who are hungry, who were eager to prove something not only to the public but to themselves as well. We just all kind of took that as like our warcry and carried it with us with every game.”
Message received. The CEBL took notice as opposing teams took note of the chip on Fraser Valley’s shoulder.
Right from the opening tip-off, the Bandits impressed many as the team finished with a 4-2 record in the round robin, earning themselves a berth in the playoff semifinals against the Hamilton Honey Badgers.
In group play, the Honey Badgers were one of the two teams to defeat the Bandits, handing them a 102-96 loss. But with a spot in the final on the line, Fraser Valley wasn’t going to let the opportunity slip.
The match-up was a tight contest as the Bandits won 76-75 after overcoming a 14-point fourth quarter deficit.
“That semifinal was a crazy comeback,” Kular said. “We had guys puking in the changeroom after the game and then less than 24 hours later we got ready for another game.”
When it came time for the final, Kular said the Bandits had just simply run out of gas as they lost 90-73 to the top-seeded Edmonton Stingers.
Despite not going home with any hardware, the team returned to B.C. with their heads held high and most importantly, a new foundation for the organization.
“Our goal was to win. So on that Sunday afternoon after we lost we were all deeply saddened about it. We didn't want to go home without that number one spot. But when you look at it, in hindsight, we did a really good job,” Manigat said. “We've proved that the right pieces could have an immediate effect.”
“Our goal was to show fans a type of a basketball that is gritty and people that want to lockdown on defence and are going to give their full effort night in and night out,” Kular said. “I think we achieved that. Fans back in B.C., and even across the country, were letting us know that.”
Whether or not the same players and coaching staff return for the 2021 season, the redevelopment of the organization leaves a solid blueprint to refer to for future success.
“If you understand how to build a team, if you understand how to get a coach who knows how to coach up his players and to have players who are willing to listen and give 110 per cent effort, then you're going to move in the right direction,” Manigat said.
“I think that's what the Bandits learned this past summer and I think that's what they're going to look forward to continuing to build in the future.”
Kular emphasized that plan, “We're looking forward to what 2021 holds.”
LATEST NEWS
The Vancouver Bandits, BC’s professional basketball team, hosted a youth basketball camp on Wednesday, September 9 in Williams Lake, in partnership with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC) and FortisBC. The Bandits welcomed over 40 local athletes and their families to the camp, with the main goal of building confidence, inspiring young athletes, and bringing youth sports development and mentorship to athletes across the province. Held at Lake City Secondary, the camp marked the first community visit by BC’s professional basketball team to the Cariboo region, bringing more basketball to more people across our province. “Community is a core pillar of the Bandits organization, and we are proud to host camps and opportunities that help shape and inspire the next generation of players and leaders,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “Thank you to our partners at I∙SPARC and FortisBC for their support in bringing this camp to fruition, and to the Williams Lake basketball community for welcoming our team this week.” "We're proud to support opportunities that help young people build confidence, strengthen their skills and create lasting connections," said Janet Devaney, senior manager, community & Indigenous initiatives at FortisBC. "Through initiatives like this basketball camp, Indigenous youth can connect with peers and mentors, develop new skills and experience the positive impact that sport can have on confidence, leadership and a sense of belonging.” The free-of-charge camp was part of the Indigenous Basketball Collective, representing the ongoing collaboration between I∙SPARC and the Vancouver Bandits. Established in 2023, ongoing and past projects through the Collective include camps and clinics for Indigenous youth and coaches, building new basketball courts in Indigenous communities, and hosting the 2026 Junior All Native Basketball Tournament.
Vancouver Bandits guard Jarkel Joiner has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Charlotte Hornets. The news was announced by the Hornets on social media . During his time with the Bandits in the 2026 season, Joiner made 21 appearances, including 13 starts, and finished with 16.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals per games. Introduced in the NBA’s 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement, Exhibit 10 contracts are one-year deals. They can include a potential bonus if the player spends time with the team’s G League affiliate.
Former Vancouver Bandits guard Kyle Mangas has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Charlotte Hornets. The news was announced by the Hornets on social media. Mangas is expected to practice and compete with the Hornets during the 2026-27 Training Camp and preseason from October 3rd to 12th. During his time with the Bandits in the 2025 season, Mangas finished top five on the team in points (15.3), rebounds (4.6), assists (3.3) and steals (1.3). Introduced in the NBA’s 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement, Exhibit 10 contracts are one-year deals. They can include a potential bonus if the player spends time with the team’s G League affiliate.
The Vancouver Bandits have partnered with the Vancouver Park Board, Bandits Community Foundation and Little Legends Foundation to unveil a newly renovated outdoor basketball court at Grays Park in South Vancouver. Part of the Bandits Community Foundation’s Court Projects initiative, the team officially unveiled the refurbished court on Saturday (August 30). The grand opening included a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a free youth basketball clinic led by local coaches. Attendees also enjoyed a complimentary BBQ lunch, free haircuts and massages, and free backpacks and school supplies distributed for local youth. “The Bandits Community Foundation’s Court Projects initiative was designed to build and enhance public outdoor courts,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “The love for the game grows in spaces like Grays Park. This project would not have been possible without the support of our community partners. We will continue to enhance outdoor public courts, make them more inviting, and create stronger communities through basketball.” “Over the past few years, we have been trying to build one of the nicest courts here in South Vancouver for the community,” said community leader Spensir Sangara. “We recognized that Grays Park was one of the few neighbourhood parks without a quality basketball court for the community. Thank you to our businesses and donors who came together to make our vision a reality. This court is filled with a rich basketball culture and this is a legendary day for our community.” “When the Vancouver Bandits approached the Vancouver Park Board with the idea to upgrade this park, it seemed like the right fit and partner to help renew an important asset in a community where basketball plays such an important role,” said Vancouver Park Board Director of Business Services John Brodie. “Thank you to the Bandits and our partners for their generous contributions, and for being examples of what having a strong, community-oriented mission looks like.” The court refurbishment at Grays Park, located at 4850 St. Catherines Street in Vancouver, includes upgrades to the basketball hoops, playing area resurfacing and seating areas. Grays Park was identified as one of Vancouver’s most active outdoor basketball spaces, and community feedback strongly supported the refurbishment. Established in October 2023, the goal of Court Projects is to enhance outdoor basketball courts across British Columbia, creating productive and safe spaces for individuals to play while enriching local basketball at the community level. To date, this partnered team effort has featured the construction and installation of six brand new outdoor basketball courts and upgrading hundreds of basketball rims in communities across BC.
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