Rattlers and Bandits square off to end CEBL’s regular season slate
By: Matthew Winick • August 10, 2021
The Saskatchewan Rattlers (1-12) and Fraser Valley Bandits (6-7) will put a close to the 2021 CEBL regular season on Tuesday night at the SaskTel Centre at 6:00 p.m. PT/7:00 p.m. CT.
A season that was unprecedented amongst Canadian sports leagues getting back from the COVID-19 pandemic, the campaign was slightly delayed in order to follow health and safety protocols but has been up and running since the Niagara River Lions and Ottawa BlackJacks tipped off on June 24th.
After a slate of highlight plays, key storylines, Elam Ending game-winners and raucous crowds, the 49th and final regular season game is on tap. Should the contest between the Bandits and Rattlers be like what we’ve witnessed in the CEBL all year, it should be highly entertaining.
Recent Rematch
It won’t take long to search back and find the last time these two squads played, as Fraser Valley and Saskatchewan squared off on Sunday afternoon, with the Bandits pulling out an 85-79 victory and snapping a five-game losing streak.
Fraser Valley led almost the entire way, taking an advantage 3:10 into the game and never relinquishing it. Saskatchewan did make a run into the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to just four, but it was too little, too late.
The Rattlers’ lack of depth really struggled on the court whenever the starters took a breather, as the team finished with only 10 bench points on the night compared to the Bandits’ 20. While Saskatchewan’s reserves will never be their biggest strength, having players like Mambi Diawara and Nervens Demosthene put together solid minutes headlined by scoring would be a major boost.
Award Races
With the regular season reaching its end, not only have CEBL fans seen great games, but they’ve also witnessed great individual player performances. With awards set to be distributed shortly, many of those athletes will soon be recognized.
Saskatchewan’s Devonte Bandoo will certainly be in the running for Canadian of the Year, as the Mississauga, Ontario native leads the Rattlers in points, assists and steals while ranking second in the entire league in three-pointers made.
On the other side, Fraser Valley’s 7-foot big man Brandon Gilbeck will be in consideration for Defensive Player of the Year, as he leads the CEBL in blocked shots per game at 2.9 a night.
Look for both award competitors to play a large role towards their team’s performance on Tuesday.
Playoff Picture
Considering all teams except for these two have wrapped up their regular seasons, the playoff picture is finally set and stable.
For Saskatchewan, that means their season will be over once the final buzzer sounds against Fraser Valley. The Rattlers will use the opportunity to play in front of their fans one last time and start building towards next year’s team.
Fraser Valley’s attention will be shifted towards its quarterfinal playoff game, set for Sunday against the fifth seeded Guelph Nighthawks. The Bandits will surely use Tuesday’s game as a chance to prepare for the winner-take-all contest against the Nighthawks in just five days.
All CEBL games will be available for live streaming on the CEBL’s new OTT streaming service CEBL+, cbcsports.ca, the free CBC Gem streaming service, the CBC Sports App for iOS and android devices, and on Twitch.
A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 75 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season typically runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.
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.
LATEST VIDEO
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Mamba on May 14, 2026.
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.