FRASER VALLEY BANDITS ANNOUNCE 2022 TRAINING CAMP ROSTER

Bandits Staff • May 18, 2022

LANGLEY, B.C., May 18, 2022 – The Fraser Valley Bandits announced its 2022 training camp roster Wednesday ahead of the club’s upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

The 15-man roster features a combination of Canadian national team talent, standouts from various top international leagues, as well as former U SPORTS All-Canadians, as well as CCAA all-stars.

Fraser Valley’s 2022 training camp roster also features its first non-American international player in Kyle Adnam, who joins the Bandits for his first taste of CEBL action alongside fellow Australian Jamie Pearlman, who was announced yesterday as the club’s lead assistant coach.

The Bandits are proud to welcome back 2021 team MVP and CEBL three-point leader Alex Campbell for his second season in the Valley, as well as 2020 team MVP and 2021 “warrior of the year” Malcolm Duvivier, who returns to the club for his third season.

“As an organization and front office we are really excited about the growth of the CEBL as a whole. The league has grown tremendously every year and we feel this year's roster is right on pace with the growth of the league. Our goal has always been to build a roster of toughness and togetherness and we feel we have laid that foundation again this year,” said Bandits general manager Kyle Julius.

“We are truly proud of the coaching staff that we have been able to hire and we have total faith in their ability to get the best out of this year's roster. Mike, Jamie, Ryan, Tony, Josh and Levon make up an outstanding international staff and we know the players will benefit.”

Also returning to the club is Chris McLaughlin, who emerged as a fan favourite during Fraser Valley’s inaugural season thanks to his rim rattling dunks and rebounding presence. The former University of Victoria Vike and U SPORTS first team All-Canadian suited up in six games for the Bandits in 2019, averaging 12 points, 7.8 rebounds (2.5 offensive) and 0.8 blocks per game on 54.3 per cent shooting from the field.

Further sizing up Fraser Valley’s frontline are NCAA Division I products Maxie Esho (University of Massachusetts) and Murphy Burnatowski (Colgate & Maine), who have both enjoyed extensive overseas careers, particularly in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).

“We have brought back our core of toughness, skill and leadership while adding proven pieces like Murphy, Kyle and Maxie. We are chasing competitive greatness with this group and we can't wait to see it come to life. We have the best fans in the league and we will fight tooth and nail to make them proud,” Julius added.

While Esho and Burnatowski bring size and versatility to the Bandits’ forward corps, guards Shane Gibson and Ty Rowell bring deadeye shooting to a revamped Fraser Valley roster. Since graduating from Sacred Heart University (SHU), Gibson has won championships in several of the top professional leagues around the globe; including a 2018 title with AEK Larnaca in Cyprus. Gibson is SHU’s all-time Division I leading scorer.

Joining Gibson beyond the arc is Walnut Grove Secondary guard Ty Rowell. Rowell recently completed his fifth and graduating season at California Baptist University. He averaged 11 points, 2.8 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 30.4 minutes per game on 41.7 and 40.5 per cent from field goal and three-point range, respectively, over the course of four seasons of Division I basketball after being promoted from DII following the 2017-18 season.

Eight of the 15 players named to the training camp roster are U SPORTS alumni; including recently announced 6-foot-1 guard and two-time U SPORTS MVP and three-time Ontario University Athletics (OUA) player of the year, Kadre Gray, who arrives in the Fraser Valley after starring for the Ottawa BlackJacks and leading them to a CEBL semifinal berth in 2021. Gray scored a CEBL playoff record 32 points in a decisive 96-94 quarterfinal victory over the Hamilton Honey Badgers on Aug. 14, 2021.

Deepening the OUA lineage on the Bandits is former Hamilton Honey Badger forward, Thomas Kennedy, who is coming off the best season of his post-secondary career at the University of Windsor, averaging 22.3 points and 15.3 rebounds per game to lead all rebounders in Canadian university basketball. Kennedy is no stranger to the pro game, either, having been drafted by the Honey Badgers in 2019 and 2021 and averaging 18 minutes and 5.2 points per game for Hamilton last season.

The Bandits drafted Kennedy in the first round of the annual CEBL U SPORTS Draft, followed by current University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbird forward Sukhman Sandhu, who led all of U SPORTS in three-point percentage (50 per cent) among players with a minimum of 50 attempts.

Prior to UBC, Sandhu suited up for University of the Fraser Valley where he played alongside fellow training camp roster member and Tamanawis Secondary alumnus Sukhjot Bains, who recently completed his first pro season in Sweden where he led Helsingborg in scoring, averaging 15.8 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game on 47.1 and 37.6 per cent shooting from field goal and three-point range.

Also returning to the Bandits is fellow U SPORTS Development Athlete Adam Paige, who was drafted by the Bandits in 2021 and was re-signed last month after helping the University of Alberta reach the U SPORTS men’s basketball Final 8. This time around; however, Paige brings with him Golden Bears running mate and 6-foot-1 guard Geoffrey James, who finished second on Alberta in scoring with 14.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game on 43.9 and 36.7 per cent shooting from the field and three-point range.

A final local tie between the Bandits and British Columbia’s skilled collection of university bred talent is American guard Usama Zaid, who took home CCAA player of the year honours in 2017 after he led the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners to a 16-2 record and first place finish in PACWEST.

Zaid split time between the guard and forward positions and led all of PACWEST with 28.3 points per game, while also averaging 9.1 rebounds on a nightly basis.

Fraser Valley opens its fourth CEBL season on the road on Wednesday, May 25 at 4:30 p.m. PT against the Ottawa BlackJacks. Following a three-game road swing to start the year, the Bandits will debut at LEC for their home opener against the Rattlers on Saturday, June 4.

Full and partial season ticket packages, as well as group and single game tickets are available for purchase at thebandits.ca/tickets. Fans are kindly asked to call (604) 866-0529 or email tickets@thebandits.ca for any questions or ticket related inquiries.

Fans can also fill out this form to register their interest for tickets and to arrange to be contacted directly by a team representative.

All CEBL regular season games will be livestreamed on the free CBC Gem streaming service, cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices and CEBL+.

Head to thebandits.ca for more information or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

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7 Bandits Players Named to 2026 NBA G League Training Camp Rosters

By Bandits Staff • October 27, 2026

Seven players who have previously suited up for the Vancouver Bandits, including five from the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season, have been named to NBA G League training camp rosters ahead of the start of the 2026-27 season on November 6, 2026. The NBA G League serves as the NBA’s official minor league and features 31 teams, with 30 clubs having one-to-one affiliations with NBA franchises. Surrey, B.C.’s James Karnik will join the Portland Trail Blazers’ affiliate, Rip City Remix. Karnik has participated in 36 regular season games across four seasons dating back to 2022, including four games in 2026. This marks the first time that he has been named to an NBA G League training camp squad. Jaelen House, a former NBA G League All-Star who played in 10 games for the Bandits during the 2026 season, will be competing for a roster spot on the Utah Jazz’s affiliate, Salt Lake City Stars. He set the Bandits’ single-game scoring record, recording 42 points against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on June 18, 2026. The Charlotte Hornets’ affiliate and defending NBA G League champion, Greensboro Swarm, will feature Jarkel Joiner. Joiner played 21 games for the Bandits in 2026, leading the team in points per game (17.8), before being named to the Hornets’ training camp roster and logging minutes in four NBA preseason games. Joining Joiner on the Swarm is Kyle Mangas, who appeared in 16 games with 14 starts for the Bandits during the 2025 season. John Knight III, who logged 18 games for the Bandits in 2026, joins the Houston Rockets’ affiliate, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, a club he has played for since 2023. D’Andre Davis, who appeared in three games for the Bandits in 2026, looks to secure a roster spot with the Boston Celtics’ affiliate, Maine Celtics. A member of the 2023 Bandits roster, Georgian-born forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili will take the court with the Atlanta Hawks’ affiliate, College Park Skyhawks. The opening night rosters for all 32 NBA G League teams must be submitted by Sunday, November 5.

Former Bandits Forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili Signs Exhibit 10 Contract With Atlanta Hawks

By Bandits Staff • October 15, 2026

Former Vancouver Bandits forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Atlanta Hawks. The news was announced by the Hawks via social media on Wednesday. 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.

Vancouver Bandits & I SPARC Host Youth Basketball Camps in Haida Gwaii

By Bandits Staff • October 7, 2026

HAIDA GWAII, BC - October 6, 2026 - This past weekend, Vancouver Bandits, BC’s professional basketball team, and the Bandits Community Foundation hosted a series of youth basketball clinics on Haida Gwaii, continuing its ongoing series of community visits across the province in partnership with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC). The community visits and youth camps on Haida Gwaii were also made possible through the generous support of Langara Island Lodge and Skidegate Band Council. Led by Bandits Team President Dylan Kular and Community Manager Pavan Kalair, local youth athletes aged 10 to 17 from across Haida Gwaii participated in free-of-charge workshops and basketball camps, furthering the Bandits Community Foundation’s goal of bringing more basketball to more people across the province. "Haida Gwaii has an incredible passion for basketball, and it was an honour for our staff to spend time on the court with so many talented young athletes," said Vancouver Bandits Team President Dylan Kular. "Our partnership with I·SPARC through the Indigenous Basketball Collective is about building lasting relationships with communities across the province and making sure every young player has access to the game. We are grateful to Langara Island Lodge, the Skidegate Band Council and everyone in Old Massett, Masset and Skidegate who welcomed us, and we cannot wait to come back." “Programs like this show what is possible when partners come together for Indigenous youth,” said I·SPARC’s Chief Executive Officer Rick Brant. “We are proud to work with the Vancouver Bandits to bring high-quality basketball coaching to Haida Gwaii, where the game is so deeply loved." Bandits staff led PHE classes with students at Chief Matthews School in Old Massett, and ran skill development clinics for local youth athletes aged 13 to 17 across three communities at Kwiiyaans Community Hall (Old Massett), Daaxiigan Sk’adáa Née School (Masset) and George Brown Recreation Centre (Skidegate). “We are grateful for the opportunity for the Vancouver Bandits and I·SPARC to come in and work with our youth,” said Trevor Russ, head coach of the Old Massett Raiders boys basketball team. “Basketball plays a big role for our youth in Masset, and the Bandits coming to town provides an opportunity for them to work with some high-level coaches at the professional level. Our youth are very happy to have this opportunity.” “To be able to have the Vancouver Bandits come to Skidegate and Haida Gwaii is very important,” said Desi Collinson, Recreation Coordinator and elected representative to the Council of the Haida Nation. “Basketball means a lot to Haida Gwaii; it brings excitement, hope and inspiration to our communities. Organizations like the Bandits and I·SPARC give us different insights and outlooks that our young athletes have not experienced before, and we are happy to have them here to uplift our youth.” The camps are part of the Indigenous Basketball Collective, representing the ongoing collaboration between I∙SPARC and the Vancouver Bandits. Established in 2023, previous community visits hosted through the Collective since its inception include Ahousaht, Bella Coola (Nuxalk First Nation), Kitimat (Haisla Nation), Nanaimo (Snuneymuxw First Nation), Victoria, West Vancouver and Williams Lake with future youth camps and coaching seminars currently being planned for 2027.

Vancouver Bandits to Host Free-of-Charge Youth Basketball Camps in Haida Gwaii

By Bandits Staff • October 2, 2026

This weekend, youth across Haida Gwaii will have the opportunity to learn and sharpen their basketball skills from British Columbia’s professional basketball team. Through the generous support of the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC) and Langara Island Lodge, the Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation will be hosting free-of-charge youth basketball camps across Haida Gwaii, marking the organization’s first community visit to the North Coast region. “Haida Gwaii means a great deal to us, and we know how much basketball means to these communities. The game gives young people a place to grow, brings families together, and creates opportunities for teams to proudly represent where they come from,” said Yos Gladstone, Sales Coordinator, Langara Island Lodge. “The young players, coaches, families, and teams here deserve every opportunity we can help bring their way. We are grateful to the Vancouver Bandits, I∙SPARC and the Bandits Community Foundation for their commitment to make this program happen, and especially to those in Haida Gwaii who give so much of their time, energy, and efforts to basketball year-round.” “For us, supporting this program is personal. We care about the communities and the people who make them so special. If this visit from the Vancouver Bandits gives local players more time on the court, encouragement to keep going, and a chance to connect through the game, that is something we are proud to be part of.” The camps are hosted in collaboration with I∙SPARC, Bandits Community Foundation, Haida Gwaii Recreation and School District 50 Haida Gwaii. Across three days, over 200 youth athletes aged 10 to 17 and their families will gather in gymnasiums across Haida Gwaii for camps and workshops led by Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation staff members. Youth participants will also receive complimentary Vancouver Bandits merchandise. "Haida Gwaii holds a legendary place in this province and Indigenous basketball culture and being on the ground in Masset and Skidegate truly showcases how powerful this sport is," said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. "The competitive drive and skill level of these youth are incredible, but what is even more inspiring is how basketball acts as a heartbeat for the entire region. Seeing the immediate connection between the youth, the coaching staff, and the local fans highlights exactly why we wanted to bring the Bandits to Haida Gwaii.” “We want to extend our deepest thanks to the Haida Nation and our partners at I∙SPARC and Langara Island Lodge for hosting us and sharing their incredible hospitality. This visit marks an exciting milestone for our organization, and we look forward to building on this relationship for years to come." The camp schedule for this weekend is as follows: Friday, October 2 Kwiiyaans Community Hall, Old Massett 12:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Daaxiigan Sk’adáa Née School, Masset 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, October 3 George Brown Recreation Centre, Skidegate 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, October 4 George Brown Recreation Centre, Skidegate 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The forthcoming camps are part of the Indigenous Basketball Collective, representing the ongoing collaboration between I∙SPARC and the Vancouver Bandits, and build upon recent previous community visits to Williams Lake and Bella Coola earlier this year. 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.

FRASER VALLEY BANDITS ANNOUNCE 2022 TRAINING CAMP ROSTER

7 Bandits Players Named to 2026 NBA G League Training Camp Rosters

Former Bandits Forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili Signs Exhibit 10 Contract With Atlanta Hawks

Vancouver Bandits & I SPARC Host Youth Basketball Camps in Haida Gwaii

Vancouver Bandits to Host Free-of-Charge Youth Basketball Camps in Haida Gwaii

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