‘That is the ultimate goal’: Bandits ready to inspire local youth basketball players through latest community partnership
By: Grant Vassos • October 24, 2020
Three months removed from a remarkable turnaround that saw Fraser Valley jump from last place a season ago, to runners-up in this year's CEBL Summer Series Championship, the Bandits are now hoping to translate some of that excitement back into their community.
Basketball BC announced the Bandits as the official naming rights partner of the organization's youth basketball league(s), club championships, and 3x3 basketball development initiatives in an Oct. 8 news release.
The provincial sporting organization is also re-naming its under-12 and under-13 boys and girls basketball leagues – formerly known as the Metro League – to the Bandits Youth Basketball League (BYBL).
Connor Ranspot, the Manager of Youth Programs & Special Events for Basketball BC, is looking forward to having current and former Bandits coaches and players present at these programs in the future.
"Being able to show the kids that there is a local, professional option both as a team where the Bandits are and also we can say: look, here are professional players that actually grew up in BC, played in BC, came up in this system and have now gotten to the point where they are now professional players,” Ranspot said.
"Being able to see it and see it close to home, I think goes a long way with the kids in terms of inspiring them for the future.”
Ranspot joined Basketball BC last January and connected with the Bandits this past spring after the team showed interest in collaborating with the organization on potential youth basketball grassroots programs.
Among those programs will be the new addition of future 3x3 basketball tournaments. 3x3 is a smaller, fast-paced adaptation of the traditional 5-on-5 basketball format with 10-minute games and a 12-second shot clock. Teams also play with one hoop in a half-court setting and are allowed to have three players on the court and a bench player to substitute.
Much like what rugby sevens is to rugby, and futsal is to soccer, Ranspot says these types of short, small-sided games are where the sports world, especially for youth, appears to be moving towards. 3x3 basketball is considered the fastest growing urban team sport, according to FIBA 3x3.
"It's great from a youth development perspective because it gives (kids) more touches on the ball. It's way less likely that there will be one kid on the court that doesn't get to see the ball a lot or doesn't get to be super involved," Ranspot said.
"And then from an event perspective, three-on-three tournaments can really be a fun, festival style and cultural event, which is what we are hoping to establish."
Although Ranspot hopes this announcement will be the latest step in generating some buzz for both the Bandits and Basketball BC in the eyes of basketball communities across Canada, inspiring the next generation of young basketball players becomes the next challenge.
"That is the ultimate goal: to create more and better pathways for youth basketball in BC,” Ranspot said.
Scheduling and organizing leagues and tournaments has grown increasingly uncertain due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the uncertainty, Ranspot said that the Bandits and Basketball BC are actively working to define future 3x3 tournaments in greater detail and to plan proper procedures and health guidelines for the Bandits Youth Basketball League (BYBL) and Basketball BC Club Championships.
Basketball BC hopes to host its provincial club championships early next spring or next summer.
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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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