THOMAS KENNEDY ANNOUNCED AS CEBL U SPORTS PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALIST

Bandits Staff • August 5, 2022

LANGLEY, B.C., August 5, 2022 – The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that Thomas Kennedy has been named as one of the 10 individual award nominees for its annual CEBL Awards being held August 10 at Casino Du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, QC.


A student-athlete forward from the University of Windsor, Kennedy is a finalist for the U SPORTS Player of the Year award. Fellow nominee David Muenkat of Scarborough represented St. Francis Xavier University in 2021-22.


Kennedy was a breakout performer for the Bandits this past CEBL regular season, averaging 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds (third in the league) and two assists per game on 63.6 per cent shooting from the field (second in the league).


Over 12 regular season games played, Kennedy averaged 28.1 minutes per game and also represented the Canadian under-23 men’s national team at the GLOBL JAM showcase in Toronto this past June and July. Kennedy will return to the Windsor Lancers this upcoming fall.


The CEBL Awards is the first official event of the 2022 Championship Weekend, which is being held in Ottawa, Ont. between August 10-14. Fans can buy tickets now via the link here and be in attendance for the CEBL Awards.


Award nominees were revealed for six player categories. All CEBL award winners will receive a customized ring from Jostens, the official Supplier of Awards and Rings to the CEBL, a $500 Foot Locker shopping spree and free flights for two for one full year courtesy of Flair Airlines.


The award nominees include:

  • U SPORTS Player of the Year: David Muenkat (Scarborough), Thomas Kennedy (Fraser Valley)
  • Sixth Man of the Year:  Elijah Mitrou-Long (Niagara), Koby McEwan (Hamilton)
  • Defensive Player of the Year: Caleb Agada (Hamilton), EJ Onu (Niagara)
  • Canadian Player of the Year: Caleb Agada (Hamilton), Isiaha Mike (Scarborough)
  • Player of the Year: Khalil Ahmad (Niagara), Tony Carr (Saskatchewan)


The 2022 Coach of the Year and Fox40 Official of the Year honourees will also be announced at the CEBL Awards. 


Award winners are determined by votes cast by the league’s head coaches, general managers, assistant coaches, select league broadcasters, and internal media personnel. Team representatives cannot vote for a player nor the head coach from their own team.


The 2022 CEBL Playoffs began Thursday night with play-in games at Saskatchewan and Fraser Valley. The Saskatchewan Rattlers dethroned the two-time defending league champion Edmonton Stingers, 94-91, and the Guelph Nighthawks defeated the Fraser Valley Bandits, 90-85.


Fans can live stream all playoff games on the CEBL’s OTT streaming service CEBL+, the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices, cbcsports.ca, the free CBC Gem streaming service, the CBC Sports App for iOS and Android devices and on NXT Level Sports in the U.S. As part of its playoff coverage, CBC Sports will broadcast the quarterfinal games Sunday, August 7, semifinal games Friday, August 12, and the Championship game on Sunday, August 14. For the complete broadcast and streaming schedule, click here. All times are subject to change. 


The CEBL’s fourth season began May 25 and ended August 1. A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL is the largest pro sports league in the country with 10 teams located in six provinces. It has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 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 runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.


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


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Five players were in double figures as the Vancouver Bandits defeated the Saskatoon Mamba 104-97 on Saturday night. The Bandits led for the entirety of the game, leading by as many as 17 points. Vancouver now sits atop of the Western Conference at 14-8, topping the Winnipeg Sea Bears (13-9). This win also secured home court advantage in the playoffs for the Bandits, who will officially begin the postseason on Thursday, August 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. Tevin Brown led the Bandits in scoring with 23 points and seven three pointers made. “My teammates did a good job of getting me open,” said Brown. “They just let me play my game. (We) play a fast-paced offence and that’s where I thrive.” James Karnik followed with 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. The Bandits jumped out to an early 31-15 lead as Brown scored 11 of his 23 points in the first quarter. The Mamba went on a 29-21 run in the second quarter to cut the lead to 52-44 by halftime. Bandits head coach Ransford Brempong applauded his team for their resilience in the wire-to-wire win, even as the lead dwindled. “They might fight back but (we) still have to stay aggressive,” said Brempong. “Credit to Saskatoon. They made their run, but I’m more proud of the team and the resilience they’ve shown during the last handful of games.” All 11 players who played tonight recorded a made basket. Former NBA draft pick Stephen Zimmerman made his Bandits debut, recording two points and four rebounds in just three minutes of action. “It’s going to take everybody. Whether you come off the bench, I don’t care. Be strong enough that you affect the game and you impact winning,” said Brempong. Brempong said the Bandits are still bought into the mentality of being “on the hunt”, despite being first in the Western Conference. Brempong also said they can’t take their recent success for granted. “Don’t let it lull you to sleep. You still have to stay sharp,” he said. A layup from Shamar Givance won the game for the Bandits in target time. He finished with nine points and eight assists. Next, the Bandits will head on the road for a matchup with the Montreal Alliance on Tuesday, before wrapping up the season at home against the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

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