Vancouver Bandits Cruise Past Rattlers with 40-point Win in Opener

Dillon White • May 16, 2025

The Vancouver Bandits opened the season with a record-setting 105-65 win over the Saskatchewan Rattlers on Thursday (May 15). 


The Bandits spoiled the Rattlers’ home opener with a convincing performance that saw the defending Western Conference champs set a team record for margin of victory. 


Transition offence, sound defence and forceful low-post play fueled the 40-point win for Vancouver, eclipsing its previous win-margin record – a 37-point win over Ottawa last June. 


Big man Tyrese Samuel highlighted the post-play for the Bandits, scoring another team-record 36 points in the opener.


Samuel grew familiar with the SaskTel Centre rims throughout the game with dunk after dunk, saying farewell with the Target-Score winning slam.


“I didn't really know how [many] points I actually had. I really just had a bunch of layups and dunks and putbacks, so it didn't seem like I had that much. But hey, I'm happy,” Samuel said.


The former Florida Gator collected 12 rebounds as well to secure the double-double in his CEBL debut.


Returning Aussie big man Mitch Creek added 21 points for the Bandits, while newcomer Izaiah Brockington chipped in 19. 


Samuel says putting in work with Creek before the season allowed the duo to excel on  Thursday. 


“He's a great guy. He has experience playing in the NBA, playing overseas, so he just has helped me a lot since I’ve been here,” he said.


The Bandits shot 55 per cent from the field in the win, while Saskatchewan finished 35 per cent from the field and 22 per cent from three. Jamir Chaplin led the Rattlers’ attack with 17 points, followed by Nate Pierre-Louis with 16.


Chaplin said the game was a learning experience and the team can build on its offensive performance.


“It was the defence that we slacked on today. I think we moved the ball pretty well. Shots weren't going in for most of us, but I think those are easy [to] fix,” he said.


Despite the loss, Saskatchewan head coach Eric Magdanz says it’s a long season.


“This is just one game. We're gonna learn from this. We've got a week to prepare for our next game, and we're gonna take advantage,” Magdanz said.


“We've got a lot of things to improve on.  I'm happy with how we battled at the end, but we've got to increase our execution, and we've got to do a better job of sharing the basketball.”


Vancouver head coach Kyle Julius was pleased with the togetherness but echoed his peer about the long road ahead. 


“We want to stay humble. It's the first game. In the CEBL, if you put any stock into the first game, I think you're crazy,” Julius said.


To open the game, the Bandits feasted on the fast break and in the paint, forcing two Rattlers timeouts and leading 29-18 after one. Brockington, a 25-year-old guard with NBA experience, showed off his abilities as a slasher in the first quarter with multiple finishes at the rim.


Vancouver built on its lead by hunting low-post mismatches early in the second quarter, with Creek and Samuel fuelling a 13-1 run.


Saskatchewan trailed by as many as 23 in the first half before trimming the deficit to 52-34 at halftime. The Bandits shot 80 per cent from inside the arc in the opening 20 minutes.


The frontcourt duo of Creek and Samuel continued to attack the rim in the third. Vancouver kept its foot on the gas throughout the second half and led by 40 heading into Target Score Time.


The Rattlers showed fight during the final stretch, but Samuel’s record-breaking dunk ended the contest.


Vancouver and Saskatchewan will become well-acquainted this season. The teams will meet three more times, including their next matchup on June 8 in Saskatoon.


Box Score


https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600564


Up next for both teams


The Bandits return to B.C. for their home opener against the defending champion Niagara River Lions on May 22 in a rematch of last year’s final. Meanwhile, the Rattlers host the 0-1 Edmonton Stingers the same evening.


Next CEBL action


Niagara kicks off its title defence against the 1-0 Calgary Surge at the Meridian Centre tomorrow (May 16). For the full 2025 CEBL schedule and up-to-date results, please visit cebl.ca/games.

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NBA-Experienced Guard Mychal Mulder Signs with Bandits for 2026 CEBL Season

By Bandits Staff • March 26, 2026
The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has signed NBA-experienced guard Mychal Mulder for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. A 6-foot-3 guard from Windsor, Ont., Mulder appeared in 84 NBA games between 2019 to 2022 for the Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic and Miami Heat. His breakout season in 2020-21 saw him appear in 60 games for the Warriors, where he averaged 5.6 points, 1.0 rebounds, 0.4 assists in 12.8 minutes, including six starts alongside the likes of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins. “I am excited to be in Vancouver to play with the Bandits and work with coach Kyle Julius this summer. Playing in a Canadian league is a first for me, and it is an opportunity that I take pride in,” said Mulder. “We are going to have a really good group and a very competitive season; Bandits fans, get ready.” Mulder most recently played for the Washington Wizards’ NBA G League affiliate, Capital City Go-Go, during the 2023-24 season where he appeared in 27 games and averaged 5.2 points, 1.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists in 17.3 minutes per game. A product of the University of Kentucky, Mulder played two seasons of NCAA DI basketball from 2015 to 2017. He averaged 4.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, 0.4 assists in 10.6 minutes through 32 contests for a Wildcats squad that advanced to the Elite Eight at the 2017 NCAA March Madness tournament. “Mychal is an elite Canadian player who has built a career as accomplished as any player to play in our league. He will provide big time experience and leadership to our group,” said head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. “He has played with the best players in the world and it is going to be awesome to have him enhance our culture and push our group towards a championship.” Internationally, Mulder has represented Canada at the senior level on two occasions at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers and the 2021 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Mulder joins reigning CEBL Canadian Player of the Year Tyrese Samuel as players who have signed with the Bandits for the upcoming 2026 season. The Bandits open the 2026 CEBL season on Thursday, May 14 on the road in Saskatoon before coming home for its Home Opener against the Edmonton Stingers on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. PT at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. Bandits Single Game Tickets and additional 2026 ticket options can be purchased here . All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, the CEBL Mobile app, the CBC Gem app and the CBC Sports YouTube channel. Marquee games will air nationally on CBC TV. More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok, as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter.

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Vancouver Bandits and UFV Announce Exclusive Partnership for Junior All Native Tournament

By Bandits Staff • March 13, 2026
The Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation are proud to partner with the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) to support local Indigenous youth participating at the upcoming 2026 Junior All Native Tournament (JANT). Hosted jointly by the Vancouver Bandits, Bandits Community Foundation, Vancity Nation Basketball and Kwantlen First Nation, JANT is the largest Indigenous youth sports gathering in British Columbia and one of the largest basketball tournaments in Canada. As a co-presenting sponsor, UFV will support the tournament’s on-site athletic therapy services. Students and faculty from UFV’s School of Kinesiology will assist in providing athletic therapy coverage throughout the tournament under the supervision of UFV Head Athletic Therapist Grant Ammann, who help ensure high-quality care for participating athletes. “Supporting Indigenous youth through sport reflects UFV’s commitment to community engagement, experiential learning, and is consistent with Reconciliation” said Michael Gaetz, Director of the School of Kinesiology at the University of the Fraser Valley. “Our students gain valuable hands-on experience while contributing to the health and well-being of young athletes and communities from all over the Province of BC.” “The Junior All Native Tournament represents the power of sport to bring communities together and inspire the next generation,” said James Mandigo, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Fraser Valley. “UFV is proud to support this important event and to contribute the expertise of our School of Kinesiology in helping create a safe, supportive environment for Indigenous youth athletes.” “We’re incredibly excited to partner with UFV to support the young athletes participating in the Junior All Native Tournament. This collaboration is a great example of what can happen when different parts of a community come together with a shared purpose,” said Vancouver Bandits team president & JANT co-chair Dylan Kular. “Seeing UFV’s School of Kinesiology & UFV Cascades’ students and faculty step in to support these athletes demonstrates the university’s commitment to youth across British Columbia and shows the real power of cross-department collaboration in creating meaningful experiences for the next generation. The Bandits Community Foundation and its partners have supported basketball development initiatives for Indigenous youth across British Columbia, including camps for athletes, officials and coaches, and community court revitalization projects. JANT has been a cornerstone event for nearly 50 years, uniting young athletes and their families from Indigenous communities across British Columbia. The tournament aims to inspire Indigenous youth to pursue their goals and make the most of their potential, while improving their fitness and skill levels. The 50th edition of JANT will take place in Langley from March 15-20, 2026 and is expected to bring more than 1,200 youth athletes, over 10,000 travellers and over 100 teams from across the province, representing over 100 Indigenous communities. Learn more about JANT and purchase event tickets at www.JANT.ca.

Vancouver Bandits and FortisBC Extend Partnership for 2026 Season, Expanding Commitment to Youth Basketball Across British Columbia Through JANT

By Bandits Staff • March 11, 2026
The Vancouver Bandits are proud to announce the renewal of their collaboration with FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC) for the 2026 season, continuing a shared commitment to empowering youth through basketball development. This marks the fifth consecutive year of collaboration between the Bandits and FortisBC, reinforcing a strong community-driven initiative that provides coaching and mentorship opportunities for aspiring young athletes and coaches across British Columbia. As part of this renewed sponsorship, FortisBC will once again be the official co-presenter of the coaching and youth clinics hosted by the Bandits Community Foundation’s Indigenous Basketball Collective (IBC) . These clinics, designed to foster skill development and leadership among Indigenous youth, will continue to offer a structured environment where young players can learn from experienced coaches while also building confidence and teamwork skills through the game of basketball across British Columbia. Basketball is one of the most participated sports amongst Indigenous youth in British Columbia, which is displayed at the annual Junior All-Native Tournament (JANT). In addition to the Indigenous Basketball Collective, FortisBC is supporting the 50th anniversary of JANT. This tournament is welcoming 130 teams from across British Columbia to Langley March 15th to 20th, 2026. The 50th anniversary JANT is slated to be the largest in the history of the tournament welcoming nearly 1,800 players and coaches from over 75 First Nations communities across British Columbia. With the support of all JANT sponsors, including FortisBC, the tournament is not charging spectators to watch games from March 16th to 19th. “FortisBC is committed to supporting Indigenous youth and community-led initiatives that strengthen connection and belonging,” said Vanessa Connolly, director, community and Indigenous relations FortisBC. “By investing in youth basketball programs and community tournaments, we’re helping create inclusive spaces where young people can build confidence, skills and lasting relationships.” FortisBC returns as a co-presenter of the BC Basketball Festival, one of the province’s premier youth basketball tournaments and one of the only youth basketball tournaments in British Columbia that does not charge spectators to watch games. The extension of this partnership aligns with both organizations’ ongoing efforts to foster community engagement, youth development, and the overall growth of basketball in British Columbia.

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