Vancouver Bandits Join Forces With Basketball BC to Enhance 3x3 Clutch

Bandits Staff • March 11, 2024

Bandits align with provincial and national sports organizations to strengthen British Columbia’s 3x3 basketball ecosystem.

The Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that it has added another facet to its multi-faceted partnership with Basketball BC by partnering with the provincial sports organization to establish 3x3 Clutch as the official pathway for 3x3 basketball development and competition in British Columbia.



3x3 Clutch is a joint partnership between BC's professional basketball club and Basketball BC that is designed to increase awareness and interest in 3x3 basketball through collaborative events hosted across British Columbia throughout the calendar year.


“Building off of Canada Basketball’s partnership with the CEBL is our commitment as BC’s professional basketball team to develop the game of basketball with the respective provincial sport organization in Basketball BC. 3x3 basketball is known for its strong community atmosphere with several games occurring simultaneously. It should be a crucial part of every basketball player’s development – not just for those seeking to elevate their game, but also for those who want to make new friends and meet other athletes,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.


The sport of 3x3 basketball is a fast-paced rendition of the traditional 5-on-5 game that is played globally; however, it offers various beneficial elements that support the development of a well-rounded basketball player thanks to several rules that increase its speed of play.


3x3 basketball is played in a half-court setting, thus requiring less space to play and also affords each player more opportunities to touch the ball given the reduced amount of players on the court.


“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with the Vancouver Bandits for 3x3 Clutch, an initiative set to enhance the changing landscape of basketball in British Columbia. This collaboration signifies our shared commitment to innovation and player development, providing a platform for athletes to showcase their skills in the electrifying realm of 3x3 basketball,” said Basketball BC’s executive director Shawn Dheensaw.


“Together, we aim to elevate the game, foster community engagement and unlock new opportunities for aspiring players across the province. Get ready to embrace the adrenaline and excitement as we embark on this transformative journey together.”


Thanks to its surging popularity and global interest in the 3x3 basketball format, the sport was incorporated at the Olympics for the first time at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games. Medalling at 3x3 events helps generate points toward qualification for international tournaments at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and Olympic levels, but hosting domestic tournaments recognized in the FIBA system also drives the accumulation of valuable points toward the ranking of a nation’s men’s and women’s teams.


“We are excited for the partnership between Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits on their endeavour to grow and strengthen 3x3 basketball in British Columbia. Not only will 3x3 Clutch help promote the growth, development, and participation for this exciting new discipline, it will further enhance the 3x3 talent pipeline and high-performance pathway as Canada continues to thrive in 3x3 on the international stage. We have no doubt 3x3 Clutch will develop an amazing 3x3 community in BC and further create an amazing basketball experience for all involved for years to come,” said Ron Yeung, Canada Basketball’s head of domestic and 3x3 development.


Launched in the summer of 2023 and featuring its inaugural tournament at the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s 2023 Championship Weekend festivities at Langley Events Centre, the goal of 3x3 Clutch is to provide a recreational and competitive framework for youth and adult 3x3 basketball.


Supporting last year’s launch of 3x3 Clutch were its co-founding partners; including Sentinel Storage, Kal Tire and BioSteel. More information about 3x3 Clutch can be found at thebandits.ca/3x3clutch where interested players, coaches and event organizers are encouraged to register for future details.


Updates about the next 3x3 Clutch tournament will be announced at a later date.

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By Bandits Staff • April 30, 2025
The Vancouver Bandits announced today a two-year partnership extension with Sentinel Storage that expands on the companies’ long-standing relationship and reinforces a shared commitment to youth, sport, and community in British Columbia. This renewed partnership builds on a foundation that dates back to 2020 with the Bandits Athletic Centre in Abbotsford, where Sentinel Storage played a key role in supporting multiple sport organizations at the grassroots level during the pandemic. Sentinel Storage and the Bandits are deepening their impact through two major initiatives: co-presenting the Bandits' annual School Day Game, and serving as the founding and presenting partner of the First Buckets program by the Bandits Community Foundation. The School Day Game, set to be held at Langley Events Centre during the Bandits’ 2025 season on May 8th, is a high-energy morning basketball game that invites thousands of elementary and middle school students for an unforgettable field trip experience. The event is designed to inspire youth through sport, while providing educators and students with a unique opportunity to engage with professional basketball in a fun and educational setting. "At Sentinel Storage, we believe in the power of community and the importance of supporting youth development through sport,” said Jenn Johnson, Director of Operations, Western Canada, Sentinel Storage. “We’re excited to be expanding our partnership with the Bandits to help make basketball more accessible to youth across British Columbia, while also fostering important life skills like teamwork, resilience, and leadership. We’re proud to be a part of this journey and look forward to seeing how we can continue to make a difference in the lives of young athletes in B.C.” Sentinel Storage has also committed to leading the launch of First Buckets, a flagship initiative of the Bandits Community Foundation. This program delivers basketball starter kits to schools across British Columbia, helping introduce the game to new communities. Each kit includes basketballs, jerseys, and coaching materials, along with life skills curriculum and the potential for a visit from Berry the Bandit, the team’s beloved mascot. The program makes the sport accessible while championing important lessons in teamwork, resilience, and leadership. “We’re grateful to be partnered with a community-minded organization like Sentinel Storage who also took a chance on us in 2020 when we launched the Bandits Athletic Centre. Since day one with Sentinel Storage it has been evident that they passionately care about the power sport has on supporting youth in British Columbia,” said Dylan Kular, President of the Vancouver Bandits. “Together, through the Bandits Community Foundation, we are going to provide more basketball for more people across British Columbia with the First Buckets program and impact youth across all four corners of the province.”  The partnership between Sentinel Storage and the Vancouver Bandits is a testament to the impact that strong community-focused collaborations can have. With shared values at the core, this partnership is poised to make a lasting difference—on the court and beyond.

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By Bandits Staff • April 30, 2025
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By Bandits Staff • April 25, 2025
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By Bandits Staff • April 24, 2025
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