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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Internationally Acclaimed Singer-songwriter Sukshinder Shinda to Perform at Vancouver Bandits South Asian Heritage Game

By Bandits Staff • June 11, 2026
The Vancouver Bandits professional basketball team have announced that internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and music producer Sukshinder Shinda will perform at the club’s third annual South Asian Heritage Game, presented by Westland Insurance, Envision Financial and SDC by Tut on Saturday, June 20 when the Bandits host the visiting Brampton Honey Badgers at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. Exclusive to Bandits ticket holders, fans attending the game can look forward to two performances on June 20; including a pre-game concert in the arena bowl and a half-time show during the intermission between the second and third quarters of gameplay. Tickets for Shinda’s performances, which are included with the purchase of a game ticket, start as low as $30 each; all ticket prices are inclusive of taxes and fees are on sale now at this link . Fans in attendance are strongly encouraged to arrive prior to 6:00 p.m. PT to ensure that they have time to find parking (free on-site) and locate their seats before Shinda’s performance, which will be shortly after the top of the hour before the Bandits and Honey Badgers tip-off at 6:00 p.m. The festivities celebrating basketball, community and culture begin with the free Bandits Backyard BBQ presented by Otter Co-op starting at 4:00 p.m. Taking place outside Gate 4 adjacent to Willoughby Community Park, the Backyard BBQ will feature an array of outdoor food vendors, live music, and family-friendly activities for fans of all ages to enjoy. Widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in the Punjabi music industry, Shinda has built an extraordinary legacy both as a powerful vocalist and as a pioneering music producer. His distinctive voice, innovative productions, and ability to blend traditional sounds with contemporary influences have helped shape the modern Punjabi music landscape and inspired artists around the world. Over the years, Shinda has delivered numerous hit songs and produced music for some of the biggest names in Punjabi entertainment. His groundbreaking work behind the scenes, combined with his success as a recording artist and live performer, has earned him international acclaim and a devoted fan following spanning generations. Join us for a night of unforgettable music and exciting pro basketball action as Sukshinder Shinda brings his legendary sound, celebrated catalogue, and unparalleled stage presence to the 2026 Vancouver Bandits South Asian Celebration Game Halftime Show on Saturday, June 20. Ticket to the game required; the halftime show is included as part of your Vancouver Bandits game experience.

BANDITS VICTORIOUS IN FIRST PRO BASKETBALL GAME PLAYED IN KELOWNA

By Rois Chand • June 7, 2026
A change of scenery didn’t stop the Vancouver Bandits’ wrecking crew in Kelowna on Saturday night. The Bandits cruised to a dominant 105-85 win over the Saskatoon Mamba as part of the first ever Kelowna HOOPFEST. Jarkel Joiner (23 points) and Tyrese Samuel (22 points) led the team while Miller Kopp followed with 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists. With this win, the Bandits boast a 6-2 record and are winners of five of their last six games. Kelowna native Grant Sheppard also chipped in with a CEBL career-high 10 points and three rebounds on perfect five-for-five efficiency from the floor. Shephard credited his hometown fans for a jolt of support. “I just had that extra energy and passion tonight. I want to play my best but tonight it was just for Kelowna,” said Shephard. “This whole stadium reminds me of Langley Events Centre. The atmosphere and the fans were great.” Bandits head coach Kyle Julius also applauded the atmosphere at Prospera Place as “tremendous” and said his team felt the support from the fans for all four quarters. “I knew it was going to be good, but this was better than I could’ve expected,” he said. Julius praised Shephard’s play and his ability to enter action without seeing heavy minutes. “He doesn’t complain. He comes in everyday with a smile and he’s locked and loaded and ready to go,” said Julius. The Bandits controlled the game from the opening tip, jumping out to a 23-3 lead in the first quarter. The lead would only build, extending to as many as 21 points in the opening half and eventually 29 points as the game went on. Samuel scored 13 of his 22 points by halftime. Eight Bandits were on the scoresheet, including seven points and nine rebounds from standout rookie Dominic Parolin. Everything went right for Bandits tonight as they shot 12-27 from three point land and forced the Mamba into a hole that was too deep to climb out of. “To play the way we did feels great,” said Julius. The Bandits are back in action at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre on June 13 to battle the Ottawa BlackJacks in the second game of a three game home stand.

Bandits Fall Short to BlackJacks to Close Out Road Trip

By Rois Chand • June 3, 2026
As the road trip ends, so does the winning streak for the Vancouver Bandits as they suffered a 114-105 loss to the Ottawa BlackJacks on Tuesday night. A late comeback by the Bandits fell short in the final game of a three-game road trip, outscoring the BlackJacks 58-54 in the second half. They trailed by as many as 18 points. “We were tired. It’s been a long road trip and I thought we played tired,” said Bandits head coach Kyle Julius. “A little bit of everything wasn't clicking.” Heading into tonight’s contest, the Bandits were winners of four straight games but scored their third-lowest point total of the season in Ottawa. Ottawa’s energy could be felt from the opening tip as they went in front in the first quarter and never lost the lead. They jumped out to a 60-47 lead at half-time, outscoring the Bandits 28-18 in the second quarter. The story of the game was the play of Ottawa’s Matthew Cleveland and Justin Harmon, who combined for 71 points. Cleveland finished with 35 points, 10 rebounds and five assists and Harmon finished with 36 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The Bandits entered action with a 5-1 record, tied for the league’s best, which Cleveland said his team didn't take lightly. “That’s a great team right there so I knew coming in we had to play our A game,” said Cleveland. Jarkel Joiner pitched in with a team-high 25 points, the most he’s scored as a Bandit, while Tyrese Samuel recorded 13 points and five rebounds. Julius credited the BlackJacks for making it difficult for his team, noting the improvement of the league’s Eastern Conference. “In years past (the conference) was quite weak, but at the moment it seems strong,” said Julius. Defensive stops were hard to come by for the Bandits as the BlackJacks shot 12-24 from three-point range and shot 45-74 from the field overall. Vancouver’s ball security was some of the best of the season, committing just 10 turnovers compared to Ottawa’s 21 turnovers. They also shot 37 free throws while Ottawa had only 16 attempts. However, the Bandits were beat out in rebounds (46-27) and threes made (12-10). Julius said his team will use the next few days to watch film and regroup to put the loss behind them. “We’ve got to go back and take care of our bodies and work on the things that we see need correcting,” said Julius. Jaelen House recorded his third straight double-double with 24 points, 12 assists and a season-high five steals. In the latter minutes of the fourth quarter, House was ejected after receiving his second technical foul of the game. The Bandits will head back to the West Coast for a three-game home stand, beginning on Saturday against the Saskatoon Mamba at Prospera Place in Kelowna. Afterwards, they’ll get a rematch with the BlackJacks on June 13.

Tyrese Samuel Named CEBL Player of the Week

By Bandits Staff • June 2, 2026
Vancouver Bandits forward Tyrese was named the CEBL's Player of the Week, the league announced today. This marks the second consecutive honour received by a Bandits player this season (Jaelen House: May 25, 2026) Samuel averaged 23.0 points and 12.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists across two games with the Bandits between May 25 to June 1, with the club going 2-0 on the road during that stretch. On May 29, Samuel scored 29 points on 11-for-12 shooting from the field, along with 14 rebounds in a 110-110 road win against Niagara. One May 30, Samuel recorded another double-double, scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds along with 7 assists. 

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