There’s something about the offseason that feels like standing in the tunnel before the tip-off, buzzing with crowd noises. That’s exactly how the Vancouver Bandits are right now as we look forward to the 2026 CEBL season. This feels like the moment they’ve been building towards.
Kyle Julius, the head coach and general manager of the team was extended in the offseason. Under Julius, the Bandits became more than just a competitive team, they’ve became a culture where structure meets swagger, discipline meets creativity. Julius earned the title of Coach of the year back-to-back years in a row, with the record of 19-5 in 2025. He’s the kind of coach whose teams don’t just play well, they play with purpose.
What gives this season a must watch is that the returning core has already proven that they can dominate. Mitch Creek, the 2025 MVP, is the running engine who plays like he’s carrying the whole province on his back. After averaging 24.4 points per game and recording the fourth-most points in the CEBL single-season history. Tyrese Samuel, the Canadian Player of the Year and the Clutch Player of the Year, has become the answer for the Bandits to every late game situation. Six game-winning target score buckets, the only player averaging 20+ points and 10+ rebounds. Add Duane Notice’s veteran experiences entering his third year and Kyle Manga’s NBA G league tested familiarity, we have a core built for contention.
The Bandits’ scouting has been impressive lately, where they don’t chase after the big names on the market, they collect piece that fit, that could play off each other, and with the CEBL’s longer 24-game schedule, team depth matters more than ever. Every team has their own goals, with the Bandits, individual goals amongst the players and staff aren’t enough to satisfy the lasting hunger for a championship. Each award means that the team is getting stronger every year, and this season feels like it could only get better.
The Langley Events Centre returns as the home for the Bandits with a revamped seating bowl and new courtside club options. With seven sellouts games in the 2025 season, shows that the fans are locked in, Vancouver will be looking to be the title favourites if team chemistry holds and if the Bandits stay healthy. 2026 is more than a season, it’s a test of maturity, depth, and whether last year’s awards were momentum or a spark.
Ben Chan kchan467@my.bcit.ca