Bandit crowned Canada’s top player for a 2nd time

Bandit crowned Canada’s top player for a 2nd time

Published 5:45 pm Sunday, August 23, 2026

For the second year in a row, Bandits forward Tyrese Samuel captured the Canadian player of the year award.

The announcement was made Friday, but it wasn’t the only honour bestowed upon the local pro basketball player.

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) also announced that Samuel was named to the All-CEBL First Team and, further, earned his second straight CEBL All-Canadian Team selection.

Samuel returns as the reigning Canadian player of the year, repeating as this year’s winner after finishing third in the CEBL in rebounding at 8.7 per game.

The Montreal, Que., native led Vancouver in rebounds (8.7), blocked shots (1.1) and field goal percentage (53.5 per cent), while finishing second on the team in scoring at 17.1 points per game.

Samuel’s standout performances and accolades across his two seasons with the Bandits help accelerate his career progression, CEBL said, noting that following the 2025 CEBL season, he signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the NBA’s Phoenix Suns to join the team on its training camp roster.

He is now preparing for his first overseas opportunity, signing for the 2026-27 season with French club Cosea JL Bourg, which competes in the EuroCup league and the Ligue Nationale de Basket.

There were also more CEBL accolades to go around locally.

Longtime international basketball official and Lower Mainland resident Mike Thomson, who is a constant presence at Langley Events Centre, was named a recipient of the Fox 40 officiating recognition award in recognition of his continued contributions to the CEBL officiating program.

A resident of New Westminster, Thomson was honoured with the officiating award for his continued contributions to the CEBL program.

A FIBA-licensed referee instructor with nearly 50 years of basketball officiating involvement, Thomson’s resume includes officiating the 2000 Summer Olympic Games and serving as a referee instructor at the 2024 Summer Olympics and both the 2019 and 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cups.

A local basketball figure and longtime contributor to the CEBL, he served as both a referee coach and member of the referee advisory committee this past season, drawing on his extensive experience in Canadian and international basketball to provide steady guidance and leadership throughout the season.

Award winners and All-CEBL First, Second, and All-Canadian Teams are determined by votes cast by the CEBL’s team head coaches, general managers, assistant coaches, select league broadcasters, and internal media personnel, based on regular season performance. Team representatives are prohibited from voting for a player or head coach from their own team.

All CEBL award winners receive a customized ring, as well as a gift from Foot Locker.

The CEBL is Canada’s professional basketball league, featuring 10 member clubs across six provinces, including B.C.’s team, the Vancouver Bandits based out of the Langley Events Centre.