Two of this country's most outstanding men's basketball players are from the Vancouver Bandits, and their head coach was also spotlighted for his efforts court side during this week's national awards ceremony in Quebec.
topped the list. The guard was crowned the Canadian Elite Basketball League's (CEBL's) most valuable player of the year, recognized right alongside his teammate and fellow guard who was selected as the Canadian Player of the year during the awards event at Le Centre Sheraton Montreal on Wednesday evening.
The scoring duo were not the only Bandits honoured that night. Two other faces from the Langley-based professional basketball team were also singled out.
Bandits' head coach Kyle Julius was named coach of the year, while was selected for one of the All-CEBL Teams, along with Moore and McEwen.
Standing on business. 馃槫 馃 has become the all-time leading scorer in franchise history.
鈥� Vancouver Bandits (@vancitybandits)
In his first CEBL season, Moore made major contributions in numerous stat categories for the Bandits, finishing first in league average in assists (7.3), third in rebounds (8.1), fourth in steals (1.6) and 10th in points per game (17.6).
His 124 total assists were the second-most in a single season in CEBL history, and Moore became the first player to record two triple-doubles in the same regular season. The 6-foot-5 guard鈥檚 first triple-double on June 13 was the first in Bandits鈥� history and part of a historic night that saw Moore score a franchise-record 35 points, while adding 16 rebounds and 11 assists in a win over Winnipeg.
Meanwhile, McEwen led the CEBL in three-pointers made per game (tie-3.4), was second in total three-pointers made (54), fifth in three-point percentage (44.3), and ranked fourth among Canadians in total points (295), all of which were career highs.
The Toronto native鈥檚 career season for the Bandits also included personal bests in average points per game (18.4), field goals made (5.9), free throw percentage (88.3), offensive rebounds (1.2), rebounds (tie-4.8), steals (1.2) and blocked shots (0.5).
And their leader, Julius, was ranked CEBL's top coach for 2024, after leading Vancouver to its best record in franchise history (14-6) and a first-place overall finish for the first time. The Bandits went near-perfect at home (9-1) and posted a league-best plus-177 overall point differential, nearly 50 points better than the next closest team.
The 2024 All-CEBL First, Second, and All-Canadian Teams were also revealed at the CEBL Awards.
That's where the three local players were selected, Moore being named to the First Team, along with Ward. Meanwhile, McEwen was picked for the Second and the All-Canadian Teams.
In addition to bragging rights, all CEBL award winners receive a customized ring from Jostens and a special gift on behalf of the league鈥檚 partner at Foot Locker.
Award nominees, winners and All-CEBL First, Second, and All-Canadian Teams were determined by votes cast by the league鈥檚 head coaches, general managers, assistant coaches, select league broadcasters, and internal media personnel.
The CEBL awards ceremony was the first official event of 2024 Championship Weekend (CW24), which runs Aug. 7 to 11.
The conference final doubleheader is set for today (Friday, Aug. 9) at Verdun Auditorium, kicking off with the West鈥檚 Calgary Surge and Vancouver Bandits at 2:30 p.m. PT.
Ticket and event information is available at . And the Bandits, in partnership with The Barley Merchant in Walnut Grove are hosting a Friday afternoon "watch party" for the western conference playoffs. It runs from 2 to 5 p.m. with tip off at 2:30.
Also in contention are the East鈥檚 Montreal Alliance and Niagara River Lions, playing later in the day, with the West and East winners then squaring off Sunday.
