Bandits Re-Sign Reigning CEBL Defensive Player of the Year Brandon Gilbeck

LANGLEY, B.C., July 6, 2022 – The Fraser Valley Bandits announced Wednesday that the club has re-signed Brandon Gilbeck for the remainder of the 2022 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

Gilbeck made his Bandits debut in 2021 and emerged as a two-way presence on both ends of the floor; throwing down rim rattling dunks on offence and swatting aside shots on defence. The seven-foot centre averaged 13.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game on 60.2 per cent shooting from the field in 14 games played. 

The native of Spring Green, Wis., continued his strong play into the 2021 CEBL postseason where his averages jumped to 17.5 points and 12 rebounds per game over the course of two playoff games played. 

Gilbeck led the league in blocks per game and finished fourth in rebounds per game. Not only did his tenacious play earn him defensive player of the year honours at the annual CEBL awards, but it caught the eye of Bandits general manager Kyle Julius, who recruited Gilbeck to join the Formosa Dreamers in Taiwan following the conclusion of the CEBL season.

“I am really happy we have been able to create a synergy between our team in Taiwan and the Bandits. Brandon had an outstanding season in the CEBL last summer and that carried over into our season in Taiwan. Brandon was a huge key to our success in both leagues and I know that will continue this summer. He is one of the best defenders I have ever coached and I know he will bolster our roster in Fraser Valley on both sides of the ball for coach Mike Taylor,” Julius said.

Gilbeck suited up in 26 games for the Dreamers and posted an impressive statline of 13.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game during the 2021-22 season for the Dreamers, who are coached by Julius. 

In Gilbeck’s final game of the 2021-22 campaign for the Dreamers, he scored a season-high 25 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked three shots.

Prior to his professional career, which began in late 2019, Gilbeck starred at Western Illinois University. He played four years for the Leathernecks between 2015-2019 and graduated as the school’s all-time leader in blocks (285), offensive (231), defensive (506) and total rebounds (737). For his efforts, Gilbeck became the third player in Summit League history to be named defensive player of the year in consecutive seasons (2017-18 and 2018-19).

Following last night’s victory against Newfoundland, Fraser Valley heads to Ottawa for the second leg of its three-game road swing. The Bandits take on the BlackJacks on Friday, July 8 at 4:30 p.m. PT, followed by Montréal on Monday, July 11 at 4:30 p.m. PT.

Following the completion of its three-game road trip, Fraser Valley returns to Langley Events Centre for a two-game homestand against the Guelph Nighthawks on Friday, July 15 and the Ottawa BlackJacks on Sunday, July 17.

Tickets are available for purchase at thebandits.ca/tickets. Fans are kindly asked to call (604) 866-0529 or email [email protected] for any questions or ticket related inquiries.

Games are available on CEBL+ live internationally and in Canada at cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices and the free CBC Gem streaming service. Games are also available on the CEBL’s official app, CEBL Mobile (available on iOS and Android devices), as well as TELUS Optik TV Channel 1901 Lower Mainland and via live streams on 604 Now’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

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