Vancouver Bandits Welcome Back Former NCAA D1 Star and Surrey Native James Karnik

LANGLEY, B.C., February 27, 2024 – The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that the club has signed 6-foot-9 power forward James Karnik ahead of its upcoming season at Langley Events Centre (LEC), tipping off May 23rd.

A product of Surrey, B.C., Karnik made his professional debut with the Bandits in 2022 after graduating from renowned NCAA Division I powerhouse, Boston College, where he started 35 out of a possible 47 games in the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference that includes the likes of Duke, Syracuse and the University of North Carolina.

Karnik made an immediate impact for the Bandits, averaging 25.7 minutes, 15.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 52.2 per cent and 32 per cent from field goal and three-point range, respectively, over the course of 10 regular season games played. He joined the club midway through the 2022 campaign and ranked second on the Bandits in scoring and rebounds per game.

“Making my professional debut with my hometown team in front of family and friends was pretty special in 2022. Now, as I make my comeback from an injury that negated my 2023 season, I can’t wait to show off the work that I put in the offseason to come back better and stronger, as well as reaching my high expectations for the team and my personal goals,” Karnik said.

“I know it will be an electric atmosphere at LEC and I am excited to play in front of the amazing fans.”

Season tickets as well as flex packs are currently on sale for the Bandits’ sixth CEBL campaign and are available for purchase at this link. Single game tickets are expected to go on sale later this spring.

Fans will get their first opportunity to watch the Bandits on Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. PT when Vancouver opens its season at home versus the Montréal Alliance at Langley Events Centre.

Growing up in B.C., Karnik played local hoops at both Earl Marriott Secondary (Surrey) and B.C. Christian Academy (Port Coquitlam) before wrapping up his high school career at Orangeville Prep in Ontario, the alma mater of current Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray and other recent NBA draft selections.

Following a strong summer with the Bandits, Karnik took his talents overseas, suiting up for Lions de Genève in the Swiss Basketball League (SBL) and Basket Brno in the Czech Republic’s National Basketball League (NBL) during the 2022-23 season.

A member of the national Czech national team, Karnik also represented the formidable European power at the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers where he suited up in two games and averaged 5.5 points and three rebounds per game in contests against France and Montenegro.

Prior to embarking upon a professional career, Karnik played five seasons of NCAA D1 split between Lehigh University (2017-20) and Boston College (2020-2022).

Karnik improved his points, rebounds and blocks per game averages in each of his three seasons with the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. Karnik averaged 12.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and one block per game in 2019-20. His stellar play in the Patriot League during his time at Lehigh triggered the interest of the Boston College Eagles, who recruited Karnik for his final two seasons of college basketball in the highly competitive Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Karnik started 31 out of 33 games for the Eagles in 2021-22 and averaged 9.8 points and 5.4 rebounds on 55.8 and 73.2 per cent shooting from the field and free throw line, respectively. In 2022, he ranked among the ACC’s top 10 in two-point field goal percentage (61.5), offensive rebounds (70) and offensive rebound percentage (10.5). 

Evidence of Karnik’s growing offensive repertoire became apparent in 2021-22. He scored 15 or more points in nine out of 33 games and scored a career high 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting against Virginia Tech on Jan. 22, 2022.

“James is a powerful addition to our roster. He is a versatile big man who can step out and make threes. His toughness and energy enhance our culture and we think he will be a major force alongside Nick Ward,” Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said.

Vancouver will play a total of 10 regular season home games in 2024 between Thursday, May 23 and Thursday, July 18. The Bandits wrap up regular season action on the road against Montréal on Sunday, July 28 at 1 p.m. PT. 

All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on TSN+, as well as the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices).

Individuals interested in learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2024 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email [email protected]. A complete regular season schedule can be found by clicking here.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok, as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Vancouver Bandits:

The Vancouver Bandits are British Columbia’s professional basketball team. As the westernmost club in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Bandits offer an entertainment experience that combines a fast-paced game day atmosphere with a presentation of some of Canada’s top professional athletes within a world-class venue at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

About the CEBL:

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73% of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Fourteen players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.