Bandits bringing back team MVP Alex Campbell for 2022


Alex Campbell led the CEBL in three-pointers last year, and looks to do the same this season from downtown … Langley, as the Bandits are making the move to the LEC.

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They call it the Fox Fam. And they mean it.

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When Alex Campbell was first approached about joining the Fraser Valley Bandits in 2021, it wasn’t just hoops he had to worry about. He also had to think about his son — a month from being born — and his five-year-old stepdaughter.

The Bandits stepped up.

“The accommodations, summer camps and all that stuff, they were able to help me through that whole process of being a new father,” said Campbell. “I’ll always be grateful for that.”

His worries soothed, the 6-foot-2 Brampton, Ont., born guard responded by leading the team in scoring (14.7 points per game) and the Canadian Elite Basketball League in three-pointers, making 44 of his 105 attempts. He was named team MVP and offensive player of the year.

So when the Bandits came a-calling about 2022, there was no hesitation from Campbell.

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“It was definitely a great situation last summer … The way they were able to accommodate my family and stuff, it was a no-brainer to sign back (on),” he said.

The former Windsor Lancer is looking forward to seeing what the team’s new arena, the Langley Events Centre, is like in-person, after watching videos from the high-energy high school championships that just wrapped up. But while the city has changed, the team hasn’t, he said.

“I’m excited. Fresh energy, fresh city. There’s more potential,” he said of the move.

“Just the (team) culture,” he added. “The culture between (president) Dylan (Kular) and (general manager) Kyle Julius and the whole front office, there’s just this culture that they have. They really cater to the guys

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“Last year, we did come up short… but I believe we have the tools and the pieces and the coaching staff to get us over that hump this year. We have that dog mentality. It’s just easy, very easy to buy in.”

After returning from France where he was playing with Boulazac, Campbell also suited-up for the Edmonton Stingers in the Basketball Champions League Americas tournament. The Stingers were representing the CEBL as the reigning league champions and also featured Bandits teammate — and recent returnee — Malcom Duviver.

Edmonton won both games in the third window, played on Canadian soil for the first time, but needed to win Wednesday’s game by 47 points to advance. They beat Real Esteli 88-79 but won’t make the quarterfinals.

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But Campbell is sticking with the Fox Fam for the regular season, looking to help bring a title to the club for the first time.

“Alex has become a cornerstone to our franchise,” said Julius. “He provides consistent leadership by example game-in-and-game-out, and the guys listen when he speaks. His ability from him to make big shots and help get us key stops will be a big piece to our push this season. ”

In his three seasons in the CEBL, one of which was with Saskatchewan, Campbell is averaging 15.3 points, five rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.8 threes per game. In the playoffs he’s averaged: 15.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 2.2 apg.

“You can’t take it for granted,” he said of the summer season. “You know, a lot of guys come into summer league, chillin’… coasting. We have a group of guys that don’t look at it like that. They take it seriously. Take it game-by-game. We have 20 games on the schedule this year and we’re going to try to win them all.”

Fraser Valley opens its fourth CEBL season on the road Wednesday, May 25, at 4:30 pm PT against the Ottawa BlackJacks. Following a three-game road swing to start the year, the Bandits will make their debut at the LEC against the Saskatchewan Rattlers on Saturday, June 4, at 2 pm

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