2 weeks Ago By Langley Advance Times Staff
After two years of being wooed, Kyle Mangas is at last coming to Langley. Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday the signing of the 6'4" Mangas, a San Antonio Spurs’ NBA G League starter and all-time leading scorer in Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) program history, . This season, Mangas appeared in 98 games for both the Indiana Mad Ants, the Indiana Pacers' minor league affiliate, and Austin Spurs, affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 15.
6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 34.
4 minutes per game. He was also selected to the 2024 NBA G League Next Up Game, as part of the NBA’s All-Star Weekend festivities. Bandits head coach and general manager, Kyle Julius said they've been trying to get Mangas for the past two years.
"He is a beast and a relentless competitor with big time instincts and feel for the game,” Julius said. "He produces everywhere he goes and he will enhance our culture this summer.” Mangas also suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2024 NBA Summer League and has also played overseas in Lithuania (BC Siauliai, 2022-23) and the Czech Republic (USK Praha, 2021-22).
“I’m incredibly excited to join the Bandits this summer,” said Mangas. “The organization has a strong culture and a passionate fan base; I look forward to helping this team compete for a championship.” Mangas played post-secondary basketball at Indiana Wesleyan University where he is the school’s all-time leading scorer.
He helped lead IWU to an NAIA DII championship in 2017-18 where he was named tournament MVP. Rounding out his accolades, he was named NAIA National Player of the Year during his senior year in 2020-21. Bandits tip-off the 2025 CEBL campaign on Thursday, May 15 when the club hits the road to take on the Saskatchewan Rattlers.
Fans will have their first chance to watch the club at home on Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m. when Vancouver hosts the Niagara River Lions in a rematch of the 2024 CEBL final.
Vancouver will play a total of 12 regular season home games in 2025.
