Vancouver Bandits have signed forward Nick Ward for the club鈥檚 upcoming 2023 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season at 91原创 Events Centre (LEC). The announcement was made Tuesday, April 4.

A 6鈥� 9鈥� forward from Gahanna, Ohio, Ward is currently playing for Al-Najma in the Bahrain Premier League.

It will be Ward鈥檚 second stint in the CEBL after previously playing for the Ottawa BlackJacks in 2021, when he was named a member of the All-CEBL First Team after leading the BlackJacks in both points (17.3) and rebounds (9.1) per game.

鈥淭he Vancouver Bandits are assembling a great roster for this summer and I am excited to help take this group to the next level. I have heard nothing but awesome things about the fanbase and I am ready to get to work,鈥� Ward said. 鈥淢y message is to keep Jesus first in whatever you do, and work hard at all times.鈥�

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The former Michigan State Spartan 鈥渋s a powerful player with tremendous instincts around the rim,鈥� said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

鈥漀ick鈥檚 game compliments our shooters and I am really excited about immersing him into our system,鈥� Julius added.

The Bandits tip-off the 2023 CEBL campaign on Saturday, May 27 when the club takes on the Winnipeg Sea Bears at Canada Life Centre.

Fans will have their first chance to watch Ward and company at home on Saturday, June 3 when Vancouver welcomes the Calgary Surge for its first-ever visit to LEC.