Kyle Julius steps down as Vancouver Bandits head coach to join Chinese basketball league
The two-time CEBL Coach of the Year is leaving to become a head coach in the CBA, while remaining general manager through the 2026 season.
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Kyle Julius has stepped down as Vancouver Bandits head coach to pursue a head coaching position in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), the team announced Sunday, July 5.
Julius, a two-time Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Coach of the Year in 2024 and 2025, guided the Bandits through five seasons of post-season appearances. In 2025, he propelled the team to a .792 winning percentage (19-5), the highest by any CEBL club in a full season. He also led the Bandits to two CEBL Finals appearances in 2020 and 2024.
He will remain as general manager for the remainder of the 2026 season. Lead assistant coach Ransford Brempong has been named head coach for the rest of the 2026 CEBL season.
In a statement, Julius said coaching the Bandits has been "one of the greatest experiences of his career." He added: "I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished on and off the court, but even more proud of the relationships that were built along the way. This opportunity to become a head coach in the CBA is one that is very important for my family and my career."
The announcement comes after Julius received a three-game suspension from the league in June over an incident with a fan during a June 18 game against Winnipeg Sea Bears, which Winnipeg won 114-81.
