ABBOTSFORD, B.C., June 9, 2021 – The Fraser Valley Bandits announced Wednesday that the club has signed Shaquille Keith for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

A six-foot-six native from Toronto, Ont., Keith was a member of the 2019 edition of the Saskatchewan Rattlers that captured the inaugural CEBL championship. Keith starred alongside running mate and recent Bandits signing, Alex Campbell . Keith’s ability to play the guard and forward positions proved essential during the 2019 CEBL playoffs as he averaged 15.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals over the course of two games. In his debut as a Rattler, Keith scored a season-high 27 points to lead Saskatchewan to a 91-79 victory at Fraser Valley on July 27, 2019.

Following his first CEBL season, Keith joined the Ottawa BlackJacks and was a key contributor for the club at the 2020 CEBL Summer Series. Keith averaged 10.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists on 51.4 per cent from the field and 45.5 per cent from three-point range, respectively, in six regular season contests. Keith’s efforts helped the BlackJacks earn a trip to the semifinals where the club ultimately fell 88-75 to the eventual champions, the Edmonton Stingers.

“I can’t wait to get back out on the court and compete with my teammates and to build in our pursuit of bringing a championship to the Bandits," Keith said.

Keith recently played two games for San Carlos in the Dominican Republic’s TBS League this past spring, averaging 15.5 points, four rebounds and 1.5 assists. Keith attended Cape Breton University in 2012-2013 where he averaged 13.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 23.1 minutes in his only year with the Capers. The Capers finished the regular season with a 19-1 record and ranked second in the nation, earning a berth at the CIS Men’s Final 8 postseason tournament. Keith was named to the U SPORTS (formerly known as Canadian Interuniversity Sport) and the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) conference’s all-rookie teams, respectively, in 2012-13.

“Shaq has potential to be a major match-up problem in the CEBL. He has the ability to guard multiple positions and he gives coach Singleton a versatile guard that can help us play with speed and get nasty when necessary. We are looking forward to Shaq battling and enhancing our culture,” Bandits general manager Kyle Julius said.

The Bandits open the 2021 season at Abbotsford Centre when the club welcomes the Saskatchewan Rattlers for Fraser Valley’s home opener on Saturday, June 26. All regular season games will be live streamed on the free CBC Gem streaming service, cbcsports.ca , the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices and on a new OTT streaming platform that the CEBL will unveil this spring.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 80 percent of its 2020 rosters being Canadians. Players come from the NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian national team program, and top NCAA and U SPORTS programs. More information about the Bandits is available at thebandits.ca .

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Andrew Savory, Director of Operations, (604) 217-6213, [email protected]

About the Fraser Valley Bandits:

The Fraser Valley Bandits are British Columbia’s professional basketball team. As the westernmost club in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the club is proud to call Abbotsford Centre home. The Bandits offer a riveting 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. PerfectLens , a Vancouver-based contact lens supplier, is the official presenting partner of the Bandits’ 2021 season. Head to thebandits.ca for more information.