{"id":663888,"date":"2026-05-12T06:28:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T06:28:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/663888\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T06:28:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T06:28:22","slug":"filipino-canadian-basketball-player-signs-with-vancouver-bandits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/663888\/","title":{"rendered":"Filipino Canadian basketball player signs with Vancouver Bandits"},"content":{"rendered":"

21-year-old basketball forward Shadynn Smid made history.<\/p>\n

The 6\u20197 athlete is the second player of Filipino descent to join the Vancouver Bandits in the Canadian Elite Basketball League.<\/p>\n

In an interview with OMNI News, he says basketball was, however, not his first choice when growing up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was a soccer player when I was young,\u201d Smid told OMNI News. \u201cI didn\u2019t play basketball until I was in grade 10.\u201d<\/p>\n

But that has changed:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe dream is to play professional basketball,\u201d Smid said, who used to play university basketball at the University of Victoria.<\/p>\n

He adds that being part of the team is a huge jump and the first step of many, and that he needs to make certain adjustments.<\/p>\n

\u201cDefinitely, the physicality is something that I would have to adjust to and just the pace, and I think I\u2019ll be able to bring what I have to the table for the Bandits and hopefully, that\u2019s what they need.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smid was invited to the first-ever Bandits\u2019 University Combine from April 25 to 26 at the Langley Events Centre, where 40 student-athletes from across B.C. and North America joined the training camp. Smid is one of the three players selected by the Bandits to join the roster for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

Signing with the Bandits is Smid\u2019s first professional basketball contract.<\/p>\n

In a statement to OMNI News, Kyle Julius, head coach and general manager of the Vancouver Bandits, says Smid possesses a rare combination of elite athleticism and growing skill.<\/p>\n

\u201cShadynn is a rare combination of elite athleticism and growing skill,\u201d Julius said. \u201cHe was one of the best players in Canada, and we think he can impact winning for us right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI appreciate those words. Obviously, those are big words, and that means a lot. Hopefully, that\u2019s something I can do. Hopefully, I can help them,\u201d Smid said. \u201cThey can help me, and we\u2019ll help the team.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

On his part, Smid says he is determined and disciplined to reach his dreams.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are obviously those parties you have with your friends. I would have a game the next day, or I would have to travel early. I wouldn\u2019t go because obviously I would choose basketball first. That\u2019s my priority. Decisions like what you eat, what you drink, and what your body has to be your temple. You have to do what\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Amidst his success, Smid thanks his parents for their support.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mom and my dad are huge supporters. They\u2019ve been my number one supporters since I started doing soccer, basketball, and anything that I wanted to do. They always encourage me, and that\u2019s important in a young athlete\u2019s life. They say keep doing what you\u2019re doing \u2019cause it\u2019s working.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now Smid is training for the start of the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League\u2019s regular season on May 14, where the Vancouver Bandits are set to face the Saskatoon Mamba.<\/p>\n

Smid says he hopes this will be a stepping stone towards his career goal of playing in the NBA.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope I can get the crowd excited, with my dunks and all that stuff,\u201d he said. \u201cI just want to show what Filipinos can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\tKeep it Factual<\/p>\n

Add CityNews Vancouver as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.<\/p>\n

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