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Basketball champ returns home to play pro at Langley Events Centre

Homegrown Ty Rowell has been signed to play with the Langley-based Fraser Valley Bandits
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After graduating from Walnut Grove Secondary, Ty Rowell sent five years playing for the Cal Baptist University Lancers. He was signed this week to play pro basketball for the Langley-based Fraser Valley Bandits. (Cal Baptist University (CBU) Athletics/Special to Langley Advance Times)

A 6 ft. 2 in. point guard, who grew up in Langley and was once a high scorer with the Walnut Grove Gators, will be back home playing pro ball this summer.

Ty Rowell, a Walnut Grove basketball prodigy, has just been signed to the Fraser Valley Bandits, meaning he’ll be playing with the Langley-based team when they begin their season late next month.

“It is a special feeling to be able to return to the Township of Langley and the Walnut Grove community to begin my professional career,” Rowell said.

“Playing as a member of the Gators allowed me to build many special relationships that have lasted throughout my time at CBU,” he added.

“After four seasons with the Lancers, I am grateful for the experiences that I have had as a Division I student athlete and I am looking forward to building on that at the next level with the Bandits.”

RECENT: Fraser Valley Bandits centre Chris McLaughlin is returning

MORE: Former Semiahmoo Secondary hoops star to return to Fraser Valley Bandits

Rowell is a former Western Athletic Conference (WAC) all-star and California Baptist University (CBU) starting point guard, who recently completed a five-year run with the Lancers that saw him average 11 points, 2.8 assists, 2.2 rebounds, and 30.4 minutes per game on 41.7 and 40.5 per cent from field goal and three-point range, respectively, over the course of four seasons of NCAA Division I basketball after being promoted from DII following the 2017-18 season.

During his four-year career at CBU, Rowell earned a reputation as a gritty guard thanks to his ability to lead his team’s offence and his prowess on the defensive end.

His perseverance was put on full display on Nov. 25, 2020, when in his first game in more than 350 days – following an ACL injury suffered the season prior – Rowell poured in 32 points and nine three-pointers in a non-conference overtime loss against the University of Southern California Trojans and future 2021 NBA third overall draft pick Evan Mobley.

After being limited to just eight games in 2019-20, Rowell bounced back in 2020-21 and finished top five in several of the WAC’s leaderboards; including minutes played (first), assists per game (first), three-point field goal attempts (first), three-point field goals made (second) and total points (third).

RELATED: Provincial basketball festival announced in Langley

Rowell’s all-around play led to the talented guard being named All-WAC First Team for 2020-21.

In his senior season, Rowell continued to write his name in the CBU record books. He led the WAC in minutes played and three-pointers made for a second consecutive season and broke the Lancers’ program record for most three-pointers in a career with 251.

“We are really excited about adding Ty to the mix. He is a hard-nosed shooter that fits well with our group and culture. He will have a great opportunity here to grow and develop as a first-year pro and we believe he can help bolster our roster,” said Bandits general manager Kyle Julius.

A highly recruited prospect from Langley, Rowell starred at Walnut Grove Secondary and won a B.C. High School 4A Boys Basketball Championship as a member of George Bergen’s 2016-17 Gators, who boasted a 40-1 record on their way to a provincial title.

The 2022 CEBL season will serve as his professional debut after a five-year college career that saw the sharpshooter start 57 of the 96 games that he played for the Lancers.

Fraser Valley Bandits opens its fourth Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season on the road on Wednesday, May 25 against the Ottawa BlackJacks. Following a three-game road swing to start the year, the Bandits will make their debut on their new home court at Langley Events Centre against the Saskatchewan Rattlers on Saturday, June 4.

READ MORE: Fraser Valley Bandits announce schedule

Full and partial season packages are available for purchase at thebandits.ca/tickets. Fans are kindly asked to call 604-866-0529 or email tickets@thebandits.ca for any questions or ticket related inquiries.

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Ty Rowell played for Walnut Grove Secondary’s Gators before going on to play at the university level. He’s now back home playing pro basketball with the Langley-based Fraser Valley Bandits. (BC High School Basketball Championships/Special to Langley Advance Times)
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After graduating from Walnut Grove Secondary, Ty Rowell sent five years playing for the Cal Baptist University Lancers. He was signed this week to play pro basketball for the Langley-based Fraser Valley Bandits. (Cal Baptist University (CBU) Athletics/Special to Langley Advance Times)
28967250_web1_220429-LAT-RH-LangleyBanditSigned-CBUWGSS_6
Ty Rowell played for Walnut Grove Secondary’s Gators before going on to play at the university level. He’s now back home playing pro basketball with the Langley-based Fraser Valley Bandits. (BC High School Basketball Championships/Special to Langley Advance Times)
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Ty Rowell played for Walnut Grove Secondary’s Gators before going on to play at the university level. He’s now back home playing pro basketball with the Langley-based Fraser Valley Bandits. (BC High School Basketball Championships/Special to Langley Advance Times)
28967250_web1_220429-LAT-RH-LangleyBanditSigned-CBUWGSS_9
Ty Rowell played for Walnut Grove Secondary’s Gators before going on to play at the university level. He’s now back home playing pro basketball with the Langley-based Fraser Valley Bandits. (BC High School Basketball Championships/Special to Langley Advance Times)