Abbotsford, B.C. – Former UPIKE basketball standout and 2015 NAIA Player of the Year Kenneth Manigault has signed a contract with the Candadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)'s Fraser Valley Bandits for the 2021-22 season. 

Manigault joins the Bandits following a season overseas with the Macau Black Bears where the South Carolina native led the team in scoring with 367 points.

KJ, as he's known by UPIKE's coaching staff, played two seasons for the Bears from 2013-2015. Manigault dropped 883 points in 56 games for the Bears, primarily playing on the wing and played a critical role in the teams' sweet 16 run in the 2014-15 NAIA National Championships.

Manigualt made his mark in UPIKE basketball history in a big way during the 2014-15 season, averaging 19.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest through 33 games. His senior season featured a national player of the week nod and culminated in an impressive haul of accolades including NAIA All-American, and NAIA, NABC, and MSC Player of the Year.

Former UPIKE men's basketball head coach and current Director of Athletics Kelly Wells offered comment on his former star.

"The success of KJ is so rewarding to see. He has made such a positive impact on UPIKE basketball and my family. He is a living trophy of ours and we are so proud of him."

The Bandits are coming off an impressive 2020 campaign where the team finished second in the CEBL, making it all the way to the championship game where they were edged by the Edmonton Stingers.

Manigault and the Bandits make their 2021 debut on Saturday, June 26 at Abbotsford Center. All regular season games will be live streamed via the free CBC Gem streaming service.