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Welcome to the Dragons' den

Vancouver ABA team hosts Las Vegas at Olympic Oval this weekend to open season

A new era for the Vancouver Dragons begins this weekend in their new home.

After dominating the Minor League Basketball Association a year ago, the semi-pro franchise has moved onto the mammoth American Basketball Association where it will open play this weekend with a doubleheader against the Las Vegas Royals at the Richmond Olympic Oval. The teams will meet at 7 p.m. on Saturday and then again on Sunday afternoon (1 p.m.)

Those are two of seven home games that will be played at the Oval after the Dragons split time between Langley and Surrey last season.

“There wasn’t much competition for us in the MLBA last year and this league is really strong,” said Dragons head coach Dikran Zabunyan, who ran the team’s first formal practice on Sunday at the Oval. “This is a world class facility and the location is ideal for us too.”

The recipe for Vancouver’s success a year ago was plenty of hometown talent that thrived at the university and collegiate levels. Some even came back from pro ball in Europe to play including team MVP Levon Kendall who led Kitsilano to three straight B.C. titles before earning a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh.

The Dragons’ move to the ABA has generated even more interest from talent on the entire west coast. 

Former NBA seven-footer Soumaila Samake will be in the line-up this weekend, as will Javonte Bird who played for the ABA’s San Diego Kings last season. The standout guard enjoyed an All-American NAIA career at Northwest Christian University in Eugene, Oregon before playing pro in Italy.

“It’s an exciting and fast-paced league with lots of dunks and threes,” smiled Byrd who moved to Vancouver with his girlfriend last month and works as a caregiver when he is not on the court. “This facility is amazing and it’s going to be a lot of fun playing in here.”

For others like Clay Crellin, some of the ABA’s unique rules with take some getting used to. Those include having just seven seconds to advance past mid-court and how team’s are rewarded an extra point on baskets created from turnovers. The Brackendale native also starred at Kits before playing collegiately in Texas and Alberta. It was then pro stops in the Phiippines and Vietnam before coming home.

“I was going to take the year off but the Dragons are here and I couldn’t be more happier. It’s going to be fun playing in front of my family and friends,” said Crellin who is a two-time Dolphin Park slam dunk champion. “We have a great mix here where some like myself can learn from and others who are striving to take their careers overseas. I think it can be a good farm program for the next level and it’s a blessing to be playing in a  venue like this.”

Zabunyan is confident the Dragons’ uptempo style nicely compliments the ABA rules. Despite being an expansion team, Vancouver is ranked No. 3 in the pre-season rankings based on its success a year ago.

“We play very high speed game,” added Zabunyan. “Our biggest challenge is finalizing our roster as only 12 can dress. There is a lot of talent here.”

Tickets for Dragons games are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Courtside VIP seats are $20. 

Vancouver Dragons’ Richmond Olympic Oval schedule:

Sat. Nov 3. vs Las Vegas Royals 7 p.m.

Sun. Nov. 4 vs Las Vegas Royals 1 p.m.

Sat. Nov. 10 vs Quad City Flames 7 p.m.

Sun. Dec. 9 vs Lakewood Panthers 3 pm

Sat. Jan. 5 vs Quad City Flames 7 pm

Sat. Jan. 26 vs San Diego Kings 7 p.m.

Sat. Feb. 2 vs Oakland Townhawks 7 pm