Slam dunk for Royal Bafokeng!

Phokeng/ Rustenburg – There was plenty of basketball action at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng as 12 teams battled it out in the junior National Basketball Association (NBA) finals. 

An estimated 10,000 supporters who came to watch the games were treated to six entertaining championship matches as teams competed to be crowned the 2022 Royal Bafokeng Jr. NBA Champion in the u/14, u/16 and u/18 categories for both boys and girls. 

Among the notable attendees were 2011 NBA champion Ian Mahinmi from Benin as well as former NBA player and 2015 AfroBasket Champion Olumide Oyedeji from Nigeria. 

In the u/14 girls’ final, Tlapa Primary School defeated Mfidikwe by a 6-3 margin. Lebone II College of the Royal Bafokeng defeated Tlaseng Primary School 9-8 in a tightly contested u/14 boys final.

Thete Secondary School scooped the u/16 girls title by defeating Charora 28-23. Lebone were also victorious in the u/16 boys’ final by beating Matsukubyane 29-20. Kitsong Secondary School got the better of Matale in the u/18 girls final by a 25-20 score line. Lebone managed their third title of the finals when their u/18 boys team defeated Charora Secondary School 31-23.  

Fans also enjoyed an acrobatic display from an NBA dunk team. 

Says NBA Africa chief executive officer Victor Williams: “One of the most important things about the Royal Bafokeng Nation is how they believe in the power of sport to help develop the youth. It’s fantastic to also have former NBA players here. For the kids, seeing these stars makes them see that it is possible to get to the NBA.” 

Head of Royal Bafokeng Sport Eugene Thipe explained how the finals have helped to grow basketball in and around Phokeng. “We have worked hard over the years to promote the sport. Nowadays you can see more young people bouncing a basketball at home or at school, compared to previous years. There is still room to grow the sport.”   

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