Basketball is probably one of the most unpopular sports in South Africa, unlike football, cricket and rugby, which are common in our communities. And that is the very reason why
Nkosinathi Sibanyoni went against the grain, opting to pursue a career in basketball.
Sibanyoni is currently in Kigali, Rwanda, where the 2025 Basketball African League (BAL) is being held.
The 26-year-old 2,08 meters tall centre plies his trade with Johannesburg-based side MBB (Made By Basketball), which is looking to make history and win the first BAL championship in South Africa on home soil.
The play-offs and finals will be staged at the Sun Bet Arena in Pretoria in June.
“Personally, [winning] the BAL would mean a lot. It would be something that catches wind across the world, and for us as MBB, it would be our greatest achievement yet,” Sibanyoni told Sunday World.
“It will also change the omplexion of South African basketball. Being the BAL champions will create history for generations to come and set the bar for African basketball. So, I am positive that we can win this, even if we’re up against the best.”
Born and bred in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, like most kids in black communities, Sibanyoni played football growing up. Fast forward to when he moved to Benoni in Daveyton, when he decided to try a different sport, and little did he know it would turn out the way it has.
“I used to play soccer, and I loved it. I still do, but it just so happened that I stopped playing after being injured.
“But during my convalescence, there was a newly built park that had a basketball court right next to my home, and I saw these older guys playing there, and we, being kids, became fascinated by the idea of playing basketball.
“This one time, we played there not knowing the rules, and a man named coach
Mmeli Magubane asked us to start a team, and the rest is history.”
Sibanyoni and MBB will play their final 2025 BAL Nile Conference match against Alahli Tripoli this afternoon.
