More Articles
Lights, camera… It’s Dim time
NINO Dim had to rewind his mind to a decade ago when asked if he knew he would one day pursue a basketball career. He remembers asking a former University of Johannesburg teammate if it was possible for them to become pros one day, and understandably, his friend laughed the idea off.
The evolution of floor general Dundão
OVER the past two years, you cannot speak about Angolan basketball without mentioning Childe Dundão. During this period, he has become a key figure in the sport, essential to the country’s ongoing success and competitiveness. His leadership and consistent contributions were felt at every level of the game.
Giants vs DarCity: A battle of tacticians
THE Giants, as a club, are new to the BAL scene, but they have individuals familiar with the rough and tough of the six-year-old tournament. The experienced Florsheim Ngwenya led the now-defunct Cape Town Tigers to a historic run, which began at the Kalahari Conference in South Africa (in 2024) and ended at the semi-finals in Rwanda.
Petro de Luanda: A model of consistency in the BAL
For decades, excellence has defined Angolan basketball. Their clubs have consistently placed the Southern African nation on the map. Today, at the centre of that tradition is Petro de Luanda, a model of consistency in the BAL. Since the league’s inception in 2021, Petro has always finished in the top four.
Mali’s shaky path to qualifying for Women’s World Cup
THE Mali women’s team will return to Bamako with a great sense of relief. It follows their dramatic qualification for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany (4-13 September). On their way to reaching a third World Cup, Mali were jittery and then nervously waited to secure their spot.
Bargny Basket Club aiming for Senegal’s big leagues
ENTERING the Bargny Basket Club’s facility in the Bargny Commune, located 50 km outside Dakar, Senegal, you observe girls and boys practising their drills under the supervision of the club’s coaches. Amidst the bouncing of basketballs inside the enclosed centre, this writer noticed a distinct work of art, a mural.
Mali’s building blocks could pay off at World Cup qualifiers
MALI has enjoyed an upward trajectory in international basketball, and one of the programmes contributing to the West African nation’s success is the senior women’s team, which is vying for a spot in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany this year.
Can Senegal emerge from the shadows in Puerto Rico?
SENEGAL Women’s National Basketball Team – commonly known as the Lionesses – have qualified for eight FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup tournaments. Ahead of their qualifying campaign in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the question is whether the West African side can secure a ninth appearance at this year’s tournament in Germany.
Can Bright Starlets defy the odds at the World Cup qualifiers?
SOUTH Sudan’s Bright Starlets have been a surprise in African basketball. The East African nation got a wildcard entry to AfroBasket 2025, marking their debut in the women’s continental championship. Defying expectations, the Bright Starlets climbed all the way to the podium.
A look at Group D of the FIBA World Cup Africa Qualifiers
THE FIBA Basketball World Cup Africa Qualifiers are set resume with Group B action taking place in Cairo, Egypt and the Pharaohs will welcome 2025 AfroBasket champions Angola, AfroBasket finalists Mali, and Uganda, all looking to get a head start in the first round. Ahead of the qualifiers, The Big Tip Off’s Sindiswa Mabunda reviews the Group B teams and what they will bring to court when the qualifiers begin.
A dissection of World Cup African Qualifiers Group B
GROUP B of the Basketball World Cup Africa Qualifiers will tip off in Dakar, Senegal, with the host nation welcoming Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo and Madagascar (February 26 – March 1) at the Stade Marius Ndiaye. The Big Tip Off’s Sindiswa Mabunda previews the group and the chances of the competing teams.
Ibs and Thunder look to hit the right notes in KBL and BAL
NAIROBI City Thunder have become domestic titans since the Twende ownership group took over the club. For the last two years, they have dominated the Kenyan basketball scene, and did so in spectacular fashion. One unbeaten season after another is shaping this ball club into a dynasty. The man who has crafted the Thunder’s invincibility on the court is Bradley Ibs.
Out with the old and hopefully, in with the new
THE Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC)’s decision to derecognise the current leadership of Basketball South Africa and effectively place it under administration marks the culmination of nearly 20 years of poor management. Over this period, basketball has been in a steady decline. The sport now suffers from the absence of nationwide high-level competitions, the intermittent participation of junior and senior national teams and clubs in continental tournaments, and the lack of sustainable development programmes.
Ambitious Edi gearing HyperSonics for a championship run
CôTE d’Ivoire legend Guy Landri Edi has taken a new step in his basketball career. He has assumed the reins as general manager of the local team, HyperSonics. This, after having had a productive playing career for the US College Gonzaga Bulldogs, the Elephants (national team) and various clubs abroad. It’s a job he looks forward to and has prepared for, and while he has hit the ground running in his front office role, he made a surprise admission.
Bingandadi talks living with lupus and returning to basketball
“THE story starts in 2023. I was doing my masters at UCT. I was the captain of the first team, and I was trying out for the Western Cape Mountaineers (BNL franchise). Then I started to notice a few changes in my body, hair loss, chronic fatigue and weight loss. It’s something I struggled with (weight loss) as I was already a lanky and scrawny guy,” explained Mutsa Bingandadi.
What is the situation on the ground in SA basketball?
WE know where South African basketball is. But where do we want it to be? A question that everyone in the South African basketball community should be asking themselves. The game in the country is in a derelict state, and it’s been that way for a long time. But what will the next couple of years look like for South African basketball?
St Alban’s coach Victor Fouda was a pillar of the game
It would be an understatement to say that Victor Fouda’s passing in late December has left a substantial void in Tshwane’s basketball scene, South Africa’s capital city. Given his years of service and the relationships he fostered, it feels as though a family member has been lost. He was the embodiment of the sport – a pillar within the basketball community, a dedicated mentor, and a man who saw the bigger picture.
Preview of Group A of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers Africa
GROUP A of the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifier sees strong nations Cameroon, Cape Verde and South Sudan and minnows Libya, trying to make headway in the first round in Rades, Tunisia. The Big Tip Off writer Sindiswa Mabunda gives an outlook on the chances of the four competing nations in Group A.
