High school basketball in South Africa is evolving
rapidly, with more schools taking player development seriously, according to University of Johannesburg (UJ) men’s basketball coach Mandla Ngema.

Speaking about the current state of youth basketball, Ngema highlighted how consistent training, emphasis on fundamentals, and exposure to competitive tournaments are helping young athletes progress faster than ever before.

“Over the last decade, I’ve seen great changes for the better,” Ngema said.

He stressed the importance of mastering fundamentals before thinking about university basketball.

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“You have to be able to shoot the ball, pass the ball, and dribble. Specifically, start with shooting first,” he explained.

“Ultimately, everything we do is for scoring. Offensive fundamentals are shoot, pass, dribble, and then you must be able to defend. Once those are mastered, tactical awareness and decision-making follow naturally.”

The coach emphasised that schools focusing on player development over results are seeing the best outcomes.
“At St Benedict’s, the coaches focus not just on whether the player shot the ball, but whether it was the right shot to take.

“They emphasise the why. Even if a shot goes in but was a poor choice, the coach isn’t happy. Children learn what is valued, and this develops players with high basketball IQ, which translates to national team selection and higher-level play.”
Ngema also spoke about the significance of basketball festivals for exposure and development.

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“The biggest festivals for boys are St John’s, followed by Inanda Hoops, and then St Stithians.
“The atmosphere at these festivals is out of this world. Players learn how to perform in front of crowds, and you can see who has the temperament for high-pressure games. It helps everyone develop psychologically and physically.”

Ngema said the focus should remain on development when looking at current standout players. “At this age, we should not worry about the result. The key is developing skills and awareness. The players who progress well often get to play above their age group, and these are usually the ones performing better at the university level because of their experience.”

For Ngema, the future of high school basketball is bright. With more schools investing in year-round programmes, emphasising fundamentals, and exposing players to competitive tournaments, South African basketball is moving in the right direction.