Pacers star is dribbling past her opponents
Solomondale Pacers player, Dineo Mahana (18) says the only thing that matters when playing basketball is skill; how to play the game and tackling your opponents.
POLOKWANE – Dineo began her basketball journey in 2016, drawing inspiration from her uncle, Phetolo, who also plays and coaches the sport. She says she loves basketball and while playing learned that height does not matter. She has been playing for the Pacers since 2016 and for Limpopo since 2017 and says she has had to distinguish the game plans for both teams as not to get confused.
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“What I love about my team is that they are committed to the game and everyone sacrifices everything to improve and win games,” she said. She tells BONUS that basketball gives everyone an opportunity to express their talent, and is played by anyone regardless age and gender.
Dineo has a bronze medal that she obtained at the Royal Bafokeng Junior (NBA) Basketball Tournament and she and her team are proud first place holders at the June 16 Youth Cup and the Charloters Easter Basketball Tournament in Mamelodi. She adds that she looks up to Las Vegas Aces’, Angel McCoughtry, as her achievements and challenges faced are inspiring.
She adds that in order to be a better basketball player, one needs to be committed and have respect for others. “I juggle my school work and basketball through a personal timetable. I would like to study aviation because I want be someone different in my community. There aren’t many pilots in my community,” Dineo said.
She concludes that she wants to be a successful, female basketball player who is well-known, well represented and an inspiration to her peers. “I also hope to travel the world,” she concluded.
