St John’s College basketball player makes school proud in Durban
St John's College basketball player was selected at the recent U16 Interprovincial Tournament in Durban.
St John’s College basketball player Reza Creamer was one of four Gauteng players selected for the South African U16 basketball team at the U16 Interprovincial Tournament in Durban recently.
The Gauteng squad clinched victory in the tournament, securing a close 63–56 win against KZN in the final match.
Reza said it was a fun tournament. “I was able to meet new basketball players from all around Gauteng and from other provinces, who I had never played against before. The Gauteng team all stayed together near the beach in Amanzimtoti. For some of the Gauteng players it was the first time they had seen the sea.”
He began playing basketball when he was nine. His brother Adam and his friends at The Ridge School formed a basketball team and even though they were four years older than him, he played with them all the time.
The basketball player is a member of two basketball clubs, the Westcliff Eagles, coached by Mbulelo Ntshingana (his coach since he was nine years old), and the Jozi Stars, coached by Tshiamo Ngakane.
“For the Gauteng U16 boys team, there were selection trials held at the Mandeville courts near Bruma, for players from clubs and schools, where they chose the Gauteng team from about 200 players. The Gauteng boys and girls U16 teams won the inter-provincial tournament – four Gauteng boys were selected for the South African U16 team, and six Gauteng girls were selected.”
Reza practises every day focusing on shooting, ball handling, and speed work, and does gym workouts.
Through his basketball skills, he hopes to attain a tertiary scholarship to study in the United States.
“Basketball is growing well in South Africa and there may be opportunities at South African universities and in the professional league. There are also commendable basketball leagues in Europe and Australia, and the Basketball Africa League is also going well.”
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