MenplayerspowerRankings
The Top Five International Varsity Players in South Africa
- Since 1994, South Africa has been regarded as a prime destination for individuals from across the continent and the rest of the world to pursue tertiary studies. While the vast majority have made the journey to these learning institutions purely for academic purposes, many have been attracted by the relatively organized nature of university sports in the country. This state of affairs has enabled the South African basketball landscape to attract top level talent such as former Vaal University of Technology (VUT) stand out Mike Mukumbuta (Namibia), Dr. Genga Micheal (Kenya), who featured for the University of Witswatersrand (Wits) as well as the Zimbabwean duo of Everisto Pasipamireand Lance Chikoro who played for Wits and University of Johannesburg (UJ), respectively, amongst others. The aforementioned players obtained multiple basketball accolades in South Africa during the last decade and with the dawn of the new decade and end of USSA 2021, Full Court Press aims to highlight the current set of international varsity players who are currently making waves in South African basketball
- Everisto Pasipamire (University of Witswatersrand/Zimbabwe): For the better part of the last four years “Ristoh” as he is popularly referred to, has been the most dominant player in South Africa college basketball. The 2018 Varsity Basketball finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) was central to Wits winning their first USSA men’s title since 2017. Ristoh was an offensive juggernaut, averaging 14.8 points per game (ppg) throughout the competition, but notably averaged19.3 ppg during the three knockout fixtures, including 24 points during the quarterfinals victory of the University of Cape Town (UCT) and 20 to lift Wits over the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in the finals. Ristoh shot an amazing 62.7% from two points as well as 40% from deep, further demonstrating the multidimensional nature of his game. Unsurprisingly, Ristoh was chosen as USSA 2021 finals MVP, further cementing the Zimbabwe international’s basketball pedigree in South Africa. According to Wits head coach Tshiamo Ngakane, Ristoh’s best qualities are his ability to use his size, strength, quickness and high basketball IQ to get the better of his opponents. Ristoh has won it all at the South African varsity level and it would be interesting to see if he decides to go for a new basketball challenge beyond South Africa, if the opportunity arose.
- Junior “Zett” Mutongoza (University of Johannesburg/Zimbabwe): After several years of repeatedly falling short, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) was finally able to achieve long-awaited national-level success in 2019, by winning the USSA and Varsity Basketball competitions. Zett Mutongoza has been a major part of UJ’s recent success, as evidenced by his output during the USSA 2021 campaign. Mutongoza averaged 14.1 ppg throughout the tournament, including 16.3 ppg, during the three elimination games. Mutongoza averaged a tournament high 45.8% from three points, hitting 11 out of 24 attempts. In addition to his praiseworthy offensive stats, Mutongoza has also developed into a fine two-way player and is undoubtedly UJ’s best defender. Mutongoza’s efforts, which helped UJ reach the finals, whereby they narrowly lost to fellow Gauteng province rivals, Wits, earned him USSA 2021 MVP. According to UJ head coach, Mandla Ngema, Mutongoza has wonderful work ethic, is a natural leader and has a “never lose attitude”, which every coach would expect from their players. Ngema also praised Mutongoza’s ability to take over games and believes he has the potential to become the best varsity player in South Africa. However, in order for him to achieve this status, Mutongoza needs to work on his two point and free throw shooting, whereby he respectively shot 38.8% and 53.8% during the tournament, which are low averages for a player of his calibre.
- Anthony Chukwurah (Vaal University of Technology/Nigeria): Vaal University of Technology (VUT) no longer strikes fear in its opponents the way it used to for the better part of two decades in the South African college basketball sphere. Nevertheless, Chukwurah played a role in VUT maintaining its status as one of SA’s most formidable varsity men’s sides. The 2018 USSA champion had a great USSA 2021 campaign, averaging 10 ppg and shooting 52.3% from the field. On the glass, Chukwurah averaged 9.8 rebounds per game (rpg) including 26 offensive boards, while on the defensive end, he finished with an impressive 14 steals. Chukwurah’s overall impact, saw him finish the tournament with a 94.0 efficiency rating and significantly contribute to VUT’s third place USSA finish.
- Mutsa Bingandadi (University of Cape Town/Zimbabwe): If you watched any of the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) matches, you definitely caught a glimpse of the small framed and energetic Bingandadi. Since 2018, the Botswana-raised, St. Albans, Pretoria product, has garnered a reputation in the Western Cape as a sharp shooting three point ace and a reliable third scoring option for UCT. However, this all changed at USSA 2021, as Bingandadi ended the tournament averaging 14.5 ppg, the second highest total for UCT. This performance was due in large part to Bingandadi’s ability to use his athleticism, agility, and speed, to drive and slash to the basket, which allowed him to convert layups and his trademark floater. Bingandadi also moves well off the ball and is a great dribbler, which allows him to create his own shot. These facets contributed to Bingandadi shooting a very respectable, going 17 of 35 from two points and averaging 48.6% from the field. Bingandadi’s ability to draw contact, also enabled him to get regularly to the free throw line, whereby, he converted 20 out of 26 attempts, equivalent to 76.6% from the stripe. Bingandadi also stayed true to his best known asset and hit 11 three pointers during the competition. Bingandadi is evolving into a multidimensional talent and did a great job stepping up for UCT, after the early injury suffered in the tournament by his teammate, former SA international Kyle Maclean. The 20 year old still has a lot to offer on the court and during multiple discussions with him, has reiterated that he is far from having shown the South African basketball community.
- Fabio Zola (Tshwane University of Technology/Angola): Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) was one of the major surprises of USSA 2021, reaching their first USSA Final Four. Although they fell short to Wits in the semifinals, their journey to the last stages could not have been possible without the efforts of Fabio Zola, who ended USSA making 15 out 37 three pointers, equivalent to a 40.5% shooting percentage, not mention he hit the most trays throughout the tournament. One of the key features in African basketball is that, when you have shooters, you have a better chance of winning and Zola demonstrated this, during the quarterfinals matchup against the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN), whereby his team high, 17 point outing, helped TUT upset the highly touted UKZN side. Modern basketball is becoming increasingly specialized and Zola possesses one of the most sought after basketball skills, three point shooting. If he can improve on the defensive side, he can help TUT to build on the improbable success they achieved at USSA 2021.
