Thabo Sithole

Our weekend feature article is a unique one. We might have a lot of talent in South Africa but personally, Thabo Sithole is without a doubt one of the most talented players we have at the point guard position, his ability to run the game and control the pace of the game is extremely unique. But not only does he have an expert eye for the game but his skill set is elite and his physical stature is that of a rugby player and if you ask me, he is a complete point guard. He can see the floor, shoot the ball, drive to the rim, pass the ball through a key whole and has an easy mismatch if he catches you off guard in the post.

I got in touch with the man famously known as Mbhobho to find out about his national team experience:

1. Full name

Thubelihle Thabo Sithole

2. Age or birthday

June 10 1995

3. Hometown

Pietermaritzburg

4. High school

Durban High School

5. University

University of Kwa Zulu Natal

6. Years played on national team

2016-present senior national team

U16 2009

U16 captain 2011

U18 captain 3x3 world champs 2011

U20captain 2012/2014

7. Number of Games played on national team

11 games played for senior national team

8. Best player you've played against at national level

Ive forgotten his name but there was an Indian guy we played against in Japan at the brics games. He was easily 6”8 and so smooth. He had 27 points in the first half against us but we managed to double team him, lock him down and win the game.

9. Your favourite/stand out game to have played at national level

Best game was against Zambia at the Afrobasket Qualifiers where we won by 37 points. I didn’t score much in the game but I played over 30 minutes and controlled the game like a true PG is supposed to.

Besides that the u18 World Champs in 2011 when we beat Denmark, Croatia, Netherlands and Austria and lost by 4 to USA

10. A couple words about your national team experience

National team experience has shown me that as a player you can’t compete if you don’t have 2 intense training sessions a day for at least 5 days a week while having a more plant based diet because Physical fitness is as important as skill at a national level.

11. A message or lesson to the kids

A message to the kids is that if you want to play for fun then workout twice a week but if you want to be a beast you must do what beasts do and make it a daily habit. 2 rest days in a week is enough really because kids your age in top basketball countries only rest for a day.