Tsakani "TK" Ngobeni

This week we have arguably the most diverse player in South Africa. He can dunk on you or even pull up from range... he even has a bag of ankles that he's collected in his 19 years on the national team and even longer playing career. Representing the MBB Kegs in the JBL and is now a commentator in the BNL, TK is one of the most respected and dare I say it, feared players you could come across, his overall game is extremely dynamic and fundamental. With more passion for the game than thought possible he is always ready to teach.

Here are some questions he answered for me when I got in contact with him this week:

Full name

Tsakani Ngobeni

Age

36

Years played on national team

Since I was 17.

Games played on national team

Over 30

Best player you’ve played against at national level

Eduardo Mingas

Your favourite/standout game at national level

A good couple of years ago in Egypt we were playing against the Number 1 team on the continent, Angola. I scored a few good baskets in the beginning of the game and then out of nowhere these Angolan guys turned up a gear and completely showed me up. And it was a standout game for me because it showed I had what it took to compete with the best of them but I still had to put in a lot of hard work in order to keep up with them.

A favourite story from national team

A couple years after Egypt we had some exhibition games in Zim, after one of the games the Angolans came to me and showed me some love and complimented my game. This meant a lot to me because these guys are the big dogs of the continent and for them to come to me and compliment me meant a lot, it meant I was doing something right.

A message to the kids

When all is said and done, your work ethic and commitment will determine how far you go, not just in basketball but so many other aspects of life. Look at guys like myself and Neo Mothiba who are 36 or 37 years old and we are still competing on the court. And yes, everyone can shoot and that etc. but if you aren’t working on your game, trying new stuff and perfecting it how can you expect to get anywhere or even play on the national team?