Being named to the All-Star team is a huge achievement, especially this early in your career. What do you feel this recognition means for you, both as an individual and a role model for younger players?

Being named to the all-star team is such a blessing for me. I’m glad that my hard work has been recognized, and I trust that this achievement can set me up for the future and get more eyes on my development because there is still so much development to be had. As far as being a role model is concerned, I just hope that people can see me play and see a dog on the court, but like a cool dog haha. A dog with shades on if you will haha.

How do you balance the raw, energetic style that comes with being a young player while adapting to the disciplined, controlled style required at this level?

As a player, you got to play to your strengths and oftentimes, what I had to my advantage was my youth. So, I’d always look to run the floor and tire out my opposition. But that style of play isn’t inherently out of control or reckless I’d say. But also having a somewhat of a senior role so quickly on the Wits team has allowed me to mature in the game and translate that growth into the Marlins.

At your age and with your achievements, people might expect certain things from you on and off the court. How do you define success on your own terms, without getting caught up in others’ expectations?

I can tell you now that no one has higher expectations of myself than I do. I hardly feel any pressure from the outside because their image of my success doesn’t equate to mine. So, I usually keep out all the noise and just focus on what I need to do to get to the heights that I believe I can reach.

You’re being looked at as the future of South African basketball. No pressure, right? So, what’s the most unexpected advice you’ve gotten from a teammate or coach that’s actually stuck with you?

No pressure at all haha. But yeah, a valuable lesson that I’ve learned, especially since coming to Wits, is to simplify the game. I always thought the best players were the ones that were doing the most skilful most elaborate moves, when that isn’t the case. It’s always the ones that make the game simpler for themselves and impose their own pace on the game.

Let’s say you have a pre-game superstitious ritual that no one knows about. Care to spill, or is it one of those things that’s better kept mysterious?

Well, I don’t think I have any hidden secret superstitions or anything. But In terms of rituals, I would say I have a few. Before every game, I pray to God for a good game and safety. And I do a quick sprint to the basket before tip-off.

Going undefeated in the BNL is a monumental achievement—what aspects of team culture or preparation made this possible? Was there a defining moment where you all realized you could go all the way without a loss?

I just want to continue to develop and get to higher and higher levels of basketball to inspire those around me and kids who may have had a similar path to mine, so that they can achieve what I have.

After such a dominant season, what’s your advice to young players about the discipline, sacrifice, and mental toughness required to reach this level?

I think the best way for basketball in South Africa to develop there has to be more investment in the sport. From building community courts to broadcasting and making professional basketball accessible to a larger number of people. This will spike interest and lead to more and more people playing and more and more talent being uncovered. I trust one day I can contribute to this movement, by helping to build courts in communities that aren’t very knowledgeable about basketball and so on.

Undefeated season and playoffs—you’re basically the team every other team loves to hate. What’s one hilarious ‘motivational’ saying or weird habit that got you through this epic run?

Firstly, I want to be remembered as someone who was an ambassador for Christ through basketball. I also to be remembered as a hard worker, to be known as that guy who put in more hours than anyone to achieve what I wanted to achieve. And lastly just a fierce competitor, I don’t want anyone to ever say that they had an easy time when they were playing me ever.