The National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa and Royal Bafokeng Sports (RBS) hosted the 14th annual RBS Jr. NBA Finals, marking 14 years since the partnership, at the Royal Marang Hotel Sports Complex in Rustenburg in the presence of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper on Saturday, September 21.
The day tipped off with the U14 boys and girl’s finals however the remainder of the finals games were called off due to rainfall as a precautionary measure and for the safety of the participating youth.
However, the weather did not dampen the mood while over 2,500 members of the community and school learners gathered at the Royal Marang and were entertained by the local brass brand, war cries from local schools, and on-court entertainment.
In the U14 finals, the girls final saw Luka Primary School defeating Mfidikwe Primary School to hoist the trophy while Mmeti Neo was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the game. In the boy’s finals, defending champions Bonwakgogo Primary School were dethroned by Lebone II College, and Reatlegile Rangwako awarded the MVP of the game.
A brief intermission saw NBA legend Ron Harper, who played with the likes of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Denis Rodman on the Chicago Bulls and Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal on the Los Angeles Lakers teams gift King of the Royal Bafokeng Nation, His Majesty Kgosi Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi with a signed Chicago Bulls jersey.
The day culminated with a musical performance by BET-nominated artist Maglera Doe Boy.
The build-up to the finals began on Thursday, Sept. 19 with roadshows where the local community and school learners were entertained by an Atlanta-based dunk squad, Air Elite, as well as a Her Time To Play clinic which saw 70 girls from Grades 10-12 from Kitsong Primary School engaged in a leadership workshop, unpacking what it means to be a leader, trust, communication and more.
The second RBS Jr. NBA Future Stars Camp was held on Friday morning, Sept. 20, where 10 mentees gathered at the Royal Marang Hotel Club to dissect the business of sport, their vision for the RBS Jr. NBA program and their roles. Later that evening, the annual gala dinner took place to acknowledge the academic and sports achievements of the youth participants, staff, coaches and educators of the Bafokeng Nation in the program.
Continuation of the RBS Jr. NBA Finals for U16 and U18 boys and girls teams will be rescheduled for play at a date that is to be determined