Inathi Masinga to head to Florida on a basketball scholarship

Inathi Masinga, a student from Maritzburg College, has received a full basketball scholarship from Southeastern Preparatory Academy in Orlando, Florida.

Masinga has distinguished himself on the court over the past two years, with his profile rising in the youth-level basketball ranks.

He was a key contributor to the College basketball team that remained unbeaten from 16 September 2023 until March 2024, during the KZN inter-school season.

Maritzburg College coach Suwi Siwila told SuperSport Schools Plus earlier this year that team building was emphasised to foster a robust team culture.

That focus on unity was evident on the court where the Red, Black, and White exhibited an ability to perform cohesively, with Masinga playing an important role in the team’s success.

Masinga and College started 2024 on a high note by winning the Jenny Orchard Invitational Basketball Tournament in February, defeating an outstanding Northwood School team in the final. The Knights, who won the St John’s Basketball Tournament later in the year, were a very tough opponent, but College prevailed in overtime, winning 87-84. Masinga was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).

In September, he represented South Africa’s u18 boys’ basketball team at the u18 FIBA Afrobasket Tournament in Pretoria. The tournament featured some of the top nations in Africa competing for a chance to represent the continent at the FIBA u19 Basketball World Cup in 2025, set to take place in Czechia.

Although the South African team did not win the tournament, the experience and exposure gained, along with the valuable lessons learned, will undoubtedly benefit Masinga’s basketball career.

He concludes his tenure at Maritzburg College with an impressive record of playing in 40 games for the first team and securing victory in 33 of them.

Coach Siwila said Masinga was also the MVP of the Maritzburg College basketball team, thereby etching his name into College’s basketball history books.

Siwila also declared himself immensely proud of Masinga’s contributions to the Maritzburg College basketball programme and wished him well for his move abroad.

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Siya Pongco

A passionate reader and dedicated writer, Siya possesses three degrees from Rhodes University including a Postgraduate Diploma at Rhodes University. He also played amateur cricket and soccer, both during his university years. While honing his journalism skills at Grocott’s Mail in Makhanda, he developed a profound interest in the community’s response to crime. Additionally, he covered topics such as art/culture and student politics at Rhodes University in 2022. In his spare time, Siya can be found exploring galleries, dining at restaurants, indulging in literature, taking photographs or savouring his favourite dish, spaghetti.

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