Player Profile – Aidan Erasmus (Pinelands High/Montana Vikings)
The winner of the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the recent Wynberg Boys’ High Basketball Tournament, Aidan Erasmus, helped to lead Pinelands High to the title. He also shows off his skills for the Montana Vikings in club basketball.
SuperSport Schools Plus sat down for an interview with the 17-year-old to learn more about his basketball journey, which started in 2022.
“I was fortunate to have an exceptional coach, coach Inga Koli,” Erasmus said.
“At the time, he had just completed high school and returned to coach at Pinelands High. He was an outstanding coach, consistently putting in extra effort for me.
“Even during school holidays, he would invite me to play, which ignited my interest in the sport. Honestly, without his encouragement, I might not have developed such a passion for basketball,” he admitted.
Erasmus views his basketball experiences as a gradual learning journey towards his goals. This year, he received a Special Achievement Award from Cape Metro District Basketball and there was, also, that Wynberg Boys’ High Basketball Tournament title and MVP honours, which put him in the spotlight.
Winning the tournament against elite Cape Town schools and being named MVP was an overwhelming experience, which made him proud, Erasmus said.
“I think winning as a team was even better compared to the fact that I was the MVP. It was my first MVP, and I do not take it lightly. That’s a huge step in my basketball career, and I am grateful for the recognition,” he reflected.
In sports, you win some and you lose some, learning about yourself and about sportsmanship in the process. Erasmus said one of his toughest experiences in basketball was also one of his most valuable experiences.
“In 2023, we attended a tournament at Kearnsey College, in KZN, when I was 14. Our oldest player was 15. We lost every game by at least 30 points, which was tough. However, that experience sparked our love for basketball, motivating us to improve.
“Now, that team dominates the Western Cape, with many of us representing the province in the inter-provincial tournament (IPT).”
Erasmus said the IPTs helped him make friends like Lusekho Sikhulume, from Westville Boys’ High, whom he leans on for advice.
Assessing his game, Erasmus said he enjoys playing defence and wants to be well-rounded. His club coach, Shafiek Allie, stresses that strong defence is a crucial key to being a well-rounded player.
Erasmus values his defensive work as a key strength. He is quick and aggressive in that area of the game. Offensively, he considers himself a skilled shooter, enjoying mid-range and baseline shots, as well as three-pointers.
At Pinelands High, his coach, Adrian Daniels, said that Erasmus is one of the players who has helped to raise the standard of basketball at the school.
“His work ethic and determination are unmatched. At every practice, he is the hardest-working person on the court. He’s become a great role model for his peers and the younger kids who look up to him,” Daniels explained.
“Watching him win the MVP at this year’s Wynberg Tournament was great. I couldn’t be happier for him. He’s worked really hard, and it’s great to see the work pay off.
“I’m super excited to see how he takes his game to the next level next year,” he concluded.
Erasmus told SuperSport Schools Plus that he has gained significant insights from both club and school basketball, emphasising that there is no separation in the lessons he has learnt from the two.
He highlighted a key lesson from coach Daniels at Pinelands High: in basketball, one must be prepared to give their all for their teammates without expecting anything in return. This principle has resonated deeply with him, shaping his perspective on teamwork, which he views as more than just a group of players, but rather as a brotherhood.
At Montana Vikings, he said the players frequently discuss themes of brotherhood and family. The lessons he has acquired at both school and club levels are always accessible to him, he added.
Erasmus has been blessed to learn from esteemed coaches, including coach Daniels at Pinelands High and coach Allie at the Montana Vikings. He is also engaged in one-on-one private training sessions with Vincent Ntunja, a former South African basketball player and co-founder, alongside Giovanni Freeman, of African Grassroots Hoops, which organises an annual Youth Classic Basketball Tournament in Cape Town.
Erasmus said that when he first met Ntunja, the coach spoke with authority, telling him he would be helped to where he wanted to go, and that it wasn’t a sense of false hope.
“He said, I will help you work to get where you want to be. And that is what stood out to me, because nowadays I think everyone is trying to skip the hard work part to get where they want to be. So, what stood out to me was that he offered to help me get where I want to be, not to get me there,” Erasmus explained.
Ntunja said working with Erasmus is a pleasure, noting that he is a player who pays attention and consistently seeks to improve.
“Our private sessions on the court are always positive, and I feel privileged to help enhance the work already done by his club and school coaches to get him to the next level. I wish him all the best in his future endeavours.” Ntunja said.
Erasmus said coach Allie and Floyd Brown, at the Montana Vikings, have helped his defence, especially. His teammates, too, have served to inspire him to work hard.
Coach Allie, who told Erasmus that Rome wasn’t built in a day, has coached the young man for close to four years. He describes Erasmus as one of the most diligent players on the team.
“He’s extremely hard on himself, but I think that’s what’s really nice about him.
“He is not arrogant. He’s coachable and extremely respectful.
“He comes out of a really good home, and it’s just a pleasure to coach him,” Allie concluded.
Erasmus ended the chat by saying he has a strong desire to pursue further studies at a university, ideally overseas, with the aid of a scholarship, which would enable him to continue his basketball career. He would greatly value such an opportunity, he said.
Incredible Milestones Aidan Erasmus Achieved on the Basketball Court
– Bronze – SA School Summer Games (2022)
– Silver – Jr. NBA Tournament (2022)
– Vice-captain of Western Cape provincial team (2023)
– Silver – SA Schools Summer Games (2023)
– O’Reilly Cup (best basketball player award) at Pinelands High (2024 and 2025)
– Gold – Soweto Uprising tournament (2024) with Montana Vikings
– Gold – champion of Cape Town Basketball Association’s u16 division (2024 and 2025)
– Gold – champion of Cape Town Basketball Association’s u18 division (2024 and 2025)
– u18 National Team watchlist (2023)
– Champion in the Western Cape Top Schools Tournament (2025)
– All-Star Team in Western Cape Top Schools Tournament (2025)
– Western Cape Provincial Team u17 (2025)
– u19 Wynberg Boys’ High Basketball Tournament Champion (2025)
– u19 Wynberg Boys’ High Basketball Tournament MVP (2025)
– School Half Colours [Pinelands High] (2024 and 2025)
– Provincial Colours (2022, 2023, and 2025).
