In the shadows of Jozi’s iconic Ponte Towers, an epic three-on-three streetball battle went down as 24 teams fought it out for the Red Bull Reign title. Durbanites AFRICAN WARRIORS went up against USAF from Johannesburg in the final, scoring 17-7 to take the crown and represent South Africa at the World Finals in September.
Over 60 teams registered over the past 4 weeks, making Red Bull Reign the biggest basketball tournament of the season. Spectators from the community, as well as the basketball scene at large, came out in numbers to support their favourites
African Warriors accumulated over 104 points during the course of the tournament and were a clear favourite during the event. African Warriors comprises of team players Landelani Ngubane 23,Sbusiso Cele 24, Bandile Nsele 24, Nathi Festile 24.
“The feeling is just insane right now! We still can’t believe we’ll get to represent South Africa. It will be the first time any of us have travelled abroad” said African Warriors captain Landelani Ngubane and added “We shut it down in Berea today and we’re gonna shut down Washington next month!”
KP Ndlovu, Sportive Director commented: “It was great to see the community come out and support the guys as today was always about the players. Our goal was to showcase the country’s best basketball talent and I think we achieved that. There’s also a great, newly-refurbished place where the scene can master their skills in future.”
Red Bull Reign is the only basketball tournament with a cumulative scoring system as teams of three play against each other in rounds with the highest scoring team advancing to the next round. This system essentially makes the event an offence-focused tournament where “it ́s all about getting buckets.”
The World Finals take place on the 16th of September in Washinton DC, United States of America.
*Red Bull leaves behind a refurbished basketball court with the hope of restoring these iconic courts to their former glory for the entire community to use.