UJ point guard Sbonga Mkhwanazi shares how discipline and smart strategy can turn young players into leaders on the court.
For high school basketball players, success on the court requires more than talent; it demands discipline, hard work, and a sharp understanding of the game.
University of Johannesburg (UJ) point guard Sbonga Mkhwanazi shared insights from his experience in school and university basketball, emphasising the importance of preparation, adaptability, and leadership.
As a point guard in his fourth year for UJ, Mkhwanazi explains, the role goes beyond scoring.
“You need to understand the system of your team. You need to know exactly what your coach wants and how the team is supposed to play. Most of the time, you’re the one in control on the court.”
He highlighted the key skills that a point guard must focus on. “Board handling is critical, because the team trusts you with the ball. You also need to work on speed and fitness – always be on top of your game physically – and you need a great work ethic, especially if you want to lead your team effectively.”
Basketball is not just about physical ability. Sbonga stressed the importance of basketball IQ and learning from other players.
“High school players should watch a lot of basketball, especially EuroLeague games, which show structured plays more than the NBA. You can also watch NBA players and see what individual skills you can adapt to your own game.”
Reflecting on lessons from losses, he said that mental resilience is essential. “After a loss, you need to ask yourself what went wrong, what the team needs to fix, and what you can do individually.
Don’t beat yourself up – you need to have an ‘onto the next one’ mindset. Learn and improve for the next game.”
Daily training routines, he added, should balance skill work, strength, and diet.
“Know your strengths and weaknesses. Work hard on areas where you’re weaker, like shooting, but never forget to sharpen your strengths. Extra practice sessions help you improve faster. For high school players, hitting the gym twice or three times a week and playing basketball at least four days a week is the minimum.”
He also spoke about exposure and opportunities.
Though his school rarely participated in major tournaments, attending the St. John’s Basketball Festival in 2025 gave him insight into the growing basketball scene in South Africa.
“It shows that high school basketball is growing. Playing in tournaments, like St. John’s, gives exposure and experience against teams from across the country and can even attract university coaches and scholarships.”
For aspiring basketball players, his advice is clear:
“Discipline, listening to your coaches, and adapting quickly are the keys. Every game is an opportunity to learn, and every training session is a chance to get better.”
