Sentongo makes All-Star team
Thato Kala | Wednesday August 13, 2014 12:23
Sentongo, an Africa Youth Games’ finding, was at the just-ended Basketball Without Borders in Johannesburg, South Africa and his impressive displays saw him make the All Stars Select. The 17-year-old confirmed there were informal inquiries on his interest to join a local basketball club, but said he would not listen to any offers at this stage.
Sentongo is heavily built and aware he can meet the physical challenge in the league, but insists he is not mentally ready for that.
“There is no age-group competition in Botswana. The only league is the men’s league and I feel I am still too young to compete there. Just now, someone was asking me if I will be signing up for any team.
“I might be physically ready, but I don’t think it is the best choice for me because if I get injured it will end my career,” Sentongo told Showbiz.
The youth international, however, dreams of one day pulling on the senior team’s jersey. “Botswana was the reason I went for all these camps, they selected me for Turkey in 2010. I feel obliged to come back one day and represent the country,” he said.
The Maruapula Secondary School Form 5 student’s focus is to do well in his exams and get a scholarship to study in America where he hopes to simultaneously pursue his basketball career. “I need to get exceptional grades in my Form 5 and then go to America to do the 12th grade of high school and continue with my basketball,” he said. In Johannesburg, Sentongo and 59 other youths were trained by America’s NBA stars and coaches who also spoke of opportunities to study and do basketball in their country.