Edenvale, South Africa – Global Sports Partners representative Anthony Shelton is at the heart of basketball development in South Africa. Having already established himself in the sport development scene through his work in flag football and ultimate frisbee, Shelton decided to attend Edenvale Lions Basketball Academy in December of 2023. What began as a simple search for a place to play local pick-up games quickly developed into much more, as there was immediate interest from the club for Shelton to begin training academy players and get involved more officially with the club. By February, he was asked to become the head coach of the men’s senior team which was already deep into their season schedule. After a challenging start to the year, Coach Shelton led the team to three wins in their last four Inter-City Super League games.
Benji Ngandu is a player, coach, and event organizer with Edenvale
"I've been involved in this team, this academy, for five years now from a player to captain to coach to event organizer and so on ... Personally speaking, the amount of development I have and still am witnessing amongst the players and managers, from their skillset to mindset to characteristics, from the few months alone Coach Anthony has been with us has been the most impactful and influential period in this academy's history. All the work he's done has had the greatest influence on the academy since I joined this team five years ago. The learning curve we're all going through is exceptional, and I personally couldn't be more grateful for what he's done and just who he is."
Additionally, Shelton has been working with Ngandu and Coach Edson Makavan, co-founder of the Edenvale Lions Basketball Academy to grow the sport of 3x3. Officially in the Olympic program for the next two cycles, 3x3 development is generating momentum worldwide, and Coach Shelton is helping lead the charge in his own backyard. But all of that work does not stop at the local level. Shelton has been training the South Africa men’s national 3x3 team and recently led the squad in a large tournament in Reunion Island, which featured the French national team – which is currently competing as the host team of the Olympics.
Still, there is much work to be done to grow the sport domestically, and Shelton’s own team of four, along with Makavan, Ngandu, and Manny Middleton, the 3x3 National Coordinator for Basketball, are seeking to organize 3x3 activation events that will raise awareness and grow excitement of the sport at home in hopes of qualifying for the Olympic Games in 2028.
In May, 28 teams in four different categories competed in an activation event organized by Shelton, Makavan, and Ngandu. There were approximately 112 participants and over 200 people in attendance – an undeniable success! Other activation events will be held throughout the year to continue to build on the strong foundation that has been set. Edenvale will continue to be a focal point, as there are plans for the club to host a major tournament at the end of the year.
There are still many opportunities for basketball development throughout the region, both in 3x3 and traditional 5-on-5. Shelton is continuing to work with the Edenvale Lions Basketball Academy, the national 3x3 teams, and Makavan, Middleton, and Ngandu to see basketball reach its full potential in South Africa.