eBusiness Weekly
Chipo Sabeta
After Vitalis Chikoko’s spectacular performance in the prestigious LNB All-Star game played in Paris over the weekend, former Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BAZ) president Addison Chiware, says it won’t be a surprise to see the lanky basketball gem play in the lucrative National Basketball Association (NBA) one day.
Chikoko made history by becoming the first Zimbabwean player to feature in a French All-Star team as the Glen View-born star’s profile continues to rise as one of the leading players in the French National Basketball League (LNB).
The 27-year-old, 209cm power forward, was one of the two Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez players in the 12-man international squad for the LNB All-Star Game roster together with Venezuelan teammate, Donta Smith.
The LNB All-Star game is a high-profile basketball exhibition game hosted every year, pitting a mix of the league’s star players from France against a team of the best foreign players plying their trade in the league.
It was first held in 1987, as the French version of the NBA All-Star game held annually in the US.
Chiware said Chikoko’s dream to play in the NBA could perhaps soon transform into reality after such highlights.
Unconfirmed reports say Chikoko is on Boston Celtics radar.
“To be in an All-Star team in any basketball league is a recognition by the basketball fans, coaches and fellow players alike. It is the pinnacle of recognition. It also means that Vitalis continues to be on the NBA radar and can be snapped up any moment by NBA teams like it has happened for many talented players in the European leagues.
“This should serve as an inspiration to all upcoming basketball players that you should work hard at your craft because you never know when the opportunity will come knocking at your doorstep. Vitalis has already carved the path so Zimbabwean players get ready, Europe knows there is talent in Zimbabwe courtesy of Vitalis Chikoko,” said Chiware, a JBC coach said.
“Vitalis’ transformation has been phenomenal. He is truly a student of the game where he first encountered basketball through the Hoops for Hope programme for cadet basketball and life skills,” said Chiware as he explained Chikoko’s rise to stardom.
“He went on to dominate High School basketball and in the process played in a very talented Zimbabwe U-18 national team in a FIBA Africa tournament.
“At the local club level he showed his class with Raiders, briefly JBC before going to Mbare Heat where the owner of the franchise Peter Mubanda managed to facilitate a once in a life opportunity to a very deserving basketball player in the mould of Vitalis.
“Once he was given the opportunity in Germany initially, he was disciplined enough to embrace a very scientific programme geared to make him realise his basketball potential.”
Staunch basketball followers, Tatenda Gondo, believes Chikoko’s appearance in the French All-Star team will have a very big impact on his profile.
“I see him rising to the best league, it’s a matter of time because his profile is growing fast. This means both scouts and younger upcoming basketball players will easily identify him. Chikoko’s profile is on point as he played in Germany then Italy at Grissiun Bon Reggio then relocated to Germany and played for Bayern Munich before joining the French side,” she said.
Gondo, a passionate writer and social media expert, said the local basketball authorities must take the opportunity to promote youngsters and sign deals that will see more basketball players in Europe.
She added: “With Chikoko appearance in the All-Stars team I am hoping that Zimbabwe Basketball Association will be able to do the same with the France Basketball Federation, merge deals which should be a major boast to our sporting industry.”
Born on February 11, 1991, Chikoko’s selection for the All-Star game comes after signing a two-year contract extension with Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez, which prolongs his stay in south-western France to the end of the of 2022/23 season.
Chikoko’s breakthrough to European basketball came in 2011 when he was signed by German Bundesliga side ASC Göttingen straight from Mbare Heat before switching base to fellow German top-flight side TBB Trier. He also had a stint in Italy with Pallacanestro Reggiana and Tenezis Verona in 2015 before returning to Germany a year later after being signed by Bayern Munich.
Chikoko represented Zimbabwe on the international stage at both the junior and senior levels. He played for his country at the 2008 FIBA Africa Under-18 Championship and the FIBA AfroBasket 2011 qualifying rounds.
