Pro basketball beckons for Ofentse

Thato Kala | Tuesday February 4, 2014 14:58

Ofentse stands on the brink of making history by being the first Botswana player to play the sport professionally in Angola.

The Botswana Basketball Association (BBA) confirmed the news, saying it was quite an exciting development for the local game. The association is convinced the move could unlock doors for more Batswana players.

Ofentse is excited about the prospect of playing professional basketball in a league highly ranked in the world. 

“I am really excited about this and I am preparing for the trial. Of course, being the first Motswana to get this opportunity is quite nerve wrecking,” Ofentse told Mmegi Sport on Friday.He said he was spotted by scouts who do work for the club in the tournaments and league games he played in. ADA Agency of Luanda does the club’s scouting in the continent.

“I got an email from their agency on the 24th of January and then the official invite from the club came through,” he said. He believes a move to Angola could enrich his playing career and make him more valuable for the national team.

Long known for their domination of African Basketball, Angola has been a stable in international competitions since 1989 and has represented the African continent at the past five Summer Olympics and last six FIBA World Championships, dating back to 1986.

“Angola has previously played Olympics basketball and they are quite a strong league. The team I am going to is a fairly strong team because they are usually in fifth position or there about,” he said.

He admitted the lure of the remuneration was also at play. Ofentse is a fourth-year law student at the University of Botswana and said he was ready to make necessary adjustments should the move materialise.

“They pay pretty well; I think I can live like a professional footballer playing for your average club in South Africa.”

Ofentse said he would make arrangements to transfer his UB credits to UNISA and do long distance education if the move is successful.

The 22-year-old has previously had a stint outside the country when he featured for Harare side Cameo in Zimbabwe.The Dolphins shooting guard has three senior national team caps to date, having also turned out for the BISA Under-17 national team thrice.

He also garnered one Under 20 national team cap in the Zone Six championships and another cap for the universities national team.Ofentse flew to Luanda courtesy of Paul Chitate of First Sun, who sponsored him with an air ticket.