Congolese power forward Emmanuel Shine has been named Player of the Year at the 2026 South African Basketball National League after leading the Soweto Panthers to an unbeaten championship campaign. Shine also picked up Defensive Player of the Year and Forward of the Year, and was voted on to the First Team. The Panthers went 4-0 in the regular season and beat the Western Cape Mountaineers 2-0 in the final series.
Shine ranked third in rebounds per game with 13 and led the league in scoring at over 19 points per game. He recorded three games of 20 or more points, seven double-doubles and scored a season-high 34 points against the Zebras. He was previously the 2021 Player of the Year and a 2021 First Team selection.
Sifiso Gininda took Finals MVP honours and joined Shine on the First Team. The swingman averaged over 14 points and 6 rebounds per game, posting two double-doubles and a season-high 19 points against Magic. He had previously been a 2024 Player of the Year, a 2025 All-Domestic Team pick, a 2025 Second Team selection and a 2025 All-Star.
Guard Benjamin Myburgh earned Guard of the Year and a First Team nod, averaging almost 14 points and over 7 rebounds with two double-doubles and a 23-point outing against the Eagles. Stephen Gabriel, the 35-year-old Mountaineers centre, claimed Center of the Year and a First Team spot after averaging over 11 points and almost 9 rebounds, with a high of 18 against the Rhinos. Small forward Sun Kalaya completed the First Team.
Kalaya averaged over 16 points and almost 14 rebounds for the Mountaineers, reaching 25 points against Magic and notching five double-doubles. Taite Hendricks of the Panthers was named Best Prospect of the Year.
