Congolese power forward Emmanuel Shine don collect Player of the Year for di 2026 South African Basketball National League afta e lead Soweto Panthers go unbeaten for di whole season to win championship. Shine still collect Defensive Player of the Year and Forward of the Year, and pipo vote am enter di First Team. Di Panthers go 4-0 for regular season and dem beat Western Cape Mountaineers 2-0 for di final series.
Shine rank third for rebounds per game wit 13 and e lead di whole league for scoring wit over 19 points per game. E record three games wey e score 20 or more points, seven double-doubles and e score season-high 34 points against Zebras. Before, e don be 2021 Player of the Year and 2021 First Team selection.
Sifiso Gininda take Finals MVP honours and e join Shine for di First Team. Di swingman average over 14 points and 6 rebounds per game, e post two double-doubles and season-high 19 points against Magic. Before, e be 2024 Player of the Year, 2025 All-Domestic Team pick, 2025 Second Team selection and 2025 All-Star.
Guard Benjamin Myburgh collect Guard of di Year and First Team spot, e average almost 14 points and over 7 rebounds wit two double-doubles and 23-point outing against di Eagles. Stephen Gabriel, di 35-year-old Mountaineers centre, claim Center of di Year and First Team spot afta e average over 11 points and almost 9 rebounds, wit high of 18 against di Rhinos. Small forward Sun Kalaya complete di First Team.
Kalaya average over 16 points and almost 14 rebounds for di Mountaineers, e reach 25 points against Magic and e notch five double-doubles. Taite Hendricks from Panthers collect Best Prospect of di Year.
