Sthando Gaula gets MVP of the Week award for South African WBNL (by Hoops Agents)

- July 1, 2025

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

Lindiwe Shabangu

Sthando Gaula had a very impressive game in the last round for league's leader Tshwane Suns and that's her to receive a Hoops Agents Player of the Week award for round 5.
The had a double-double of 25 points and 22 rebounds, while her team outclassed Eagles (#4, 1-2) with 59-point margin 103-44. It allowed Suns to jump to the first place in the South African WBNL. They maintain a perfect record without any lost game in the league. But it's just the very beginning of the season and Suns won both games without losing any. It's too early to say anything as the standings can be changed completely after next round. In the team's last game Gaula had a remarkable 55.0% from 2-point range. She has many years of experience at Suns, through which she has constantly improved. Gaula has impressive league stats. She is in league's top in points (2nd best: 21.5ppg) and averages solid 2.0bpg,4.5spg and 64.5% FGP.

The second most remarkable performance in last round's games was another Suns' star - young international Lindiwe Shabangu (1995). Shabangu impressed basketball fans with a double-double of 27 points and 13 rebounds. Of course together with Gaula she helped Tshwane Suns with another comfortable win outscoring the lower-ranked Eagles (#4, 1-2) 103-44. It was definitely game of the week between two contenders to the top position in Group B. Suns consolidated its place in the very top position of the standings. Her team has extremely good start of the season. They won both games so far. However the season is at the beginning, so everything can happen. They still may lose their high position in the standings. Shabangu is one of the most experienced players at Suns and similarly like Sthando Gaula has a reputation of one of team's most reliable players. She belongs to the best scorers in the league with 20.0ppg (#4). She also registered 11.0 boards per game.

The third best performed player last round was another Suns' star - Thando Mbuthuma. Mbuthuma scored 23 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. She was another key player of Tshwane Suns, helping her team with a 103-44 easy win against #4 ranked Eagles. Suns has a very good start of the season. But there were just 2 games played, so it's too early to judge them at this stage. Mbuthuma also has a very good start of the season with very strong stats. Mbuthuma has a great season in South Africa. After only 2 games, she made it on the list of the league's leaders in points with 15.5ppg (9th best) and assists with 4.0apg (8th best).

Other top performing players last week:
4. Ipeleng Nyatlo (1999) of Eagles - 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists
5. Siphesihle Mathe) of Panthers - 8 points, 16 rebounds and 3 assists
6. Tshepo Mokua) of Eagles - 24 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists
7. Josefina Gomes) of Suns - 11 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists
8. Amogelang Boitumelo) of Eagles - 7 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists
9. Keatlegile Ramorwesi (2000) of Eagles - 9 points and 3 rebounds
10. Noluthando Mathe) of Panthers - 8 points and 18 rebounds

The Player of the week is selected based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc.
The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy.
The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3*(REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4*(2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3*(2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3*(3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)

The Player of the Week awards are presented by Hoops Agents. Hoops Agents is the most complete website about the agencies and players they represent. With more than twenty years of experience, Hoops Agents is already recognized as the most reliable destination for the players who wish to continue their career in professional basketball and are searching for a reputable and connected representation. Hoops Agents is also most complete source of transactions news.

Tags : STHANDO GAULA, TSHWANE SUNS, SOUTH AFRICAN BASKETBALL,