Shabalala number one in South Africa BNL for round 1 (by Hoops Agents)

- June 9, 2026

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

Mthokozisi Masondo

Syamthanda Shabalala (F ) had an amazing evening in the last round for second-ranked Kwa-Zulu Marlins, receiving a Hoops Agents Player of the Week award for round 1.
The player was the main contributor (18 points, nine rebounds and five assists) to his team's victory, helping them to outclass, the league's bottom-ranked team Warriors (#10, 0-1) with 45-point margin 87-42. Marlins is placed at 2nd position in South African BNL. Marlins is a typical solid league team placed somewhere in the middle or a little bit lower in the standings. They need more victories to improve their 1-1 record. In the team's last game Shabalala had a remarkable 54.5% from 2-point range. He just recently signed at Marlins and just after two games he already turned to be a very valuable addition to the team. Syamthanda Shabalala has solid league stats. He is in league's top in points (4th best: 12.5ppg), rebounds (4th best: 7.5rpg), assists (8th best: 3.0apg) and averages impressive 5.5spg.

The second best player in last round's games was young Mthokozisi Masondo (200-F-1998) of Free State Warriors. Masondo had a very good evening with a double-double of 12 points and 18 rebounds. Bad luck as Warriors lost that game 42-87 to Marlins (1-1). The season is still at the very beginning and this lost game may not be such crucial, of course if they start win the games. Let's wait for the next round. Masondo is one of the most experienced players at Warriors and has a reputation of one of team's most reliable players. He belongs to the best scorers in the league with 12.0ppg (#5). He also registered 18.0 boards per game.

Third on the list of top players last round was another Marlins' star - forward Ryeleigh Hoskins (F). Hoskins scored 9 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. He was another key player of Kwa-Zulu Marlins, helping his team with a 87-42 easy win against Warriors (#10, 0-1). Marlins needs these victories very badly if they think about taking over top position in the standings. Their record at this point is 1 victory and 1 lost game. Hoskins has a very solid season. In 2 games in South Africa he scored 5.5ppg.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Bena Kabuya (F) of Marlins - 18 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists
5. Isaac Adams (F ) of Magic - 13 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists
6. Tirivashe Gapara (F) of Marlins - 7 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists
7. Makamu Nature (F ) of Magic - 16 points and 5 rebounds
8. Lehlohonolo Mhlongo (F ) of Marlins - 4 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists
9. John Daniels (F ) of Magic - 11 points and 9 rebounds
10. Prosper Duke (F ) of Magic - 4 points and 8 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 : SYAMTHANDA SHABALALA, KWA-ZULU MARLINS, SOUTH AFRICAN BASKETBALL,