Senior small forward, Thabiso Khoza, was named the 2016/17 COHENEL Warriors Most Valuable Player at the end of year Basketball Academy Awards ceremony, which took place on the Enfield campus last week, capping off a hugely successful season for the inspirational team captain.

After leading his team to an AoC championship and displaying the positive leadership Head Coach Jay Williams had been asking of him all season long, the award came as no surprise to either his teammates or coach.  “T(habiso) has been the rock on which our success has been built this year.  He’s been there for his teammates and really set the tone as far as work ethic and mindset go, and been a great example for others to follow and the ultimate ‘glue’ guy keeping everyone together.  He’s also improved a lot himself this year and has come through for us when we’ve needed him the most.  It’s a well deserved reward for an outstanding young man” Williams said.

In reflecting upon his award, Khoza said “This means a lot, to be recognised by your coaches and teammates after all we’ve been through this season.  I was here last year too and so have seen how far we’ve come as a program and I’m just glad I’ve been able to be a part of it’s growth.  When it came down to it, (AoC final game that decided the championship), we all knew what we needed to do and played with confidence and got the job done. Champions!”

Khoza is an Engineering Level 3 student who is graduating in July and moving on to De Montfort University, where he will study for a degree in mechanical engineering.