By: Ahashie Judeliver Eli
Accra’s basketball scene brims with talent, but few have defied the odds quite like the Spintex Knights. In a city where success stories are often rare, this group of determined players, coaches and founders has risen from obscurity, rewriting expectations and carving their own path to glory.
The Spintex Knights, one of Ghana’s most formidable basketball clubs, have risen from humble beginnings to become a force to be reckoned with on the continental stage.
Just two years ago, the Spintex Knights were training once a week, a group of talented Ghanaians with a shared dream but limited resources.
Fast forward to today, and they’re not just holding their own against the toughest competition in West Africa, they’re exceeding expectations and charting an impressive path.
Head Coach Selorm Thomas, a 3×3 Basketball Silver medalist at the 13th African Games 2023 himself, is the architect of this remarkable rise.
Selected among brilliant coaches for the prestigious 2023 Giants of Africa Festival, Head Coach Selorm Thomas, has instilled a standard of toughness and professionalism with Spintex Knights that sets them apart.
“Put it two years ago, nobody, not even ourselves, ever imagined we would get to where we’ve been and are currently,” Coach Thomas reflects during an interview on Happy Sports with Ohene Bampoe Brenya. “We gave ourselves a time frame, and God being so good, we’ve been able to get ahead of our timeline and compete in the toughest competitions.”
The team’s journey has been nothing short of astonishing. Formed in 2018 to put Ghana on the map in basketball, the Spintex Knights have taken the necessary steps to turn their dream into reality. They’ve won tournaments in Ivory Coast, and finished as runners-up in Nigeria on consecutive occasions with their third attempt beating African big steppers, Rivers Hoopers. They have consistently placed among the top seeds in the NBI 2023 competition.
But their success has not come without immense sacrifice and dedication. “We used to train once a week, then moved it to twice, then three times, and now it’s six times a week,” Coach Thomas reveals. “Players now have a day for off days, and that goes to show the determination and resilience from the team. From Monday to Saturday, it’s either practice or a scheduled game.”
The commitment of the players and the selfless leadership of the team’s co-founders have been instrumental in their rise. “Every time we see how conflicting teams can get, we always trust in our co-founders and management because they’ve always given their 100 percent,” says team captain Elvis Pobi Asiaw. “They’ve never taken shares from our winning prizes; they rather top up and make us celebrate our wins. So why wouldn’t you be happy to associate yourself with such selfless leadership?”
Co-captain Benjamin echoes this sentiment, attributing the team’s success to the solid foundation of discipline instilled from the outset. “It seems so easy to give up, but I’m a sportsman, and I believe in one thing as my solid foundation: discipline. With that, you can put things together, maneuver your way, and always stay afloat despite the challenges that come along.”
James Amotoe, another key player to the story of the Knights reiterated the fundamentals of the team’s synergy.
“I believed in the team, the team also believed in me. With the help of my teammates and captains including the co- founders of the team, I was able to win the MVP for the 2023 Greater Accra Basketball League”, he stated.
Despite their impressive achievements, the Spintex Knights are not resting on their laurels. Coach Thomas has his sights set on even greater heights, calling on the government to take basketball seriously and invest in the necessary infrastructure to support the sport’s growth.
“It is time the government acknowledged how important the game of basketball is at the continental level,” he urges. “Take a country like Rwanda, where they recently set up everything and established arenas for the sport. It’s not just about the courts but also improving sports tourism in the country. That’s why most African basketball tournaments are held there. When we do that, we would not only play but host these tournaments and attract investors in sports, which will go a long way in improving the sport in the country.”
The Spintex Knights are a brilliant example of what can be accomplished when passion and perseverance are combined because of their discipline, determination, and unwavering pursuit of excellence.
Another Impressive feat achieved by this team is that, in the series last season, they managed to solidified their status as the Greater Accra Basketball League Men’s Division 1 champions, boasting an impeccable record of 22 unbeaten games throughout the season and are aiming to represent Ghana at the Basketball African League in the furture.
They encourage a new generation of Ghanaian athletes to aim high and make a lasting impression on the basketball globe as they persist in overcoming obstacles and pursuing their goals.
Let me not say much, watch the highlights below of how impressive this team plays:
