Zone

‘You’ll never know unless you try.’ Vusi thought.

He strode down the corridor. brimming with anticipation. Accompanied by a group of hopeful prospects. Their eagerness equally palpable. The candidates crossed the threshold of the gym’s double doors. The enclosed corridor expanding into a cavernous arena. A state of the art, Euro-league standard basketball court.

‘5000 plus, seater.’ Vusi stifled a grin.

Vusi swivelled. Taking in a panoramic view of the arena. Well-polished timber floor. Crisp white court markings. Accented by black details. Two tiers of spectator seating. “LDLC” prominently inscribed in white and green in the centre circle.

“Messieurs!” a firm voice boomed.

Vusi turned his attention to the authoritative voice.

“To the side line!” the voice instructed.

The recruits moved swiftly to the side of the court. Spreading out evenly.

“I am Assistant Coach Laurent.” He ambled down the line, pausing his stride occasionally. “Welcome to LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne.”

The men returned his greeting.

“Over the next week.” He resumed, “You shall be put through your paces…”

Vusi was a long way from home. His journey began as a wiry teenager on the concrete courts of Soweto. In high-school, Coach Modise, saw potential in the rambunctious adolescent.

“…you are here off merit.” He glanced around, “So, act like it…”

He was 6-feet 1-inch upon entering the University of Johannesburg. Athletic and agile with a slightly more “filled out” frame. He topped out at 6-feet 2-inches upon completing his ICT Honours Degree; progressing into a semi-professional career in South Africa’s Basketball National League.

“…leave it all on the court…”

It was a point of pride that he represented the franchise from his Kasi; the Soweto Panthers. Two years into his tenure with the Panthers and the opportunity to play professional basketball in Europe presented itself. He had to try.

“…we shall be assessing your fitness, quickness, agility, strength…”

Vusi was quietly confident in his capabilities. His physical attributes were an asset early in his development. On defence he rarely allowed his opponent uncontested shots. His forte was the steal. On offense he shone in swift transition. Freely scoring and assisting.

“…free throw shooting, 2-point shooting, 3-point shooting…”

Shooting had not come naturally to him. Upon arriving at the University of Johannesburg, Coach Ackerman significantly developed his free throw and 2-point shooting. 3-point shooting remained a point of, comparative, weakness however.  Defensively he learned to read the game more effectively. Anticipating cuts, screening appropriately, boxing out efficiently. Offensively he developed the ability to slow the game down when necessary. Incorporating low post combinations with his centres for close-range efforts. Whereas, deft perimeter interchanges with his guards allowed for uncontested medium and long-range attempts.

“…tactical awareness, in game management…”

Coach Takarupiwa of the Soweto Panthers fine-tuned Vusi’s skill set and tactical awareness. His time with the Panthers completed the refinement of the “Son of Soweto”. He was a formidable opponent with clutch nerves of steel. It was time to compete.

The Assistant Coach’s whistle trilled sharply. Warm ups began. The squeak of basketball shoes against the polished wood floor reverberated in the gym.

Beep test

Sit and reach test

Vertical jump test

Vusi sprinted with vigour. Extended his stretch. Sprung up explosively.

Maximal strength test

Body Composition test

505 agility test

He lifted to his limit. Should he have had that cheat day? He nimbly rotated his frame.

Height

Arm span

Hand span

He stood a bit taller. Spread his arms a bit wider. Flattened his palm more open.

“Messieurs.” The assistant coach began, “We shall wrap up this morning session with five a side scrimmages.”

The candidates beamed. Eager to show off their abilities. Coach Laurent divided the men into six teams of five. The rules were simple:

“First team to five stays on. All shots are one point. Call your own fouls. Understood?!”

“Yes, Coach!” came the chorus

“Teams one and two, on the court!”

Vusi positioned himself just outside the 3-point line. Trusting that his centre would win the tip off. Directing the ball towards him. He was correct. The opposition scrambled back on defence. Vusi squared up against his counterpart. He read the play and made use of a screen to his left. Vusi dribbled and pulled up. Feigning a shot then darting a sly pass to his power-forward cutting along the baseline. An easy lay-up. 1-0

The opposition retaliated with a well worked double screen, allowing their point-guard a free 3-point shot from deep. 1-1

Vusi inbounded the ball to his point-guard. The guard dribbled the ball into the opposition’s half. Vusi’s team set up in a 3-2 offense. His team passed the ball well around the perimeter of the 3-point circle. Fluidly adjusting their shape. Waiting for an opening. Vusi, received the ball. He identified the gap. A pick and roll with his power-forward resulted in the defence collapsing. Vusi swung the ball back out to his shooting-guard. A free shot. 2-1

The opponents regrouped, advancing the ball down the court. Vusi’s team had set up in a 3-2 defence. A swift interchange split the defence. Any easy lay up was scored. 2-2

Vusi whispered a suggestion to his point-guard as the ball was inbounded. The guard nodded in agreement. His team worked the ball up the court, the message being relayed to the other three members. A patiently structured move orchestrated by his point-guard led to a pocket 3-point shot. 3-2

The opposition inbounded the ball.

“PICK YOUR MAN!” Vusi’s point-guard bellowed.

Vusi’s team fell back to the half way line; identifying the individual they would mark. The pressure told. The ball ended up out of bounds upon a wayward pass. Vusi’s team pressed the advantage. The ball was handled by Vusi on this possession. He zipped a pass to his shooting-guard, who bounced a pass to their centre. Their centre muscled his defender, backing him to the hoop and angling for a good shot. He found his “sweet spot”. Turning and scoring a shot in the low post. 4-2

Vusi’s team settled back towards the half court. Tracking their individual targets. His shooting-guard sensed an opportunity and sprung a two man press on the opposition’s power-forward. As the forward hesitated to pass, Vusi’s point-guard deftly re-positioned himself. He intercepted the sloppy pass and sprung a rapid fast-break. He rocketed the ball to their power-forward at the half court line. Vusi had began his run. Their power-forward barrelled towards the opposition’s basket. It was two on one. The opposition defender opted to close down Vusi’s power-forward. Vusi signalled for the pass. The ball was lobbed towards the basket. He sprung up, palmed the ball and emphatically slammed it through the hoop. 5-2. Game.

High fives all around.

The ensuing scrimmages were enthralling. Swift fast-breaks, measured post moves, well worked shooting opportunities. The assistant coach occasionally shuffled team members to see how different compositions faired together. Lunch came quickly. The afternoon session soon after. Finally, it was time to call it a day.

The rest of the week followed a regimented pattern:

06:00 am - Wake up

06:30 am - Breakfast

08:00 am - Morning session

10:30 am - Weight room workout

12:00 pm - Lunch

01:00 pm - Mandatory rest

02:30 pm - Afternoon session

05:30 pm - Indoor pool recovery

07:00 pm - Dinner

08:00 pm - Free time

10:00 pm - Lights out

The week came to an end. It was the morning that the five successful candidates would be announced.

The phone rang

“Come on, come on, don’t tell me you ‘sleep.”

“Dlamini!” an enthusiastic voice beamed, “One week in France and you forgettin’ us, huh?”

Vusi chuckled, “It ain’t like that, coach!”

“Yeah, Yeah, champ.” The voice paused, a knowing tone accompanied the next question “Today’s the day, yeah?”

“Yes sir.”

“How you feelin’?”

“Good, good.”

“That’s good.”

Vusi hesitated, “I mean the chanas ouchea were top notch, but I ain’t no slouch, coach!”

Coach Takarupiwa chuckled, “You ain’t lose your heart, I see!”

“Yes sir.” Vusi paused, “Hey, coach…”

“Yeah?”

“I wanna thank you for-”

“I don’t wanna hear none of that, V.” He interjected, “You earned this shot.”

“Thanks coach.”

The two chatted a while longer until Coach Takarupiwa shared his parting shot, “Like I always say. You’ll never know -“

“- unless you try.”

Coach laughed “That’s it. Go get it, champ!”

“Cheers, coach.”

Vusi and the other candidates sat on the bleachers. Assistant Coach Laurent addressed them. Commending their efforts. After which he handed out individual envelops. Labelled: first name, last name. Inside a letter confirming a successful or failed trail.

‘Vusi Dlamini’, the envelope read.

‘You’ll never know unless you try.’ he thought.

A calm swept over him as he broke the seal of the envelop...