MBB Blue Soldiers successfully defended their Red Bull Half Court crown, becoming South Africa's first back-to-back national champions since the 3x3 competition launched locally in 2025. Selepe led the team to that inaugural title last year before taking SA to the World Final in Dubai, where the squad beat Macedonia and the Maldives, narrowly fell to the USA, and reached the quarterfinals still the country's best-ever finish at the tournament.

"This is a totally amazing feeling. We came out here as defending champions, which is difficult. To win one championship is difficult, but what's even harder is to defend your title," Selepe said. He also spoke to what playing at home meant to him personally, having followed events in the city for nearly two decades.

The squad backing him up brought serious pedigree: Arinze Nino Dim, a two-time BAL veteran and former university tournament MVP; Neo Mothiba, with more than 50 national team caps and five AfroBasket campaigns; and Rabbi Belolo-Loussaloussou, a two-time SA club champion who was also part of last year's Dubai run.

The Takeover and MBB Blue Soldiers image by Tyrone Bradley / Red Bull Content Pool

On the women's side, the title changed hands. With 2025 champions Hoop Hustlers not returning to defend, the field opened up for a five-team battle between Size Nenye, Blue Flames, Buckets and Bruises, Ghiv Us, MBB Blue Soldiers' women's team and The Takeover. It was The Takeover who came out on top, powered by 18-year-old shooting guard Liamisha Aboo alongside teammates Lauren Fredericks, Tlhogi Taukobong and Hope Mbele.

"I feel amazing. We really wanted this, and it showed on court. We didn't give up," Aboo said after the win, praising the chemistry the squad found together including Mbele, who wasn't part of the original qualifiers but stepped up on finals day.

Image: MBB Blue Soldiers vs Tala Hady / Tyrone Bradley, Red Bull Content Pool

Both national champions have now booked their spot at the Red Bull Half Court World Final in Manila, Philippines, on 5 December 2026, where they'll face off against title-holders from around the globe.

The day wasn't just about basketball, either fan got a shooting clinic from renowned coach Chris Matthews ("Lethal Shooter"), a live performance from Kamo Mphela, a dunk contest and a 1v1 side competition for teams that didn't make the knockout rounds.

The Takeover vs Ghiv Us image by Mpumelelo Macu / Red Bull Content Pool

For players like Belolo-Loussaloussou, the bigger picture matters just as much as the trophy. "Not a lot of people know about South African basketball, or that we even have national teams, but Red Bull is putting us on the map and giving us the exposure we need," he said pointing to the platform it gives the next generation coming up behind them.