International basketballer Chikoko's exploits reco...

International basketballer Chikoko's exploits recognised inFrench league

ANOTHER CHANCE ANOTHER DANCE TWICE IN A ROW AS ZIMBABWEAN BASKETBALL PLAYER VITALIS CHIKOKO IS SET TO FEATURE IN THE LNB FRENCH ALL STARS - — **Vitalis Chikoko**

France-based Zimbabwean professional basketball player Vitalis Chikoko has been recognised by the Ligue Nationale de Basket Pro A’s All-League Team as part of the league’s best starting five after a stellar season 2022/23.

Chikoko, who had a stellar season for Elan Béarnais Pau-Orthez, was included on the star-studded list which features some of the league’s finest players including Matt Morgan, Victor Wembanyama, Nando De Colo and Ronald March.

French star Wembanyama, who is now set to begin his NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs, after they won the draft lottery and the No 1 overall pick on Tuesday was named the French Pro A’s Most Valuable Player.

Chikoko expressed his delight at the latest recognition which puts him amongst the top professional basketball players in France.

“Family, we made the top 5 players in the league as the best pivot/5man for the 2022/23 season. It’s a great blessing to be in my 12th professional year and to show we made top 5 players in the league as a top 5 for the 22/23 season.

“Very blessed to be in my 12th professional year averaging 14.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 blocks, 76.9 free throws, 18.7 eval number 3 in the league all in 26.3 minutes.

“To the fans around the world who have become my family, you are the fuel to my engine. Elan Béarnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez, thank you for giving me a home and a platform to shine in the game I love so much. To everyone who believed and still believes in me, thank you,” Chikoko said.

Chikoko is currently in his second stint at Elan Béarnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez after returning to the club two years ago.

The Zimbabwe national basketball team captain had his first stint at the club from 2016 to 2019 before leaving for Metropolitans 92, where he spent two seasons from 2019 to 2021.

During his time in France, Chikoko has earned three successive All-Star nominations in the last three seasons while being a serious contender for the Jeep Elite ProA Most Valuable Player to underline his status as one of the big stars of the French top division.

The Zimbabwe national team star has been based in Europe since 2011 when he moved to German club BG Goettingen.

After one season with Goettingen, Chikoko went to TBB Trier before his journey led him to Italy with Reggio Emilia and Verona.

He returned to Germany with FC Bayern Munich before moving to France in 2016 to join Pau-Orthez, where he is now enjoying a second dance.