ZIMBABWE professional basketball star Vitalis Chikoko has become a revelation at his German club TBB Trier. REPORT BY MICHAEL MADYIRA The 21-year-old former Mbare Heat and Dzivarasekwa Raiders player moved to Germany in 2011 where he signed for top-flight league side BG Göttingen, who were later relegated, before joining Trier last year.
He has been recently getting rave reviews in the German media which heightened after a scintillating outing against Bamberg where he set personal season highs after collecting 11 points, eight rebounds, one assist and one block.
Described by his coach Henrik Rödl as an “intelligent” player, the power forward is also known for his discipline.
“He is very intelligent. He picks things up very fast. It’s really something I haven’t seen around very much that you really don’t have to tell him twice. It’s really amazing how he picks up things,” Rödl told sports website heinnews.com.
A regular in the team, the lanky left-hander Chikoko is averaging 5,2 points, 3,2 rebounds, 0,7 blocks and 0,5 assists a game, while shooting 60% from the floor and 67% from the free throw line.
Donning the number 23 jersey popularised by legend Michael Jordan, Chikoko has also won the admiration of his teammates.
“He is definitely a nice guy and has a good work ethic. He enjoys learning. He’s extremely talented. You can’t hide that. It is fun practicing with him,” remarked Trier centre Andreas Seiferth.
Chikoko has even drawn comparisons as the best power forward in Germany with his former coach at BG Göttingen, Michael Meeks, touting him as one of the finest in that position.
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“He’s the kind of guy that every coach would love to be involved with because he gives everything he can. I wish I had 15 Vitalises to be able to coach because you just know they are going to get better each day,” said Meeks.
Before signing for BG Göttingen, Chikoko turned down an offer from Angolan super side Petro Atletico.
