Natural class, talent and a love of the game’ allied with a determined youngster is propelling the Ekow Emmanuel Amoako into the limelight.
It was in October 2008 in Koforidua, home of Koforidua Secondary Technical School (KSTS). Eight schools had gathered on their school premises to participate in the maiden edition of the Eastern Regional Sprite Ball Championship.
KSTS took the game to their visitors and floored them easily thanks to a fragile looking fleet footed forward youngster who is later elected ‘man of the tournament’.
Many were left to take notice of his immense talent with his unique technique and skills which has left an unbridled imprint on the minds of many crazy lovers of the game in the West African country.
It is not too clear who can take the credit for his massive improvement since he burst onto the scene six years ago.
He captained the side to win the Eastern Regional Sprite Ball title on technical grounds in 2009 following the disqualification of Abuakwa State College.
Amoako’s talent has landed him at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology where he continues to churn out impressive displays for the Kumasi-based school.
It’s becomes clear that the youngster is extremely talented, but that is a combination of the young man’s skills and the determination of his trainers that has set him apart from the rest.
“I remember him being not as tall and strong as his team-mates, but his technique, his game reading and his confidence level was so good that he was the best player we had,” KSTS coach Eric Larbi said.
“If I have to define him as a young basketball player in a few words: natural class, talent and love of the game.
“Even with all those skills, nobody thought that he would progress so quickly. Am I surprised that he’s doing well? Not at all!
“That’s just amazing. His game has taken on another dimension after a few years and I’m really happy for him.
Another dimension is quite clearly an understatement. After just a year in Kumasi, he has become of the KNUST’s best players, one of the few to offer spark and creativity in a team lacking skill and invention.
Some had seen it coming, one of them being his former Senior High School teammate Martin Addo, who said: “Ekow is a beautifully balanced player.
“He’s young and has to grow into his frame but he has good balance, good acceleration and is a very good technical player.
Ekow was small and frail with thin legs. But his talent is phenomenal and a class act above his age. This has been compensated by his vision and his ability to think three times as fast as the others.
His performances at the recently concluded Dr Hilla Liman Hall week challenge Cup left many without a shred of doubt that he is the rising basketball star for Ghana.
