South Sudan’s men’s basketball team made a triumphant start to their Olympic journey on Sunday, securing a decisive 90-79 victory over Puerto Rico in the group stage. The world’s youngest nation now faces their most formidable challenge yet: a rematch against the 16-time gold medalist Team USA on Wednesday. This rematch follows an intense exhibition game on July 20, where the Steve Kerr-led American team narrowly edged out South Sudan with a 101-100 win, thanks to LeBron James’ clutch basket in the final seconds.
South Sudan’s forward Wenyen Gabriel, who brings NBA experience to the squad, discussed the team’s upcoming fixtures and their determination. After the victory over Puerto Rico, the 27-year-old highlighted the seriousness with which other teams will now approach South Sudan.
“Absolutely. Every single game, they’re coming for our necks, and we understand that,” Gabriel told BasketNews on Sunday. “We knew that before this game, but we were focused on winning this game. We respected our opponents.”
HISTORY MADE!! 🇸🇸 pic.twitter.com/8qIYJeVE6h
— South Sudan Basketball (@SSBFed) July 28, 2024
In the run-up to the Paris Olympics, Team USA and South Sudan clashed in an exhibition game in London. Despite trailing for most of the game, the American squad narrowly avoided a major upset, with LeBron James securing the victory with a clutch shot in the final moments. This narrow escape has not gone unnoticed, and Team USA is now fully aware of South Sudan’s potential threat.
Despite their loss, South Sudan emerged with a renewed sense of confidence, a sentiment they carried into their game against Puerto Rico. The South Sudanese players displayed immense energy and belief, which was crucial to their victory.
LET’S GO!!!! 🇸🇸 pic.twitter.com/mOMrGtHWhf
— South Sudan Basketball (@SSBFed) July 28, 2024
South Sudan’s coach Royal Ivey echoed Gabriel’s sentiments while previewing the upcoming games. “We’re no secret anymore,” Ivey said after the win against Puerto Rico. “Everybody is going to give us their best shot, just like Puerto Rico came out on fire, and we were resilient. We held it down, we gained our composure, we came back.”
Ivey emphasized the importance of focus and defense as his team prepares to face the star-studded American roster. “The USA got a lot of heavy guns over there,” Ivey noted. “So, we got to be focused, locked in, play together, play the right way, and continue to guard. These guys (Puerto Rico) had 40 points in the 2nd quarter, and we held them to what? 79 points? I don’t have the box score, but at the end of the day, we defended in the second half. Like I said, everybody’s gonna give us their best shot. We’re not the secret anymore.”
South Sudan’s rise in the international basketball scene is nothing short of remarkable. The team’s ability to challenge powerhouses like Team USA speaks volumes about their growth and potential. Wenyen Gabriel’s NBA experience and leadership have been pivotal, infusing the team with confidence and skill. The narrow loss in the exhibition game against Team USA proved that South Sudan is not just a participant but a contender capable of upsets.
The upcoming rematch against Team USA will be a defining moment for South Sudan. Their ability to push the American team to the brink in the exhibition game has set high expectations. For Team USA, the game is more than just another group-stage match; it is a test of their adaptability and mental fortitude against an underdog with a growing reputation. South Sudan’s defensive prowess and unity will be critical in this encounter. If they can replicate their energy and composure from the Puerto Rico game, they stand a real chance of pulling off one of the biggest upsets in Olympic basketball history.
The game between South Sudan and USA will tip off at 3 p.m. ET on July 31. Basketball fans around the world will be watching closely to see if the world’s youngest nation can stun the basketball giants.
South Sudan’s journey in the Olympics is a testament to their resilience and growth. As they prepare for their rematch with Team USA, the world watches in anticipation of what could be a landmark moment in sports history.
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