LONDON – The exhibition game that almost became an epic upset in international basketball.
The young, developing nation of South Sudan faced the formidable Team USA in a pre-Olympics warm-up that is now the biggest headline in basketball.
South Sudan, a team built from scratch and forced to train outside its borders due to a lack of indoor courts at home, pushed LeBron James and his teammates to their limits at the O2 Arena. Despite being a team in its infancy, South Sudan, making its first trip to the Olympics, nearly toppled the heavily favored USA. The game ended 101-100 in favor of the USA, with LeBron securing the win with a game-winning shot in the final seconds, but not before South Sudan showcased their incredible potential.
Stephen Curry acknowledged the intensity of the match, saying, "They played really intensely. It was nice to see how we responded. LeBron with a great finish down the stretch." South Sudan's performance was nothing short of spectacular, building a 16-point lead in the second quarter and maintaining their tenacity until the very end.
This game was proof of South Sudan's rapid rise in the basketball world. The country, which gained independence in 2011, saw its most famous basketball player, Luol Deng, take on the role of executive director to build the national team from the ground up. Deng, a former NBA star who fled Sudan's civil war, invested his own resources to equip and fund the team, encouraging players with dual residency to return and represent South Sudan.
Steve Kerr, Team USA's coach, praised Deng's efforts, stating, "When you think about what that team has had to overcome to qualify for the Olympics, I’m really happy for Luol. They’ve put together a good team in the face of adversity." South Sudan's qualification for the Olympics came after a stunning victory over 11-time African champion Angola in the World Cup, marking their dramatic rise.
LeBron James, scoring a game-high 25 points, was pivotal in the USA's narrow victory. Kerr explained the strategic decision to rely on LeBron for the final possession, saying, "We wanted to give him the ball. But the idea is to get LeBron downhill. He’s just got such a competitive spirit."
South Sudan's Carlik Jones posted a remarkable triple-double, and players like Wenyen Gabriel and Marial Shayok also stood out. The team's determination and resilience were evident, proving that they are a formidable force leading up to the Olympics.
As Kerr reflected on the game, he highlighted the importance of facing such challenges, "If we don’t play the right way, don’t come with the right energy and focus, we can be beat, no matter who we play. It was a great reminder of two things — that, and if we don’t play our best, we can get beat."
South Sudan's journey to the Olympics is a remarkable story of overcoming adversity, and their near-upset of Team USA signals that they are a serious contender in international basketball.