by sportswriters Cao Yibo, Li Bowen, Shan Lei, Ma Kai
PARIS, July 29 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan might have been a mystery to the basketball world, and to the world in general. But attention, curiosity and respect suddenly flooded the country, following its historic victory in men's basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday.
"We're not a secret anymore," South Sudan's coach Royal Ivey said after the game.
MAKING HISTORY
The Group C match versus Puerto Rico, who had previously won by five points in their last encounter at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, wasn't an easy one for the newcomers. Even before tip-off, the venue officials played the wrong national anthem for South Sudan at Pierre Mauroy Stadium. Yet the tough South Sudanese saw the national anthem incident as a motivation for the game.
"It gave us fuel for the fire. Obviously, we felt disrespected when that happened. We still have to earn our respect. We just have to continue to show the world what we're capable of. That incident was a testament to people not respecting us still, so we took that as fuel," said forward Nuni Omot.
Trailing 8-0 at the beginning of the game, the Olympic debutants managed to defuse every run generated by Puerto Rico's sharpshooters Tremont Waters and Jose Alvarado, coming from behind to clinch a 90-79 victory. For South Sudan, making their first appearance at the Olympic Games and securing their first victory was more than just a win on the basketball court - it was a powerful symbol of national unity and resilience.
SYMBOL OF HOPE AND UNITY
"Growing up, at first, we didn't have the country, you know?" South Sudan forward Wenyen Gabriel, formerly with the Los Angeles Lakers, said after their historic win. "This is a moment that makes us proud. It's a moment of unity. We are now united through basketball, proving the impact sports can have on a nation," Gabriel said.
"We're going out there to represent something that's bigger than ourselves and that's known at every single point that we're out there," he added.
South Sudan, the world's youngest nation, gained independence in 2011 and has since grappled with internal conflict, poverty and underdeveloped infrastructure. Many national team players either left the country as children or were born as refugees, reflecting the broader struggles of their homeland.
The remarkable rise of South Sudanese basketball can be largely attributed to Luol Deng. From 2004 to 2014, Deng shone in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls, earning All-Star honors in 2012 and 2013. In 2019, Deng became the president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation, marking the beginning of a new era for the nation's basketball program.
As a former refugee, Deng played a crucial role in assembling the South Sudanese team, including persuading former NBA player and Houston Rockets assistant coach Roy Ivey to become the team's head coach.
With charisma, determination and personal funds, Deng built basketball courts across the nation and worked tirelessly to form a competitive national team. He made calls across time zones to players in Australia, the United States and Asia, convincing them to join the team.
"Luol is a symbol," Gabriel said. "We watched him play in the NBA when we were kids. We all want to be like Luol."
"Knowing that there are a bunch of kids from South Sudan that look up to us, that are inspired by what we do, that think maybe they can make it to represent the country is just an honor to me," Gabriel noted.
AFRICAN POWER GOING AHEAD
In 2021, South Sudan made an impressive debut at the AfroBasket tournament, reaching the quarterfinals and signaling their emergence on the international stage. At last year's FIBA Basketball World Cup, South Sudan defeated 11-time African champions Angola, becoming the sole African team to qualify for the Olympic men's basketball tournament.
"If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be where we are now. We will continue to move forward," Gabriel said.
In a recent warm-up match, South Sudan faced star-studded 16-time Olympic gold medalists the United States. South Sudan led for much of the game, narrowly losing 100-101. "We are a group of refugees, coming together for a few weeks, giving everything to compete against some of the best players in the world," Gabriel reflected. "The future of African basketball is promising. The rise of the next generation is just a matter of time."
"They might see us as superheroes, even though we are not. They are proud of us, and that is enough. Representing them on the world's biggest stage, the Olympics, and hearing their cheers means a lot. They are with us in spirit," forward Mayuor Deng addressed his home country's fans.
The victory for South Sudan was also only the second win in men's basketball for an African country at the Olympics since 1996. "Even though other [African] teams might not be in the Olympics, they're still maybe rooting for us," Gabriel said. "So representing that, it shows even more continuity and gave us a common goal."
South Sudan will continue their Olympic journey in Paris, facing off against title favorites the U.S. and Serbia on July 31 and August 3, respectively.
Are there more historic moments being made? One thing is sure: the South Sudanese are not just marching on; they are rising with every step. ■
