The South Sudanese Bright Stars basketball team made a huge mark by qualifying as the only African team for the Paris Summer Olympics. This historic achievement demonstrated their resilience and determination to compete for gold.
“We have really shown the world that South Sudan is here…and belongs among the top teams in the world,” Kuany Ngor Kuany, the captain of the team, told The Informer.
South Sudan qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics after defeating Angola in their final game, marking their first-ever Olympic appearance. According to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), South Sudan “collected three victories in five games,” beating China, the Philippines, and Angola. In a thrilling exhibition match, they narrowly lost to the U.S., 101-100. Their Olympic journey included a dramatic win over Puerto Rico (96-79) and a 96-85 defeat to Serbia, which ended their tournament hopes.
The Bright Stars are a rising force in African basketball, and while many of the players shine, many come from challenging backgrounds. Although some players were born outside the country, much of the team has South Sudanese roots, with many growing up as refugees due to the civil war that displaced many citizens of the country.
Kuany, whose family moved to Australia in 2004, developed a passion for basketball after initially playing soccer as a child. He earned a scholarship to play college basketball at Chaminade University in Hawaii and contributed to South Sudan’s AfroBasket campaign in 2021, averaging 11.8 points and 5.5 rebounds.
“For us, it is just ingrained in our heart…our people living in refugee camps, you know, still going to all these countries in the diaspora, working hard and then just making it, pushing and progressing forward in life,” Kuany explained.
Despite challenges, including the wrong national anthem being played at the Olympics, the team’s resilience shone through.
“When it comes to basketball, for some it may seem like a game, but for us, we have been through so much…by stepping on this court, it’s another chance to show the world just how strong, tough, and resilient our South Sudanese people are,” he emphasized.
The History of South Sudan and Basketball
Basketball success has been part of South Sudan’s story for decades; the narrative didn’t just start at the Paris Olympics.
The world’s youngest nation, South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, and the national basketball team was established shortly after, joining the in 2013.
Even before the 2024 Olympics, South Sudan had already made significant strides, having participated in the FIBA AfroBasket also called FIBA’s Africa Championship tournament in 2021 and the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
However, far before South Sudan officially gained independence 13 years ago, the world was introduced to Manute Bol, the 7-foot-7 center, who played 13 NBA seasons, including with the Washington Bullets(1985-1988). One of the NBA’s tallest players, Bol is considered South Sudan’s most famous professional basketball player.
Though he died in 2010 from kidney failure, his legacy and influence continues. His son Bol Bol, a 7-foot-3 power forward, plays for the Phoenix Suns, and even appeared on South Sudan’s training roster, but he did not play in the 2024 Olympics.
Kuany credited the late Bol for raising global awareness of South Sudanese talent.
“Because of him…we have Luol Deng, who was able to follow his path as well,” said Kuany.
In just four years, the South Sudan Basketball Federation (SSBF), with Deng as president, has made South Sudan one of the top teams in Africa.
Deng, a former NBA star who played 16 seasons, has been a driving force behind the team’s success. He served as an assistant coach at the Olympics, while the team’s head coach, Royal Ivey, is also an NBA veteran and current assistant coach for the Houston Rockets.
Further, Ivey joined the South Sudan team in 2021 and has played a key role in their rapid rise.
The current South Sudan men’s team features NBA players like Carlik Jones, Wenyen Gabriel, and JT Thor, along with several international players.
Gabriel played five games for the Memphis Grizzlies last season, while Jones appeared in seven games for the Chicago Bulls in the 2022-23 season.
Kuany emphasized the team’s professionalism: “A lot of guys in the team are professional players based in the high level…guys that have had NBA experience, guys that have had Euro league, playing in China, playing in Australia.”
Looking forward, Kuany emphasized the team’s ambitions to compete at the highest levels.
“Our future goals are to actually go out there, you know, win some battles, compete with the top teams in FIBA’s AfroBasket…go further in the FIBA Basketball World Cup and Olympics and just do better than last time.”