South Sudan: A New Nation on the Global Stage
South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in January 2005. This agreement ended the Second Sudanese Civil War, which had lasted from 1983 to 2005, and included provisions for a referendum on Southern Sudan’s independence. The referendum, held from January 9 to 15, 2011, saw an overwhelming 98.83% of Southern Sudanese voters choosing independence, as reported by the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission. Consequently, South Sudan officially declared its independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, becoming the world’s newest nation. On July 14, 2011, South Sudan was admitted as the 193rd member state of the United Nations following the approval of its application by the UN General Assembly.
Shortly after gaining independence, the South Sudan Basketball Federation (SSBF) was founded. In December 2013, South Sudan became a member of FIBA, the International Basketball Federation. The national team played its first official game on July 19, 2015, against Uganda in the AfroBasket 2015 qualifiers. South Sudan made its debut in the AfroBasket tournament in 2021, finishing in an impressive place. The South Sudan men’s basketball team has made remarkable strides, ranking as the number one team on the African continent. At the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, South Sudan achieved a historic victory by placing first among all African nations, earning automatic qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics men’s basketball tournament.
South Sudan continued to make headlines with significant victories. On July 18, 2024, they triumphed over the United Kingdom with a final score of 84-81. On July 20, 2024, South Sudan played against the USA, leading by 15 points at halftime with a score of South Sudan 58, USA 44. “The NBA Central reacted, ‘SOUTH SUDAN TAKES THE LEAD WOW’.” The USA barely escaped with a win, narrowly defeating South Sudan 101-100. On July 28, 2024, South Sudan achieved a significant victory over Puerto Rico, with a final score of 90-79.
On July 31, 2024, South Sudan faced the USA again. Despite trailing by 19 points at halftime (36-55), South Sudan demonstrated resilience, reducing the gap in the second half with a score of South Sudan 50-48 USA. The final score was USA 103, South Sudan 86.
The South Sudan team is led by Coach Luol Deng, who was born on April 16, 1985, in Wau, South Sudan. Deng is a former NBA player and philanthropist. Forced to flee his homeland South Sudan due to the Second Sudanese Civil War, Deng’s family sought refuge in Egypt before moving to the UK. Influenced by his brother and NBA legend Manute Bol, Deng discovered basketball and excelled at the Brixton Basketball Club, earning a spot on England’s Under-16 team. He later moved to the U.S. in 2001, shining at Blair Academy and Duke University before being drafted into the NBA by the Chicago Bulls in 2004. Known for his defensive prowess and versatility, Deng was a two-time NBA All-Star before retiring in 2019.
Luol Deng’s vision is coming to fruition. His prophecy is manifesting: “Every time we play, the whole nation stops to watch us.”
Deng said “I think in the next 10 years, it’s going to jump up extremely,” He remarked during a 2021 phone interview in Kenya. “Looking further ahead, ”the next 10 years, or 20 years from now, 30 years from now, it’ll be a country that’s out there and people will talk about it … It’s a very, very rich country, and it will be for a long time.”
Deng emphasized his commitment to his roots: “It was never about being famous or making money and leaving home,” Deng said. “It was all about being successful and returning home. So it’s kind of cool that I can come back and get things done now — which is just, in a way, it’s a dream come true.”
Beyond his playing career, Deng has profoundly impacted South Sudanese basketball, serving as president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation and head coach of the national team. Through the Luol Deng Foundation, he champions sports, education, and community development in South Sudan, the UK, and the U.S.
Photo Credit: South Sudan Basketball
Beyond the Game, the impact of South Sudanese basketball extends far beyond sports. It has become a powerful symbol of national identity, unity, and hope. The sport has fostered social cohesion within South Sudan and strengthened bonds with the diaspora. Additionally, international recognition of their achievements has helped reshape the global perception of South Sudan, highlighting its potential and resilience.
Nuni Omot, who scored South Sudan’s first-ever points at the Olympics, said, “People didn’t know about South Sudan. There’s a lot of jokes in the media, a lot of people saying certain things about South Sudan. But I feel like now people know who we are. We’re on the map now.”
Omot was born in a refugee camp in Nairobi, Kenya, after his family fled from Gambela, Ethiopia, escaping civil war. Omot’s parents and older siblings trekked from Ethiopia and were arrested. The United Nations helped secure their release and settled them in a Kenyan refugee camp, where Omot was born. Omot and his family relocated to Minnesota, USA. On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, Omot scored a game-high 24 points on 8-for-12 shooting and was seen dancing with LeBron James.
Omot’s journey from a refugee camp to representing South Sudan internationally underscores the resilience and determination of South Sudanese athletes.
Photo Credit: South Sudan basketball
Wenyen Gabriel, a South Sudanese professional basketball player for Maccabi Tel Aviv, highlighted the challenges faced by the national team, stating, “We don’t have any indoor basketball courts in our country [South Sudan], we don’t have anything like that. We’re a bunch of [Diaspora] that came together…, playing against some of the best players ever. This is much bigger than basketball for us.” Gabriel, who joined the national team in August 2023, has been instrumental in their historic achievements.
Photo Credit: Luol Deng
Bul Kuol, born on 10 January 1997 in South Sudan, moved to Australia at the age of nine and was raised in Canberra. He began his professional basketball career with the Cairns Taipans in 2021, where he played for three seasons. In 2023, he joined Le Mans Sarthe Basket in the French Pro A league. Notably, during the Paris 2024 event, Kuol outperformed even Steph Curry by making 4 out of 5 shots from the three-point range.
The South Sudan basketball team is a vibrant collective of young and talented Diaspora professional players
Four years ago, they returned home to South Sudan to contribute to the development of their nation. They have brought South Sudan up from a zero basketball record to number one on the African continent and one of the best in the world within four years. The South Sudan Basketball Team exemplifies unparalleled dedication and vision. Despite lacking stadiums and financial resources comparable to other nations, they have selflessly invested their own money to build a national team that makes Africans, including African Americans and friends of Africa worldwide, immensely proud. Recognizing that no one else could undertake this mission from the start, they took it upon themselves to lay the essential foundation with support from the South Sudan government.
Here South Sudan Paris Olympics Men’s Basketball Roster and their ClubsRoster and their Clubs:
1. Carlik Jones – Partizan Belgrade (Serbia)
2. Nuni Omot – Ningbo Rockets (China)
3. Khaman Maluach – City Oilers (Uganda)
4. Bul Kuol – Sydney Kings (Australia)
5. Kuany Kuany – Free agent
6. Wenyen Gabriel – Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel)
7. JT Thor – Charlotte Hornets (NBA) USA
8. Marial Shayok – Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin (China)
9. Jackson Makoi – Cairns Taipans (Australia)
10. Majok Deng – Tasmania JackJumpers (Australia)
11. Peter Jok – Ottawa BlackJacks (Canada)
12. Sunday Dech – East Perth Eagles (Australia)
Photo Credit: The Athletic ”South Sudan’s JT Thor hangs from the hoop after a dunk in Wednesday’s game against Team USA. South Sudan has a good chance to reach the knockout stage (Sameer Al-Doumy / AFP via Getty Images)”
No African nation had won a game in Olympic men’s basketball since 1996. South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, broke this long-standing drought, achieving a historic victory and marking a significant milestone for African basketball on the world stage.
Photo Credit: South Sudan basketball
The South Sudan team has demonstrated true humility and grace, engaging at the grassroots level to nurture an exceptional team in the heart of Africa. Their commitment has shown that love can be a powerful motivator behind both time and financial contributions. The South Sudan Basketball Team has witnessed the passion for basketball among countless youths and responded with deep compassion for their struggles, providing them with hope and opportunities.
The journey has required immense patience. From the very beginning, there were no donations, no stadiums, nothing. Yet, they remained steadfast, teaching and guiding the young players gently towards victory. Their wisdom in offering profound basketball teachings will have a lasting impact across Africa. Their faithfulness to the mission of building a strong foundation for future generations is truly inspiring.
Celebrating Unity In Diversity and Excellence
The African Women’s Lobby (AWL) takes immense pride in the accomplishments of the South Sudan Basketball Team. Their journey from a war-torn nation to achieving international acclaim is a testament to their resilience, dedication, and vision. AWL applauds the team’s extraordinary commitment and celebrates their achievements as a beacon of hope and inspiration.
As we look forward to the 2024 Paris Olympics, AWL extends its best wishes to all teams from different nations and continents. May these games be a celebration of unity, excellence, and the unifying power of sports. Together, we stand in admiration of the athletes who embody the spirit of perseverance and the pursuit of greatness.