South Sudan's men's basketball team on the cusp of FIBA World Cup history
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Loading... - Adjo Antwi
- 27 Sep 2022
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Africa’s youngest country, the Republic of South Sudan, could soon make basketball history. Competing for qualification to the FIBA World Cup to be held from August to September 2023 in the Asian tri-nations of Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines, the ‘Bright Stars’ are one game away from joining four other African representatives in the tournament.
Under the stewardship of former NBA star Luol Deng, South Sudan’s Bright Stars have defied skeptics by winning all but one of the nine qualifying games in the Africa FIBA Basketball qualifiers.
Known for having the tallest people in Africa, South Sudan has a rich history in the game of basketball. The second player of African origin and joint tallest player in the NBA league, the late Manute Bol drafted in 1985, had roots here. His feats in the mid-1980s and early 1990s saw many young Sudanese develop an interest in basketball. Upon his retirement, he returned home and was actively involved in the liberation war of South Sudan from the greater Sudan. He opened the way for many other players of Sudanese origin, including the current South Sudan Basketball Federation President Luol Deng.
In recognition of his efforts, Deng was in July awarded the Order of the British Empire for his involvement and efforts in basketball — having dual citizenship of English and South Sudanese origin. This cements his efforts in building the game beyond his club playing and national boundaries.
The Sudanese former basketball players formed the South Sudan Basketball Federation in 2011 and became part of FIBA in December 2013. Because of the lack of infrastructure in Juba and other towns, most of the players plied their trade abroad. The Federation has been working on developing a competitive league for both men and women players. Read More...
