South Sudan, making its first appearance in FIBA World Cup play, qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday.
The team, championed and largely funded by former NBA forward Luol Deng, will represent Africa in the Olympics after its 101-78 win over Angola on Saturday.
Japan, which beat Cape Verde 80-71, also earned the right Saturday to represent Asia next summer.
Deng, born in Sudan, is the president of South Sudan Basketball. Royal Ivey, an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets, coaches the team.
South Sudan became an independent country in 2011.
“I’m speechless right now. To be quite honest, it’s so surreal. We’re going to the Olympics,” a teary Ivey told reporters after the game in Manila, Philippines. “This team is a beam of light. Like I keep on saying every postgame, we’re bringing unity, camaraderie, love and friendship to this country.
He added: “This country has only been independent for 12 years. This is incredible. I take my hat off to my players because they trusted us from day one.”
South Sudan was led by Chicago Bulls guard Carlik Jones, who had 26 points, seven rebounds and 15 assists against Angola.
Source : Albany Herald