Unlike their previous opponents, Team USA almost lost to South Sudan in an exhibition game before the 2024 Paris Olympics. This led head coach Royal Ivey to point out one major complaint they had after losing to the LeBron James-led squad.
Team USA men’s basketball faced a surprising challenge in their showcase game against South Sudan ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Initially expecting an easy win, the Steve Kerr-coached squad found themselves trailing by 16 points. However, they staged an impressive comeback in the third quarter, securing a narrow 101-100 victory.
Four-time champion James led Team USA with 23 points, igniting the comeback with powerful dunks. Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis contributed with a double-double off the bench, scoring 15 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. On the opposing side, Carlik Jones of South Sudan recorded a triple-double, showcasing his skills with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
The game proved to be a tougher challenge than anticipated for Team USA, who had previously enjoyed comfortable victories in their pre-Olympic showcase schedule. South Sudan’s strong performance served notice that they are a team capable of challenging any opponent in the upcoming Olympics.
Team USA will have one more exhibition game against Germany in London before the Paris Olympics commence. The game against South Sudan highlighted the resilience and determination of both teams, setting the stage for an exciting rematch when they meet again in Group C during the Olympic tournament.
South Sudan Coach Royal Ivey Points Out Major Issue About Exhibition Game Loss to Team USA
After the game, both teams answered various questions from the media about the game. For his part, South Sudan head coach Royal Ivey highlighted one big complaint they had during the final moments of the match, as written by Joe Vardon for The Athletic.
“We got a good shot, we got a rebound and we got a good look at it,” said South Sudan coach Royal Ivey, who is an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets. “I’m not a ref, but I thought it was contact when Wenyen Gabriel got the ball and it was a no-call, but I can’t blame it on the (refs). We play the game and at the end of the day we live with the results and there’s no complaining about it.”
Former NBA All-Star Luol Deng and the South Sudanese men’s national basketball team have achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the top African team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Comprised mostly of refugees and their children, this team has secured a spot in the 2024 Olympics, making history for their young country.
With Team USA almost defeated, a lot of eyes will be on South Sudan in the Olympics to see if they can take their game to another level. Nevertheless, the African squad has already made their presence felt and they can potentially do more on the global stage.
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