South Sudan Makes History with Olympic Basketball Debut

Historic Moment for a Nation on the Rise

South Sudan's men's basketball team made their Olympic debut to thunderous applause on and off the court. Waving the South Sudanese flag high, the team took the court with pride, representing their nation at the highest level of the sport.

This historic moment marked the first time South Sudan had ever participated in the men's Olympic basketball tournament. The team's performance was particularly impressive, coming less than a year after their debut on the global stage at the FIBA World Ranking Men presented by Nike, where they were ranked 33rd.

Many players on the Olympic roster, including Gabriel, are refugees who were forced to flee South Sudan as children due to the Second Sudanese Civil War. Despite the challenges they faced, these athletes persevered and achieved their dreams of representing their country on the world stage.

The team's success is a testament to the resilience and determination of the South Sudanese people. Less than a decade after the inauguration of its basketball federation, South Sudan has clinched the sole Paris 2024 qualifying spot for Africa, proving that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.