They are one of the poorest countries in the world but they made history at Paris 2024 when they defeated Puerto Rico 90 to 79. “We are a group of refugees who meet several times a year,” said Wenyen Gabriel. Now they will face the United States.
The Olympic Games usually provide incredible stories and Paris 2024 is no exception.. One of the most emotional things that happened to South Sudan and an epic victory in their first basketball appearance. Being one of the poorest countries in the world, there are no courts or gyms to train in, They defeated Puerto Rico 90 to 79 and now they will face none other than the United States, with all the stars of the NBA and LeBron James at the helm.
The delegation of South Sudan presented Only 14 athletes in two disciplines. Two athletes, Abraham Guem in the men’s 800 meters and Lucia Moris in the women’s 100 meters, and the other 12 were part of the squad that achieved a miraculous victory in its Group C debut against the Puerto Ricans. cArlik Jones was the standout with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assistsclosely followed by Marial Shayok, with 15 points. And all after a regrettable mistake: They played the Sudanese anthema country with which it has been in serious conflict since its independence in 2011.
“We did not have the privilege of having a gym, dormitory and other facilities. We experienced a very difficult training camp in Rwanda. Then we traveled to Spain, we moved a lot, we traveled long distances and we had to leave through emergency exits at pivots. “These are the things we live by and people won’t talk about,” revealed coach Royal Ivey. “We are a group of refugees who meet several times a year. “In our country there are no covered fields.”, said Wenyen Gabriel, who has a past with the Los Angeles Lakers.
South Sudan almost caused a surprise and got revenge against the Dream Team
With a GDP per capita of around 500 dollars, one of the lowest in the worldand without gyms or fields to train on, South Sudan has already made history at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by defeating Puerto Rico. On the second day they will face the United States and will look to achieve the miracle that almost happened to them in a preparation duel before the contest begins. In a friendly match in mid-July, The South Sudanese faced the Dream Team and were ahead by 16 points, but the unstoppable LeBron James stopped the historic hit: he scored 23 points and the all-star team won 101 to 100. “They did well. Luol Deng and his team formed a good team, which shot well and They are good at basketball” declared Steve Kerr, American coach, on that occasion.
Source: Tycsports
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