South Sudan's basketball team struggled against the USA in their second Paris Olympics match, facing a tough game from the start.
South Sudan Bright Stars were torched 103-86 by the USA in a Group C match at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday night.
The South Sudanese team, playing their second game after defeating Puerto Rico 90-79 in their opener, struggled from the outset, falling behind 26-14 in the first quarter.
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13:00 - 31.07.2024
Paris 2024: Bright Stars of South Sudan put NBA stars of USA in their crosshairs
South Sudan face Team USA in a crucial Olympic basketball rematch with JT Thor and LeBron James as key players.
Their early deficit set the tone for a game where they were consistently outplayed by a dominant USA team.
The USA’s performance was spearheaded by Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, who led the scoring in the first half and finished the game with 18 points on 8-10 shooting, including 2-3 from beyond the arc.
Kevin Durant contributed 14 points, Anthony Edwards added 13, and LeBron James rounded out the scoring with 12 points, ensuring that Team USA maintained control throughout the contest
For South Sudan, Nuni Omot was the standout performer, impressively scoring 24 points on 8-12 shooting.
Deng Geu, known by his nickname Jones, supported with 18 points, and Kuany Kuany, referred to as Kuol, added 16 points.
Despite their efforts, the gap in experience and depth of the roster was evident as South Sudan struggled to keep pace with the powerhouse USA team.
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15:30 - 28.07.2024
South Sudan announce arrival on Olympic stage with historic win over Puerto Rico
South Sudan secured its first Olympic basketball win against Puerto Rico at Pierre Mauroy Stadium.
The game underscored the challenges faced by South Sudan, a newcomer to the Olympic basketball scene, against the seasoned and more celebrated teams like the USA.
The USA's efficient shooting and strong defense prevented South Sudan from ever truly threatening after the first quarter.
The American team, often dubbed as a "Dream Team" for its assembly of star players from the NBA showed their class and experience by taking control of the game early and never relinquishing it.
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15:10 - 07.07.2024
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The historical context adds layers to South Sudan’s performance.
The nation, the world's youngest, established only in 2011, has made significant strides on the international basketball stage.
Their presence at the Paris Olympics is a testament to the rapid development of the sport in the country.
![Ex-LA Lakers forward Wenyen Gabriel reflects on South Sudan's heroic display against star-studded USA](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/21072024/b7126778-b447-4896-969a-e5de4829d2d8.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
10:20 - 21.07.2024
Ex-LA Lakers forward Wenyen Gabriel reflects on South Sudan's heroic display against star-studded USA
Gabriel has revealed what representing South Sudan means for both himself and his teammates after they nearly upset a star-studded Team USA in a close 101-100 loss ahead of the Olympics.
Just weeks before the Olympics, South Sudan nearly stunned the USA in a pre-Olympic exhibition match, proving their potential and resilience.
Looking ahead, South Sudan will conclude their Group C play against Japan on Saturday.
The match presents an opportunity for the Bright Stars to regroup and aim for a strong finish in their group potentially securing a better position for the knockout stages.
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