South Sudan Basketball Unites a Nation

The South Sudanese basketball fairytale is set to continue in the upcoming FIBA World Cup, and it’s a group of NBL players who are helping lead the charge for the young nation.

The 62^nd world-ranked side did not only defy all expectations in qualifying for the competition, they shocked the world by pulling together an incredible 11-1 record over the course of qualifying – with their only loss coming in a three-point defeat to Senegal on gameday seven.

Former NBL Rookie of the Year Bul Kuol played in eight of those qualifying games. Sunday Dech and Majok Deng each played in nine.

Deng Deng, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, Jackson Makoi, Deng Acuoth and former Taipan and King Kuany Kuany also featured throughout the qualifying campaign.

“To be able to go back to South Sudan, to put on the jersey, play for our parents and the other people back home – it’s been unreal,” Adelaide wing Dech told ABC.

“For them [South Sudanese kids] to know there’s a country that’s adopted them in Australia, but to also know they can go home and represent their country in the future and have something to aspire to.

“It’s going to have such a positive ripple effect.”

“You see the energy it’s created back home,” Kuol added.

“It’s brought such a high level of enthusiasm that’s united people, and it’s something really positive you can look forward to.”

For the full story head to >> From a refugee camp to qualifying for the basketball World Cup, the Cairns Taipans’ Bul Kuol is a the top of his game.