Angola coach Pep Claros was not a fan of how South Sudan built its team for a successful FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 campaign that allowed the latter nation to secure a place in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Claros, who was born in Barcelona, expressed his displeasure after his side’s 101-78 loss to the South Sudanese, particularly regarding how most of the players on the Bright Stars team did not come from their country’s own developmental system.
The former Mexican national team coach has consistently voiced his opposition to FIBA’s naturalization rules, and he hopes that Angola will be able to develop its own players who can compete with those from the best international teams.
“About the game, South Sudan was a very strong team,” said Claros. “We start not really good so they take 14 points lead too early but we fought hard. The players never gave up. They believed all the time that they could reduce (the deficit) and they were trying everything but it was not possible.
“I am also happy for an African team that is a new country like South Sudan who reached the Olympics. My only concern is, that I have to tell this, I think it’s not correct that any national team up here… we fight six new players that never played before with the national team with 28, 29, 27, 25 (year olds).”
What Claros meant was that there were four players in the South Sudan team that never played in the Qualifiers, namely Wenyen Gabriel, Carlik Jones, Marial Shayok, and Khaman Mahluach — two big men and two points guards.
For Claros, the South Sudan model is not how he envisions his program’s development. He would prefer to see his current players mature alongside young talents emerging from Angola’s grassroots program.
At this level of sports, however, only winning counts. It remains to be seen whether Angola can return to the top of African basketball, while South Sudan will enjoy a trip to Paris next year.
“This is not the way African teams like Angola aim to develop their own players from the very beginning. Obviously, (South Sudan) had very talented and high-quality players, as they showed during the qualifiers. However, only six players from the qualifiers are on the roster now, even though they performed exceptionally well too,” said Claros.
“I wish them all the best, and we’ll see in the long-term how Angola develops when my players reach that age. Let’s see how our development progresses. This is our focus.”
