South Sudan may have already made waves in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 but the Bright Stars have more than just the sport in mind whenever they compete against the best international side.
The African country only had its sovereignty recognized around the world in 2011. The South Sudanese have been through many conflicts, some of them involving crimes that are heinous in nature.
It is still a nation that is undergoing growing pains in terms of charting its own path amidst a lot of internal problems that hinder prosperity and progress. Within this context, the fact that the Bright Stars are already competing in the FIBA Basketball World Cup this early in its history is an achievement in itself.
“I think for us as a country, the reason why this is so important and means a lot is because we have so much division, a lot of trouble, a lot of conflict going on in our country,” said South Sudan power forward Kuany Kuany who had six points and three assists against Serbia in 21 minutes.
“Whenever the basketball team plays, it’s literally the one time when everybody comes together. There are no more tribes. There’s no I’m from so and so region. Everyone’s literally wearing the same flag and that’s South Sudan.
“As you can see everybody out there, you cannot really identify if this person is from so and so region. We’re literally one and that’s literally what this basketball team stands or. It literally stands for unity in a proud way for the peace and development in the country and just a way to change the narrative. For us, that’s why it’s so much bigger than basketball and we wanna continue to do our best and use that as a tool to promote the image of our country,” he continued.
South Sudan started its FIBA Basketball World Cup campaign with a 101-96 overtime loss to Puerto Rico. The Bright Stars then bounced back by dominating China 89-69.
Coach Royal Ivey’s team then ended the group phase with a 115-83 loss to Serbia, which is part of the growing pains one team goes through when it seeks to go up the ranks in the international stage. Nevertheless, just being here in Manila is a cause for celebration in itself.
“Through basketball, we use that vessel for peace and changing the narrative in the country,” said Ivey. “Everybody’s watching us so they come together and unite and through basketball we share the vision of camaraderie, friendship, love, sportsmanship, togetherness.
“That’s what my players emulate every day when they step up on that court. The togetherness, the unity, the family like.”
On a similar note, Serbia could also relate when it comes to a history that is filled with conflicts and unfortunate events. The Serbians have also been through a lot in their own history as a people and some scars remain.
For Bogdan Bogdanovic, who led the Eagles with 23 points and nine assists in 30 minutes of action, the Bright Stars did themselves and their country proud despite the scoreline.
“We know for South Sudan, it’s their first time in the World Cup,” said Bogdanovic. “They showed that they love their country and the way they played, they have a character inside of the team and they’re happy to be here.
“They didn’t come here just as tourists. They came to compete. I think that’s gonna raise the level of basketball in their country.”
There is still a slight chance that South Sudan will advance to the second round provided that China beats Puerto Rico later tonight by 34 points or less. The tournament is not yet over for the Black Stars regardless if that does not happen as they will go down to the classification stage.
There is indeed more to life than basketball and the South Sudanese are making the most out of the sport and their participation in this World Cup. The country’s supporters in the venue and at home are doing everything to provide as much energy to their team.
“Just continue to stay with us,” said Kuany. “Trust in us. Believe in us. As you saw right there, win or lose, everybody was still cheering, everybody was still happy.
“I think that’s what it takes. They never really put us down. They know it’s our first time here. They’re gonna continue to support us and I think for them it’s just keeping that same energy. The tournament is not over. We still have a long way to go,” he continued.
“We’re a young and inexperienced team but we’re gonna continue to get better. That’s one thing that we can promise them that we’ll continue to work hard, get better but just keep being the same, loud (and) best fans out there.”
