HONG KONG — Two African nations have secured groundbreaking victories in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
South Sudan and Cape Verde, two countries participating in the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time in history, emerged triumphant with scores of 89-69 against China in the Philippines and 81-75 against Venezuela in Japan, respectively.
Carlik Jones, the 2023 NBA G League MVP, led South Sudan with 21 points and six assists in 29 minutes and 20 seconds of play.
“Like I’ve said 20 times man, I couldn’t do it without my teammates. My teammates trust me, my coaches trust me. I just try to come out and be who I am,” said the former Louisville Cardinals standout.
“I always think that every time I step on the floor I’m the best player so I try to be it and I try to be a leader. Leader is the biggest thing for me being the point guard. I have to lead the offense and defense. I just want to make sure that my teammates are good and everybody is confident,” he expressed.
“We made history. We came to do what we wanted to do. We’re not done. We got a lot to play.”
If Jones was the hero for South Sudan, then it was Will Tavares who excelled for Cape Verde.
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Tavares led the Blue Sharks with 20 points, shooting an impressive 57.1 percent from the field in 30 minutes and 29 seconds on the court.
This victory was a fitting response for Cape Verde after suffering an 85-60 defeat to fellow debutant Georgia in its opening game last Saturday.
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“I’m still speechless. I feel like I’m in a dream right now. The win was so big for us and our country and our families and to just make a statement that even though we’re the smallest country, we have so much heart and we played heart,” said Tavares.
“I can start all the way from COVID, the long flights, the players getting COVID, playing with six players in Cameroon. It’s been a long, long journey and this win,” he reflected.
“This win gives flashbacks of everything we’ve been through the last 2-3 years. It means everything for us.”
Both South Sudan and Cape Verde will strive to build on their successes this Wednesday, even as they face formidable European opponents.
South Sudan is set to go up against Serbia in Manila, while Cape Verde will take on Slovenia in Okinawa. Regardless of the outcomes of these matches, both nations have already earned something to cherish from this World Cup.
“Oh man, it’s so huge, so huge just for the players and the fans. The feeling is unbelievable, we all worked so hard. The fans, everybody shows support. It’s huge for the country, it’s huge for the fans,” said Jones.
“We’re just blessed to be here and we’re just grateful.”
