The 2024 Paris Olympics haven’t even begun, yet South Sudan’s men’s basketball team is already capturing hearts and headlines. At the center of this inspiring story is former Miami Heat forward Luol Deng, whose fingerprints are all over the team’s remarkable journey.
A recent tweet by Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) highlights the immense impact Luol Deng is having on the South Sudan national basketball team:
“Luol Deng making South Sudan proud with enormous impact on Olympic team.”
Luol Deng making South Sudan proud with enormous impact on Olympic team: https://t.co/a30LMPXnFH
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 21, 2024
Deng, a former NBA star, has taken on a leadership role beyond the court, playing a pivotal part in the team’s historic qualification for the Olympics.
Luol Deng: From Great Britain to South Sudan
Deng, a two-time NBA All-Star, represented Great Britain in the 2012 Summer Olympics. However, his heart was set on something more profound: bringing Olympic basketball to South Sudan, the world’s newest nation. In 2019, Deng took on a pivotal role when South Sudan’s government sought someone to lead its basketball program. He became the president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation, setting the stage for an incredible transformation.
Building a Team Against the Odds
South Sudan faced significant challenges. The country gained independence from Sudan in 2011, and its basketball infrastructure was virtually nonexistent. Deng’s vision was clear: assemble a team that would make the entire nation proud. Despite roster-building hurdles, he targeted players with South Sudanese ties, determined to create something special.
