South Sudan has accomplished their dream of playing in the FIBA World Cup. The last three years have been a rocket ride for the team, first, they reached the Quater-finals of the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket and then finished the World Cup African Qualifiers with an 11-1 record thus, qualified for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. All the work done behind the scene is now showing its results for the team.
Two-time NBA All-Star and the head coach of South Sudan, Luol Deng, has unmasked the 12-men roster for the upcoming World Cup happening in three nations- the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan.
South Sudan will visit Melbourne, Australia for the World Cup preparation tour commencing from 14-17 August. Three more teams will join them on the tour, Brazil, Venezuela, and the host Australia.
Team South Sudan Roster
The Bright Stars are placed in Group B alongside China, Serbia, and Puerto Rico. All the teams will fight to make a spot in the second round of the competition. The first phase of matches will demand extra effort from the team as they are settled in a grueling group. Serbia has a lot of NBA players in the squad including the current NBA Champion and Nuggets MVP, Nikola Jokic; Asia-dominant China has some great players in the team; while Puerto Rico also has new talented and skilled guards.
According to the fiba.basketball, Nuni Omot, the team's most renowned player said: “Audience isn't fond of us because this is our first year in the World Cup, and there are many great teams than us that have Years of experience, but I believe in my team, the determination and the hunger they carry is next level; the time and the work they put on the court is beyond valuation and that helps us to hit milestones in the tournament”.
Presently, South Sudan is ranked 62 in the FIBA standings, obviously lower because the team has yet to make its FIBA debut this year.
| Player | Position |
| Nuni Omot | Forward |
| Mareng Gatkuoth | Guard |
| Bul Kuol | Guard |
| Kuany Ngor Kuany | Forward |
| Padiet wang | Guard |
| Deng Acuoth | Center |
| Majok Deng | Forward |
| Dut Jok Kacuol | Guard |
| Koch Deng Aguer Bar | Center |
| Kur Nyok Kuath | Forward |
| Sunday Dech | Guard |
| Deng Angok Yak Deng | Forward |
FAQs
A. The Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan will be hosting the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The tournament will commence from 25 August to 10 September.
A. Yes, the FIBA World Cup is held every four years.
A. Gilas Pilipinas, often called the Philippines, has qualified for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
A. Eight slots were made available for the teams from the Asia-Oceania region.
A. Yes, the team will be playing their first FIBA Basketball this year happening in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan.
