South Sudan vs Puerto Rico Preview and Prediction for 2024 Paris Olympics Basketball | July 28, 2024

The Paris Olympics are up and running and South Sudan and Puerto Rico's basketball teams will begin their tournaments in a highly anticipated matchup on Sunday, July 28.

Puerto Rico will be making their first appearance at the Olympics since 2004. That team was one of the surprises at the Greece Olympics, upsetting Team USA in a historic 92-73 win that is still fondly remembered by the country. Nelson Colón's team will be hoping to have a similar impact this summer.

It has been a rough summer for the Caribbean team. They are yet to secure a win in four exhibition games. Led by New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado, they will be desperate to start the group stage with a win on Sunday.

For the young nation of South Sudan, this will be the first time competing in the basketball event at the Olympics. The Bright Stars have impressed in their warm-up games leading up to the tournament, with wins over Portugal and Great Britain. Their most impressive performance, however, came in a closely contested matchup versus the United States where they fell to a slender 101-100 loss.

Marial Shayok was the team's standout player in the game against the United States. The former Iowa State guard finished with 24 points on 9-16 from the field, and chipped in with three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Puerto Rico and South Sudan will compete in Group C alongside USA and Serbia.

South Sudan vs Puerto Rico: Preview, prediction and odds

The game will be played in Pierre Mauroy Stadium, a multi-purpose facility in Villeneuve-d'Ascq and is set to tipoff at 5:00 am EST on Sunday, July 28. The game will be broadcast live on CNBC and can also be streamed on FuboTV and Peacock.

Moneyline: Puerto Rico (-166)

Spread: South Sudan (+3.5)

Total (Over/Under): 166.5

Note: The odds could change closer to the game.

PR roster:

• Jose Alvarado
• Tremont Waters
• Isaiah Pineiro
• Ismael Romero
• George Conditt
• Jordan Howard
• Gian Clavell
• Davon Reed
• Christopher Ortiz
• Arnaldo Toro Barea
• Stephen Thompson
• Aleem Ford

SS roster:

• Deng Acuoth
• Koch Bar
• Sunday Dech
• Majok Deng
• Carlik Jones
• Peter Jok
• Kuany Kuany
• Junior Madut
• Khaman Maluach
• Nuni Omot
• Marial Shayok
• Wenyen Gabriel

South Sudan vs Puerto Rico Prediction

Puerto Rico enters the game as slight favorites, but have struggled in their warm up games. Aside from a close two-point loss versus Greece, the team has lost every game by 10 or more points, including a 23-point blowout versus Spain on July 23.

The Bright Stars enter the game on a high after a terrific three-game run where they finished 2-1, with their only loss coming to favorites USA. If Marial Shayok and Wenyen Gabriel can maintain the form they have in the buildup to the Olympics, we can expect to see South Sudan pull off an upset.