In a thrilling exhibition game at the O2 Arena, Team USA narrowly escaped an upset by Olympic debutants South Sudan, clinching a 101-100 victory. Despite the loss, South Sudan showcased their rising talent and potential.
LeBron James secured the win for Team USA with a driving layup in the final eight seconds. South Sudan briefly led after JT Thor’s 3-pointer with 20 seconds remaining, but their final two attempts to win fell short.
Known as the Bright Stars, South Sudan is set to make history as the first team from their nation to compete in the Olympics in Paris next week. Their performance against Team USA highlighted their potential, as they led by as many as 16 points and nearly pulled off a major upset.
James, potentially eyeing the movie rights to this underdog story, scored 23 points and led a crucial 23-5 run from late in the third quarter to early in the fourth. His powerful dunk and clutch 3-pointer were key in the comeback. Steph Curry also broke Team USA’s cold streak with two essential 3-pointers during this stretch.
Anthony Davis contributed significantly with 15 points and 11 rebounds, continuing his strong form and playing a vital role in the American team’s comeback.
South Sudan demonstrated remarkable athleticism and fearlessness. Point guard Carlik Jones, the 2022-2023 G-League Player of the Year, shone with a triple-double, scoring 15 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out 11 assists. Marial Shayok scored 25 points and hit 6 of 12 3-pointers. JT Thor added 14 points off the bench, and Wenyan Gabriel added 11 points, consistently challenging the American defense.
Khaman Maluach, an 18-year-old 7-2 athlete heading to Duke, added seven points and three rebounds, catching the eye of super-agent Rich Paul, who attended to watch James, Davis, and Maluach.
Joel Embiid also contributed for Team USA, scoring 14 points.
This game highlighted the resilience and talent of South Sudan, who will soon make their Olympic debut in Paris. As they prepare to face Team USA again on July 31 in Group C, more thrilling performances are anticipated.
