South Sudan came into the 2024 Paris Olympics as one of the least accomplished basketball programs in the world. They only gained independence in 2011, and they are currently in the foundation stage of their basketball program. Despite all the disadvantages that they have been facing to this point, they have garnered the respect of the world when they pushed Team USA to the brink during the exhibition games.
Alas, South Sudan only awoke the beast inside Team USA. On Wednesday, South Sudan didn't stand much of a chance against the mighty Americans as they controlled most of the game en route to a 103-86 defeat for the only African team in the competition.
One of the major factors that led to Team USA's domination was the re-introduction of star forward Kevin Durant. Durant was noticeably absent during USA's 101-100 exhibition escape act over South Sudan, but he made his presence felt in a huge way on Wednesday. He even talked some smack towards the South Sudan bench, presumably directed towards head coach Royal Ivey. For Ivey, however, it's all love between him and his former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate.
“That's brotherly love. I don't lie; I tell the truth,” Ivey recounted the exchange with Durant, via Basketnews. “They were fouling, and he got fouled, and he was like, ‘Play basketball!' And I'm like, ‘How are we supposed to play basketball? You are all playing touch like it's football.' So, we exchanged a couple of words, and I moved on. At the end of the day, that's all brotherly love, and I love that dude. And you know, the feeling is mutual. So, you know, he said something to me. I'm a competitor. I'm a jerk back.”
You can't ask for much more than this competitive spirit between teams that are vying for the prestigious Olympic gold medal.
South Sudan gets overwhelmed by Team USA
Team USA played like they had this game against South Sudan encircled on their calendars. After a bit of a slow start, Kevin Durant and company came in and restored order, giving them a double-digit lead that they wouldn't relinquish.
In the end, Royal Ivey conceded that Team USA was simply the better team from top to bottom, as they did what they could to slow down the likes of Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum.
“I mean, we kept Steph Curry to three points. Jayson Tatum to four points. Those are the best players in the NBA. But it still wasn't enough. Usually, when you do that in games, you win games. And you got the Monstars over there. Bam Adebayo hurts you. He had two threes. Derek White hit a couple of threes. Haliburton came in and hit a three, and that's the difference in the game. You chalk that up. That's 15 points right there. We lost by what? 17,” Ivey explained.
South Sudan could still make it to the quarterfinals. Their destiny is in their hands; if they could beat Serbia, they'll finish second in the group and make it to the knockout stages.
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