With each passing day, the story of South Sudan becomes more fascinating and inspiring as more facts of his journey to the Paris Games are revealed, the first Olympian from the world’s youngest country, born in 2011.
His trainer, Royal Iveywent into detail about the economic and preparatory conditions of the African team after their victory over Puerto Rico (90-79) before facing again on Wednesday the Team USA.
“We do not have the satisfaction of having a gym, dormitory and other facilities. We had a tough training camp in Rwanda, then we traveled to Spain, moves often, flies long flights and provides a starting line to my 2.13 players. Those are the things people don’t talk about. “They don’t see our seven-hour delay at the airport when we’re in Chad,” Ivey said in remarks reported by Basketnews.
The coach wanted to praise the merit of his players and evaluate the conditions of his team also in the context of the organization’s mistake in the anthem, which Ivey downplayed.
The trainer, assistant coach of Houston Rocketsalso revealed who is funding the basketball program a fact that also says everything about the uncertain panorama of South Sudan, a poor country that is still suffering from the consequences of the civil war between 2013 and 2020.
“Luol Deng “He funded it for four years out of his own pocket,” Ivey revealed. Deng, president of the federation, has an extensive 15-year NBA career where he spent time with the Bulls, Cavaliers, Heat, Lakers and Timberwolves, being nominated twice for All Star.
“He pays for the hotels, the gyms, the flights, everything. A tribute to Luol and the staff. “We wouldn’t have been able to put this team together without them,” Ivey added.
Deng won 166 million dollars in his career and does not hesitate to invest it in his country’s team, having just put himself on the basketball world map with a close victory over Team USA a week before the Games in a friendly, only to lose of 101-100 after winning 16.
The African team gets the most out of their NBA players or those who have played in the American league at some point. JT Thor He plays for the Charlotte Hornets, though the most recognizable face is Wenyen Gabriel, now at Maccabi Tel Aviv after going through teams like the Clippers and Lakers. Khaman Maluach17 years old and now in the NBA program in Africa, is expected for the 2025 draft Almost all the players moved during their childhood in other countries like Australia or the United States or were born there.
However, the big muscle of South Sudan is the collective and this is what Royal Ivey also wants to claim:
“South Sudan means the land of the blacks. These kids want to play and hear their song. They got the anthem wrong, but they’re making it right, we all make mistakes. At the end of the day, they’re brothers. It’s a group of brothers, unity. They play cards together and they eat together. When someone makes a mistake, we hold them accountable. This is what a real team is , what it is a family” Ivey highlighted.
As it happened a week and a half ago, when Team USA arrived euphoric after its review against Serbia, the African team wants to do it again on Wednesday against LeBron, Durant and company. But, this time, there is success to make a definite statement.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Jason Root, a professional writer working with Today Times Live, the premier news website. I specialize in sports writing, covering the biggest stories in the world of athletics. With an eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, I provide engaging and informative articles that capture the key elements of any event or issue. My work has been featured on numerous respected websites and publications around the world.
