This is one of the African stories that is not given enough credit. This is the tale of the South Sudanese Basketball Team who is pursuing its Olympic dreams. As their name implies, the Bright Stars are the rising stars of the East African nation, and they are the youngest basket ball team in the world to have managed to raise their flag at the Olympic stage in Paris. They wish to convey to the globe that their nation is home to more than only violent and tragic tales. Should they triumph, they will make history by being the first South Sudanese team to win an Olympic medal.
This time, the Olympic Arena in Paris, 2024, is flying the flag of South Sudan. Bright Starts, an East African basketball team, is fulfilling their Olympic goal. The Olympics mean more to South Sudanese athletes than just competition. For them, it’s a chance to demonstrate that the nation is home to more than just violent and turbulent tales. “You know, lot of time, when people think about South Sudan, all they think about is the war, maybe the genocide and Darfur or it’s always a lot of negative thoughts but there are lot of beautiful things about our country” Wenyen Gabriel said.
Although the team includes players from the US, Australia, and Canada—some of whom were raised in camps—they have limited knowledge of their home country because their parents left during the Sudanese Civil War, which lasted from 1983 to 2005. The suffering persisted as the longest civil war on record raged between 2011 and 2018, resulting in much more devastating turmoil. Millions are uprooted and 400,000 people die as a result. Along with regular natural disasters, South Sudan is nevertheless beset by poverty, corruption, and ethnic and political warfare. However, these athletes are attempting to forget the agony of the past. They overcame inadequate resources and unfavorable circumstances to secure a spot on the Olympic ranking.
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The team’s participation in the games is already a win in itself. It reflect the players victory over their miseries. “When we play basketball, South Sudan complete stops, all the violence, everybody’s tuning to what these young leaders are doing. These are trailblazers of a country” Royal Ivey declared. “Basketball has united this country, it has given this country a hope and some healing” He added.
Participating in he Olympic is also a reflection of hard work and determination aligned for a common dream which is to make the young country proud. They aspire to leave a mark of their Nation at an International level. “We know that the fight is not over and it is on us to continue that and continue to show the world that South Sudan is here”
The Olympic medal is not just a professional accolade for these players, the goal is rather personal. Some of them have even put their flourished career aside to fulfill their duty to the nation. 27 years old NBA superstar Gabriel is one of them. “The potential of South Sudan is almost unlimited. Even when I went back home for the first time, I went to my hometown, I saw people there who are taller than me, 7 ft tall they are herding cow…what I mean is they don’t have the opportunity, even in our country till date we don’t have a single indoor court, that speak volume for us to be the best team in Africa right now” Gabriel said.
Luol Deng, a refugee, is also hurting from the Bright Stars’ success. In 2019, a two-time All-Star and former Chicago Bulls player assumed leadership of the South Sudanese basketball federation. With his money, Deng has built this team. With a youthful, bright talent like 17-year-old Khaman Maluach, he has managed to assemble seasoned veterans like Gabriel and Carlik Jones.
Bright Stars became well-known worldwide following the 2023 basketball World Cup in August. Their run through the competition, which included three wins in five games in the Philippines, opened the way to the Olympics in Paris.
These refugees, as Gabriel characterizes them, will write history if they are able to reach the podium. One of the few happy moments in the history of the world’s youngest country will occur with their victory.