LeBron to the Rescue as Team USA Basketball Avoids South Sudan Scare

In an exhilarating exhibition game at the O2 Arena, Team USA narrowly avoided an upset by Olympic debutants South Sudan, securing a 101-100 victory. The game was a thrilling showcase of South Sudan’s rising talent, despite their narrow loss.

LeBron James came through in the clutch for Team USA, scoring a driving layup with just eight seconds left to ensure the victory. South Sudan had taken a brief lead thanks to JT Thor’s 3-pointer with 20 seconds remaining, but their final two attempts to win the game fell short.

Known as the Bright Stars, South Sudan will make history as the first team from their nation to compete in the Olympics when they head to Paris next week. Their performance against Team USA highlighted their potential, as they led by as many as 16 points and nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in international basketball history.

James, who might be eyeing the movie rights to this underdog story, was determined to avoid a loss. He 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 a clutch 3-pointer were key plays 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 against their American counterparts. Many of their players are descendants of refugees who grew up in North America or Australia. These athletes, who have faced significant challenges, might soon attract interest from NBA scouts.

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. Despite missing a crucial jumper with four seconds left, his performance was noteworthy.

Marial Shayok, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Ottawa, Canada, also stood out, scoring 25 points and hitting 6 of 12 3-pointers. Shayok, a former Philadelphia 76ers draft pick, has showcased his skills in Turkey and China.

JT Thor, a 6-10 power forward who played 165 games for the Charlotte Hornets, added 14 points off the bench. Despite his recent release by the Hornets, Thor proved his value on the court.

Wenyan Gabriel, who has played for several NBA teams including the Lakers and Grizzlies, added 11 points and consistently challenged the American defense.

Khaman Maluach, an 18-year-old 7-2 athlete heading to Duke next year, added seven points and three rebounds. His potential has already caught the eye of super-agent Rich Paul, who was in attendance to watch not only his star clients James and Davis but also Maluach.

Joel Embiid had a strong showing for Team USA, scoring 14 points and contributing to their narrow victory.

This game highlighted the resilience and talent of the South Sudan team, who will soon make their Olympic debut in Paris, promising more thrilling performances on the world stage.

While South Sudan pushed Team USA to the edge, Nigeria remains the only African team to ever beat the Americans. Nigeria achieved this feat with a stunning 90-87 victory in a friendly game in Las Vegas. Coached by former NBA head coach and current Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Brown, Nigeria featured six NBA players and overcame a star-studded US side that included Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, and Bam Adebayo.

Gabe Vincent led Nigeria with 21 points, making six 3-pointers. Durant scored 17 points, and Tatum had 15 for Team USA. Other NBA players for Nigeria included Precious Achiuwa, KZ Okpala, Chimezie Metu, Josh Okogie, and Miye Oni.

As South Sudan prepares to face Team USA again on July 31 in Group C, their performance promises more excitement and potential upsets in the upcoming Paris 2024 Games.