South Sudan is making its first appearance in the FIBA World Cup after breezing through the African qualifiers, and it has several NBA athletes to thank.
One of those men is a current player and the other two are retired.
The player is free agent forward/center Wenyen Gabriel, who spent last season with the Lakers. At times, he offered some underrated and valuable minutes.
Gabriel, 26, has also spent time with the Clippers, Nets, Trail Blazers and Kings since entering the NBA out of Kentucky in 2019. He is a native of Khartoum, Sudan.
As for the former NBA players, South Sudan is coached by Royal Ivey, a guard with the Hawks, Thunder and 76ers from 2004-15. Ivey currently serves as an assistant with the Rockets.
Also, former NBA forward Luol Deng just happens to be the head of the South Sudan basketball federation. Deng was a two-time All-Star with the Bulls during a career that spanned from 2004-19.
Current NBA point guard and G League MVP Carlik Jones (Bulls) and Marial Shayok (Maine Celtics) are other notable members of the roster.
South Sudan is currently training in Melbourne, Australia, and tips off World Cup play Aug. 26 vs. Puerto Rico. The full 18-man roster is below:
- Junior Madut
- Nuni Omot
- Carlik Jones
- Emmanuel Akot
- Mareng Gatkouth
- Mangok Mathiang
- Kuany Kuany
- Mathiang Muo
- Deng Dut
- Marial Shayok
- Deng Acuoth
- Majok Deng
- Peter Jok
- Khaman Maluach
- Koch Bar
- Gob Gabriel
- Wenyen Gabriel
- Sunday Dech
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