South Sudan, the world’s newest country, captured the hearts of spectators at the World Cup en route to a 17th place finish out of 32 teams.
He was forced to leave South Sudan as a young child, escaping the Second Sudanese Civil War.
Sporting rootsAfter decades of civil war, South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 following a referendum, making it the world’s newest widely recognized state.
South Sudan players celebrate during the game against Team USA.
South Sudan enters the Games bearing the additional responsibility of being the only African men’s basketball team to qualify – Nigeria qualified for the women’s competition.
Persons:
LeBron James, Wenyen Gabriel, who’s, Gabriel, James Fearn, ” Gabriel, ”, Manute Bol, Luol Deng, Deng, Akuot Chol, Bol Bol, JT Thor, Duop, “, Nathaniel S, Butler, ” Deng, ” “ We’re, Hakeem Olajuwon, Joel Embiid, they’re, Kin Cheung, Paul Pierce, Gilbert Arenas, Arenas, ” Pierce, –, Luol, Royal Ivey, ” Ivey, Guillem Sartorio, Ivey
Organizations:
CNN, men’s, FIBA, Bright Stars, Olympics, NBA, Los Angles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sudanese, Great, CNN Sport, Sporting, United Nations, South, Getty, Team USA, O2, – Nigeria, Los Angeles Lakers, USA, Houston Rockets
Locations:
South Sudan, Cairo, United States, Great Britain, Sudan, London, Egypt, Juba, AFP, South Sudanese, Paris, Nigeria, Cameroon, Serbia, Puerto Rico