When South Sudan’s young basketball team took to the court for an exhibition game against America’s basketball royalty, there were few expectations that they could hold on against the likes of LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
Then they lost by just one point, 101-100, stunning not only their loyal followers, but also the team’s players, who had grown up revering the N.B.A.
The South Sudanese will face the United States again Wednesday, this time at the Paris Olympics, and with the Americans now on notice, the odds are distinctly against the African team.
But for many of their fans in Africa and elsewhere, that is beside the point.
Despite having no place of their own to train, the team won the only slot open to Africa for men’s basketball.
Persons:
LeBron James, Stephen Curry, — James
Organizations:
America’s, South, Paris Olympics, men’s, Puerto Rico, Games
Locations:
South Sudanese, United States, Africa, Puerto, Paris