South Sudan Make Olympic History Against Puerto Rico

South Sudan make Olympic history with first win

South Sudan are now well and truly in the mix to advance from Group C after an impressive come from behind victory, which has made history for the first Time Olympians against a tough Puerto Rico.

This is the first time South Sudan has had a basketball team represent them on the Olympic stage and wasn’t it a debut. Being down for most the game, fighting tough and never giving up, it is similar to how a lot of these players have gotten here today. A nation that has been war ravaged and terrorised for many years has produced some of the toughest, most resilient and powerful athletes we have seen at the international basketball level.

Some of these players have had to find refuge in other country’s to be able to have access to basic survival equipment, shelter, food and even water. It truly is incredible to see a nation so young be so dominate at the biggest stage of all.

The first quarter started and it didn’t seem like South Sudan understood the game was even on. Puerto Rico would jump out to an early 8-0 lead off the back of Tremont Waters back to back 3 point makes. It would be the two smallest players on the court, Tremont Waters and Jose Alvarado taking control for Puerto Rico. Hitting consistently tough shots for Puerto Rico was crucial in them finishing the quarter off in control 28-20. As a team they would shoot 66% from the 3 point line and South Sudan really had no answer.

The second quarter started and so did South Sudan. Quickly hitting back-to-back 3 point shots from Sunday Dech and Peter Jok, it really seemed to turn the tides in South Sudans favour. Sunday Dech's defensive ability was on full display as Tremont Waters would have a quieter second quarter with Dech as his sole defender. The same couldn’t be said about Jose Alvarado who would finish the half with a 19 points but would roll his ankle in an ugly incident right before half time. Puerto Rico would erase all of South Sudan's hard work and hold a commanding 54-48.

South Sudan take over the contest in the third with 3 point shot after 3 point shot!

South Sudan would come out hot in the third quarter, out scoring Puerto Rico 23-15. The majority would come from behind the arc, with makes to Bul Kuol, Nuni Omot, Marial Shayok and Peter Jok who all shot it at a really high level. The offensive end was also complimented with a strong defensive quarter as South Sudan made everything hard for Puerto Rico holding them to just 15 points. South Sudan would finish the third quarter up 71-69.

South Sudan jumped out to an early 6 point lead in the fourth quarter before eventually pushing it out to double digits and the game would be all but over. Strong play from JT Thor and Carlik Jones in the final quarter would secure the victory for South Sudan in which would be an emotional one. South Sudan would finish the game as winners, 90-79 and take a much needed victory into the next two Group C games against World Number 1 USA and the Nikola Jokic lead Serbia.

Carlik Jones had a very impressive game for South Sudan finishing with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, and NBL product Bul Kuol would also be a shining light for South Sudan with 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

For Puerto Rico, it would be the small man back court of Jose Alvarado (26 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists) and Tremont Waters (18 points and 4 assist) who would star and give them every chance to win the game.

For the first time Olympians, South Sudan make Olympic history on a night that will be remembered forever, first game, first win and in a hard fought victory you can bet your bottom dollar that they will have taken a lot from this moment. Don’t underestimate now how much belief this team will have coming into two games in which most would consider them to have no chances.

South Sudan will be back in action against Team USA on the 1st of August and then Serbia on the 4th of August. South Sudan will go into both of these contests as underdogs but who doesn’t like cheering for the underdog right?