In the thrilling match of USA vs South Sudan, Lebron James saved Team USA by scoring 25 points. In the last 8 seconds of the final quarter, LeBron put the match in Team USA’s bucket.
It was a great save from a dramatic loss.
South Sudan is an African nation and this is the first time they are participating in the Olympics. They showed their potential by leading half of the game against the world’s top players.
South Sudan, participating in its first Olympics for men’s basketball, fielded several current and former NBA players, including Carlik Jones, Marial Shayok, Wenyen Gabriel, Peter Jok, and JT Thor. They also had 17-year-old Duke commit Khaman Maluach, a five-star prospect and projected 2025 NBA Draft lottery pick.
Team USA basketball roster has a total of 12 players in the team and all of them are leading NBA champions, some of them are even All-Star. 189,038 is the total points of these players in the regular-season career.
On another side, there are only 4 South Sudanese players who have played in the NBA with a combined 1228 points.
It was unexpected for the to match be that tough. But it can be already seen that since the end of the first quarter where the score ended at 24-26, Sudan leads the match by 2 points at the end of the first quarter.
The performance made by the South Sudan rosters is outstanding. They might see it in the next year’s NBA.
At the end of the first half, South Sudan led the game by 14 points – 58-44. South Sudan’s shooting percentage in the first half is 61% – The American defense looks like a failure against Sudan.
USA led the game in the 3rd quarter of the match, – 81-76 – team USA led here by 15 points. Stephen Curry’s Three Points Jump shot Pullup, Jrue Holiday‘s two points, and Joel Embiid’s Two Points put the match on the USA track.
Lebron and Derrick white 3 assists each were also key points in the match.LeBron James led Team USA with 25 points, contributing crucial plays and statement dunks.
Star forward Kevin Durant made his 2024 Team USA debut in this game after missing the first three tune-up games due to a calf injury.
Who Scored the most points in the USA vs South Sudan match?
LeBron James is the saver and leading in the scoring for Team USA. LeBron James scored 25 points, with 6 rebounds and 7 assists. The FG percentage of Lebron James against the South Sudan match is 71.83. He attempted 14 dunks but 10 were successful.
Lebron’s teammate from the Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis played a crucial role in the winning of Team USA. He had 15 points in the game with 11 rebounds and 2 assists.
Also, Joel Embiid scored 14 points and 1 point each in rebounds and assists.
Marial Shayok Scored 24 the most points from the South Sudan basketball team. He scored 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in the game.
Carlik Jones scored 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, and JT Thor – a Charlotte Hornet player – scored 14 points in the game.
Wenyen Gabriel scored 11 points in the game. Wenyen Gabriel’s 3 points played vital in a comeback in the final quarter – 85-84. He is a former teammate of Lebron James in the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Today we were able to represent our country with pride and we put up a good fight and showed the potential of our country,” Gabriel said. “I think it was a proud moment for a lot of people.”
But it is sure that fans of basketball from London enjoy the thrilling match between South Sudan vs USA. Due to this, we might see more attraction of fans toward basketball during the Paris Olympics 2024.
Who is on the USA Basketball 2024?
Team USA basketball roster
- Bam Adebayo, C (Miami Heat)
- Devin Booker, G (Phoenix Suns)
- Stephen Curry, G (Golden State Warriors)
- Anthony Davis, F/C (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Kevin Durant, F, (Phoenix Suns)
- Anthony Edwards, G (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Joel Embiid, C (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Tyrese Haliburton, G (Indiana Pacers)
- Jrue Holiday, G (Boston Celtics)
- LeBron James, F (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Jayson Tatum, F (Boston Celtics)
- Derrick White, G (Boston Celtics)
LEBRON JAMES WINS IT FOR #USABMNT ‼️ pic.twitter.com/IHdQBZVB87
— NBA (@NBA) July 20, 2024
LeBron's game-winner, Curry's logo 3-pointer, & A LOT of NBA star power 🌟…
— NBA (@NBA) July 20, 2024
Best of #USABMNT's win over South Sudan ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/iJFNk2HduU
Reactions to Team South Sudan vs USA Basketball Match
“A good reminder that when we play against teams, it’s the biggest game of their lives,” “We have to expect everyone to play like that.”
USA Basketball coach Steve Kerr
“I did not do a great job preparing our team,” “We did not focus enough on what they’re capable of, and that’s on me. I think that really allowed South Sudan to gain confidence early. … They were great. They played a wonderful game and the ending was good for us, just to feel that, to feel what it’s going to be like in Paris and Lille.”
USA Basketball coach Steve Kerr
“I’m going to be honest: I like those better than the blowouts,” “At least we get tested.” “Doesn’t matter when it comes to how close the game is,” “We went out there to get better.”
LeBron James
“It’s basketball. It happens,” “You want to play perfect every game; it doesn’t happen. But can you dig deep and do the little things that help you win? Offense can come and go, but defense is the thing that helps you win championships, medals, all that stuff.”
USA Point Guard Stephen Curry
Anthony Davis said: They had reached the arena lately due to London traffic. Due to this, there was no time to prepare in the arena, routine of the games was disrupted.