MANILA – South Sudan made history by booking a first Olympic slot in its first FIBA Basketball World Cup appearance.
The outright 2024 Paris Olympics berth came after Sudan beat Angola, 101-78, at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and New Zealand nipped Egypt, 88-86, at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City in the Classification 17-32 Round.
“It’s unbelievable. It’s a dream come true. We became an independent country in 2011. No one ever imagined or dreamed of being in this position,” the 28-year-old forward Nuni Omot said.
“And now we’re going to have the chance to walk across the Olympic stage with our flag. It’s unbelievable everything that’s happened. Obviously, this is one of the most… I’m so emotional right now. It’s one of the best stories, sports stories that’s that’s came out in a long time. So I’m just I’m just very blessed to be a part of this.”
Point guard Carlik Jones, who plays for the Chicago Bulls in the National Basketball Association, also became the first player to register three games of 10 or more assists in a single World Cup and tied the mark for the most assists in a game.
Against Angola, the 25-year-old Jones poured in 26 points, snatched 7 rebounds and dished out 15 assists.
It was the second straight game Jones flirted with a triple-double after tallying 17 points, 9 rebounds and 14 assists against the Philippines two days earlier.
There will be additional spots for the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments for the Africa sides still in contention. As long as they do not finish among the bottom five spots in the tournament, they should make it to one of the 2024 qualifiers.
South Sudan became the third confirmed team alongside Paris 2024 hosts France and Australia.
There are five more automatic berths still up for grabs. (FIBA/PNA)
