Luol Deng's South Sudan qualify for World Cup for the first time ever / News - Basketnews.com

Coached by former NBA forward Luol Deng, South Sudan qualified for the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup for the first time in the country's history. Three players have played in all 10 games and are averaging at least 11 PIR. South Sudan was founded only in 2011.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

This year, the 2023 FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers may feature several first-time participants in this year's World Cup. The first one of them has already been determined.

Luol Deng

Position:SFAge:37Height:206 cmWeight:100 kgBirth place:South SudanProfileNewsStatistics

South Sudan defeated Senegal 83-75 and clinched a spot in the basketball fiesta in The Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan later this year for the very first time in the country's history.

Coached by former NBA forward Luol Deng, South Sudan captured an impressive number of wins in the African Qualifiers. Through 10 games so far, the squad has won 9 games and only lost to Senegal in August of last year.

Although he played for Great Britain in international FIBA competitions, Deng was born in the city of Wau in what is now South Sudan.

With no clear leader on the roster, 3 players - Deng Acuoth, Kuany Ngor Kuany, and Nuni Omot - have played in all 10 games so far, averaging at least 11 PIR.

South Sudan joins Cote d'Ivoire as the only two countries that have qualified for the 2023 FIBA World Cup from the African region.

For a country founded in just 2011, participation in the World Cup is an incredible sporting achievement.

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