It started in school, with the gift of basketball shoes.
When Luol Deng went to the US, New York-born Royal Ivey was a senior at his high school.
"When I went there, I had no basketball shoes. Royal was the first to give me shoes," Deng said during the postgame press conference after South Sudan's victory over Angola.
They remained friends afterwards.
"Every holiday, I couldn't afford to go back home. I would stay in Royal's house. That was always at the back of my mind," Deng recalled.
Deng wanted to gift Ivey something back. And he wanted it to be meaningful. It would take some time, though, before Deng could give back.
"Not every gift is about what you buy somebody. When you know somebody, you know best what to give them," Deng astutely pointed out.
And what Deng gave Ivey was a vision—one of South Sudan getting into the AfroBasket, qualifying for the FIBA World Cup, and getting a win in this tournament.
"Couldn't see any coach that would've brought us here. All these players can relate," Deng shared.
"Knew he had to be the guy. Didn't have to ask twice," he added.
And in the Bright Stars' first-ever FIBA World Cup, they secured a win against China and then another against the Philippines.
In their very last day of competition, the Bright Stars made history again by beating fellow African country Angola to earn for South Sudan its first Olympics appearance ever.
"He put together the perfect strategy," Deng said. "That's why we're here."
South Sudan, of course, is one of the youngest nations in the world, having declared its independence only in 2011. This is a country that joined FIBA in 2013. A decade later, this conflict-torn nation will be flying that flag high in the Olympics next year in Paris.
"It's crazy. Because we have a very good team. We're gonna go there and try to win every game," Deng said.
His voice was shaking at this point.
"I want in my lifetime to see our flag. We will raise the flag as we march," he said, now teary eyed. "This moment is gonna be everything."
"This team is a beam of light," Ivey said, also after the game.
"A year ago, we were practicing outside with eagles flying around. Courts were flooded," Ivey recalled. "I'm in cloud nine right now."
"We're bringing unity, camaraderie, love, and friendship to this country. Man this is a great feeling," he said. "I wish I could bottle this up right now."
Now, there's one thing remaining for Ivey before he goes to the Olympics.
"I'm glad to be part of this team. I'm glad to be South Sudanese. Hopefully, get my passport," Ivey said.
The media and the reporters yelled a resounding, "Yeah!"
But what did it take? What was the secret? What made the Bright Stars so focused? For Deng, it started with recruiting the right people.
"I really, really believe you gotta work with individuals who are passionate. You gotta bring in people who believe in the same goal," he saidexplained.
"Having nerves and courage to stand up for what's right. We became closer because we understand and learn from each other."
It has been said before and Deng said it again: This is bigger than basketball. People all over the world know South Sudan now as something other than a conflict-torn country.
They are a rising sports nation.
"We gotta celebrate this and enjoy it, the impact we're making on the youth," Deng noted.
He spoke of the youth, and how the Bright Stars have showed what sports can give to the kids back at home in South Sudan—kids who have seen conflict firsthand and are looking for something to give them hope, a reason to dream, to believe.
For Deng and Ivey, it all started with shoes. Now, they can give something back to the rest of the kids in South Sudan.
"We have so much talent, so much time is being wasted. We just need to believe and invest and that should be the conversation now. Basketball is able to do this," Deng concluded.
Yes, it can. That is exactly what basketball is doing for South Sudan. And, yes, it all started with the the shoes.
(MDB)