South Sudan's Olympic Games debut in men's 5-on-5 is bigger than basketball. And Luol Deng is making sure he is heard.
The South Sudan Basketball Federation president fired back at fellow former NBA players Paul Pierce and Gilbert Arenas, who made controversial comments when the African team nearly beat Team USA in an pre-Olympic tune-up match.
Deng clarified he is not upset or angry regarding the “ignorant remarks” said by his former colleagues, but later admitted: “I was more disappointed to see them coming from two individuals I’ve always respected.”
Pierce, who appeared on FS1’s Undisputed show, dismissed South Sudan's capabilities ahead of their exhibition match with Team USA.
“Man, they [South Sudan] probably haven’t got anyone over 6’3,” Pierce said, referencing the lack of height on South Sudan's team. Manute Bol, the second tallest player in NBA history who has a height of 7’7”, actually hailed from the African nation. His son Bol was ruled out of the Olympics.
"They should have put Lithuania in,” Pierce added, regarding the capability of South Sudan to test Team USA properly.
As it turned out, South Sudan stood toe-to-toe with the Americans and almost scored an upset win over the American before a late LeBron James basket bailed out Team USA.
[ALSO READ: LeBron James saves the day as Team USA comes back to beat South Sudan in USA Basketball Showcase]
The former Boston Celtic later apologized for his remarks right after the game.
"They have pride and showed me a seismic shift in international play," Pierce said.
Deng added: “The comments made by Paul Pierce showed misinformation and a lack of research. However, he used it as a teachable moment to shed positivity once he was informed. Thank you to Paul Pierce for apologising, that I can respect.”
“Growing up, I heard many similar comments, and those very remarks are some of the things that motivated me to change the narrative. Africans now show solidarity and support for each other more than ever. Moments like this are not for us to get upset and lash out. Many Africans and Black people who embrace their African heritage are working hard to bring all Black people closer by educating and sharing stories and historic moments, teaching that we have much more in common than differences,” he added.
However, Deng took much more of an issue with Arenas, who said Team USA “almost lost to some Africans… We almost lost to the Ahi-Ahi tribe.”
The 42-year-old former Washington Wizard even criticized Team USA big man Joel Embiid in his performance against South Sudan
"This is crazy. Man, Embiid over there god damn throwing the game. He throwing the game for his cousins and [redacted]. We ain’t supposed to be losing to air up there.”
Embiid, who hailed from Cameroon and moved to the United States when he was 16, spoke up against Arenas’ comments.
“Obviously, I don’t condone it,” Embiid said. “I’m African, first and foremost. I might be playing for Team USA, but I’m Cameroonian, first and foremost. I don’t know exactly what he said so I can’t comment on it. But if it was that negative, it’s just disappointing.”
“You see what African basketball has done for us to be in this position, to be able to make some sort of impact. Even the position that I am, still have a lot of impact where I’m from and the whole continent of Africa. And that’s never going to stop,” the Philadelphia 76ers star big man said.
As for Deng, he felt Gilbert’s comments ‘more disrespectful and cruel.
“I would never trade places with anyone; being African is special. However, for young African and African American kids who admire and listen to Gilbert, these comments can make you think less of yourself and make the rest of the world think less of Africans."
South Sudan is a very young nation--they just declared their independence 13 years ago.
And in the FIBA Basketball World Cup held in Manila in 2023, South Sudan was one of the Cinderella stories as they took the African berth to the Olympic Games.
It would be the first time South Sudan would be raising their flag at the Olympic Games. For a country that started out with no courts, this is much bigger than basketball.
[ALSO READ: Emotional rollercoaster: When South Sudan made history in FIBA World Cup, as told by players and journalists]
The dream started with Deng, Royal Ivey, and a pair of second-hand basketball shoes.
[ALSO READ: Making history: How Luol Deng, Royal Ivey laid groundwork of South Sudan's dream run—starting with a pair of shoes]
In the end, Deng, who is one of the biggest basketball names to come out of South Sudan and played 15 years in 5 teams in the NBA, sent his regards to the former NBA players in giving him and the squad a platform “to respond and inform others."
”We’ve worked very hard in the last four years to be here… We can’t allow mere seconds to take that away. Instead, let’s appreciate the moment and use these comments as an opportunity to educate. Being loved is always better than being tolerated."
South Sudan will be making their Olympic debut against Puerto Rico in Group C action.
Story Summary:
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Luol Deng, President of South Sudan Basketball Federation, responded to disparaging remarks made by former NBA players Paul Pierce and Gilbert Arenas about South Sudan's near-upset against Team USA, calling the comments "disrespectful and cruel."
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Deng emphasized the importance of addressing such remarks as a leader in the African community, highlighting the significance of South Sudan's Olympic debut and using the moment to educate and unite African and Black communities.
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South Sudan was one of the Cinderella stories of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 in Manila, as the Luol Deng and Royal Ivey-led squad secured the African berth for the Olympics. Paris 2024 will be the Olympic debut for the nation which declared independence 13 years ago.
[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital team. The summary was generated by AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]