’Igniting that fire’: How Taipan Jackson Makoi and South Sudan took on the world

Echoes of resilience, hustle and a relentless drive took Jackson Makoi and South Sudan to the ultimate stage at the Paris Olympics.

Taipans and South Sudan point guard Jackson Makoi returns from the Paris Olympics. Credit: South Sudan Basketball Media

If Jackson Makoi and the South Sudan men’s basketball team weren’t on your radar, they should be now after their heroics at the Paris Olympics.

A team forged through unimaginable adversity and hardship held its own against the basketball elite on the grandest stage in sport.

Representing a war-torn country without a single indoor basketball court, the Bright Stars went toe-to-toe with the world’s best, facing off against the mighty Team USA and a Nikola Jokić-led Serbia.

This roster, consisting entirely of refugees and the children of refugees, was the first South Sudanese team in any sport to qualify for the Olympics.

Pictured: South Sudan Basketball Team. Taipans and South Sudan point guard Jackson Makoi returns from the Paris Olympics. Credit: South Sudan Basketball Media

Dynamic Taipans guard Makoi, who arrived in Cairns this week from the Olympics, described the experience as incredible. “It was an amazing time, to be honest,” he said. “A once-in-a-lifetime experience and a surreal moment overall. Being around the national team that I hadn’t seen in a long time, travelling the world, and being surrounded by some of the best athletes and even greater people made it a great experience. It’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

The Sydney Kings recruit had the chance to guard NBA superstar Anthony Edwards in both match-ups against Team USA.

South Sudan's Jackson Makoi (L) and USA's Anthony Edwards eye the ball in the men's preliminary round group C basketball match between USA and South Sudan during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium.

South Sudan only gained independence from Sudan in 2011, making it the world’s youngest country.

Majority of the side, including former Taipans Bul Kuol, Majok Deng and Kuany Kuany,

served their basketball apprenticeships on gravelly concrete courts.

“It’s always a different feeling (pulling on the South Sudan jersey),” Makoi said.

“It’s a huge honour to represent not just where you’re from, but your ancestors and family. It’s a special moment, especially for a country like ours—the youngest country in the world. Seeing the impact we make on the youth and the future of our nation is incredible.”

Anthony Edwards of USA goes to the basket past Jackson Makoi of South Sudan during the 2024 USA Basketball Showcase match between USA and South Sudan at The O2 Arena on July 20, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

Former Taipans guard Bul Kuol represents South Sudan at the Paris Olympics. Credit: South Sudan Basketball Media

Former Great Britain international and South Sudan assistant coach Dzaflo “Flo” Larkai was a driving force behind the nation’s fairytale journey to the Olympics. Larkai noted that the team felt disrespected as a pushover leading up to the Games, making a statement with their one-point loss to basketball juggernaut Team USA.

“We had to change that narrative using the pre-Olympics game shake-up against world number one Team USA,” he said.

“That (match) was incredibly beneficial. We gained valuable experience, mustered courage, and overcame fear. Our never-give-up attitude stunned a lot of people, including (Former Boston Celtic and NBA Hall of Famer) Paul Pierce, who admitted, ‘I didn’t know your game,’ after Team USA edged us out (101-100).”

“We won our opener against Puerto Rico, then faced tough losses to Team USA and Serbia. Honestly, we gave it our all. Coach Ivey’s message was simple, ‘Play your game, enjoy the process.’ We have quality players across the board, not superstars, but guys with top-league experience in (Australia), Europe, and some with NBA backgrounds. We just needed to connect the dots. It was about igniting that fire.”

South Sudan's Bul Kuol acknowledges the public at the end of the men's preliminary round group C basketball match between Serbia and South Sudan during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France, on August 3, 2024. (Photo by Sameer Al-Doumy / AFP)

The thought of forming a team strong enough to play against NBA superstars seemed implausible and the South Sudan flags on the streets of Juba won’t be lowered anytime soon.

Especially after securing their first Olympic victory with a 90-79 victory against Puerto Rico in their opening game of Group C.

It was a symbol of hope and a unifying moment for a nation with a bright sporting future.

Originally published as ’Igniting that fire’: How Taipan Jackson Makoi and South Sudan took on the world