How four Taipans helped South Sudan almost defeat Lebron James, Team USA

In what could have been one of the most incredible upsets in modern sports history, South Sudan, which has four players with ties to the Cairns Taipans, fell short by one point (101-100) to basketball juggernaut Team USA.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 20: Majok Deng of South Sudan scores a basket past Joel Embiid and LeBron James of USA 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)

In what could have been one of the most incredible upsets in modern sports history.

South Sudan, which has four players with ties to the Cairns Taipans, fell short by one point (101-100) to basketball juggernaut Team USA on Sunday.

The side led by icons LeBron James and Steph Curry were rattled to their core after shooting out to a 16-point first-half deficit by former and current Taipans Bul Kuol,Jackson Makoi, Majok Deng, and Kuany Kuany (missed out through injury) who represented the world’s newest nation.

South Sudan has a young population, widespread poverty, and a history of civil unrest and conflict.

It does not have a single indoor basketball stadium, with much of the side serving their basketball apprenticeships on gravelly concrete courts.

The thought of forming a team strong enough to play against NBA superstars seemed implausible.

Against all odds, their supreme athleticism, sharpshooting and gritty lockdown defence rose to the occasion, forcing four-time NBA champion LeBron James to turn in his best game of the summer with 25 points.

“Don’t take anything away from South Sudan they played extremely good basketball,” James said.

“That’s why the game is won inbetween the lines and not on paper.”

“South Sudan are very well coached. Luol Deng knows the game very well. To have that representation and that type of leadership, teaching them the right way to play the game. It’s great. The game is worldwide. There’s not one place the game is not being played. That’s the beauty of it, the game of basketball brings so many people together and we’re able to build so many brotherhood’s and sisterhood’s and it can take you places you never thought you could go.”

His drive to the basket for a left-handed lay up with eight seconds left was the game-winner that broke the hearts of South Sudan supporters all over the globe.

The Americans needed every effort from their biggest stars to beat a country that didn’t exist until 2011, has no current NBA players, and whose biggest “star” may be a skinny, 17-year-old who’s headed to Duke.

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)

The loss would’ve been tough to swallow, but it is nonetheless an inspirational story of a young, fearless nation testing and validating their value.

South Sudan coach Royal Ivey and Basketball Federation president Luol Deng were the masterminds of an astute recruiting drive that helped South Sudan realise its dream of qualifying for the Olympics.

Bul Kuol of the Taipans goes to the basket during the round five NBL match between Cairns Taipans and Sydney Kings at Cairns Convention Centre, on October 28, 2023, in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)

Majok Deng of the Taipans shoots during the round 13 NBL match between Illawarra Hawks and Cairns Taipans at WIN Entertainment Centre, on January 02, 2023, in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

The former Chicago Bull Deng regularly visits Australia, with Cairns becoming one of his prime recruiting grounds.

Makoi (current Taipan), captain Kuany (former Taipan), Kuol (former Taipan and current Sydney King), Majok Deng (former Taipan and JackJumper), Sunday Dech (36er), Junior Madut (JackJumper) and Deng Acouth (former 36er) were the Australians on the team’s first-ever Olympic roster.

It will be the first team from any sport to represent South Sudan at the Olympics.

All of them have played or still play in Australia’s NBL, with Taipans’ push to provide opportunities for these outstanding athletes paying dividends on an international scale. South Sudan will have an opportunity for revenge when the two sides face off again during pool play at the Paris Olympics on July 31st.

Originally published as How four Taipans helped South Sudan almost defeat Lebron James, Team USA