Majok Deng set to be part of South Sudan basketball history
A third player from the Tasmania JackJumpers is set to play at the Olympic Games where he will face a stacked USA roster and the NBA’s best player.
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Another Tasmania JackJumper is set to compete at the Olympics.
Majok Deng has been selected for South Sudan’s campaign on the back of his debut season with the Jackies where the forward played a key role in the NBL championship win.
He joins JackJumpers championship teammates Jack McVeigh and Will Magnay in Paris after the duo were selected for the Boomers.
The 31-year-old will be joined on his team by several other NBL players for South Sudan’s maiden Olympic Games appearance including Bul Kuol (Sydney), Jackson Makoi (Cairns) and Sunday Dech (Adelaide).
South Sudan’s roster is headlined by Carlik Jones who recorded a triple-double against the USA in a pre-tournament friendly and NBA prospect Khaman Maluach who has committed to college basketball powerhouse Duke for the upcoming season.
“I look forward to playing in the Olympics,” Majok said.
“We are in a really tough pool but I back my brothers 100 per cent. We are going to do everything possible to make the country proud, no matter who we play.”
Deng’s team will face off against gold medal favourites the United States in Pool C with LeBron James the headline act among a stacked 12-man roster.
They’ll also face Serbia who will be led by Nikola Jokic, with the Denver Nuggets big man the NBA’s reigning MVP.
South Sudan could get their campaign off to a positive start if they are to beat Puerto Rico on Sunday morning AEST.
JackJumpers coach Scott Roth congratulated Deng on his selection.
“So happy for Majok on making his national team. All his hard work has paid off, which is a credit to him and his family,” Roth said.
“That makes three players from the JackJumpers becoming Olympians, and I could not be prouder.
“It’s a great moment for basketball in Tasmania and we look forward to watching our guys compete.”
JackJumpers physio Ryan Carroll has also headed to Paris part of the Boomers off-court team.
South Sudan’s Pool Schedule
Sunday, July 28: vs. Puerto Rico (11am AEST)
Wednesday, July 31: vs. United States (9pm AEST)
Saturday, Aug. 3: vs. Serbia (9pm AEST)
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Originally published as Majok Deng set to be part of South Sudan basketball history
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