FIBA World Cup: Serbian player’s kidney removed after ‘unintentional and unfortunate’ incident

A Serbian basketballer has had his kidney removed, while his South Sudanese opponent who accidentally caused the injury has been subject to racist online attacks.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - AUGUST 30: Borisa Simanic #28 of Serbia drives the ball against Nuni Omot #1 of South Sudan during the first round Group B match between South Sudan and Serbia on day 6 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup at Araneta Coliseum on August 30, 2023 in Manila, Philippines. (Photo by Liu Lu/VCG via Getty Images)

Surgeons have been forced to remove a Serbian player’s kidney after he was elbowed during his team’s FIBA World Cup clash with South Sudan.

And the Bright Stars player who caused the initial injury has been subjected to racist online attacks in the wake of the shock news.

Serbian big man Borisa Simanic went down late in Serbia‘s 115-83 August 30 win after he was elbowed in the midriff while defending big man Nuni Omot, who was attempting to create space close to the basket.

Desgraciada jugada que termina con la pérdida de un riñón para Borisa Simanic, jugador de Casademont Zaragoza. Fue durante el Serbia-Sudan del Sur.
Nuni Omot, que hizo una declaración solicitando disculpas, posteo lanzando el codo a la zona renal del pívot serbio.
No se señaló… pic.twitter.com/qXoH0d1HRm

— Piti Hurtado (@PitiHurtado) September 4, 2023

The 25-year-old, who last season played for Zaragoza in Spain, immediately clutched at the injured area and appeared in pain. Officials reviewed the incident but did not make any further judgement on Omot. Simanic was taken to Manila’s Mankati Medical Centre, where he underwent an initial surgery to save the kidney.

But team doctor Dragan Radovanovic, in a statement, said post-operative complications forced surgeons, on Monday, to remove Simanic’s kidney.

“Due to changes in the vitality of the kidney tissue, the entire kidney had to be surgically removed,” Radovanovic said.

Simanic and Omot had matched up against each other throughout Serbia’s 115-83 win over South Sudan. Picture: Liu Lu/VCG via Getty Images

“We expect and wish that after this operation, the post-operative course will go smoothly.”

Fans on social media slammed Omot, who plays professionally for the Taichung Suns in Taiwan, some directing racially-charged hatred.

But, once the 28-year-old noticed Simanic in distress, he immediately checked on the Serb and has since apologised and expressed sympathy.

“My apologies, I didn’t mean to make no type of dirty play and I hope you have a speedy recovery,” Omot said.

👏🏼| Nuni Omot se izvinio Boriši Simaniću zbog nesmotrenog udarca na meču 🙏🏼

📹: uncle.screw (instagram) pic.twitter.com/XJDxd9kSI2

— Flouter (@FlouterNET) August 31, 2023

“I’ll pray for you, you’ll be in my prayers. I’m not a dirty player, I’ve never been a dirty player.

“From the bottom of my heart I sincerely apologise to everyone that’s watching and to the player especially.”

South Sudan Basketball Federation, in a statement, called the incident “unintentional and unfortunate” and condemned the racist harassment directed at Omot.

Originally published as FIBA World Cup: Serbian player’s kidney removed after ‘unintentional and unfortunate’ incident