United States Prepares for Crucial Clash Against South Sudan
As the United States men's basketball team gears up for their second group-stage game of the Olympic qualifiers, a sense of anticipation fills the air. Scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, the match against South Sudan is not just another game—it's a battle for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Team USA enters the game with momentum, having secured a win in their opener against Serbia. Meanwhile, South Sudan also comes off a victory, having defeated Puerto Rico in their first group-stage match. The stakes on Wednesday are high, as the winner will secure their place in the next round.
For Team USA, the road to the quarterfinals involves navigating an Olympic format that features 12 teams divided into three groups of four. Each group engages in a round-robin schedule, accumulating points with each game—two points for a win and one for a loss. Head-to-head results serve as the primary tiebreaker for teams tied in the standings, but total score differentials come into play for determining the wild card spots between teams from different groups. The top two teams from each group, as well as the top two third-place teams, advance to the quarterfinals, which transition into a single-elimination knockout tournament.
A recent exhibition game against South Sudan serves as a cautionary tale for the Americans. In that game, an electrifying performance saw LeBron James make a last-second shot to clinch a narrow 101-100 victory. South Sudan's competitiveness was underscored by standout performances from their star players, including Carlik Jones, who posted a triple-double against the Americans. "They came within one shot of beating us," said U.S. head coach Steve Kerr.
South Sudan's roster features a blend of emerging talents and seasoned players, such as Wenyen Gabriel, JT Thor, Marial Shayok, and Carlik Jones. Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 freshman at Duke and projected lottery pick in the 2025 NBA draft, adds further firepower to the team. Carlik Jones's versatility was on full display in South Sudan's win over Puerto Rico, where he scored 19 points along with six assists and seven rebounds. Marial Shayok also put up an impressive performance in the exhibition game against the United States, tallying 24 points and sinking six three-pointers.
Reflecting on the challenge posed by South Sudan, U.S. point guard Stephen Curry remarked, "We have appropriate fear. We know we can't just sleepwalk through any game and feel like you're going to win." Curry underscored the importance of preparation, noting, "They're a very high-octane offense, spread the floor, shoot a lot of 3s and have athleticism. So you just got to be mindful of how to guard them. It's totally different than Serbia."
Despite the narrow escape in the exhibition match, there are positives for Team USA. "I'm really glad that we played them so we can feel their speed and their 3-point shooting ability and feel how good they are," said Kerr. The exhibition game also highlighted key performances from U.S. players. Kevin Durant, who scored 23 points against Serbia, and Stephen Curry, despite a shooting slump, remain critical to the team's offensive strategy.
Curry's performance in recent games has been a point of scrutiny. He has shot 12 for 31, including 7 for 23 from beyond the arc, in the last three games. Against Serbia, he managed six points from a pair of three-pointers. Nevertheless, Curry's experience and ability to change the game's momentum cannot be underestimated.
Kerr's decision not to play Jayson Tatum in the opener against Serbia was a topic of conversation. "I felt like an idiot for not playing Tatum a single second in the opener," Kerr admitted. As the team prepares for South Sudan, adjustments and strategic decisions will be crucial.
Wednesday's game against South Sudan promises to be a high-stakes spectacle. Both teams have demonstrated their capabilities and resilience. For the United States, the objective is clear: secure a win and advance to the quarterfinals. For fans and players alike, the tension and excitement of Olympic basketball continue to build, with each game offering a tantalizing glimpse of what lies ahead in this prestigious tournament.