The United States men's basketball team aims to build on their momentum as they gear up to face South Sudan in the second group-stage game set for 3 p.m. ET this Wednesday. Having clinched a victory against Serbia in their opener, Team USA is looking to continue their winning ways to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
Formidable Foes
South Sudan presents a unique challenge for the Americans. In their own group-stage opener, South Sudan defeated Puerto Rico, showcasing their competitive edge. The critical nature of Wednesday's game cannot be overstated; the winner will advance directly to the quarterfinals, putting immense pressure on both squads.
The format of the Olympic basketball tournament involves 12 teams divided into three groups of four, each participating in a round-robin schedule. Teams accumulate two points per win and one per loss during the group stage, with top performers and top third-place teams progressing to the quarterfinals. This stage then transitions to a single-elimination knockout tournament, heightening the stakes for every game played.
Recent Encounters
Team USA and South Sudan are no strangers to each other. They recently faced off in an exhibition game wherein LeBron James made a last-second shot, securing a narrow 101-100 victory for the Americans. Reflecting on that encounter, Team USA’s head coach Steve Kerr noted, "They came within one shot of beating us."
Prominent players on South Sudan’s roster include Wenyen Gabriel, JT Thor, Marial Shayok, and Carlik Jones. Among them, Khaman Maluach stands out as a 7-foot-2 freshman at Duke and a projected lottery pick for the 2025 NBA draft. The exhibition game saw Carlik Jones posting a triple-double, while Marial Shayok’s tally included 24 points with six three-pointers.
Strategies and Preparedness
Despite their recent success, Team USA is fully aware of the challenges ahead. Star player Stephen Curry emphasized the importance of staying vigilant: "We have appropriate fear. We know we can't just sleepwalk through any game and feel like you're going to win." South Sudan’s high-octane offense, proficient three-point shooting, and athleticism have not gone unnoticed. "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," Curry added.
One point of reflection for Kerr was his decision not to play Jayson Tatum in the opener against Serbia. "I felt like an idiot for not playing Tatum a single second in the opener," he admitted. Given Tatum’s versatile scoring ability, his presence could add another dimension to Team USA’s lineup in the critical game against South Sudan.
Key Performances
In the game against Serbia, notable performances included Kevin Durant’s 23 points and Stephen Curry’s pair of three-pointers. While Curry’s shooting has been inconsistent—12 for 31 overall and 7 for 23 from beyond the arc in the last three games—his leadership and strategic mindset remain pivotal for Team USA.
For South Sudan, Carlik Jones’s contributions have been invaluable. He not only aided in securing their win over Puerto Rico with 19 points, six assists, and seven rebounds, but also led his team in pivotal plays during the exhibition against the United States. Wenyen Gabriel’s three three-pointers further underscore South Sudan’s depth and shooting capabilities.
Looking Ahead
As the United States prepares to face South Sudan, the recent exhibition game has provided valuable insights for Kerr and his coaching staff. "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," Kerr stated. The stakes are high, and both teams are well aware of the significance of this match. The clash promises to be an exciting display of talent, strategy, and determination, with a coveted spot in the quarterfinals on the line.