It’s likely that a movie about the South Sudan basketball team will be made at some point. On Saturday night, the players who represented the war-torn young nation created a powerful and unforgettable moment for the cheering crowd at O2 Arena.
With just eight seconds remaining, LeBron James scored a driving layup to stave off what could have been a historic upset, allowing Team USA to narrowly secure a 101-100 victory.
Former Charlotte Hornets player JT Thor had hit a 3-pointer with 20 seconds left, and South Sudan had three chances in the closing moments to pull off a miraculous win, but they failed to capitalize.
The team, known as the Bright Stars, is set to be the first from South Sudan to compete in the Olympics when they head to Paris next week. They gave Team USA a thrilling and formidable challenge.
“I didn’t do a good job preparing our team; I think we didn’t fully account for what they’re capable of, and that’s on me,” admitted Team USA coach Steve Kerr.
