Phoenix Suns stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are officially on Team USA’s roster ahead of the Paris Olympics, readying themselves for a battle against the world’s top hoopers. However, they’re not the only players that’ll be representing the Suns, as fifth-year forward-center Bol Bol should also head to France for the Olympic Games.
The unicorn will be playing for South Sudan’s men’s national basketball team, the Bright Stars.
Bol Bol on Olympic Roster for First Time
This is Bol’s first time playing for South Sudan but not his first national team experience. In 2017, Bol was cut from Team USA Basketball’s U-19 team for the 2017 FIBA World Cup. He was never given a reason. However, months later, he played for the U.S. Junior National Select Team at the Nike Hoop Summit.
The son of Manute Bol, a Hall of Fame center and South Sudanese legend, he now has a chance to play for a national team that’ll value his presence on multiple levels.
Congratulations to the 50-players who have been selected to the longlist for @Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/OTed3oXWtH
— South Sudan Basketball (@SSBFed) April 30, 2024
Duke commit Khaman Maluach, Charlotte Hornets forward JT Thor, and NBA alumni Thon Maker, Carlik Jones, and Deng Adel will also play for the Bright Stars. 2023 Basketball Africa League MVP Nuni Omot will be counted upon as one of the team’s leaders.
Houston Rockets assistant Royal Ivey is expected to return as South Sudan’s head coach after going 3-2 in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Ivey’s coaching and the performance of players like Jones and Omot were instrumental in South Sudan earning their first ever Olympic berth. However, South Sudan Basketball Federation president Luol Deng may coach the Bright Stars on an interim basis if needed. The former NBA star held a dual president-coach role for South Sudan during the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers.
Bol Bol’s Potential Impact
Bol has averaged 6.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game over the course of his career.
Considered to be one of the more unique big men in the NBA, he’s often compared to 2023 No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama due to his blend of physical tools and guard skills. However, Wembanyama is tasked with leading a premier franchise back to championship contention. Bol has had trouble getting consistent minutes with two championship-contenders.
For all of his skill, his understanding of how to play a team-oriented style was lacking. However, last season, the 24-year-old made tremendous strides in that area. While still playing limited minutes, he was often a two-way playmaker for the Suns.
Indeed, he averaged 17.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per 36 minutes, shooting 42.3 percent from 3. He also averaged a career-high .168 win shares per 48 minutes, a great indicator him playing sound basketball.
The Bright Stars have plenty of length but Bol has the best combination of size and talent.
Bigger Than Basketball
Despite a rich regional history that’s seen them be home to small kingdoms, South Sudan is the world’s newest nation. In fact, they only gained independence from Sudan in 2011. As a result of their youth, lack of infrastructure, and pre-existing ethnic tensions, they’re facing a dire humanitarian crisis. However, Deng is using basketball to uplift the country he was forced to flee as a young child.
“I’m famous because I made it in the NBA and people recognize me,” Deng says, “but there are a lot of great people, great refugees who need to reach their capacity. And that’s the goal is to keep doing that. That’s our culture and we have to continue doing that” (per Olympics.com’s Andrew Binner).
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