On the second day of the 2024 Paris Olympics, after a marvelous open ceremony, the Group C of Men’s Basketball will come with the battle between Team South Sudan and Team Puerto Rico. South Sudan just made history by clinching a berth in the Olympics after trouncing Angola in the World Cup last year. It’s also worth noticing that the country is only 13 years old after becoming independent in 2011. Besides Wenyen Gabriel’s quote stating that there’s no indoor basketball court in South Sudan, the story of how former NBA legend Luol Deng helped South Sudan to succeed is getting the spotlight, making the team more intriguing to watch.
The last time we saw Puerto Rico in the Olympics was amazing. Carlos Arroyo led the country to stun Team USA in the group phase in Athens, in 2004. The country returned to the world-class stage after beating Lithuania 79-68 in the Olympic-qualifying tournament earlier this month. Led by the New Orlean Pelicans’ Jose Alvarado, the team is expected to replicate the predecessors’ dynamics and spirit entering the Olympic games.
South Sudan vs. Puerto Rico Game Details
Fixture: South Sudan vs. Puerto Rico
Date and Time: July 28th @ 5:00 am ET
Group: C
Streaming: Peacock
TV: CNBC
South Sudan vs. Puerto Rico Team Review
Team South Sudan
South Sudan performed decently in friendlies before going to Paris, including two wins (Portugal and Great Britain) and a tough fight against Team USA. Despite losing to the dream team 100-101, they showcased their strength and resilience which shouldn’t be underestimated. Being the captain of South Sudan, Marial Shayok, serving for China’s CBA team Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin, is going to be more reliable in the team’s scoring. He dropped the highest, 25 points, against America in the pre-Olympic exhibition.
Moreover, we can see some familiar faces in the roster. Calik Jones is leading the backcourt, who won the G-League MVP in the 2022-23 season with Windy City Bulls, the Chicago Bulls’ affiliated team. He recorded a triple-double stat (15 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists) against Team USA, providing valid playmaking and facilitating the team’s offensive end. Last but not least, some Lakers fans might still remember Wenyen Gabriel, who can offer his NBA physicality and experience. The team will be guaranteed by his diligence, footwork, and sense of rebounding inside the paint.
Team Puerto Rico
Despite not being a star-studded team, Puerto Rico can provide probably the best playmaking with Jose Alvarado and Tremont Water drilling plays and open fires on the backfield. The duo operates themselves on the court similarly, having solid dribble skills with speed, agility and wider sight. Also, they both can step up scoring when the team needs it. Known for his defensive prowess in stealing the ball, Alvarado can keep his team more balanced through the way.
Puerto Rico surrendered in all four friendlies before entering the gate of the Olympics, being urgent to gain its strength back. But considering all of those opponents are top-tier teams (Greece, Australia, Canada, and Spain), Puerto Rico would conclude key lessons from these fights and prepare well once it meets one of those teams again in Paris.
Possible Breakout Players of the Game
Team South Sudan
Though JT Thor played mildly in the NBA last season, scoring 3.2 points and 2.3 rebounds on average, the Charlotte Hornets player is expected to shine in Puerto Rico’s tip-off game after shining in the friendlies. Against Team USA, he scored 14 points and played an establishing role of narrowly edging the American, including his three-point shot from the corner in the last minute.
Team Puerto Rico
Concerning a relatively infield, Puerto Rico might have to rely more on their forward Ismael Romero beneath the rim. Romero currently plays Puerto Rico’s BSN league, winning the scoring leader last year. In the pre-Olympics friendlies, Romero had the most stable productions of the roster, including posting a double-digit (11 points and 10 rebounds) against Team Spain.
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