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Chicago Bulls guard Carlik Jones inspired the young nation of South Sudan to a win over Angola, to seal their Paris 2024 Olympics berth. South Sudan defeated Angola 101-78 to become the youngest nation to qualify for their first Olympic tournament. The country qualified as the best placed team from Africa in the F IBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
Chicago Bulls guard Carlik Jones completed his third double-double of the tournament - 26 points and 15 assists - to lead the World Cup debutants to the historic win over Angola at Manila's Araneta Coliseum. Lakers forwards Wenyen Gabriel and Nuni Amot supported well with 15 and 17 points, respectively.
“It's been amazing, it's all a new experience for everybody," said former Philadelphia 76ers Marial Shayok, who had 18 points in the win. "It's a new country, it's a new team and we're all just trying to take it all in as a group and just kind of grow together," he further added.
The win, coupled with Egypt’s 88-86 loss against New Zealand, ensured that South Sudan qualified for their first Olympics. Egypt needed to beat New Zealand by 23 points or more, but the Tall Blacks took control and beat Egypt by two points. Ranked 62nd in the world, South Sudan finished third in Group B with four points in three games, losing to Puerto Rico and Serbia.
