List of South Sudan players with NBA experience feat. Wenyen Gabriel
South Sudan’s campaign in the 2024 Paris Olympics is anchored on Wenyen Gabriel and three other key players for coach Royal Ivey. Although the Bright Stars are making history with their debut at the event, they hope to make more than just an inspiring appearance. The East Africans could pull off some surprises despite the odds stacked against them.
No one thought the only African nation in men’s basketball to qualify for the Olympics had a chance against Team USA in an exhibition. The Americans had NBA superstars LeBron James and Steph Curry on the roster. From top to bottom, they have unquestionably the deepest and most talented lineup.
South Sudan was unfazed by who lined up across them. According to Luol Deng, the country’s basketball federation president, the team played for “more than basketball.” They lost 101-100 to the highly-touted Americans but no one will be overlooking them after that showing.
South Sudan’s players with NBA experience who will have big roles in the Olympics
#4 Khaman Maluach
Khaman Maluach isn’t in the NBA but could be the next big thing to come out of South Sudan. He made his mark as part of the NBA Academy Africa. Last year, he was selected to play in” Basketball Without Borders” in Johannesburg and surprised everyone with performances that earned him the tournament MVP award.
Maluach debuted internationally in the 2023 FIBA World Cup at only 16 years old. He will be playing collegiate basketball with the Duke Blue Devils. The 7-foot-2 youngster provides frontline depth for the East Africans.
#3 JT Thor
Jokhow Panom “JT” Thor played high school and college basketball in the USA. The 6-foot-10 forward left Auburn after one season to go to the NBA. He was taken No. 37 by the Detroit Pistons in the 2021 draft but was traded to the Charlotte Hornets where he played for three seasons.
Thor played limited minutes with the Hornets during his entire stint with the team. He averaged 3.2 points and 2.1 in 165 NBA games. Thor will be in the Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets’ G League affiliate team next season.
Against Team USA, he filled the stat sheet, finishing with 14 points, two rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. South Sudan coach Royal Ivey will rely on him to give the Bright Stars a boost off the bench.
#2 Carlik Jones
Carlik Jones’ mother is from South Sudan which allowed him to join the East African team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Like Thor, Jones grew up in the USA where he played high school and collegiate hoops. He had stints at Radford and Louisville before joining the 2021 NBA Draft.
Jones went undrafted so he played for the Texas Legends, the Dallas Mavericks’ affiliate team in the G League. The 6-foot-1 point guard eventually suited up for the Mavericks before going to the Denver Nuggets. He last played in the NBA during the 2022-23 season with the Chicago Bulls.
Like the rest of his South Sudan teammates, Carlik Jones seized the opportunity to show what he could do against the Americans. The pint-sized point guard surprised everyone with the game of his life. He finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
Jones was the best guard in a game that had Steph Curry, Jrue Holiday, Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards.
#1 Wenyen Gabriel
Wenyen Gabriel is easily the most recognizable name on South Sudan’s roster. He played two seasons with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, an opportunity that made him a household name in Africa.
Gabriel is an NBA journeyman who played for six other teams. After two seasons with the Lakers, he suited up for the Memphis Grizzlies but saw action just five times last season. The Bright Stars cornerstone now plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Wenyen Gabriel is South Sudan’s heart and soul. Gabriel’s comments about his country and the Bright Stars after the loss to Team USA are still reverberating. He is the East Africans’ leader on and off the court.