"Declare leader": Wenyen Gabriel salutes South Sudan basketball president's befitting reply to Gilbert Arenas
Nobody gave South Sudan, led by Wenyen Gabriel, a chance against Team USA in an exhibition game a few days ago. Bookies made the East Africans +40 underdogs versus the star-studded Americans. Boston Celtics great Paul Pierce almost couldn’t hold back from laughing every time he mentioned the USA’s opponents.
Gilbert Arenas, another former NBA player, was even more sarcastic and disrespectful of the “Bright Stars.” He called them “some Africans” and players from the “Ahi Ahi tribe.” Arenas’ remarks quickly earned the ire of people, even from non-basketball fans.
Luol Deng, the South Sudan Basketball Federation president, has finally replied to the comments made by Pierce and Arenas. He appreciated that Pierce took back his words and apologized. Deng didn’t have the same sentiment toward Arenas whose comments he called “disrespectful and cruel.”
Gabriel responded to Deng’s statement following the disrespect from Gilbert Arenas:
“Declare Leader! 100 100 100”
![Wenyen Gabriel praises Luol Deng's response to Gilbert Arenas' snide comments about South Sudan. [photo: Gabriel IG]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/29afb-17218720678803-1920.jpg?w=500)
South Sudan’s appearance in the Olympics is historic and the players know Luol Deng played such a big role in their growth. The country gained independence 13 years ago and went to the FIBA World Cup for the first time in 2023. They topped the African zone, allowing them to earn a ticket to the 2024 Summer Games in Paris.
There are no indoor basketball courts in Gabriel’s country. Deng is working and sacrificing to change that. The least Gilbert Arenas and Paul Pierce could have done was to give them a little respect.
The South Sudanese were unfazed by Team USA and the massive odds facing them. For them, basketball was only a small part of what they represent. Wenyen Gabriel called it “surviving.” Against the Americans, they did more than that and Luol Deng couldn’t be prouder of what the “Bright Stars” have accomplished.
Wenyen Gabriel is South Sudan’s heart and soul
Wenyen Gabriel is the most popular player on South Sudan’s roster. Playing for the LA Lakers alongside NBA superstars and Team USA stalwarts LeBron James and Anthony Davis tends to give someone that attention. Gabriel’s status among the “Bright Stars” isn’t only because of his previous team-up with James and Davis.
Gabriel has become the team’s heart and soul, on and off the court. It was him who the media chased after following the USA-South Sudan game. Luol Deng was surely proud of the way the forward handled the attention.
Wenyen Gabriel had this to say to reporters after the close loss to the USA:
"A lot of people around the world didn't know what South Sudan was. Today we were able to represent our country with pride. We put up a good fight and showed the potential of our country, which was a proud moment for our people.”
Luol Deng built South Sudan basketball. Along the way, he also molded players the country is very proud of. Wenyen Gabriel showed against Team USA, that they are playing for more than just basketball.