South Sudan Make History As They Qualify for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup

• South Sudan made history by qualifying for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup on their first attempt
• They beat Senegal 83-75 to seal their qualification in Alexandria, Egypt
• South Sudan joins Cote d'Ivoire as the only African team to qualify for the showpiece in Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines

South Sudan's men's basketball team have qualified for the first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup.

They've made history by becoming the first African nation to qualify for the showpiece at their first attempt. They beat west African giants Senegal 83-75 to seal their place in the tournament.

South Sudan's rise in the last few years has been remarkable. Led by two-time NBA All-Star Luol Deng, the Bright Stars have defied expectations and marched on to one of the biggest basketball competitions in the world.

The East African country only became a nation in 2011, getting independence from Sudan after decades of unrest. Therefore, qualifying for the World Cup is truly an astonishing achievement, per BBC.

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They do have a rich basketball history. Several players of South Sudanese descent have made a name for themselves in the NBA. Manute Bol, one of the tallest players in NBA history, paved the way for many players like Deng, Thon Maker, Wenyen Gabriel, and Bol Bol, per FIBA.

South Sudan qualify for FIBA World Cup

Nuni Amot was brilliant against Senegal, finishing with 26 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field, eight rebounds, and four assists.

The east Africans led by 14 early in the first half, but Senegal roared back to retake the lead in the third period. They went on to lead by as many as 11 points, but two straight three-pointers from Bul Kuol that gave South Sudan a solid 77-67 lead with 2:35 minutes left.

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Koch Bar was productive off the bench, scoring 11 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and dishing out two assists for South Sudan.

For the west Africans, Brancou Badio tried to drag his team to victory, but it wasn't to be. He finished with a game-high 29 points and six assists, per FIBA.

They're the second African team after Cote d'Ivoire to qualify for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup co-hosted by Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines.

BAL, NBA talks for game in Africa

Sports Brief earlier reported on NBA and BAL holding talks to hold the first-ever preseason NBA game in the continent of Africa.

The NBA partnered with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on the BAL, which is set to begin its third season on March 11. The league also has regional offices in Cairo, Johannesburg, Lagos (Nigeria) and Dakar (Senegal).

The discussions are centered on having two NBA teams face off in Africa. The league has previously held three exhibition games in Africa in 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Location and time are yet to be discussed but reports indicate they can come as soon as 2024 and would be played in BAL venues.