The United States overcame a 16-point deficit to avoid one of the biggest upsets in basketball history with a thrilling 101-100 victory over South Sudan in London.
South Sudan had a 58-44 lead in the second quarter and maintained a 14-point lead going into halftime during an Olympics warm-up game at the O2 Arena.
The 12-man USA roster includes some of the NBA's greatest talents, while only four players on the South Sudan team have played in an NBA game.
In the first half, they outplayed the world's number one team by hitting 61% of their shots, while the USA only managed to make a single three-pointer.
Marial Shayok scored the highest in the game with 25 points for South Sudan, and JT Thor of the Charlotte Hornets hit a three-pointer to put his team ahead 100-99 toward the end of the game.
However, the USA's victory was largely due to LeBron James, who finished with 23 points and sealed the win with a game-winning shot after an impressive second-half performance.
South Sudan secured an Olympic berth due to its performance in the World Cup last year. The national federation is headed by former NBA player Luol Deng, and the team is coached by former NBA guard and current Houston assistant coach Royal Ivey.
James praised both individuals extensively after the game on Saturday.
“To have that representation, to have that type of leadership over there, teaching them the right way how to play the game, that’s good. That’s great, actually,” James said. “The game is worldwide. There’s not one place that you don’t see the game being played. I think that’s the beauty of it. The game of basketball brings together so many people.”
The USA and South Sudan will face each other in Group C of the 2024 Olympics on 31 July.
"The match was super important because we feel like we can’t be beaten and they showed us we can be beat," said USA guard Anthony Edwards.
