By Deborah Akur Chol, South Sudan
Luol Deng, the President of the South Sudan Basketball Federation (SSBF), has hailed the Bright Starlets’ remarkable achievement of winning a bronze medal at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket as a significant milestone for the nation.
In their very first appearance at this prestigious continental tournament, South Sudan’s women’s basketball team made headlines by clinching third place with a nail-biting 66-65 victory over Senegal.
This accomplishment marks a historic moment, making the Bright Starlets the first team ever to secure a medal in their debut at the Women’s AfroBasket.
For Deng, this achievement transcends basketball; it embodies the spirit and character of the South Sudanese people.
“Despite the challenges faced by the men’s team, our women showed tremendous commitment and determination. They played with pride and wore smiles, truly happy to represent our country, and we were here to support them,” Deng expressed during a press conference in Juba.
“We should all take pride in this achievement, as it reflects the very essence of who we are. All credit goes to them,” he added.
The Bright Starlets overcame a rocky start, suffering two losses in the Group Phase, but demonstrated remarkable resilience by defeating Egypt, Uganda, and ultimately the formidable Senegal teams they had never defeated before.
Their journey is a testament to the broader narrative of South Sudan, a young nation whose sports programs are just beginning to develop and are already making waves throughout Africa and beyond.
Deng, who has been instrumental in developing basketball infrastructure in South Sudan since his retirement from the NBA, highlighted the significance of this moment as a sign of progress.
“Anyone who watched the games can see the development of the women’s team. Just as the men’s team’s story is inspiring, the women’s journey is equally impressive, especially when we reflect on how far we’ve come in the last four years to bring home this first medal,” he stated.
Individually, the talents of South Sudanese players shone brightly as Delicia Washington was named Top Scorer and earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team, while Maria Teresa Gakdeng received recognition as the Best Rebounder.
As the women’s team prepares to embark on a new era of success, Deng is already focused on future challenges.
“We are eager to participate in the World Cup Qualifiers in March, and we’re currently awaiting further announcements,” he noted.
The 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament, held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, from July 26 to August 3, concluded with Nigeria taking home the championship and Mali finishing in second place.
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