War, famine and floods have beleaguered the world’s youngest nation. The arrival of its men’s basketball team at the Paris Olympics is set to offer a modicum of hope.
The Bright Stars are currently representing Africa in the Olympic men’s basketball tournament.Credit...Guillem Sartorio for The New York Times
Abdi Latif Dahir interviewed members of South Sudan’s basketball team in Kigali, Rwanda, where they gathered to train ahead of the Olympics.
When South Sudan’s young basketball team took to the court for an exhibition game against America’s basketball royalty, there were few expectations that they could hold on against the likes of LeBron James and Stephen Curry.