Where is South Sudan? African nation in spotlight after Team USA basketball scare in Olympics exhibition game

Sarah Effress

Where is South Sudan? African nation in spotlight after Team USA basketball scare in Olympics exhibition game image

The South Sudan men's basketball team debuted on the international stage in 2023 and has already challenged Team USA ahead of the Paris Olympics.

In the first half of Saturday's exhibition game Saturday, South Sudan outscored the United States by 14 points and shot a whopping 61.1% from the field. And the up-and-coming program hung close in the second half, with a LeBron James layup in the final seconds providing the difference for Team USA in the 101-100 win.

South Sudan's rise on the world stage is especially impressive considering the country only gained independence from Sudan in 2011. The team qualified for the 2024 Olympics after finishing 3-2 in the 2023 World Cup, good for 17th place and an automatic bid to the Games from Africa.

With just a few players on the roster harboring NBA experience, South Sudan shouldn't have been a problem for talent-laden Team USA. But the up-and-coming program made sure everyone watching the exhibition knew its very real credentials.

Here's everything you need to know about the African nation, including its location, population and language.

MORE: USA vs. South Sudan results

Where is South Sudan?

South Sudan is a landlocked country in northeastern Africa. It is bordered on the north by Sudan; on the east by Ethiopia; on the south by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Kenya; and on the west by Central African Republic. 

Its area covers 248,775 square miles, a bit smaller than state of Texas (268,596 square miles).

South Sudan population

As of 2020, the population of South Sudan is estimated to be around 13.3 million according to the country's National Bureau of Statistics. Its capital, Juba, is its largest city at around 500,000 people. 

MORE: Meet the 17-year-old Duke commit who is playing for South Sudan at 2024 Paris Olympics

South Sudan language

The official language of South Sudan is English, but both English and Juba Arabic — an Arabic pidgin used primarily in the capital city — act as lingua francas. There are also over 60 indigenous languages spoken, including Dinka, Nuer, Shilluk, Bari and Zande.

South Sudan Olympic basketball roster

NO.POSNAMEHTTEAMLEAGUE
0SGJunior Madut6-6Tasmania JackJumpersNBL (Australia)
1SFNuni Omot6-9Taichung SunsT1 League (China)
2SGCarlik Jones6-0KK PartizanEuroLeague
6CKhaman Maluach7-1AS DouanesBAL (Africa)
8SFKuany Kuany6-7Keilor ThunderVIC (Australia)
11PGMarial Shayok6-6Maine CelticsNBA G League
12CDeng Acuoth6-10Knox RaidersNBL (Australia)
13PRMajok Deng6-9Tasmania JackJumpersNBL (Australia)
14SGPeter Jok6-6Cholet BasketsPro A (France)
21CKoch Bar6-11Horsens ICBasketligaen (Denmark)
32PFWenyen Gabriel6-9Maccabi Tel AvivEuroLeague
44CSunday Dech6-5Adelaide 36ersNBL (Australia)

Sarah Effress

Sarah Effress Photo

Sarah Effress is an editorial intern for The Sporting News. She is a recent graduate of Northwestern University, and loves to talk soccer and women's college sports.