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Former Chicago Bulls small forward Luol Deng is said to be personally bankrolling South Sudan’s trip to the 2024 Paris Olympics. In fact, those rumors state that he’s been funding the country’s basketball program out of his own pocket for the better part of the last four years.
It’s paid huge dividends to this point as the nation makes history at the Olympic Games.
South Sudan nearly shocked the world in the days leading up to the Olympics, falling one basket shy of knocking off Team USA in an exhibition game.
They’ve buoyed that momentum into a 1-0 start in Paris.
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The South Sudanese squad upset Puerto Rico in its opener, setting up another matchup with Team USA. The 90-79 win was the country’s first ever on the basketball court!
Luol Deng has played an integral role in the nation’s success.
Deng retired from the NBA in 2019 after 16 pro seasons. He’s since focused all of his energy towards supporting his native country’s basketball program.
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That includes funding the program from his own checkbook in the form of providing practice facilities, hotel stays, and plane tickets.
“Kudos to Luol,” said head coach Royal Ivey. “We wouldn’t have been able to put this team together without him… We don’t have the pleasure of having a gymnasium, dorms, and other facilities. Luol Deng has been funding this thing for four years out of his own pocket.”
We’ve seen stories similar to Deng’s at this year’s Olympics, one of which involves the Team USA water polo squad. Rapper Flavor Flav took it upon himself to personally fund the team’s trip to Paris, in return becoming the group’s official superfan.
Flav has only just taken on his role this month, though. Deng is going on a half-decade!
With his guidance, South Sudan has become one of the feel-good stories of the Olympics. They’ll face off against Team USA on Wednesday in Paris.