On Saturday Team USA played an exhibition game against South Sudan in preparation for the 2024 Olympics. Despite Team USA having 12 current NBA players and 11 NBA All-Stars compared to South Sudan’s one current NBA player (JT Thor) it still trailed at halftime 58-44. However, Team USA mounted a comeback to win the game 101-100 behind LeBron James’ clutch layup
Team USA got criticized for the one-point win as the Americans were a 40-point favorite entering the game. Yet, no criticism was worse and more outlandish than former Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas made via his YouTube channel “No Chill Gil.”
Arenas made disparaging and uncalled-for claims about the South Sudan national team. His comments have deservingly drawn backlash.
“We almost lost to the (gibberish) tribe! Man Embiid over there g***** throwing the game for his cousins,” Arenas ranted.
Arenas used a racist term to insult the South Sudanese culture. He also insinuated Philadelphia 76ers Star Joel Embiid had a bad performance for his “cousins”. However, Joel Embiid is not from South Sudan. He was born and raised in Cameroon before coming to the United States to develop a basketball career.
Arenas followed his ignorant claim by saying, “Come on man, Cool Runnings? We don’t supposed to lose to the Cool Runnings team!”
“Cool Runnings” is a Disney comedy movie that loosely depicts the 1988 Jamaican National Bobsleigh team that competed in the Winter Olympics. Arenas referred to insult South Sudan further, despite the Cool Runnings film having no relation with South Sudan.
Arenas also made other false claims trying to poke fun at South Sudan’s lack of resources.
“They don’t even have shoes, they get their shoes from America, we gotta ship them shoes,” Arenas continued. “They had to use the shoes that we have extra, leftover shoes, they used the leftover shoes that Team USA didn’t want… They don’t even have basketball rims, dog… They shooting on [expletive] peach baskets in the dirt. No shoes!”
Aside from South Sudan having shoes — Adidas is the uniform provider of the basketball team — South Sudan basketball players do not just shoot on peach baskets. The country has made significant progress with functional basketball courts, and indoor facilities in large thanks to Luol Deng, who played a prominent role in promoting building basketball facilities, courts, and an overall culture.
Arenas placed an apology on the No Chill Gil community board. However, he didn’t back away from his comments. Instead, he seemingly tried to justify his actions by saying he was making jokes.
“Are you offended, or just pretending to be offended for clickbait? If you are offended, what part offended you personally? @DREAMERSPRO
I made some jokes about the South Sudan basketball team, and some folks are saying it was racist. I just wanna set the record straight – that ain’t me, I was just clownin’, trying to bring some humor, nothing more, nothing less.
I got mad respect for the South Sudan squad and what they bring to the court. If anybody felt some type of way about what I said, my bad. It was never meant to be taken like that. We keep it real and inclusive around here. Thanks to all y’all for rocking with me and keeping it 100.”
The South Sudan basketball team will compete in its first Olympics in Paris. The team features two players with NBA experience, Carlik Jones and Wenyen Gabriel. They’ll play in Group C with the United States and open their Olympic competition on July 28 against Puerto Rico.
The remarks by Gilbert Arenas have been met with significant backlash from basketball fans and the South Sudanese community. Many have argued that Arena’s comments undermine a lot of the efforts of South Sudan’s players and those working to develop basketball in the country.
Deng serves as the South Sudan Basketball Federation president. On Wednesday, he shared his thoughts about Arenas’ comments:
“As for Gilbert’s comments, they were certainly more disrespectful and cruel,” Deng shared. “Personally, I don’t care much. I would never trade places with anyone; being African is special. However, for young African and African American kids who admire and listen to Gilbert, these comments can make you think less of yourself and make the rest of the world think less of Africans. Those who are easily misled may make comments that reflect self-hate more than pride. There is nothing about our history that we should run away from.”
The controversy highlights the challenges faced by less established basketball nations and the importance of fostering a positive environment to support their growth as a country and a basketball culture.
