Bright Stars bound for Paris after Cup triumph

Adelaide 36ers guard Sunday Dech and his South Sudan teammates created history during their debut at the FIBA World Cup, qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Bright Stars booked their Olympic berths after beating Angola, 101-78, and after Egypt lost to New Zealand, 88-86, in their own Classification Round game.

South Sudan was unlucky not to go through to the second group stage after an opening 101-96 overtime loss to Puerto Rico, won three of their six matches in their World Cup debut.

Dech said before the World Cup the opportunity to represent his home country was the best decision of his life.

The 195cm guard had a choice of countries after already representing the Boomers previously, but before the FIBA World Cup qualification process, his homeland reached out.

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“It happened at the same time as all the Australia stuff happened, all the qualifying windows opened at the same time,” Dech said.

“I made the shortlist for the Boomers and at the same time South Sudan reached out.

“After talking with my family and my partner Charlotte I feel like it was the right decision to go back to Africa after 21 years and represent my people.

“I think it’s definitely the best decision I have made.”

South Sudan became the third confirmed team alongside Paris 2024 hosts France and Australia. There are five more automatic berths still up for grabs at the World Cup.