Dech reflects on Paris Olympic journey

Adelaide 36ers star defender Sunday Dech said the thrill of representing South Sudan at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games was “an experience of a lifetime”.

The 195cm swingman was part of the 12-man Bright Stars roster which represented South Sudan for the first time at Olympic Games level.

Dech said although playing a limited role throughout the tournament, the thrill and joy of representing his homeland was something truly special.

“It was an experience of a lifetime, I’m still trying to break it down, it moved so quickly, you’re in there playing the games, then you’re out,” Dech said.

“Basketball hasn’t stopped, so I haven’t really had a chance to digest it, but it’s something special, represent South Sudan for the first time on the world stage.

“The togetherness of the group, to experience that with those group of guys for the first time was something really special.

“Plus, playing against guys you grew up watching on TV, Steph (Curry), LeBron (James) and KD (Kevin Durant), that was pretty cool.”

Dech said South Sudan’s first game at Olympic level will always be remembered, as the Bright Stars defeated Puerto Rico.

“That win against Puerto Rico was the best highlight, we lost to them in OT at the World Cup, so to have a chance for redemption was great,” Dech said.

“We showed great improvement, we lost to Serbia in the World Cup by 30, then took them right to the line in Paris.”

The 156-game NBL veteran came up against some of the best basketballers in the world, including Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry and reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.

“When you step out on the floor it’s just basketball, you have to go out there, stop your man and run your scout,” Dech said.

Dech said he had a moment on the court with Curry, while Devin Booker knew who Dech was from the 36ers’ historic win against the Phoenix Suns in 2022.

“He said to me ‘way to read the scout’ on one play, and Booker remembered us from when we played against the Suns,” Dech said.

“The notoriety South Sudan got during those Games, especially the warm-up game against USA.”

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That warm-up game was when Team USA came back from a double-figure deficit to defeat the Bright Stars 101-100 at London’s O2 Arena, and social media erupted.

“We are the newest country in the world at only 13 years old, so to be trending on Twitter was amazing,” Dech said.

Dech said despite all the success the Bright Stars have had, South Sudan is still without an indoor basketball court in their country.

“We are the No.1 team in Africa and we can’t host games, we have to go to other countries,” Dech said.

“There in the process of building a stadium now, when we went back after the Olympics the government had allocated some land to build a complex.

“Hopefully we can go back there in the off-season and train there and host games there and give young kids opportunities to play basketball.”

Dech returned to Adelaide two weeks ago after his Olympic journey and is preparing for the NBL25 season and is thrilled at the prospect of a new campaign.

“Seeing the organizational shift, for us on the basketball court we are excited to get stuck in,” Dech said.

“This is the business we are in, you can’t dwell on it too long, otherwise you get left behind.

“For us as on the training court it’s stayed pretty consistent. You have got to get in, train and do your job at the end of the day.

“This has enabled us to get a bit closer as a playing group, going through adversity brings a group closer.”

Dech said head coach Mike Wells has been great for the roster, and is impressed with how the team has responded.

“We have a new coach, a new system in charge and we are excited to see how we go,” Dech said.

“Mike has done a phenomenal job in just a short time, he’s a great teacher, a great communicator.

“We have a great group of guys, and in the end, we are playing for the Sixers jersey.”