Dech makes South Sudan 12-man World Cup roster

Adelaide 36ers guard Sunday Dech headlines the South Sudan final 12-man roster for this month’s FIBA World Cup.

The Bright Stars finalised their roster after an intensive training camp in Melbourne this week and Dech said he is excited what his team can achieve.

“We have got a very strong team, we are going to take it one game at a time, but we have some real talent,” Dech said.

“It’s the inaugural World Cup for us, I’m really looking forward to it and I get to play alongside some of my friends as well.”

Before South Sudan make their World Cup debut against Puerto Rico on August 26 in Manila, the Bright Stars squad will face Brazil, Venezuela and the Australian Boomers in Melbourne next week.

The Bright Stars roster is full of NBL talent, including former Adelaide 36ers Majok Deng, and will also include new Tasmania signing Junior Madut and and New Zealand Breaker Mangok Mathiang.

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Bright Stars looking at a historical #FIBAWC experience ? #WinForSouthSudan ?? pic.twitter.com/3FQ1QUVY7Q

— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ? (@FIBAWC) August 10, 2023

Dech’s NBL23 teammate Deng Acuoth has also been named alongside former Cairns and Sydney forward Kuany Kuany and former NBL champion Mathiang Muo.

NBA players Wenyen Gabriel and Carlik Jones have also been named in the 12-man roster.

Former NBL Rookie of the Year Bul Kuol and former NBL MVP candidate Jo Lual-Acuil Jr will miss the tournament due to injuries picked up prior to training camp, as will Sydney development player Jackson Makoi.

South Sudan will play Brazil at Rod Laver Arena on August 14, before facing Venezuela on August 16 and the Boomers on August 17.

The Bright Stars will play Puerto Rico, Serbia and China in the group stage at the FIBA World Cup.