After going 1-2 in the Paris Olympics, many teams wouldn’t feel like they walked away as winners. However, in France, that’s exactly what South Sudan was. The only African team playing in the men’s basketball tournament, there was already a deeper meaning to their games. Yet, representing a nation that gained independence in 2011 after a long civil war, South Sudan’s players were even more determined.
Not only did South Sudan catch the eye of fans, they earned the respect of coaches.
South Sudan’s Olympic Run Should Lead To Royal Ivey Promotion
“They are an unusual team,” Serbia head coach Svetislav Pesic says, per Eurohoops’ Aris Barkas.
“They play basketball of the future. There is no dilemma. In about 10 years, basketball will be played like this. It won’t be like ice hockey, but it will be fast. They have mental strength. It is important in addition to tactical segments. It is difficult to overcome them. They had two fantastic games against the USA. That’s how they raised their confidence. They don’t look at who the opponent is, only themselves. We managed to contain them to our rhythm and play the way we wanted”.
In the Olympics, South Sudan ranked third in points per game (87), third in 3-point conversions per game (11.7), and fifth in 3-point percentage (38), per FIBA. For a team that has what many consider an extreme talent deficiency relative to their opponents, this is a testament to the natural talent in that area and the coaching of those players.
Of course, South Sudan head coach Royal Ivey —an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets —only influences one of those. Furthermore, as with any coaching staff, his assistants have put in a lot of work for little to no credit. Nonetheless, there’s no doubt that his fingerprints were all over how the team played.
Their style was modern, relying on a five-out offense that emphasized shooting and ball-movement. Defensively, they were able to switch with ease due to their physical tools. However, they weren’t just able to fly around and make plays because of their athleticism. Their collective attention to detail could only be the byproduct of exceptional coaching.
The same can be said of the energy that South Sudan played with. They played with fire. Yet, they also had a genuine belief in their ability to defeat teams when they were outmatched. Hearing Ivey roaring at his team in the huddle, it’s not hard to see where that came from.
They were arguably always playing for more than any other team. Still, Ivey was a masterful motivator on the sidelines.
Royal Ivey’s Options
Ivey checks off several boxes.
He’s a sound strategist. He knows how to get the best out of his players. His teams have exceeded expectations. Like Brooklyn Nets and Canada Basketball head coach Jordi Fernandez, he’s gotten experience on arguably the biggest international stage in basketball. Like Fernandez, the exposure should catapult him into head coaching conversations from here on out.
With that being said, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups could be on the outs next summer. His contract is set to expire in 2025 and, with him not wanting to be part of a rebuild, he may not return. Furthermore, due to the Blazers’ play and lack of development since he took over as head coach, Portland doesn’t have much reason to bring him back anyways.
Meanwhile, Ivey’s shown an extreme willingness to build a team from the ground up and develop players. The dedication needed to transform a franchise’s fortunes is a skill in and itself and he has that. So, if the Blazers do start looking for a new head coach next offseason, Ivey may very well be the best man for the job.
