Nuni Omot Takes Olympic Lessons Into The 2025 AfroBasket

Forbes

a day ago

South Sudan's #05 Nuni Omot and teammates celebrate winning at the end of the men's preliminary ... More round group C basketball match between South Sudan and Puerto Rico during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France, on July 28, 2024. (Photo by Sameer Al-Doumy / AFP) (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)
In an era where sports continue to transcend boundaries, South Sudan's debut at the Paris Olympics stands out as a powerful testament to resilience, hope, and national pride. On the hardwood of Paris, the world's youngest country did more than just compete, it announced its arrival. Among the trailblazers was Nuni Omot, a standout 6'9" forward who averaged an impressive 16.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists during the Games. For Omot, the moment was far more than athletic achievement, it was the embodiment of identity, purpose, and belonging.
'I had dreamed about moments like that but it's different when you're actually living it. When the flag is on your chest, and the world is watching,' Omot shared in an interview with Forbes.com during the BAL Playoffs, currently taking place in Pretoria, South Africa where he is currently competing with Rwanda's APR.
Born in a refugee camp in Kenya and raised in Minnesota, Omot's journey mirrors the broader story of South Sudan itself, defined by adversity, endurance, and an unwavering pursuit of recognition on the world stage. As the team stood shoulder to shoulder with global giants, their presence was a bold declaration: We are here. Not just present, but worthy. Not just surviving, but contending.
Omot confirmed in the interview that he has committed to representing South Sudan at the upcoming AfroBasket tournament, a continuation of a journey that's no longer just about basketball. It's about building something lasting, inspiring a new generation, and showing the world that South Sudan's rise is only just beginning.
LONDON, ENGLAND: JULY 20: Nuni Omot #5 of South Sudan drives to the basket past LeBron James #6 of ... More United States during the United States V South Sudan USA basketball showcase at The O2 Arena on July 20th, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
For Omot, the Paris games were a culmination of years of sacrifice, grit, and belief, fuelled by a relentless pursuit of representation.
'People don't realise how special the Olympics is until you're in it. You're around the best athletes in the world, and you realise: we earned this. Some people never get that chance. For us, it was long overdue.'
South Sudan's journey to the Games wasn't supposed to happen this fast. Just over a decade ago, the country didn't have a pipeline, or a presence in global basketball. However, under the visionary leadership of Luol Deng, former NBA All-Star and current president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation, the program began to take shape.
'That's where it all started, with Luol,' Omot says firmly. 'He had the vision. But more than that, he built something we could all believe in. It's easy to have an idea, but when the whole team buys in? That's when it becomes real.'
The team's meteoric rise has left many in the international basketball community stunned. However, Omot isn't surprised. 'We're a team of competitors. We don't care about how it looks on paper. We know who we are. We've been through a lot. And when you play for something bigger than yourself, it shows.'
LILLE, FRANCE - JULY 28: Nuni Omot #5 of Team South Sudan and Carlik Jones #4 of Team South Sudan ... More react during the Men's Group Phase - Group C match between Team South Sudan and Team Puerto Rico on day two of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on July 28, 2024 in Lille, France. (Photo by)
With the Olympics behind them and the 2025 AfroBasket on the horizon, South Sudan now finds itself in an unfamiliar position: the hunted, not the hunters.
'At the Olympics, people were cheering for us. They saw us as the Cinderella story,' Omot says. 'Now, they're coming for us. Everyone wants to beat the number one team in Africa.'
It's a shift Omot doesn't take lightly. While the support in Paris was overwhelming, from fans, media, and even other athletes, the next phase of the journey demands even greater focus.
'We've got to stay grounded,' he says. 'Remember what got us here. The unity, the discipline, the work.'
That humility is matched by a rising sense of responsibility. As one of the team's veterans, Omot is preparing to take on more leadership, both vocally and by example.
LILLE, FRANCE - JULY 28: Team South Sudan celebrates after their sides victory during the Men's ... More Basketball Group Phase - Group C match between Team South Sudan and Team Puerto Rico on day two of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on July 28, 2024 in Lille, France. (Photo by Christina Pahnke - sampics/Getty Images)
For Omot, the Olympics weren't just a historic milestone for South Sudan, they were a masterclass in what it takes to compete at the highest level. Now, as he looks ahead to AfroBasket, he's bringing those lessons with him.
'Just playing against the best basketball players in the world, NBA Hall of Famers, guys who will be first-ballot, it really puts things into perspective,' he says. 'The game is global now. When you face that kind of talent, you see the standard. Their discipline, their professionalism, that's what sets them apart.'
One of those moments came against his basketball idol, Kevin Durant.
'To go up against him and see that level up close, it confirmed everything I believed,' Omot says. 'There's a reason he's one of the greatest. Their names will live forever.'
The takeaways weren't just about talent, they were mental. Omot knows the margin between winning and losing often comes down to mindset.
'Regardless, if you make mistakes, you can't ever let that deteriorate your mindset,' he shared. 'Stepping on the floor, no matter who you play, you should always feel like you are the best player.'
That unshakable belief, the same one that carried South Sudan to the Olympics, will be central to their AfroBasket campaign. For Omot, it's not just about bringing talent to the floor; it's about bringing a championship mentality, shaped by the highest level of competition the game has to offer.
PRETORIA, TSHWANE - JUNE 9: Anunwa Omot #5 of Armee Patriotique looks on during the game against the ... More Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club during the 2025 Basketball Africa League Playoffs on June 9, 2025 at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, Tshwane. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Regis Hirwa/NBAE via Getty Images)
South Sudan's Olympic debut is part of a broader narrative: the ascent of African basketball. The continent has long been rich in talent but starved for opportunity. That's starting to change.
'There's so much talent here,' Omot says. 'People are starting to notice. It's not just about the NBA anymore. We've got guys playing in Europe, the G-League, Asia, and of course, the BAL.'
Omot has played in all of those places, but it's his recent return to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) with APR of Rwanda that speaks volumes about where his heart is.
'People ask me why I came back to the BAL. I tell them: because I care about this place. This is home. I want to grow the game here.'
It's not just patriotism, it's a long-term view of impact.
'Whether it's Rwanda, Kenya, or South Sudan, it's all Africa to me. And if I can help the game grow, if I can show kids that you don't have to leave the continent to be successful, that matters.'
Having already won a BAL title, Omot knows what it takes to build a championship team. At APR, he's been brought in not just for scoring and size, but for experience and leadership.
'I joined APR because they were honest with me,' he says. 'They told me how I could fit in and what they needed. I didn't want to step on anybody's toes. I wanted to add value.'
APR headed into the BAL playoffs with momentum and ambition, and will compete for a podium finish come Friday. Omot has made an immediate impact, averaging 19.3 points, 2.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game.
'Defense wins,' he says without hesitation. 'Everyone talks about scoring, but it's stops that win games. The teams that limit mistakes and control the boards, those are the teams that win.'
For Omot, the road ahead is as much about impact as it is about accolades. Beyond preparing for AfroBasket, he's thinking generationally, about what it means to give back, to create pathways, to change lives.
'There's just so much untapped talent here in Africa. One day, I hope I can do something, maybe be that scout, because I see what's possible.'
It's no longer just about South Sudan being seen; it's about Africa being believed in. For Omot, that belief is the foundation of legacy. And if Paris was South Sudan's grand introduction to the world, then this next chapter is about building something that lasts, on the court, across the continent, and far beyond the final buzzer.