DavidBenAkiva
Member
Here's a more recent post, from about an hour ago as I write this. Khaman is at shootaround for the friendly game and you can also see Luol Deng.
2024 Olympics - General commentary
- Thread starter DevilHorse
- Start date
gam7
Member
One additional point here: it's true that Khaman isn't currently listed on the South Sudan roster, but I'll also note that it was announced a week ago that Wenyen Gabriel will be playing for South Sudan in the Olympics and he doesn't appear on the roster either. So, I don't even trust the official South Sudan basketball website at this point either.
UrinalCake
Member
Ball Durham has some good content but they tend to chase clicks with extremist views and unsubstantiated hot takes. Everything is either the greatest thing that has ever happened or the worst tragedy in history. Their headlines are often misleading without being outright false. I consider them to be an entertainment site. I do enjoy the interviews that their writers will do on various podcasts.
Phredd3
Member
As will I, although I did find it surprisingly hard to get information any other way about Olympic rosters. Does anyone know when the official deadline is/was for the rosters to be final? And is there a clearinghouse for that final version?
UrinalCake
Member
Just announced - the head of South Sudan Olympic Media has been hired by the Duke Injury Announcement team
that splains it. Yeah, info on those guys is astonishingly difficult to get, perhaps some clarity at 3pm EDT on Fox (saturday)
kirispupis
Member
The Ball Durham article refers to the South Sudan website as the source, but this site is hopelessly out of date. They've played two friendly games as tune-ups for the Olympics - losing 81-72 to Argentina and beating Portugal 80-72.
I haven't managed to find a box score for either of those games, but the photo above suggests he is on the team. Since he made their World Cup roster, it would make sense for him to be on the Olympic team - especially to give him FIBA experience. We should have a much better idea on Saturday, since that box score and video highlights should be available...
I haven't managed to find a box score for either of those games, but the photo above suggests he is on the team. Since he made their World Cup roster, it would make sense for him to be on the Olympic team - especially to give him FIBA experience. We should have a much better idea on Saturday, since that box score and video highlights should be available...
gam7
Member
That might tell us something, but then again, there were three players who got minutes in the USA game yesterday who most definitely are not on the USA Olympic Team, including one I had never even heard of (Micah Potter).
DavidBenAkiva
Member
The friendly game is being streamed on YouTube live. Maluach came off the bench and was productive for a few minutes in the 1st quarter.
chrishoke
Member
What is his jersey number?
DavidBenAkiva
Member
I think he's wearing #6? It's a little hard to tell. Black on red is a tough one.
chrishoke
Member
Thanks. South Sudan leads by 2 at the half.
Turned it on for 10 seconds and immediately saw #6 swat one above the square. Definitely got away with goaltending, but still impressive.
DavidBenAkiva
Member
Wasn't goaltending by FIBA rules!
I don't know the FIBA rules that well, but I thought you couldn't touch the ball on a downward path until it hits the rim, at which point you can knock it off. This one was definitely on the way down but was still well above the rim.
kirispupis
Member
Here's the first box score I've found. Maluach played 20 minutes and was 0-3 and 2-2 FT for 2 pts, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks.
Given the high level of competition, that's not bad IMHO. This is great experience for him and it will be interesting to see how he grows as the season progresses.
Given the high level of competition, that's not bad IMHO. This is great experience for him and it will be interesting to see how he grows as the season progresses.
How certain are we that this was a high level of competition? FIBA ranks Great Britain 52nd in the world. (South Sudan is 33, for comparison.) They didn't qualify for the Olympics, and I'm not sure they were particularly close. I'm not a Euroleague savant by any means but none of the names on the GB roster jump out at me. Anyone in a position to say whether Team GB is a step up or down in competition compared to what Khaman faced in BAL?