Bul Kuol was enjoying a lively game of football with his friends when an unexpected torrential downpour abruptly interrupted their fun. The mere cessation of the game was not the only concern; now the group faced an added urgency to navigate the treacherous path back home, where a dangerously flood-prone river awaited them. As they raced against the rising water, the swift current overtook Bul, and in the blink of an eye, he found himself swept away. Fortunately, a heroic friend reached out, gripping Bul’s hand in a daring gesture of bravery, successfully pulling him to safety just in time.
This vivid episode, rich with both emotion and detail, is merely one of many tales from Bul’s formative years in Lobone — a harsh refugee camp situated on the tumultuous border between Sudan and Ethiopia. Bul reflects on that tumultuous period as a phase marked by innocent joy and youthful naïveté, despite the grim realities of tribal conflict, civil war, and incomprehensible violence that loomed over their existence.
“Who knows how many guys have those types of stories, there’s probably plenty of them,” Bul mused, highlighting a shared experience of resilience.
“We had no idea about what life meant, it was just a bunch of us embracing our childhood. That came with a lot of dangers that we didn’t know about. We were completely reckless as kids, but I lived to talk about it,” he reflected, acknowledging the precariousness of their youth.
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These formative experiences significantly illuminate the importance of Bul’s remarkable achievements over the past twelve months. Journeying from Ethiopia to Kakuma, Kenya, and ultimately landing in Canberra, Bul Kuol has emerged as one of South Sudan’s premier professional basketball players and has solidified his role as a vital contributor to the Olympic team that captivated not only the hearts of his countrymen but also won over neutral sports fans on a global scale.
Despite competing in just three games and finishing ninth, South Sudan’s basketball team was nonetheless the most talked-about story from the Paris Olympics. Established merely 13 years ago, the national team made its major tournament debut in 2020, earning a spot in Afrobasket purely through the withdrawal of another team. “For it to go from there to the World Cup and then qualify for the Olympics in our first effort, it was an incredible story,” Bul remarked, encapsulating the team’s unexpected trajectory.
The defining moment of their Olympic journey perhaps came during a warm-up match against Team USA, where South Sudan’s best talents faced off against some of the world’s brightest basketball stars. Their agonizingly close clash ended in a narrow loss of 100 to 101. Though the scoreboard reflected a disappointing defeat, for a young nation like South Sudan, the display of courage and skill served as a resounding statement of their potential.
Bul’s defensive prowess was notably acknowledged by the legendary scorer Kevin Durant, who said, “He’s super physical. I love his intensity. I respect how he approaches the game. They didn’t back down at all.”
After that thrilling game, Bul suddenly found himself in the spotlight, with random individuals approaching him on the street or while he was ordering food, exclaiming, “You almost had them!” It marked the first time he experienced the exhilaration of celebrity status.
“There’s no type of exposure like the Olympics. For the first time, people noticed our flag, where we were from; they had heard about us — they had no idea,” Bul recounted, encapsulating the impact of their newfound recognition.
“That impact on the international community [was big]. For our country, the footage we’d see on social media, people would be messaging me. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced something like that,” Bul added, expressing the profound shift in perception of South Sudan.
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For South Sudan—a fledgling nation born from decades of civil strife and currently grappling with internal disputes, poverty, and crises—the basketball team’s success emerged as a magnified symbol of unity and national pride. However, amid the jubilation, Bul offers a sobering perspective: “I feel like it can sometimes be a band-aid solution.”
“You just cover [issues] up and hope it heals, or shove it under the rug, so it gave us a moment of peace, where the whole country was united under one goal, one support, regardless of where you’re from, what tribe or what language you spoke. There are around 64 languages in my country. There are so many things that divide us. In that moment for everyone to be at home cheering for us, and supporting us as one, it’s cool, and I hope it lasts, but now there’s a responsibility for us to move forward, rather than just depend on these events to bring us together,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of taking charge of their societal issues.
Throughout his teenage years, Bul found inspiration in watching countless NBA games that featured Luol Deng. While he eagerly tuned in to One HD to watch the Derrick Rose-led Chicago Bulls, it was Deng—the quintessential hard worker—who remained a steadfast source of motivation. Like many aspirational basketball players from South Sudan, Bul’s achievements are firmly rooted in the legacy left by the sporting trailblazers of his homeland, notably Luol Deng (now the president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation) and Manute Bol, the towering 7’7″ center who was the first South Sudanese player to make a mark in the NBA.
“Those names mean a lot to me. Manute Bol was close to my uncle in Chicago, where my uncle lives, and he was close with Lu and Manute Bol, and the stories I hear about both of them. Manute has touched so many Sudanese, and everyone has a story about him. Some of the things he has done are not widely covered, but the person that he was, as well as a basketball player, cared so much about his people. That is someone who I aspire to impact people just as much as he has. The story and the legacy that he’s left behind is an incredible one. I think it would make him proud for him to see where we’re at as Sudanese basketball players but also to see his country on the international stage,” Bul expressed poignantly.
It turns out, you don’t have to go past the Kings organisation, let alone Sydney, to find another individual with a story about Manute Bol.
Kouat Noi, who was born in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, was gravely ill as a child and faced life-critical challenges. Remarkably, it was Manute Bol who came to his aid, generously covering the expenses for his medical treatment.
“My dad played for Sudan long before they were as big as they are today. He played against Manute,” Kouat elaborated, detailing the familial connection to the basketball legend.
“[My dad] was a big reason why I got into basketball. In the earliest stages of my life, my dad taught me to play basketball, and he actually wore a headband as well, so that’s why I wear a headband today,” Kouat added, sharing his personal journey.
Like Bul, Kouat was selected to join South Sudan’s Olympic training camp roster, although he ultimately did not make the final twelve-man lineup. Nonetheless, he found joy in watching his countrymen compete with pride.
“Watching [the national team] was huge. I looked through Snapchat, Instagram stories, and saw all sorts of relatives at different events watching the national team play; it was bigger than basketball for a whole nation. To see my teammate Bul, who I grew up with, go out there and dominate, put up numbers, and receive recognition for what he did is huge, and I’m very proud of their achievements for our country,” Kouat said.
Bul and Kouat share a storied past — not just from their time together in Cairns as teammates for the Taipans but also as young athletes competing as teammates in a national South Sudanese tournament when they were just 11 years old.
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Alongside Makuach Maluach, who is also Kouat’s teammate at the Darwin Salties this NBL1 season, the Kings have formed a talented and close-knit trio of South Sudanese athletes on their roster.
“Having all the boys together is great,” Noi emphasized. “Sometimes we go out for dinner; sometimes we chop it up here, sharing old memories.”
A similar sense of camaraderie flourished during their time on the Salties, with Kouat describing the team’s chemistry as “second to none.”
“Honestly, it was one of the funnest years I had playing basketball. It was a great year. Off the court, we were constantly laughing at each other, constantly making jokes; the off-court stuff is just as important as the on-court stuff — that’s why we had such a fun year,” Kouat explained, reflecting on their bond.
Beyond the bonding, that season also served as a pivotal opportunity for the boys to build momentum going into the highly anticipated NBL25 season. Noi maintains his physical shape is ‘the best of his life.’
For Makuach, the Salties season was crucial for building confidence. As passionate Kings fans are undoubtedly aware, he has faced limited opportunities early in his career; he now stands at the brink of a full-time rotational role.
“Every athlete goes through it. One of my close Sudanese friends said that throughout your career, you may end up with 3 or 4 teams or you’re going to be the main guy; otherwise, you’re going to be playing a role. I come into every opportunity and try to do whatever the team needs to win. This year is no different; whenever my number is called, I come in there, try to play defense and give my all for however long I’m on the court,” Makuach shared, showcasing his strong work ethic.
Just a few games into the new season, Makuach’s ability to step in and make an impact has already become evident. After a quiet performance in his opening game against Adelaide, Makuach showcased his determination during practice, knocking down shots and hustling on defense. Head Coach Brian Goorjian took notice: “I love the way you’re training today, Makuach; I want you to know that!” The following game, he came off the bench to deliver an impressive 8 points in just 12 minutes on the court.
“I’m not really used to that from some of the coaches I’ve had before,” Makuach admitted. “He puts batteries in everyone’s backs,” he said enthusiastically, reflecting on the team environment.
With Kouat and Bul equally eager to praise the influence of coach Goorjian and the palpable chemistry among the players, the Kings feel a renewed sense of cohesion essential for their championship aspirations.
It appears that these three talented South Sudanese athletes, whose stories are interwoven yet ultimately converge in Sydney, will indeed play a significant role in the Kings’ upcoming endeavors.
What impact has the camaraderie among South Sudanese players had on their team chemistry for the upcoming NBL25 season?
Edly excited for the upcoming NBL25 season, the camaraderie among these South Sudanese players bodes well for their team chemistry and overall performance.
The success of the South Sudanese basketball team has not only resonated within the borders of their young nation but has also inspired many across the globe, particularly in the African diaspora. As Bul noted, the unifying spirit of their Olympic journey provided a brief reprieve from the country’s challenges and brought together individuals from all tribes and backgrounds to cheer for a common cause.
Their achievements have spotlighted not only their talent but also the untapped potential of basketball in South Sudan. With figures like Bul and Kouat rising to prominence, it’s clear that their journey symbolizes hope and resilience for a nation still in its formative years. The trailblazers like Manute Bol and Luol Deng continue to inspire a new generation, sparking ambitions that go beyond the sport and into the realms of leadership and community impact.
As the Kings look ahead to the NBL season, the presence of Bul, Kouat, and Makuach is sure to add depth to their roster while furthering their shared mission of uplifting South Sudan through basketball. Their story adds a compelling chapter to the narrative of sports serving as a unifying force and a platform for change in societies marked by conflict and division.
The future looks bright for South Sudanese basketball, and as fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming season, the hope is that their success will continue to foster unity and inspire lasting change back home.
