Chicago Bulls' player Carlik Jones continued to make a name for himself at the FIBA World Cup, as he flirted with a triple-double in South Sudan's 87-68 win over the host country, Philippines, on Thursday night. The victory was crucial for basketball's youngest country, keeping their hopes for an automatic berth in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics alive. The Bright Stars will take on Angola on Saturday in a game with massive implications for their Olympic dreams.
Missed triple-double
The 6-foot-1 guard had a rough shooting night, making just 7-of-20 from the field for 17 points, but he more than made up for it with his stellar playmaking, racking up 14 assists. He was also active on the glass, hauling down nine rebounds—falling one short of a triple-double. Afterward, South Sudan head coach Royal Ivey said he would review the tape to find an uncredited rebound that would give his star the triple-double.
"I think we need to look at the tape so we can find another rebound for him (Jones). Because maybe he got one in there, a little tip or something," Ivey said.
The reigning G League MVP had a clear shot at completing the feat as he was in the paint when the Philippines missed a shot late in the game. However, his teammate Majok Deng grabbed the rebound.
Jones, though, shrugged off the missed opportunity for a triple-double and was content to come away with the win.
"As great as that would have been, I just wanted to win," Jones said.
South Sudan's leader
Former Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng has been a driving force behind the success of South Sudan. However, Jones has been the Bright Star's unquestioned court general in this tournament, with his averages of 19 points, 9.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game.
"Carlik has been great for us. He's our leader, he's our quarterback on and off the court. He's a great addition. The guys love him. I love him. He's a true leader, and that's what leaders do. They bring home the fight. He led us to victory today. He put us on his back," Ivey gushed about his ace point guard.
Newer articles:
- Sudan conflict: Air strike on Khartoum kills at least 20 - 04/09/2023 04:28
- 50k+ Displaced, Families Endure 'Near-Siege Conditions' in South Kordofan - 04/09/2023 03:11
- Panic as Gunmen Raid Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kill South Sudanese National - 01/09/2023 10:29
- South Sudan: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) calls for more support to the families of missing persons on International Day of the Disappeared - 01/09/2023 09:55
- Saudi Arabia: King Salman Receives Written Message from South Sudan President - 01/09/2023 07:47
Older news items
- Sudan refugees stranded without healthcare in Chad - 01/09/2023 03:49
- ‘It brought back memories of Syria.’ For refugees in Sudan, war is a reminder of the terror they left behind - 01/09/2023 03:40
- Bigger than basketball: South Sudan wins hearts, minds at World Cup - 31/08/2023 06:10
- FIBA World Cup dreams are over for Africa, but Paris Olympics beckon - 31/08/2023 04:22
- In Sudan's east, murky arms trade thrives as war rages - 31/08/2023 03:14
Latest news items (all categories):
- Ramaphosa presses Kiir to implement peace deal ahead of South Sudan’s first elections - 09/10/2026 12:19
- South Sudan steps up Ebola alert after Kenya case - 09/10/2026 12:17
- Laotian man deported by U.S. to South Sudan leaves for Laos after year in detention - 09/10/2026 12:14
- Bullet and blast injuries … and a constant need for blood: inside South Sudan’s overwhelmed trauma wards - 09/10/2026 12:10
- MTN South Sudan and Regulator Pledge Cooperation to Expand Connectivity - 09/10/2026 12:01
Random articles (all categories):
- Gen. Taban Deng Gai is a symbol of peace and unity in South Sudan: a response to the hopeless politician Mr. Puot Gatduel - 17/03/2020 17:08
- Critical funding gap: South Sudan life-saving services Bentiu and Malakal - 16/03/2026 14:41
- Is South Sudan on the Verge of Collapse? - 20/08/2013 05:29
- Young students debate South Sudan’s political future on International Women’s Day - 13/03/2026 17:44
- South Sudan: Violence Reaches a Turning Point - 29/04/2014 19:27
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 150831 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 28204 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25312 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24537 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22500 times
