Kuol's South Sudan push Team USA to limits

South Sudan, headlined by Sydney's Bul Kuol, has gone agonisingly close to causing a massive upset in the lead-up to the Olympics, falling to Team USA by a solitary point in London.

It was left to LeBron James to save the day with some huge plays late, including a game-winning layup with just eight seconds left.

The South Sudan team, featuring NBL-rostered players Kuol, King #238 Jackson Makoi and Majok Deng, took a 14-point lead into the half-time break, with a historical win for the young basketball nation looking a huge possibility.

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But 39-year-old James took it upon himself to get USA out of a tough situation, with a 23-5 run from late in the third quarter to early in the fourth.

Even then, the Bright Stars weren’t to be outdone, with a JT Thor three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining putting them one point up. But like James has done so many times before, he stood tall when it mattered most. 

Team USA eventually claimed a 101-100 victory in the first of two exhibition games. 

Carlik Jones was the standout for South Sudan, with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, while Marial Shayok had 24 points.

"Today we were able to represent our country with pride and we put up a good fight and showed the potential of our country," Wenyen Gabriel said. 

"I think it was a proud moment for a lot of people."

James was the star for USA, with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, while Anthony Davis had 15 to go with 11 boards.

The teams will face off in Group C at the Paris Olympics, alongside Puerto Rico and Serbia.