JUBA (South Sudan) - Fox Basketball Club already made history when they beat reigning champions Cobra Sports in the Semi-Final of the South Sudan Championship.
They added another chapter of their young history as they overcame rivals Nile Giants in a heart stopping final (61-60), topping the eight-team tournament with an unbeaten run.
With the ticket to the Road to BAL 2025 in their pockets, they flew to Zimbabwe, where they finished with a 3-2 streak, which was far from enough to make it to the Elite 16. But fate had it the other way round and saw to it that they featured among the 16 best teams of the East Division.
Can they become the first South Sudanese side to make it to the BAL Finals ? Let’s wait and see.
FIBA.basketball has compiled some information about South Sudan’s representative in the Elite 16.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED FOR THE ROAD TO BAL
Fox Basketball Club made their way to the Road to BAL Group Phase by winning the South Sudanese championship.
They beat reigning champions Cobra Sports 72-49 in the semis and finished the job, seeing off Nile Giants in a thrilling game (61-60).
HOW THEY QUALIFIED FOR THE ELITE 16
They finished their Road to BAL Group Phase with a 3-2 streak.
They started their campaign in Harare with a 76-67 win over Bostwana Defense Force, and moved on to another victory over Mozambique’s Costa do Sol (71-66).
Matero Magic slowed their progress, as the Zambians claimed a 67-63 win. Fox then fell short against Bravehearts Basketball Club (60-65), before picking up a sounding 89-60 victory against Hounds Basketball Club.
These results earned them a third-place finish in the East Division Group A. FIBA Africa then rewarded them with a Wild Card for the Elite 16.
KEY PLAYERS IN GROUP PHASE OF THE ROAD TO BAL
Stephen Garbah’s 21 points against Basketball Hounds are still fresh in lots of minds, as are Aluk Lual Adub’s 17 points, and Gob GOB’s 18 points.
Earlier during the tournament, GOB scored 20 points against Costa do Sol, strengthening his spot as one of the top minute-getters for the South Sudanese suit.
Peter Marial (34 rebounds) and Adub (16 rebounds) have been very active at both ends of the court during the Group Phase of the Road to BAL.
HEAD COACH
Mandy Juruni has taken the helm of Fox Basketball Club two months ago, when the team was vieing for a spot at the Elite 16 in Zimbabwe, taking over from then head coach Madut Ayuel.
Coach Juruni is known for his 10-year tenure with the City Oilers in his native Uganda, and for holding a spot with Rwanda’s Kepler Basketball Club. As a player, he has suited up for the Charging Rhinos and City Oilers.
NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS REPRESENTING THE CLUB
Mareng Gatkuoth has suited up for South Sudan for the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket and 2023 World Cup Qualifiers, finishing with an average of 6 points and 2.8 rebounds at the Rwanda showdown and 7.2 points and 1.9 rebounds at the World Cup Qualifiers.
Peter Obleng, who hails from Uganda, also wore the Silverbacks outfit for the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers in 2021, averaging 4.3 and 2 rebounds per game.
YEAR OF CREATION AND OWNER
Fox Basketball are the youngest team in the Road to BAL 2025. The club was formed on January 24, 2024. Its chairman is Manut Tong Atak.
WHERE THEY PLAY THEIR HOME GAMES
They play their home games at the Nimititalata Basketball Stadium in Juba. The venue can accommodate 2000 people and can operate day and night.
FIBA