South Sudan came close to causing what would have been arguably the biggest basketball upset of all time. Wenyen Gabriel grabbed the final rebound after Carlik Jones (15 points and 11 assists) missed, but a foul by Anthony Edwards prevented Gabriel from taking a shot with one second left on the clock. 

The referees did not call the foul, and the team coached by Steve Kerr took the win, remaining undefeated in their four warm-up games before facing Germany and heading to the grand Parisian event.

South Sudan had been 15 points up in the first half (49-34), but a 0-16 run by the USA in the last three minutes of the third quarter turned the scoreboard around. The Africans did not give up and stayed in contention, particularly thanks to former Fenerbahce player, Marial Shayok, who scored 24 points with six three-pointers.

Although it was just a friendly, the boost South Sudan experienced during the first half, which they ended with a 14-point lead, reminded them of their magical summer a year ago, their debut in an intercontinental tournament as the world's youngest nation. Back then, they achieved three wins in five games at the World Cup and secured a ticket to the now imminent Paris Games as the highest-ranked African team.

It was a heroic symphony and a demonstration that United States, a Dream Team contender but far from the 1992 squad, has work to do. More than that, it was a serious wake-up call: in this global basketball scene, entering the second quarter of the 21st century, a lack of mentality and full concentration is costly. Laziness is not permitted, not even a little.

A Decisive Marial Shayok

Kerr's team had recently won convincingly against Canada, Australia, and Serbia, particularly the Europeans. Perhaps a breather after this and landing in London, the venue for the match, would have been understandable, but the US coach chose a combative starting five. He put Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo inside and Anthony Edwards in charge of the ball, supported by Derrick White and Jayson Tatum. Kevin Durant, supposedly recovered, also did not play in this fourth warm-up game. Perhaps he will play on Monday against Germany, in the final test before Paris.

Team USA reduced the gap to five (65-60) by attacking aggressively near the basket and on the offensive rebound, a battle evened out by the athleticism and mobility of the Sudanese. Shayok responded with two three-pointers, making it five and reaching 20 points. The gap reopened (76-65 at the 27th minute). The excellence in three-point shooting had made the difference. While South Sudan shot at 50% at half-time (seven of 14), the USA had a dismal one of 12.

LeBron and Curry's Reaction: 0-16

With 13 minutes remaining and South Sudan defending a +11 lead, an African victory seemed possible, but three minutes later the Americans erased their deficit with a 0-16 run to the end of the quarter. Stephen Curry's three-pointer, LeBron's 2+1, Jrue Holiday's basket, Devin Booker's three-pointer, Curry's three-pointer, and Joel Embiid's basket closed the third period. The talent emerged with a twist in intensity, and the result of that wild streak changed the course of events.

The fourth win for the USA seemed assured, although there was still a quarter to play. South Sudan did not give up after overcoming those tense moments. A year ago, they learned to dream and do not want to stop, at least not before the first obstacle: 84-85 and 92-95 with four minutes left after a good drive from the right by Carlik Jones, their star, who according to some reports has committed to Partizan under Obradovic for the next two seasons.

A Crazy and Controversial Final Minute

Shayok made a crucial jumper, and Anthony Davis missed an important shot before Thor scored from the corner: 100-99. South Sudan went ahead with 20 seconds left and enjoyed their timeout. LeBron, who had been leading the charge on the London night, took the final shot. He drove in from the right and got his reward: 100-101. His 39 years are not like anyone else's.

With 8 seconds left and a sideline inbound in the attacking half, Carlik Jones missed a decisive shot, and Gabriel grabbed the rebound. However, an uncalled foul by Anthony Edwards prevented South Sudan from taking their dream one step further and either grabbing the win or at least forcing overtime. Both teams will meet again in the group stage of the Paris 2024 Olympics.