The Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) on Monday praised the national basketball team for their outstanding performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, despite being knocked out of the final Group C game on Saturday.

The Bright Stars lost 96-85 to Serbia on Saturday, ending an exciting run for the lone African team in the men’s basketball tournament.

Speaking during plenary in Juba, First Deputy Speaker Nathaniel Oyet Perino, applauded the team for a historic performance.

Oyet said the Bright Stars spiced up the Olympics with an impressive display despite being beaten by teams with a legacy in basketball championships.

He said South Sudanese were very proud to see their flag being raised by non-citizens at the Olympics.

“I would like to take this opportunity to applaud our basketball team who went to the Olympics and did wonders. Actually, the group that our team played with have a legacy in basketball championships. The USA, Serbia, even Puerto Rico,” he said.

Oyet added: “It was not an easy task for beginners to play with people who have played for decades in this arena. We are very proud that our flags were being raised by non-South Sudanese. Europeans, Latin Americans, even Americans. It shows the power of sports in enhancing our international reputation.”

South Sudan qualified for the Olympics in September 2023 by their performance at the World Cup, where they finished as the best African team.

The team advanced over Angola in the 2023 in the FIBA World Cup, achieving the biggest win in the country’s basketball history.

The national federation is led by former NBA player Luol Deng.