“Your Team Isn’t Tough”: Kevin Durant Sends Message to South Sudan Coach Royal Ivey

“Your Team Isn’t Tough”: Kevin Durant Sends Message to South Sudan Coach Royal Ivey

  • Kevin Durant was captured in video aiming a dig at Royal Ivey, during USA's basketball clash against South Sudan
  • The reigning champions eased past the East Africans to advance to the quarter-final of the 2024 Paris Olympics
  • South Sudan could progress to the last eight if they beat Nikola Jokic's Serbia in their final group game this weekend

The USA defeated South Sudan on Wednesday evening to advance to the quarter-finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The highly-anticipated contest failed to live up to the pre-match expectations as the Americans dominated much of it.

A video has been shared online of USA's Kevin Durant sending a jibe to South Sudan coach, Royal Ivey.

Kevin Durant and USA handed South Sudan and Royal Ivey their first defeat at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Royal Ivey's South Sudan nearly beat Kevin Durant's USA in an exhibition game before the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photos by Tim Clayton/Corbis and Henry Browne.
Source: UGC

In the weeks leading up to the Olympic Games, South Sudan nearly caused the biggest upset in basketball history in their exhibition game against the Americans.

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Before and after the game, several former NBA stars made fun of the South Sudanese team. It was not well received by the basketball community.

The East Africans defeated Puerto Rico to win their first-ever game at the Olympics, but the USA were too much for them in their second game as they lost 103-86.

Durant has been brilliant at the Olympic Games so far, especially in the USA's first game against Nikola Jokic's Serbia. He finished with 23 points and shot 89% from the field, and missed just one shot. The Phoenix Suns star registered 14 points against Ivey's team.

Kevin Durant taunts South Sudan coach

In a video shared on X by Clutch Points, Durant is heard throwing jabs at Ivey and the South Sudan bench while at the free-throw line.

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The former Golden State Warriors superstar told Ivey that his team isn't "tough".

The two-time NBA champion is known for speaking his mind. He is one of the most outspoken players in the NBA, on and off the court.

He has won three Olympic gold medals in basketball and is seeking to become the first American men's basketball player to win four gold medals, per USA Today.

The USA are in the quarter-final, while South Sudan will know their fate when they face Serbia on Saturday, August 3.

Luol Deng responds to ex-NBA stars

Briefly News also reported that Luol Deng, President of the South Sudan Basketball Federation, called out former NBA stars for their "disrespectful comments.

Deng, a former NBA player, was disappointed that Gilbert Arenas and Paul Pierce, players he respected, made fun of his team.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Authors:
Viginia Akinyi avatar

Viginia Akinyi (sports editor) Viginia Akinyi is the current import editor at Briefly News. She holds a B.Sc. in Communication and Public Relations from Moi University and has previously worked with Lolwe TV, Daily Nation Eldoret Bureau and SportsBrief.com. Email: viginia.akinyi@briefly.co.za

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