This is the first in a three-part series highlighting Indian Hills alums who will be competing in the upcoming 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.

Former Indian Hills Men's Basketball standout Nuni Omot captivated basketball fans around the globe over the weekend with a near-upset of Team USA in an Olympic exhibition. Omot's rise to prominence has been anything but surprising for those who witnessed the South Sudan star at the Hellyer Center during the 2015-16 season.

Omot and the South Sudan Basketball team, dubbed the "Bright Stars" are set to compete in the upcoming global spectacle in Paris, France after the team qualified for its first-ever Olympic games by finishing atop the African standings at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

A member of the 2015-16 Indian Hills Men's Basketball squad, Omot earned National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DI Men's Basketball Honorable Mention All-American honors during his lone season in Ottumwa, an accolade that ignited a remarkable career that has spanned the globe. Following his time with the Warriors, Omot continued his collegiate career at Baylor University before embarking on a professional career that has included stints with the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks as well as stops in the Netherlands, Turkey, Germany, and Puerto Rico. Omot has seen unprecedented success at every step of the way, but his impact for his native country is unmatched.

While the Bright Stars' run to the Olympics garnered international headlines throughout qualifying, the nation's performance against Team USA on Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London assured its place as one of the 12 best teams in the world that will compete for a coveted gold medal.

South Sudan fell by just one point, 101-100 as a late rally from Team USA, featuring the likes of LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Joel Embiid erased a sizable deficit early on. Omot played 19 minutes, scoring nine points, including a highlight-reel dunk on NBA All-Star Anthony Davis while grabbing six rebounds.

ON HIS HEAD �� pic.twitter.com/XJtvzET9zx

— South Sudan Basketball (@SSBFed) July 20, 2024

The exhibition proved as a final test for the Bright Stars who will open up Olympic action in Group C against Puerto Rico on Sunday, July28 at 4:00 AM CT. South Sudan will square off against the United States at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, July 31 before closing out Pool Play against Serbia at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 3. Should the Bright Stars advance, South Sudan will compete in the quarterfinal round, set to begin August 6.

Along with Omot, South Sudan is led by another former Indian Hills standout, Majok Deng (2012-14). Tune in tomorrow (Wednesday, July 24) as we feature Deng and his standout career following his time at Indian Hills.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING...

"Nuni came to us at Indian Hills back in 2015 as a Division II transfer. From day one, his work ethic stood out to us as a staff. He was in the gym getting extra work in during all hours of the day. Along with the work ethic, he was the ultimate teammate as well. Those two traits alone, will take any athlete a long way in their careers. Stack those qualities with his god given abilities and the talent he continues to build on, and we see it has taken him to the highest stage in the world, the Olympics! Warrior Nation couldn't be more proud of who Nuni has become, and what he continues to do."

     - Cole Dewey, Indian Hills Men's Basketball Head Coach and former assistant on the Warrior staff during the 2015-16 season

"This is unbelievable – it's a dream come true," stated Omot. Everything that's happened in these last couple of years, no one ever imagined or dreamed of being in this position. Now, we're going to have a chance to walk across the Olympic stage with our flag."

     - Nuni Omot following South Sudan's qualification to the 2024 Olympics

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