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

Over 100 career college victories, a National Basketball League (NBL) championship, and now a berth in the 2024 Olympics. It's safe to say success has followed Majok Deng every step of the way.

The former Indian Hills Men's Basketball standout is set to make history with his native South Sudan as the 'Bright Stars' will compete in the Olympics for the first time in its nation's history. Deng and South Sudan captured the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup to cement its place as one of the 12 best teams in the world who will compete for a coveted gold medal.

Deng spent two seasons playing in front of the fans at the Hellyer Center under former head coach Barret Peery. In Deng's sophomore season, the star forward helped lead the Warriors to a remarkable 34-3 record and a runner-up finish at the 2014 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DI Men's Basketball National Championship. In Deng's two years at Indian Hills, the Warriors posted a 60-7 overall record.

Following his time in Ottumwa, Deng completed his academic and athletic career at the University of Louisiana-Monroe where he starred for the Warhawks for two years. Deng led the Sun Belt Conference in scoring his senior year and was a two-time all-conference selection, including first-team honors in 2015-16, while leading ULM to 44 victories over two seasons.

Post-college, Deng has been a consistent force in professional basketball, serving as a staple in the premiere NBL for eight seasons. Deng spent three years with the Adelaide 36ers and four seasons with the Cairns Taipans before helping the Tasmania JackJumpers win the 2024 NBL Championship while earning All-NBL1 honors.

While Deng's progression through the professional ranks has been unprecedented, his presence with South Sudan has left an impact on a nation that will live on for generations. Deng and the Bright Stars made international headlines this past Saturday night, nearly knocking off the United States Olympic team in an exhibition tune-up, falling 101-100 to the likes of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Joel Embiid. At the O2 Arena in London, Deng tallied seven points and four rebounds in the team's final test before Olympic competition begins. 

At just 31 years old, Deng serves as South Sudan's most experienced member of the team. That experience, along with Deng's proven track record of winning, will benefit South Sudan in a highly-competitive Olympic pool that includes Puerto Rico, Serbia, and the United States.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING...

"I'm excited to see the success that Majok is having with his basketball career and with South Sudan's national team. It is not surprising as he has always been a tremendous worker that spent a great amount of time on his game and getting better. He is an even better person off the floor and someone who is easy to cheer for! We are all pulling for him in Paris and excited to see him in action."

     - Barret Peery, former Indian Hills Men's Basketball Coach and current UNLV Assistant Coach

"It's always a blessing when you get to represent your country. To do all the qualifiers and do all the hard work to be able to make it to the World Cup it's a blessing. To be one of five teams from Africa to play in the world cup and to be able to qualify [to the Olympics] for the first time in the first attempt was an unbelievable achievement for the all the nation, not just the players."

     - Majok Deng to FIBA.basketball's Julio Chitunda

Along with Deng, South Sudan is led by another former Indian Hills standout, Nuni Omot (2015-16). 

Read more: Warriors in the Olympics, Pt. 1 (Nuni Omot)

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