Back in Australia, the growing South Sudanese-Australian basketball community is going strong with the support of community leaders such as Mayor Chagai of Western Sydney’s Savannah Pride and Manyang Berberi of Melbourne’s Longhorns.
While Savannah Pride and the Longhorns were among the first, teams are now starting up across Australia and there are 1000+ players across teams in the South Sudanese Australian National Basketball Association. The teams are using sport to reach into other areas in life, supporting study skills and fostering a sense of friendship, pride and family amongst the young players.
Teams are attracting international talent scouts and have had remarkable success in placing players on US college scholarships - a stepping stone to living the NBA dream just like Maker.