Paul Pierce, South SudanPaul Pierce (Image Via Undisputed/X)


The South Sudan men’s national basketball team, which gained independence on 9 July 2011, surprised everyone with a tough competition against Team USA. South Sudan came close to winning the intense pre-Olympic exhibition game. However, Team USA secured a 101-100 victory thanks to LeBron James’ 23 points, six assists, and six rebounds during his 23 minutes of play. South Sudan’s players received praise for their impressive performance, but former NBA player Paul Pierce recently made jokes about them. Pierce, a ten-time NBA all-star, doesn’t believe there is a 6’3″ player in South Sudan. Interestingly, Manute Bol, the tallest NBA player ever, was from South Sudan and stood at 7’7″.

“Man, they probably haven’t got anyone over 6’3,”. They should have put Lithuania in,” Pierce said during a recent appearance on the Undisputed show.

Pierce’s South Sudan Remarks Spark Fan Fury

Pierce’s joke quickly went viral. He received heavy criticism from fans as everyone began to mock him for his unreasonable comments about South Sudan’s players following Team USA’s narrow victory.

One fan said, “I have 99 reasons not to like Paul Pierce, and this is one. He is surprised that the US is facing the best team coming out of Africa. Coming from someone who never made the US Olympic team? The only time he played in a FIBA championship was a total disaster, and the US went home with no medal. He can take several seats.”

Meanwhile, another fan mentioned, “Very disrespectful and condescending of Paul Pierce to say that, who is laughing now as end of the 1st half they are beating USA by 14 points. GO GO GO SOUTH SUDAN our brothers from the south.”

Another fan commented, “What makes Americans believe they are best in the world at the moment? I hope South Sudan will win and give them some reality check.”

Another fan reacted, “Paul Pierce, you’re the dummy of Inglewood. Sudanese people are tall AF.”

Pierce is always vocal when expressing his views in various debates. Recently, the ten-time NBA All-Star made some shocking claims about LeBron James, the star player of the Los Angeles Lakers.