The South Sudan women’s basketball team, the Bright Starlets, achieved bronze at the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket Qualifiers for Zone 5, despite missing key players. With a focused approach under coach Alberto Carlos, they have displayed significant growth since their debut in 2021. Current players express determination to continue improving, motivated by past victories and lessons learned against stronger teams in the region. Their success demonstrates their potential and ambition to compete on larger stages.
South Sudan’s Bright Starlets marked a significant achievement by securing bronze at the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket Qualifiers for Zone 5, despite expressing that many top players were unavailable due to commitments elsewhere. Under coach Alberto Carlos, the team finished with a 3-2 record. This milestone has driven the players to aspire for further success in future competitions.
Team captain Adut Bulgak highlighted the difficulties faced in assembling the squad, as many talented players are still in college. She noted that while adapting to African basketball, which differs from games in North America, has been challenging, the team is making strides. The Bright Starlets debuted at the 2021 edition in Kigali, initially struggling but eventually recording their first victory against Rwanda in 2023, finishing fourth.
Nyamuoch Pidor Teny, the team’s second-highest scorer, discussed the learning curve the team experienced upon their initial entry into the competition, stating that the physical nature of the game required them to respect the skill and tenacity of African players. Both Teny and Bulgak acknowledged their improved competitiveness, thanks to experiences against established teams like Kenya, Uganda, and Egypt.
Throughout the 2025 tournament in Cairo, the Bright Starlets kicked off their campaign with a historic win over Kenya (86-69) but faced losses against Uganda and Egypt. They later avenged their defeats by securing decisive victories, including a win against Burundi (77-46). In the third-place match, they overcame Kenya again with a score of 80-63, reflecting their growth and resilience in the competition.
Bulgak emphasized that these victories serve as encouragement, as they demonstrate their capability to contend within one of Africa’s most competitive zones. She urged all players aspiring to join the team to remain prepared, indicating that roles may open up for others in future competitions.
Despite the challenges, the Bright Starlets maintain confidence in their progression as a unit. The success of the men’s team, Bright Stars, serves as a motivational reference for their journey, reinforcing the belief that there is still much more to achieve on the continental stage.
The South Sudanese women’s national basketball team, known as the Bright Starlets, competes in various African tournaments. The team’s journey began with participation in the Women’s AfroBasket Qualifiers, where they have faced significant challenges but also achieved notable milestones. The Bright Starlets’ progression reflects their growth in basketball techniques and teamwork, despite many players balancing commitments that hinder full representation. These experiences underline the importance of adaptability in competitive settings.
The Bright Starlets’ recent success in the AfroBasket Qualifiers marks a crucial step in their development as a competitive basketball team. Their journey has been characterized by learning, adaptation, and resilience. Moving forward, they are poised for further improvements as they focus on strengthening their chemistry and skills, inspired by the accomplishments of their male counterparts, the Bright Stars, within the international basketball landscape.
Original Source: www.fiba.basketball
