(JUBA) – South Sudan’s women’s basketball team, the Bright Starlets, will make their debut at the Women’s AfroBasket tournament in Côte d’Ivoire this year, marking a major milestone for the young nation’s growing presence in African sports. The team qualified for the continental event via a wildcard issued by FIBA Africa after an encouraging performance at the Zone 5 qualifiers earlier in the year.
This is the first time the Bright Starlets will compete in the main African women’s basketball championship. Ranked 13th going into the tournament, they stand just above Guinea, who hold the 14th and lowest position among teams heading to Abidjan.
Earlier this year, South Sudan finished third in the Zone 5 qualifiers, recording important wins against Kenya and Burundi. Despite suffering defeats to Egypt and Uganda — the eventual champions — the Starlets showed significant improvement and earned their place at AfroBasket 2025 through a wildcard.
In that campaign, veteran player Adut Bulgak was a standout performer, averaging 12.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game over five matches. She is expected to be a key figure in Abidjan, alongside teammates Delicia Washington and Nyamuoch Teny, who also led the team in key statistics.
South Sudan’s journey in international women’s basketball has been steady and determined. The team made its first appearance in the regional zonal competition in Kigali, Rwanda in 2021, where they failed to win any matches. Two years later, at the 2023 tournament in Kampala, Uganda, the Bright Starlets claimed their first ever win, beating Rwanda 54–40, and eventually finishing fourth.
Their steady rise has earned attention both locally and across the continent, especially as they follow in the footsteps of South Sudan’s men’s basketball team, currently ranked number one in Africa after a meteoric rise in just four years. The men’s team qualified for the FIBA World Cup and has become a symbol of pride and unity for the country.
Now, attention shifts to the women’s team as they prepare to make their mark.
| AfroBasket Women’s 2025 | South Sudan Team Facts |
|---|---|
| FIBA Africa Ranking | 13th out of 14 |
| Qualification Path | Zone 5 (3rd Place), Wildcard |
| Key Player | Adut Bulgak (12.6 PPG, 10.2 RPG) |
| Head Coach | Alberto Antúnez (Spain) |
The Bright Starlets are led by Spanish coach Alberto Antúnez, who previously coached Uganda to a seventh place finish at the 2023 Women’s AfroBasket and later guided Senegal during the 2024 Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgium. His international experience is expected to provide a strong foundation as South Sudan enters its toughest competition yet.
Despite being one of the lowest ranked teams, the Bright Starlets are not short of ambition. Their appearance in Côte d’Ivoire will not only provide valuable experience but also further establish South Sudan as a rising force in African basketball both for men and women.
