Basketballghana.com can confirm former NBA player Royal Ivey has been named Head Coach of South Sudan’s Mens Basketball Team.
Ivey will coach the team at the 2021 FIBA African Nations Basketball Championship (AfroBasket) to be held from August 24 to September 5 in Kigali, Rwanda.
South Sudan qualified to compete at the continental championship for the first time ever earlier this year with Luol Deng as Head Coach. Deng doubles as the country’s Federation President.
Ivey played 10 seasons in the NBA as a Point Guard/ Shooting Guard with Philadelphia Sixers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Milwaukee Bucks.
He moved into coaching after his retirement following the 2014-2015 season; he was appointed as player development assistant with Oklahoma City Blue before getting elevated to an assistant coaching role with the Thunder.
Prior to his appointment, he served an Assistant for the Brooklyn Nets; he has a degree in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas during his time with the Longhorns.
The draw for the AfroBasket takes place on May 27.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
