Gilbert Arenas Faces Backlash From Fans For Racist Remarks On South Sudan Players Following Team USA’s Narrow Win

Gilbert Arenas and South Sudan Basketball Team (Images Credit: Getty Images & X/@SSBFed)
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas has sparked outrage for making a series of xenophobic remarks directed toward the South Sudan national basketball team after Team USA’s narrow victory in the exhibition game. South Sudan was almost on the verge of stunning the star-studded Team USA but fell short, losing 100-101, which triggered Arenas’s controversial outburst.

In a surfaced clip, Arenas referred to the South Sudanese players as members of the “Ahi Ahi tribe” and also mocked Team USA star Joel Embiid, who hails from Cameroon, suggesting he threw the game for his “cousins and shit”.

“[Joel Embiid] throwing the game for his cousins [South Sudan] and shit. They don’t even have shoes. They get their shoes from America. We gotta ship them shoes… They shooting on f**king peach baskets in dirt with no shoes”, Arenas said.

Arenas’ comments received severe backlash from fans and players. Many criticized the former All-Star’s xenophobic remarks. One X user called the three-time NBA champion a “disgusting person”.

“I’m Cameroonian” – Joel Embiid Hits back at Gilbert Arenas

Meanwhile, Joel Embiid has now fired back at Arenas for his controversial remarks. After Team USA registered a narrow 92-88 win against Germany on Monday, the former MVP was asked to comment about Arenas’ remarks.

“I might be playing for Team USA but I’m Cameroonian first and foremost. … If it was that negative, it’s just disappointing because you see what African basketball has done for us to be in this position to be able to make some sort of impact”, Embiid said.

Notably, Embiid had a brilliant outing against Germany, registering 10 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in 18 minutes and finished with a +15 net rating.

Team USA finished their exhibition matches 5-0. The team will now face Serbia on July 28 in the first Olympic game this summer.