With Team USA going head-to-head against South Sudan, the dark horses who gave the defending gold medallists a run for their money the last time, all eyes were on Lille’s Pierre Mauroy Stadium. Sure enough, tensions were high because of the increasingly spiked stakes and things started to get a bit chirpy between both teams. Although the Americans dominated most of the game and came out with a 103-86 win, there was a moment when South Sudan’s head coach Royal Ivey indulged in banter with Kevin Durant.

But who is Royal Ivey and what connection does he have with the two-time champion? Let’s dive in.

Royal Ivey’s Early Life and Basketball Journey

While the Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson rivalry was just beginning to take over the league, Royal took his first breath in Harlem, New York on December 20, 1981, to parents Jennifer and Rodney Ivey. Growing up around the hoop culture, he spent a year of prep school at Blair Academy in New Jersey, averaging an impressive 21 points along with 8 rebounds. Soon after, he would join Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, again impressing the scouts with his on-court skills by winning the PSAL and earning the MVP honors.

Then, he received an offer from the University of Texas, where he spent the next four years of his life playing for the Longhorns from 2000 to 2004. During his time there, Royal averaged 7.8 points and over two assists, but what impressed everyone was his defensive prowess as he made the Big-12 Conference All-Defensive team twice. As expected, the league came calling.

Royal Ivey’s NBA Career and Net Worth

Even though he was not a top prospect, Ivey entered his name in the 2004 draft and was picked 37 overall by the Atlanta Hawks. While he never rose to superstardom in the pros, he managed to carve a respectable ten-year career as a player in the league. During that time, he finished with a career average of 3.3 points and one assist. Spending the first three years in Atlanta, he later made multiple stops, including Milwaukee, Philly, and OKC.

Along the way, he also got a chance to mentor his fellow college alum Kevin Durant as they became teammates during the early years of KD’s career in OKC. Probably that’s why Royal Ivey had no problem calling KD out for complaining about calls during their latest Olympics encounter as they are close friends off the court.

During his decade-long career, Ivey earned well over $8.2 million combined in salary. But soon after hanging his boots in 2014, he began his coaching journey as an assistant coach for Thunder’s G League affiliate, the OKC Blue.

Impressed by his leadership, the franchise promoted him to the coaching staff of the main roster two years later. Since then, Ivey has worked as an assistant coach for his hometown teams, the Knicks, and the Nets. And he spent this past season on the Rockets’ coaching staff.

Amid the rise of his coaching career, Ivey also got married last September to his wife Deanna Herrington in a beautiful ceremony in New York. But arguably the biggest moment of his career might be the one that he is currently living through in Paris.

Royal Ivey’s “life is like a movie” as he achieves sporting greatness with South Sudan Basketball

While moving up the ranks as a coach in the league, Ivey also took over the head coach vacancy for South Sudan three years ago. As the youngest nation, South Sudan lacked NBA-calibre facilities and the experience of competing against the best countries in the world. However, Ivey’s determination and leadership helped them qualify for the Paris Olympics, and they even created history by winning their debut game against Puerto Rico. In a recent interview, Royal perfectly described the experience, “Being in the Olympics, and getting our first win… My life is like a movie. So, this is chapter 42, and this is an amazing chapter for me.”

Moreover, the Harlem kid has managed to achieve greatness amid adversity: “Keep it going. Everything’s been surreal my whole life. I’ve been an overachiever in life. People told me, no, you couldn’t do this. You’re not quick enough, you’re not smart enough, you’re not fast enough, and I continue to prove people wrong, and that’s the story.” Sure enough, he hopes that more aspiring athletes take inspiration from his journey. “You can do whatever you put your mind to. You can manifest whatever you want in this life. It’s achievable, so I’m just living proof.”

Hopefully, this impressive run in Paris will help him elevate his career to the next level in the NBA as well.

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.