Nuni Omot has been told by many people that he has NBA talent.

He believes he has an NBA game, as well, with his 6-foot-9 frame and versatility to shoot, create and defend multiple positions. That’s never been more true, he believes, than now.

Through years of play at various levels and locations of professional basketball, Omot has evolved into a greater and greater player.

“I’ve gotten better every year, and I think that people haven’t realized the growth that has happened. I continue to get better every year. I don’t think there’s much emphasis on that. Obviously, some people know the amount of work I put in,” Omot said before the start of the Olympics. “Obviously, the work is always going to show. Every year, I continue to get better, I continue to figure it out. The game continues to slow down as you play longer and as you continue to play. I think that’s my advantage, my versatility and for the years I’ve been playing, I’ve obviously gotten smarter, I’ve gotten better, I’ve gotten more wise and whatnot.”

But there are only so much chances to strut your stuff in front of important eye balls. One of those, the Mahtomedi grad knew, was in these Olympics. Specifically, in Wednesday’s group play bout against Team USA — the greatest collection of men’s basketball talent a competitor can lace their shoes up against.

Omot met the challenge. The 29-year-old forward scored 24 points on 8 for 12 shooting — including 3 for 5 from 3-point range — in South Sudan’s 103-86 loss in France.

Omot was the game’s leading scorer and one of the most impactful players on the floor. South Sudan out-scored the U.S. in Omot’s 28 minutes of play. The contest was justification for the way he feels about his game.

“A lot of guys that they’ve given so much credit and who they hype up so much, I’ve always found myself to either be at the same level or play even better than,” Omot said. “I don’t want to compare myself to other people, and I just continue to try to dominate every time I can and just show the reason why I should be playing at a level.”

South Sudan will meet Serbia — who’s led by reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic — in its final group play game on Saturday. If the Bright Stars win that game, they’ll move onto the quarterfinals in their first Olympic Games.

Each victory would guarantee another opportunity for players like Omot to prove themselves on a giant stage against high-level competition.

“For me, I feel like this is going to be a real big opportunity for myself, for people across the world to see who I really am as a player on the global stage,” Omot said before the games. “Obviously, I never played at the highest level in the NBA, I never played at the highest level in Europe, in Euro League, so my thing is just to show it’s never been talent that’s the issue. It’s just obviously people being able to see it live and against the best people, so I think this is going to be a huge thing for me.”

Thus far, he’s taking full advantage of the opportunity.

Related Articles

Rosemount’s Payton Otterdahl enters second Olympics shot put with a medal on his mind

Mounds View alum Lara Dallman-Weiss opted for ‘scary thing’ and ended up in Olympics

Drag queen in Olympic opening ceremony has no regrets, calls it ‘a photograph of France in 2024’

Flavor Flav wears special clock made by Maggie Steffens’ late sister-in-law

Simone Biles mocks MyKayla Skinner’s ‘work ethic’ comment after win