Nuni Omot

Nuni Omot's Biography

Anunwa “Nuni” Omot, frequently acknowledged as Nuni Omot, is a distinguished professional basketball player of South Sudanese-American descent. He was born on October 3rd, 1994, and as of the present, he plays for the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Before edging into the professional realm, Omot spent two years at Concordia University and Indian Hills Community College, predominately dedicated to playing college basketball at Baylor Bears.

Without a doubt, Omot has etched his name into the international basketball sphere, representing a diverse assortment of international basketball teams. His exceptional season warranting the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award with Al Ahly in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) earned him a reputation at an international level. Furthermore, he has broadened his representation to a global scale by standing as an integral part of the South Sudan national team.

On the ground of Nairobi, Kenya, inside a camp for refugees, Omot first opened his eyes to the world, witnessing the harsh reality of being a refugee. Omot was born to his parents, Pillow and Kwot Omot, and a brother named Aba. The Omot family underwent an exhausting 440-mile pursuit from Gambela, Ethiopia, to the Kenyan border, avoiding the volatile civil war. After a traumatic week spent in jail, they succeeded in reaching Kenya, with the United Nation’s aid helping them secure their place in a crowded refugee camp.

Omot’s journey to America began in 1996 when, with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service’s aid, his mother and siblings migrated to the state of Minnesota. However, due to health restrictions, Omot’s father was left behind and could not make his way to the U.S.

Being under the guardianship of his brother, Aba, Omot experienced a simple life in Minnesota while his mother endeavored to meet ends by working two labor-intensive jobs. From having a brief stint with American Football as a wide receiver to exploring the field of soccer, Omot tried his hand at a variety of sports during his teenage years. However, it was basketball that captivated his attention for good.

Placed on Mahtomedi High School’s junior varsity basketball team, Omot dabbled in basketball as a junior. With his remarkable contributions to his senior year’s varsity team, he won All-Conference and honorable mention All-State accolades, but he did not get a Division I scholarship due to subpar academics.

Not disheartened by these initial setbacks, Omot began his college career at Concordia in NCAA Division II and finally took a leap forward to play at the Division I level after transferring to Indian Hills Community College. His outstanding performance at Indian Hills garnered him favorable attention, eventually leading to a scholarship offer from Baylor on November 12, 2015.

Apart from his flourishing college career, it was Omot’s journey in various professional basketball leagues that truly highlights his illustrious career. He played for various clubs across the globe, including Macedonia’s MZT Skopje, the Turkish team Tofaş, Gießen 46ers in Germany, and Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rico’s professional league. Initially signed by Golden State Warriors for the Summer League upon becoming undrafted in 2018, Omot experienced a brief stint with the Brooklyn Nets’ NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.

Omot’s uphill journey in the professional arena continued, joining the New York Knicks’ training camp roster in 2022, albeit being waived later that same year. Signing a contract with an Egyptian club, Al Ahly, for their inaugural BAL season, Omot exhibited phenomenal performance, earning the MVP award after winning the BAL championship. Transient spells with teams such as Taichung Suns, Chorale Roanne in France, Ningbo Rockets in China, Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan paralleled his professional basketball journey before finally landing a contract with Beijing Ducks of the CBA.

Thanks to his dual nationality, Omot was called up for the South Sudan national team. He featured prominently in the team’s journey to their first-ever qualification for the World Cup. Despite the controversy surrounding an unintentional kidney injury caused to Borisa Simanic during a game against Serbia, Omot retained his prominence in the sport at an international scale. His key contribution to South Sudan’s debut performance in the 2024 Olympics, where he scored the first points for his country, showcased his basketball prowess at the world’s grandest sporting stage. His journey reveals the tale of a refugee turned pro-basketball player, emphasizing perseverance and talent.