Gilbert Arenas Blasted For Xenophobic Comments During USA-South Sudan Exhibition Basketball Game

The Olympics always bring about a sense of patriotism, though it can quickly devolve into nationalism or even xenophobia. Gilbert Arenas was recently blasted for his harsh comments toward South Sudan during their exhibition basketball game against Team USA.

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“Almost lost to some Africans,” he said in between laughs while critiquing the game. “Almost lost to the Ahi Ahi tribe.” He then acknowledged that LeBron James had to play the hero, as the USA team barely squeaked by South Sudan with a 101-100 victory. The former hooper believed that was not a coincidence, but rather the work of Joel Embiid , who was “goddamn throwing the game for his cousins and sh*t.” Notably, the Philadelphia 76ers power forward is Cameroonian.

The 42-year-old media personality continued his rant referencing the 1993 film Cool Runnings , which is about a Jamaican bobsled team competing in the Winter Olympics. “Come on, man. Cool Runnings ?” he asked. “We’re not supposed to lose to the Cool Runnings team. They don’t even have shoes. They get their shoes from America. We gotta ship them shoes. They don’t even have basketball rims, dog. … We losing to people who got baskets in the back. They shooting on f**king peach baskets in dirt, no shoes.”

Joel Embiid was asked about Arenas’ commentary and stood up for the entire continent of Africa.

“Obviously, I don’t condone it,” he said. “I’m African, first and foremost. I might be playing for Team USA but I’m Cameroonian first and foremost.” Embiid admitted that he didn’t know exactly what the former Washington Wizards guard said, so he couldn’t comment on that, but was still “disappointed” at the negativity toward African basketball.

“You see what African basketball has done for us to be in this position to be able to make some sort of impact,” he continued. “Even that position that I am [in]. I still have a lot of impact where I’m from and the whole continent of Africa, and that’s never gonna stop. So, like I said, it’s really unfortunate especially in the world we live in now. So much negativity.”

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Arenas caught flack from pundits in the basketball space and internet users, as well. “Gilbert Arenas’ ignorance/ xenophobia is truly next level,” Emmy-nominated sportscaster Chris Williamson wrote on X. “The insensitive, ignorant, xenophobic and offensive remarks about the South Sudan basketball team made by former NBA player Gilbert Arenas are completely unacceptable,” another user wrote. “The disrespect the South Sudan team has faced is truly disturbing and it’s disgusting.”

“This is flat out racism and xenophobia,” another X user said. “It’s time to start calling comments like this from Gilbert Arenas and others exactly what it is. The game is for EVERYONE, and watching South Sudan’s performance should warrant nothing but admiration. They literally got it out the mud.”

While this may be Arenas’ first exhibition of xenophobia, he is no stranger to controversial takes. Last year, he claimed that NBA players did not fear going up against LeBron James. “Michael Jordan was feared. Allen Iverson was feared. Kobe [Bryant] was feared. Guys who have the ability to score 30 to damn 70 points, they’re feared,” he said.

It was an interesting take given the fact the four-time MVP scored 51 points against Arenas in 2011. In the 19 games they played against one another, James scored 30 or more points seven times, and 25 or more points in 12 games.

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