Stephen Curry Reveals Team USA 'Fear' Level For South Sudan Rematch

It was not even two weeks that Team USA needed a last-second layup from LeBron James to stave off a historic exhibition upset at the hands of South Sudan. Now that real stakes are at play in the 2024 Olympic Games, the Americans are ensuring they don't underestimate Luol Deng's upstart squad again.

Ahead of his team's Group C clash with South Sudan on Wednesday afternoon in Lille, Stephen Curry clarified the United States' level of "fear" for the highly anticipated rematch.

“We have appropriate fear of everybody,” the Golden State Warriors superstar said, per Joe Vardon of The Athletic .

Team USA beat South Sudan, 101-100, in a thriller on July 20, only escaping London with a sluggish victory due to James' clutch heroics. Former Philadelphia 76ers draft pick Mariel Shayok spearheaded South Sudan's stellar effort, finishing with 24 points.

Both sides enter Wednesday's game at 1-0 in Olympic action after taking their openers. The United States shook off a slow to start easily dispatch of Nikola Jokic and Serbia, while South Sudan's inspiring run continued with a 90-79 victory over Puerto Rico.

South Sudan, clearly, isn't the Olympic pushover most assumed it would be in Paris. Look for Team USA to confront that reality from the opening tip on Wednesday, playing with the spirit and energy it lacked while nearly falling to South Sudan 10 days ago.

Related: Steve Kerr Justifies Decision To Bench Jayson Tatum In USA vs. Serbia