FIBA World Cup 2023 Roster Tracker
August 22, 2023
Deng Acuoth
- Nationality: AUS/SSD
- Date of Birth: 2/10/96
- Place of Birth: Sydney (NSW)
- Position: CTR
- Height (CM): 215
- Weight (KG): 90
- Junior Assoc: NSW - Blacktown Storm
- College: None
- NBL DEBUT: 15/02/18
- AGE AT DEBUT: 21
- LAST NBL GAME: 30/01/23
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 26
- NBL History: Sydney 2018-19 | South East Melbourne 2020 | Adelaide 2023
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: South Sudanese born, before moving to Australia as a six-year-old, after spending time in a Kenyan refugee camp.
He spent his teenage years growing up in Sydney and began playing basketball with the Blacktown Storm (NSW).
NBL EXPERIENCE
Deng Acuoth made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 21 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.
Sydney entered the season looking to improve on a seventh-place 13-15 finish, with Julian Khazzouh (to Lebanon), Jeromie Hill (to Sunshine Coast), Greg Whittington (to Sioux Falls), Aleks Maric (to Bahrain), Craig Moller (to Melbourne) and Josh Powell (to Venezuela) among those to depart. Head coach Andrew Gaze retained captain Kevin Lisch, Brad Newley, Jason Cadee and Tom Garlepp while rebuilding the roster around several new local players and imports.
The young centre joined Sydney as a development player after impressing at the Kings’ rookie camp, only four years after taking up basketball. His signing attracted significant media attention because of his journey from a refugee camp in Kenya to Australia as a six-year-old after leaving his parents behind in Africa. Sydney also placed him on a nutrition program to help him add strength, with managing director Jeff Van Groningen describing him as “a young, developing big man” with instinctive basketball skills.
Acuoth (0 points and 1 rebound) made his NBL debut against Brisbane on February 15, playing 2:01 as Sydney defeated the Bullets 90-73. Ellis (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Lisch (18 points and 4 rebounds) led the Kings, while Daniel Kickert (18 points and 5 rebounds) was Brisbane’s leading scorer.
Acuoth (0 points across 2 games) spent almost the entire season in a development role and did not miss games because of a reported injury. His lack of appearances reflected his position outside Gaze’s regular rotation rather than an injury absence.
His opportunity came after Sydney’s frontcourt underwent several changes. Leslie was released during the Kings’ 2-6 start as Randle (via Bahçeşehir) and Tyler (via China) arrived, but Tyler’s stint became another issue for the struggling team. Tyler (13.3 points and 5.8 rebounds across 11 games) was released on January 9 with eight games remaining, with contemporary commentary later calling him a troublesome addition and suggesting Sydney’s chemistry improved after his departure. The club’s stated reason was development, with Van Groningen specifically naming Humphries, Pineau, Acuoth and Darcy Malone as young big men who could receive opportunities over the remaining games.
Randle (19.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists across 19 games) became the first player since Andrew Gaze in 1989 to lead the NBL in both scoring and assists and earned All-NBL Second Team honours. Ellis (14.8 points and 5.8 rebounds across 27 games), Newley (11.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists across 27 games) and Cadee (11.1 points and 3.3 assists across 28 games) were the other major contributors, while Humphries (6.9 points and 3.7 rebounds across 26 games) was named NBL Rookie of the Year. Sydney retained Acuoth as a development player for the following season.
In Sydney’s final game against New Zealand at Qudos Bank Arena on February 18, Acuoth (0 points) played the final 27 seconds as the Kings came from behind to defeat the Breakers 101-86. Cadee (30 points and 3 assists) and Blanchfield (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) led Sydney, while Jordan Ngatai (17 points) was New Zealand’s leading scorer as the Kings collected their sixth win from the final seven games and finished seventh with an 11-17 record.
2018/19
After finishing seventh with an 11-17 record in 2017/18, Sydney retained Andrew Gaze for a third season and rebuilt around Kevin Lisch, Brad Newley and the returning Jerome Randle. Andrew Bogut, Daniel Kickert (via Brisbane), David Wear (via Osaka Evessa), Deng Deng (via McKinnon), Kyle Adnam (via Melbourne), Tom Wilson and Next Star Brian Bowen were added. Deng Acuoth returned for a second season as a development player, having made his NBL debut with Sydney late in 2017/18.
His first appearance of the season came in Auckland on October 21, where he played the final 36 seconds without recording a statistic as Sydney defeated New Zealand 101-78 behind Lisch (19 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals), Randle (15 points and 6 assists) and Adnam (15 points and 5 assists), while Tai Wesley (22 points and 4 rebounds) led the Breakers.
Acuoth (0 points across 4 games) remained outside Gaze’s regular rotation and did not miss games because of a reported injury. His four appearances came against New Zealand, Melbourne, New Zealand again and Illawarra, with all four ending without a recorded point, rebound, assist, steal or block. His longest appearance came against Illawarra on December 16, when he played 52 seconds in Sydney’s 83-68 victory.
On January 15, Sydney signed import forward Ray Turner (via Bendigo) for the remainder of the season to provide additional rebounding and frontcourt support behind Bogut, with Acuoth making way for Turner on the Kings’ 12-man active roster. Sydney finished the regular season third at 18-10 and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2013, led by Randle (17.9 points and 4.2 assists), Lisch (14.1 points, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals) and Bogut (11.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.7 blocks), who was named NBL MVP and Best Defensive Player.
Acuoth did not appear in either semifinal against Melbourne. United won game one 95-73 behind Casper Ware (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists) and DJ Kennedy (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals), while Newley (17 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists), Randle (13 points) and Lisch (13 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Sydney. Melbourne completed the sweep at Qudos Bank Arena with a 90-76 win behind Ware (30 points and 5 rebounds) and Chris Goulding (23 points), while Lisch (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists), Adnam (13 points), Turner (12 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Bogut (10 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) led the Kings.
Following the season, Acuoth left Sydney and signed with expansion club South East Melbourne Phoenix for its inaugural 2019/20 season.
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
2019/20
Deng Acuoth (via Sydney) joined South East Melbourne’s inaugural roster after spending the previous two seasons as a development player with the Kings. During the 2019 NBL1 season he also played for Ballarat, where his 3.2 blocks per game earned him the Miners’ Defensive Player of the Year award before he joined the Phoenix frontcourt alongside Dane Pineau, Daniel Trist and import Keith Benson.
Acuoth’s best game of the season came against Perth on October 25, where he finished with 1 rebound and 1 block in just over five minutes off the bench. Jaye Crockett (12 points) and Kyle Adnam (11 points and 4 assists) led South East Melbourne, while Bryce Cotton (16 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) controlled the game for Perth as the Wildcats won 110-79 and handed the Phoenix their first loss after a 3-0 start.
Acuoth (0 points across 9 games) remained at the end of South East Melbourne’s rotation and went scoreless in each of his nine appearances. No injury was reported as the reason for his absences, with his role focused primarily on development and providing frontcourt depth. Creek (20.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals), Roberson (20.2 points and 5.6 assists), Madgen (12.1 points and 4.8 rebounds) and Wesley (10.7 points and 4.3 rebounds) were the Phoenix’s major contributors as the team led the NBL in scoring at 95.4 points per game.
Acuoth’s final appearance came against Melbourne United on February 16, where Acuoth (0 points) played just over two minutes as Madgen (23 points and 4 rebounds) and Wesley (20 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) led South East Melbourne, while Goulding (28 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) led United to a 109-90 victory, completing the Phoenix’s eight-game losing streak and leaving South East Melbourne second-last with a 9-19 record.
ADELAIDE 36ERS
2022/23
Adelaide entered CJ Bruton’s second season as coach after finishing seventh with a 10-18 record. Mitch McCarron, Daniel Johnson, Sunday Dech, Hyrum Harris, Kai Sotto and Nick Marshall returned, while Isaac Humphries (to Melbourne), Mojave King (to G League Ignite), Todd Withers (to Rytas Vilnius), Cameron Bairstow (retired), Dusty Hannahs (free agent), Tad Dufelmeier Jr (free agent) and Emmanuel Malou (free agent) exited. Anthony Drmic (via Brisbane), Antonius Cleveland (via Illawarra), Robert Franks (via Brisbane), Craig Randall II (via Long Island Nets), Kyrin Galloway (via New Zealand) and Deng Acuoth (via Knox) were added.
Acuoth signed a one-year deal after helping South Sudan make an undefeated start to its 2023 FIBA World Cup qualification campaign. Bruton expected him to provide rim protection behind Adelaide’s established big men, while Acuoth said, “I’m ready to come in and make an impact for Adelaide.”
A Basketball Australia tribunal suspended him for Adelaide’s opening game after he placed bets on NBL matches while playing in NBL1 and before joining the 36ers. Acuoth received a 10-game suspension, with nine games suspended subject to no further breaches, and was permitted to participate in Adelaide’s NBLxNBA games.
After missing the opener, Acuoth played the final six seconds against Illawarra on October 15 as Adelaide won 90-80 behind Randall II (28 points, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Cleveland (16 points, 2 steals, and 2 blocks), while Deng Deng (18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led the Hawks.
Acuoth (0.3 points across 13 games) played only 38 minutes for the season as Franks, Johnson, Sotto, Harris and Galloway received most of Adelaide’s frontcourt opportunities. His best game came in Cairns on January 30, where Acuoth (3 points and 2 rebounds) made three free throws during 3:07 as Adelaide held on for a 99-96 win. Cleveland (27 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Franks (20 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) led the 36ers, while Hogg (26 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks) was Cairns’ best.
Franks (17.7 points and 6.5 rebounds), Cleveland (15.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 steals), Johnson (11.1 points and 5.3 rebounds), Drmic (10.3 points and 3.4 rebounds), McCarron (7.8 points, 5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals), Dech (7.3 points) and Sotto (6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds) led Adelaide before Melbourne defeated the 36ers 116-107 in their final game, leaving Adelaide eighth with a 13-15 record.
Deng Acuoth played four seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Sydney Kings, South East Melbourne Phoenix and Adelaide 36ers.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 26 | Adelaide | 13-15 (8) | 13 | 38 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 4 | 6 | 67% | 34% | 0% | 3 |
| 2019-20 | 23 | South East Melbourne | 9-19 (8) | 9 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 |
| 2018-19 | 22 | Sydney | 18-10 (3) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 |
| 2017-18 | 21 | Sydney | 11-17 (7) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0 | Totals | 27 | 56 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 0.0% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 4 | 6 | 66.7% | 0% | 0% | 3 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 26 | Adelaide | 13-15 (8) | 13 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.3 | 0.5 | 67% | 34% | 0% | 3 |
| 2019-20 | 23 | South East Melbourne | 9-19 (8) | 9 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 |
| 2018-19 | 22 | Sydney | 18-10 (3) | 4 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 |
| 2017-18 | 21 | Sydney | 11-17 (7) | 1 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0% | 0 | Total | 27 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 66.7% | 0% | 0% | 3 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Melbourne (2018), Ballarat (2019, 2021), Knox (2022–2023, 2026), Keilor (2024)
Acuoth joined Melbourne Tigers for the 2018 SEABL season and established himself as a rim-protecting centre, finishing with 53 blocks to sit at the top of the competition’s shot-blocking table.
Ballarat Miners signed Acuoth for the 2019 NBL1 season and he became one of the league’s leading defensive players, winning NBL1 Defensive Player of the Year while leading NBL1 in blocks at 3.2 per game. In round five against Albury-Wodonga, he recorded the triple-double provided in the input with 21 points, 15 rebounds and 11 blocks, and later posted 10 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks as game MVP in a win that secured Ballarat a home preliminary final.
He returned to Ballarat Miners for the 2021 NBL1 South season and again gave the frontcourt a shot-blocking presence, opening the campaign with 22 points, 18 rebounds, two assists and two blocks against Sandringham. He later added 15 points, eight rebounds, five blocks and two assists against Ringwood, and recorded eight points, 11 rebounds, one assist and four blocks in an 83–77 win over Knox.
Knox Raiders added Acuoth for the 2022 NBL1 South season and he averaged 10.0 points, 9.56 rebounds, 1.50 assists and 2.94 blocks per game, leading Knox in rebounds and blocks while giving the Raiders a defensive anchor in the frontcourt.
He remained with Knox Raiders for the 2023 NBL1 South season and helped the club win the NBL1 South championship, with Knox finishing first before beating Sandringham in the Grand Final. He averaged 9.96 points, 7.92 rebounds, 1.04 assists and 1.76 blocks per game, leading Knox in rebounds and blocks, and entered the Grand Final preview averaging 11.4 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks during the finals run.
Keilor Thunder signed Acuoth for the 2024 NBL1 South season and he played the summer with Keilor before moving overseas later that year, adding another Victorian state league stop after his Knox championship stint.
Acuoth returned to the Knox Raiders during the 2026 NBL1 South season, rejoining the club he helped win the 2023 championship. Acuoth (12.5 points, and 11.3 rebounds) had most recently played NBL1 South with Keilor in 2024 across 10 games.
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Acuoth was on the South Sudan national basketball team for AfroBasket 2021. As the starting center of the team, he averaged 9.3 points and 9 rebounds per game.
Played for South Sudan during the FIBA World Cup Qualifying window in 2022, helping them go undefeated across the first round of qualifiers.
Acouth was a part of the South Sudans first ever national team to qualify for the FIBA World Cup. The Bright Stars, who competed in the 2023 tournament made history again on August 28 when South Sudan earned its first World Cup victory with a dominant win over China in Manila, Philippines.
South Sudan would qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by finishing as the best African team in the World Cup by beating Angola in their final game. This will be their first-ever Olympics.
In 2024, Acuoth was named to South Sudans 25-player training camp roster ahead of the Paris Olympics.
FIBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 27 | 3 | 28 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 50.0% | 1 | 1 | 100.0% | 1 | 1 | 100.0% | Total | 3 | 28 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 50% | 1 | 1 | 100% | 1 | 1 | 100% |
FIBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 27 | 3 | 9.3 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 50.0% | 0.3 | 0.3 | 100.0% | 0.3 | 0.3 | 100.0% | Total | 3 | 9.3 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 50% | 0.3 | 0.3 | 100% | 0.3 | 0.3 | 100% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Georgia - Mega Tbilisi (2021–2022) | Tunisia - US Monastir (2023, 2025) | Qatar - Al-Arabi SC (2023) | Bahrain - Al-Muharraq (2023) | Lebanon - Sagesse (2024) | Iran - Kalleh Mazandaran (2024) | China - Shenzhen Leopards (2024) | Mongolia - SG Apes (2024–2025) | United Arab Emirates - Al Bataeh (2025) | Taiwan - Taipei Fubon Braves (2026)
Deng Acuoth spent the 2021–22 season playing in Georgia with Mega Tbilisi after agreeing terms on December 8, 2021, and he appeared in 15 Superliga games with 180 points and 170 rebounds, which worked out to 12.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, while also totaling 36 blocks (2.4 per game) alongside teammates such as Tyrell Corbin, Demonte Flannigan, and Otar Buliava.
On January 28, 2023, Acuoth joined the defending Basketball Africa League champions US Monastir for the BAL season, adding a frontcourt option to a roster that also included experienced Tunisian core pieces such as Radhouane Slimane.
Later in 2023, he played in the Gulf region, including a stint with Al-Arabi SC in the Qatar Basketball League, before joining Bahraini club Al-Muharraq for the Arab Club Basketball Championship where he debuted with 13 points and 13 rebounds, and later finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds in the bronze-medal game in a tournament run that featured local teammates such as Bader Abdulla Jassim and American import Julius Coles.
In early 2024, Acuoth signed with Sagesse in Lebanon and featured across the club’s regional schedule, including eight West Asia Super League games where he averaged 10.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest.
On September 15, 2024, he was added as an import by Kalleh Mazandaran in Iran’s Basketball Super League, and on November 13, 2024 he signed with the Shenzhen Leopards in the Chinese CBA as part of a batch of foreign signings, but he did not appear in a game for Shenzhen.
Acuoth then signed with SG Apes on December 22, 2024 for Mongolia’s The League, and he later returned to US Monastir for the 2025 BAL campaign where he played eight games and averaged 8.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game, with Monastir competing in the 2025 Sahara Conference schedule.
In 2025 he also had a stint in the UAE with Al Bataeh, and in 2026 he moved to Taiwan with the Taipei Fubon Braves, joining a PLG roster that has included imports such as Archie Goodwin and Michael Singletary.
AWARDS
- NBL1 Defensive Player of the Year (2019)
Related
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