South Sudan has hired an ex-American basketball star to lead the initiation of the women basketball team that will participate in the FIBA AfroBasket qualifiers.

Lindsey Harding’s appointment was confirmed by the US media on April 19, 2021. The 36-year old carries a blend of fairly rich playing experience and a promising coaching career after starring in the US basketball sport.

Before being hired, she was a member of the Sacramento Kings coaching staff, where she was the assistant coach. Her appointment will provide her with the foundation of scaling to the higher heights of the game.

‘‘Harding joined Sacramento’s staff as a player development coach in 2019. She began her coaching career on the Toronto Raptors Summer League team in 2017. Before being hired by the Kings, Harding also spent some time with the Philadelphia 76ers as a scout — the first Black female scout in the NBA — before being promoted to a player development coach,’’ Kings News, a news site affiliated to Sacramento Kings notes of her new job.

Playing career

It further notes on her career: ‘‘Harding played nine seasons in the WNBA after being the top pick of the 2007 draft. She played her collegiate career at Duke, where she led the Blue Devils to a 32-2 record in her senior year and was the national player of the year. She also suited up for the Belarus national team during her playing career.’’

Harding will not only aim for pushing the team to the AfroBasket qualifiers, but she will also be hoping to nurture a generation of talented young women in South Sudan who can pursue the sports beyond the borders.