“If I weren’t playing for South Sudan, I would be playing for Uganda,” former UCU Canons player and National Basketball League MVP Rose “Akon” Macuei said with a laugh. “I owe a lot to Uganda because it made me who I am today.”
The decision to represent her homeland was not easy. Rose, born in South Sudan but raised in Uganda after her family fled war, had the opportunity to naturalize and play for Uganda. Her teammates and the federation encouraged it.
But watching South Sudan’s men’s national team at the 2017 AfroBasket qualifiers in Nairobi inspired something deeper. She wanted to give back to her country.
“I knew if the men could build a national team without an active league, why not the women?” she said.
With encouragement from two-time NBA All-Star Luol Deng, Rose became part of the women’s national team, despite the uncertainty of South Sudan’s basketball infrastructure.
Her first test came less than 36 hours after arriving in Wuhan, China. The 6’1” forward played against the hosts, scoring 4 points, shooting 2 for 2 at the free throw line, and grabbing three steals.
Travel delays and document issues had kept her from joining the team’s camp, yet fatigue was invisible as she forced turnovers and played relentless defense.
South Sudan’s women’s team sits 55th in the FIBA rankings but tops the “Biggest Climbers” chart, jumping 31 places from 86th. For Rose, reaching this stage is the result of years of perseverance.
Born in April 2000, Rose is the third of six siblings in a blended family of ten. Her father moved the family to Uganda when she was seven, seeking safety and better opportunities.
“We packed all our belongings and left in search of education, healthcare, and a better life,” she recalls.
Scouted to play for Uganda Christian University while still in high school, Rose has played professionally in Rwanda, Portugal, France, Morocco, and now Egypt with Al Ahly.
“I was preparing to play for Uganda,” she admits. “But something in me wanted to represent my roots. This is more than basketball.”
Her averages at the tournament 9.3 points, six rebounds, and two assists per game, highlight her impact, but it is her journey that resonates most.
“It’s a legacy. I want girls to look at me and think, ‘If Rose did it, why can’t I?’”
Rose dreams of creating mentorship programs to help girls across Africa thrive in basketball. Every time she steps on the court, she wears the South Sudan jersey with pride.
