Royal Ivey — born in Harlem and raised in Queens — has already exceeded expectations by first teaching upstart South Sudan onto the world stage of their first Olympics, after which making a successful debut in Paris.
Now comes Wednesday’s showdown with Staff USA, and finest buddy Kevin Durant. For Ivey, 42, it looks as if one thing plucked out of a Hollywood script.
“Being within the Olympics, and getting our first win. … My life is sort of a film. So that is chapter 42, and that is a tremendous chapter for me,” Ivey stated. “Being right here, taking part in within the league for 10 years, now I’m teaching, I’m the OG, I’m the outdated head. I by no means thought I’d be a coach. I assumed I’d be a schoolteacher or run my very own prep college, however I’m a coach and I’m investing within the youth and these younger guys, so on the finish of the day, man, like I stated, my life is a film.
“Preserve it going. The whole lot’s been surreal my complete life. I’ve been an overachiever in life. Folks informed me, no, you couldn’t do that. You’re not fast sufficient, you’re not sensible sufficient, you’re not quick sufficient, and I proceed to show individuals incorrect, and that’s the story. You are able to do no matter you place your thoughts to. You’ll be able to manifest no matter you need on this life. It’s achievable, so I’m simply residing proof.”
2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
Ivey — who’d been an assistant with the Knicks after which the Nets — took over a South Sudan group in 2021 that had by no means made the World Cup or Olympics.
The world’s latest nation at simply 13 years outdated, they reached their first World Cup final yr. Ending as the most effective African group earned them their first Olympic berth.
“He’s executed unbelievable. You’ve obtained to be good, and also you’ve obtained to be fortunate,” Ron Naclerio, who coached Ivey at Cardozo Excessive College in Queens, informed The Submit. “However while you’re good you make your luck; while you’re dangerous you get unfortunate. I see what he’s executed the final two or three years, slowly constructing it up, slowly build up. Getting certified for the Olympics was fairly a feat. Then the exhibition sport needed to have opened up their very own eyes … After which beating Puerto Rico [was huge].”
A gap 90-79 win over Puerto Rico was spectacular. Taking Staff USA to the wire this month earlier than a 101-100 loss in London — is perhaps extra spectacular.
“The great factor Royal has is while you coach within the Olympics, it’s somewhat extra pure teaching. There’s no three seconds on protection, you’ll be able to play zone,” Naclerio stated.. “I used to be screaming when Royal was up one in opposition to USA — I hate to say I used to be rooting in opposition to USA; I used to be rooting for Royal.”
However that was an exhibition, and Durant didn’t play. He’ll Wednesday.
Ivey met Durant when Ivey was a professional and Durant was a teen. They’ve develop into finest pals. Ivey was a Nets assistant when Durant was in Brooklyn; now he’ll face him with an opportunity to drag off a historic upset.
“KD and him are the most effective of pals. Royal is the tightest particular person [to Durant], possibly even tighter than his personal organic brother. KD was in (Ivey’s) wedding ceremony get together,” stated Naclerio. “KD, sadly he’s simply one other beast. I don’t assume the foreigners are used to guarding the 7-footer that shoots like a 6-footer.”
After his Brooklyn keep from 2020-23 lined up with Durant’s, Ivey spent final season beneath Ime Udoka in Houston. His work with South Sudan is getting him discover for head-coaching jobs.
“I noticed tweets this yr about his identify being talked about — probably with Washington, with Charlotte — and I stated simply bide your time, it’s gonna occur. And now, as a result of [of the Olympics] it would occur,” stated Naclerio. “If Houston can have an amazing yr, and hopefully he can get some medals within the Video games. … You already know what it’s, proper now he’s the attractive woman. Hopefully he stays stunning.”
