Sea Bears Dispute Akot National Team Call-Up

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced today South Sudan has attempted to name Canadian forward Emmanuel Akot to their team for the upcoming AfroBasket 2025 tournament in Angola.

Under FIBA regulations, professional clubs are required to release players for national team duty only if they receive a minimum of 30 days’ notice. As this requirement was not met, the Sea Bears are formally disputing the call-up and maintain that Akot remains under contract and is still obligated to fulfill his commitments to the team.

Akot did not report to practice on July 31 and has been suspended by the club until further notice.