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The ultimate journey Duany goes from Sudan to Wisconsin to Final Four
Posted: Tuesday March 28, 2000 10:20 PM
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - When he was 4 years old, Duany Duany and his family left the tropical, dangerous climes of Sudan. Thirteen years later, Duany left Bloomington, Ind., for Madison and an unexpected college basketball career. When Wisconsin's season ends this weekend, Duany will be back home in Indiana, trying to help the Badgers win an improbable national championship. Some time soon, he may return to his homeland and complete the cycle by helping in some way to bring about a much more important victory. "I think about Sudan a lot," said Duany, his voice betraying a slight Indiana twang. "I worry about the children who don't get the chances I got. It's important for me to make the most of my opportunities and then try to make a difference." Wal Duany -- Sudan's former prime minister -- his wife Julia and their family left Sudan shortly before a civil war broke out in 1983, one that continues to this day. Nearly 2 million people have died and another 4 million have been uprooted in the fight for autonomy in southern Sudan. They lived in London for two years before Wal Duany moved to finish his postgraduate studies at Indiana University. Duany played on a Bloomington North High School team that at times featured as many as nine players who were the sons of non-American professors at the university. Duany doesn't remember much about his native land, but he can't forget where he comes from. Last month, his father was appointed chairman of the South Sudan Liberation Movement. Wal Duany has spent several months in Sudan recently, trying to unify the various rebellions against Sudan's government, which the United States has accused of supporting terrorism, bombing civilians and committing civil rights abuses. Duany thinks about his father, but he also worries about the rest of his family. He has two sisters and a brother who played Division I basketball this season, something that might be unprecedented. His brother Kueth was a redshirt freshman at Syracuse, and his sister Nok played for Georgetown as a freshman this year. His sister Nyagon is a senior forward at Bradley. What's more, Duany's brother Bil is a 6-foot-4 freshman at Bloomington North. "I like to keep track of how everybody is doing," said Duany, who also has two cousins playing in Massachusetts. "We stay pretty close." Duany Duany, who has a double name because of a Sudanese tradition for the first-born son, has seen his playing time fluctuate wildly this season after three fairly disappointing seasons and a redshirt year. In November, he was stapled to the bench. In January, he started several games and led the team in scoring three times. Now he's back on the bench, playing an integral supporting role. He's primarily a streaky outside shooter and a solid defender, which doesn't do much to distinguish him from many others on the roster. But Doc, as his teammates call him, is happy being another cog in coach Dick Bennett's system. "He has shown leadership and really been a team player this season," Bennett said. "[Duany] has found a niche on this team, I think, and it's a good place for him to finish out his career with us." The most memorable game of Duany's season so far came in one of Wisconsin's early-season losses to bigger, faster Big Ten teams. When the Badgers fell 71-67 to Indiana in Bloomington on Jan. 5, Duany was given a start by Bennett, and he led the team with 17 points while playing in front of family and friends. Whatever happens this weekend, Duany will treasure his unexpected trip to college basketball's center stage. But he also won't forget his father's work and his family's support. "This is nothing, you know what I mean? This is a small thing compared to my father," Duany said. "I see that and put it all in perspective. It shows you what really matters."
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