A movie could someday be made about the South Sudan basketball team, which added another dramatic chapter to its story on Saturday night in front of an electrified crowd at the O2 Arena.

LeBron James made a crucial driving layup with eight seconds left, helping Team USA narrowly avoid a historic upset with a 101-100 victory over South Sudan.

Former Charlotte Hornets forward JT Thor hit a three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining, giving South Sudan a chance at victory. However, they were unable to convert in the final seconds, despite two attempts.

The Bright Stars, as they are known, will make history as the first team to represent South Sudan in the Olympics when they arrive in Paris next week. They provided Team USA with a serious challenge, showing no fear against their highly regarded opponents.

South Sudan led by as many as 16 points and threatened to pull off one of the biggest upsets in international basketball history before Team USA staged a comeback.

LeBron James, who might be interested in buying the movie rights to the South Sudan story, was determined not to be part of the losing side. He took control when the U.S. was in trouble, scoring 25 points and playing a key role in a 23-5 run from late in the third quarter to early in the fourth. A powerful dunk that led to a three-point play and a clutch three-pointer were among his standout plays. Steph Curry also contributed with two three-pointers, ending a stretch where Team USA missed 14 of 15 triples, which had contributed to their deficit.

South Sudan showcased its collective athleticism and fearlessness, with many players being descendants of refugees who grew up in North America or Australia.