From refugee to role Model: Wenyen Gabriel named UNHCR goodwill ambassador
Author: Michael Daniel | Published: 15 hours ago
UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Wenyen Gabriel. photo credit: UNHCR/Reason Moses Runyanga
From a child forced to flee conflict to an Olympian representing South Sudan on the world stage, Wenyen Makuach Gabriel has added another milestone to his remarkable journey.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has appointed the South Sudanese basketball star and Olympian as its newest Goodwill Ambassador, making him the first basketball player to serve in the role for the refugee agency.
Gabriel, who is also an American citizen, was born in Khartoum, Sudan, to South Sudanese parents who fled the civil war in South Sudan. His family later sought refuge in Egypt before being resettled in the United States when he was two years old.
In the United States, Gabriel earned a basketball scholarship to the University of Kentucky before advancing to the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he played for several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers.
In 2024, Gabriel represented South Sudan at the Paris Olympic Games, marking the country’s first ever Olympic basketball appearance, a milestone that reflected his extraordinary journey from refugee to international athlete.
Speaking after accepting the appointment, Gabriel said his family’s experience of displacement shaped his life and inspired him to advocate for people forced to flee their homes.
“My family was forced to flee war and conflict, but our lives changed because we found safety. I was able to go to school, play sports, and dream about my future,” he recalled.
“Today, as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, I can stand up for people who have been forced to flee and remind the world that no one chooses to become a refugee. Refugee status should be a chapter in someone’s life, not the end of their story,” he said.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih welcomed Gabriel’s appointment, saying his story reflects the resilience and potential of refugees when they are given protection and opportunities to rebuild their lives.
Salih said: “Through his humanitarian work and commitment to supporting young people through sport, Wenyen has already made a positive impact. We are honored to welcome him to the UNHCR family.”
Before his appointment, Gabriel visited Maban County in Upper Nile State, where he met Sudanese refugees who had fled conflict in neighboring Sudan. During the visit, he listened to their experiences and learned about the challenges they continue to face.
He also inaugurated a new basketball court at Doro Refugee Camp and led a training program for refugee and host community youth, highlighting the role of sport in promoting hope, inclusion, and opportunity.
Reflecting on the visit, Gabriel said meeting families displaced by violence reinforced the importance of supporting refugees.
“In South Sudan, I met mothers who fled bombing in Sudan and moved from place to place in search of safety. One mother told me that all she wants is to sleep peacefully without fear or the sound of drones overhead. Beside her was her eight year old daughter, who still dreams of becoming a doctor. Moments like these remind me why UNHCR’s work matters and why we must never stop supporting people forced to flee,” he said.
Gabriel’s appointment comes as UNHCR and its partners mark the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention on July 28, reaffirming global commitments to protect and support refugees worldwide.
“I am living proof that the promise of safety enshrined in the Refugee Convention can transform lives, and it transformed mine,” Gabriel said.
“At a time when that promise is under pressure, I pledge to stand with refugees and all those forced to flee until everyone can live in safety,” he added.