LUOL DENG hopes to fire Team GB past the pool stages of the London 2012
basketball tournament.
The Chicago Bulls star — who was asked by his NBA team to rest and recover
from injury this summer — was picked in the 12 strong squad.
It’s 64 years since Britain last had a basketball team at the Olympics, the
last time the Games were held in the city and the national team was
re-formed in 2007 with the aim of being competitive at London 2012.
Deng, 27, was born in South Sudan before moving to Brixton in London then
moved to New Jersey to play at high school.
He played at Duke University in South Carolina under highly respected “Coach
K” Mike Krzyzewski — Team USA’s 2012 Olympic coach.
Deng averaged 14 points in the 2012 NBA playoffs, when the Bulls went out in
the first round to Philadelphia.
Team GB will avoid defending champions and gold medal favourites United
States, playing facing Australia, Brazil, China, Spain and one other team
who are yet to qualify in Pool B.
Deng said: “We have all worked very hard for this opportunity and to have the
final 12 named is exciting.
“The next few weeks will fly by and I can’t wait to step on the court with my
teammates at the Games.
“We plan to make Great Britain proud.”
Team GB basketball squad for London 2012:
Kieron Achara; Robert Archibald; Eric Boateng; Dan Clark; Luol Deng; Joel
Freeland; Kyle Johnson; Andrew Lawrence; Mike Lenzly; Pops Mensa-Bonsu; Nate
Reinking; Andrew Sullivan.
Video : London 2012 venue guide : Basketball Centre
