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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

NBA Star Luol Deng


It had been feared that Deng would have to sit out GB's warm-up games ahead of their European Championship qualifying campaign that begins on 2 August.
Luol Deng has joined up with the Great Britain squad after resolving issues over insurance and his NBA contract.
But the Chicago Bulls star said: "It's all cleared, everything is set up.
"It's just going to take me a week or so to get in shape as I've been in Africa [on family business] and I need a few days to get back to playing."
Deng, 25, signed a contract worth £46m with the Bulls in 2008, and insuring him has been an issue in the past for GB.
The terms of the deal preclude Deng from playing in any of the team's four upcoming friendly games, the first of which comes against Finland on Friday. He will, however, be allowed to train with the team.
But the Chicago Bulls star said: "It's all cleared, everything is set up.
"It's just going to take me a week or so to get in shape as I've been in Africa [on family business] and I need a few days to get back to playing."
Deng, 25, signed a contract worth £46m with the Bulls in 2008, and insuring him has been an issue in the past for GB.
The terms of the deal preclude Deng from playing in any of the team's four upcoming friendly games, the first of which comes against Finland on Friday. He will, however, be allowed to train with the team.
"It's a good thing and a bad thing," said Deng. "The bad side is, a lot of these guys are going to get their first experience in qualifying games and we need them to be on the same page right away.
"The big part is, these guys are young and they're going to get good experience and hopefully we'll take care of business and this is going to help a lot in the future."
Despite Deng's return, GB coach Chris Finch is without several key players, including Robert Archibald and Joel Freeland.
NBA player Ben Gordon has been ruled out of August's qualifiers because the Detroit Pistons guard has not recovered after having bone spurs removed from his ankle.
GB narrowly lost their opening warm-up game 82-78 to a Canadian development squad on Wednesday.
GB will face home and away qualifiers against Hungary, Macedonia, Bosnia & Hercegovina and Ukraine in August as they bid to earn a ticket to EuroBasket 2011.
They will continue their preparations with a game against Finland on Friday before travelling to Tel Aviv to play in a warm-up tournament with Belgium, Israel and Holland. “I think I'll get my rhythm with the team more from practice than from playing 10 minutes in a game ”Loul DengDeng’s role as Patron will involve helping to promote the Games to the Capital’s youngsters and encouraging them to fulfil their sporting potential, both on and off the pitch. Subject to his basketball commitments, Deng will be at the LYG finals and will also lead a training session with the winners of the Games’ basketball competition which takes place on 4th July.
A former competitor at the Games in mid 1990s, Deng will be back in England to play for the Bulls when they face the Utah Jazz as part of NBA Europe Live, presented by EA Sports on October 6 at The O2. (Visit www.thefakewatch.com and see the latest and most popular Fake Watches designs.)


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