Luol Deng
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
|
Luol Deng in Chicago Bulls uniform
|
|
| Position | Small forward |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Team | Chicago Bulls |
| Nationality |  United Kingdom |
| Born | April 16, 1985 Wau, Sudan |
| College | Duke |
| Draft | 7th overall, 2004 Phoenix Suns |
| Pro career | 2004 – present |
Luol Deng (born April 16, 1985 in Wau, Sudan) is a professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls, where he plays small forward.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Luol Deng was born in the Dinka tribe of Sudan. When he was at a young age, his family moved to Egypt to escape the Second Sudanese Civil War. In Egypt, they met former NBA center Manute Bol, another Dinka, who taught Deng's older brother how to play basketball, and served as a mentor for Luol himself. [1] [2] When they were granted political asylum, his family emigrated to South Norwood in London, England. Deng developed an interest in soccer and basketball, and was invited to join England's 15-and-under teams in both sports. [3] At the age of 13, he played for England's squad in the European Junior Men’s Qualifying Tournament, averaging 40 points and 14 rebounds. He was named the MVP of the tournament. Next, he led England to the finals of the European Junior National Tournament, where he averaged 34 points and earned another MVP award. Although he chose to focus on basketball, he counts himself a fan of Arsenal F.C. [4]
At the age of 16, Deng moved to the United States to play basketball at Blair Academy in New Jersey, where one of his teammates was future NBA player Charlie Villanueva. During his senior year, Deng was considered the second most promising high school senior in America after LeBron James. He was named First Team All-America by Parade Magazine and USA Today, and was selected to play in the McDonald’s High School All-America game. [5] After graduation, he decided to attend Duke University. In one season at Duke, he averaged 30.1 minutes and scored 15.1 points per game en route to a berth in the 2004 Final Four.
[edit] Professional career
After one year at Duke, Deng entered the 2004 NBA Draft. He was picked seventh overall by the Phoenix Suns, but was immediately traded to the Chicago Bulls by prior agreement. Deng suffered a season-ending wrist injury late in his rookie season, but still made the NBA All-Rookie First Team to help the resurgent Bulls return to the playoffs for the first time in several years. In his second season, he posted strong performances throughout March and April to help the Bulls earn their second consecutive playoff berth.
Deng continues to credit Manute Bol as a major influence, saying "He has really helped me out in my life and I know that if I'm playing this game then it thanks to him, so I owe him a lot." [6] "Manute started me with this whole thing and basketball. Our relationship is one where he is like an older brother or a father to me. He gives me a lot of advice."[7]
[edit] Citizenship
Since his birth in Sudan, Deng has lived in Egypt, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Deng has represented England at Under-16 and Under-19 level, and was an ambassador for the London 2012 Olympic Games bid. In October 2006, Deng became a naturalized British citizen in a ceremony in Croydon. Deng is now available to play for all qualifying games in which Great Britain is involved.[8]
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/rookies_040830.html
- ^ http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,1448493,00.html
- ^ http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/rookies_040830.html
- ^ Luol Deng - Arsenal’s Biggest Fan. Arsenal.com. Retrieved on August 22, 2006.
- ^ http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/rookies_040830.html
- ^ http://www.nba.com/bwb/africa_deng.html
- ^ http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/deng_interview_040708.html
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/basketball/6064476.stm
[edit] External links
| 2004 NBA Draft | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Round Dwight Howard | Emeka Okafor | Ben Gordon | Shaun Livingston | Devin Harris | Josh Childress | Luol Deng | Rafael Araújo | Andre Iguodala | Luke Jackson | Andris Biedriņš | Robert Swift | Sebastian Telfair | Kris Humphries | Al Jefferson | Kirk Snyder | Josh Smith | J.R. Smith | Dorell Wright | Jameer Nelson | Pavel Podkolzine | Viktor Khryapa | Sergei Monia | Delonte West | Tony Allen | Kevin Martin | Sasha Vujačić | Beno Udrih | David Harrison |
||
| Second Round Anderson Varejão | Jackson Vroman | Peter John Ramos | Lionel Chalmers | Donta Smith | Andre Emmett | Antonio Burks | Royal Ivey | Chris Duhon | Albert Miralles | Justin Reed | David Young | Viktor Sanikidze | Trevor Ariza | Tim Pickett | Bernard Robinson | Ha Seung-Jin | Pape Sow | Ricky Minard | Sergei Lishouk | Vassilis Spanoulis | Christian Drejer | Romain Sato | Matt Freije | Rickey Paulding | Luis Flores | Marcus Douthit | Sergei Karaulov | Blake Stepp | Rashad Wright |
||
