Luol Deng

At 39 years old, Luol Deng has this physical status:

Luol Ajou Deng (born 16 April 1985) is a South Sudanese-British former professional basketball player.

In 2012, he was a two-time NBA All-Star and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.

Deng, a child born in what is now South Sudan, left the country with his family as a child and settled in the United Kingdom.

He became a British national team member in 2006 and has competed for the Great Britain national team. Deng was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2004 NBA draft with his seventh overall pick after playing college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils.

In 2005, he was accepted to the NBA All-Rookie First Team as a 19-year-old.

Before splitting with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2013 and 2013, the small forward was an All-Star with the Bulls in 2012 and 2013.

Deng joined the Miami Heat in 2014–15 after just half a season with Cleveland.

He spent two seasons with the Heat before committing to the Lakers in 2016.

He spent his remaining season with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Deng resigned with the Chicago Bulls on October 17, 2019.

Early life

Deng was born in Wau, Sudan (now in South Sudan) and is a member of the Dinka ethnic group. As he was young, Aldo, a Sudanese parliament member, took the family to Egypt to escape the Second Sudanese Civil War. They met in Egypt with former NBA center Manute Bol, another Dinka who coached Deng's older brother, Ajou Deng, how to play basketball and also mentored Luol. His family immigrated to Brixton, South London, after being granted political asylum.

Deng was educated at St. Mary's RC High School, a Catholic aided state comprehensive school in Croydon, South London. He took an interest in football, adoreing Faustino Asprilla of Newcastle United, but he also played basketball and was invited to join England's 15-and-under squad in that sport. He began his basketball career at Brixton Basketball Club at this point. He represented Croydon at the London Youth Games and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He played for England's squad in the European Junior Men's Qualifying Tournament at the age of 13. He had averaging 40 points and 14 rebounds. He was named the tournament's (MVP) MVP. He led England to the finals of the European Junior National Tournament, where he scored 34) points and received another (MVP) award.

Luol played basketball at Blair Academy in New Jersey at the age of 14. Charlie Villanueva, a future (NBA) player, was one of his teammates. Deng and Villanueva were also named a Tri-Captain at Blair. Deng was named by Parade and USA Today as the second most promising high school senior in America after LeBron James and named second team All-America. He was selected to play in McDonald's All-America game, but he couldn't participate due to a foot injury.

Deng was ranked as the No. 1 in a five-star recruit by Rivals.com. One small forward and the No. In 2003, the country's second top-ranked player.

Personal life

Deng is involved with a variety of charities, including the UK Children's charity School Home Support. He has been praised for his efforts on behalf of the Lost Boys of Sudan and other refugees. Luol travelled to Africa, Asia, and Europe with the NBA during the summers of 2006 and 2007. He is also a spokesperson for the World Food Programme. "He really epitomizes everything I had hoped for as a person and a basketball player," general manager John Paxson said. "I believe it's one of the reasons we've gotten to the point we are at this year." I'm very proud of him. I believe he is both a human being and a player."

Arsenal F.C.'s owner claims to be a fan of the English Premier League team.

In the United Kingdom, Deng is the cover star for NBA Live 09 and NBA Live ten video games.

Peter Jok, Deng's cousin, also plays competitive basketball.

Deng has been investing in real estate since the start of the league in 2004 and has amassed a substantial portfolio of hotels, resorts, condos, and apartment buildings worth $125 million. Deng was ranked as one of the country's most influential individuals of African/African-Caribbean descent in 2020.

He was elected president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation for four years in November 2019.

On one of the Brixton Pound community currency notes, Luol Deng is depicted.

In the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to basketball, Deng was named Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

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College career

Deng accepted a sports scholarship to attend Duke University, where he competed for coach Mike Krzyzewski's Duke Blue Devils basketball team in 2003–04. He appeared in 37 games and made 32 starts in his first season at Duke. En route to a berth in the 2004 Final Four, he averaged 30.1 minutes and scored 15.1 points per game. He was the 10th freshman in ACC history to lead all freshmen in scoring, rebounding, and field goal percentage.

Professional career

Deng joined the NBA draft in 2004 after one year at Duke. He was selected seventh overall by the Phoenix Suns but the Chicago Bulls were subsequently traded to the Chicago Bulls as a result of an agreement. Deng suffered a season-ending wrist injury in his rookie season but he was able to help the resurgent Bulls return to the playoffs for the first time in seven years. Deng played in 61 games and averaged 11.7 points per game. Deng dominated the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, earning his first double-double match.

He made strong contributions throughout March and April to help the Bulls win their second straight playoff appearance in his second season. His offensive numbers increased in his sophomore season, with his scoring up to 14.3 points per game and his rebounding to 6.6 per game, up from a 5.3 average in his rookie season. Deng had four straight double-double performances from 28 February to March 5th, with at least ten points and rebounds in every game. The Bulls defeated the Miami Heat in a best of 7-game series in the playoffs. In all six games, Deng came off the bench, scoring ten points per game.

Deng was the only Bull to start all 82 regular season games for the 2006-07 season. Both of his numbers continued to rise, and he led the team in minutes played (37.5) and field goal percentage (.517), while playing a solid second scoring option to Ben Gordon, with a dramatic rise to 18.8 points per game. Despite the minutes he played and often being outsized in matchups against power forwards like Kevin Garnett, Deng only gave defense fouls (2.00 per game).

Deng was driving in the lane when Miami Heat player James Posey grabbed him, causing fear that Deng had regained his wrist. Posey was suspended for one game after receiving a flagrant foul. Just three nights later, Deng scored 32 points against the Cavaliers, putting an end to the fear that the wrist would be re-injured. Deng led the Bulls to a home victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on March 26, 2007, a new career-high 38 points. Deng converted 18 of his 25 shots from the field.

Deng has received three major sportsmanship awards. Deng received the NBA's sportsmanship award in a player vote on May 3rd. The award honors the individual who best exemplifies moral conduct, fair play, and integrity on the court. The league earned $25,000 on his behalf to Pacific Garden Mission, the country's oldest continuously operating rescue mission. Deng also received the Golden Icon Award for Best Sports Role Model in 2006-2007. The Travolta entertainment family makes the awards. As part of the UNHCR's nine million.org campaign to bring education and sports to millions of displaced children, he recently received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the UN Refugee Agency.

The Bulls began discussing a Deng contract extension right away. Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf was mainly responsible for negotiations. Deng's five-year contract was a five-year contract extension. However, Deng decided to withdraw the agreement and wait until the season ended in order to continue talks.

Luol played in (63) games in the 2007–08 season, mainly due to left Achilles tendinitis. Despite injuries, Deng scored (17.0) points per game and (6.3) rebounds per game. In a 151–135 victory, he had his best game against the Milwaukee Bucks, scoring (32) points. For the first time since 2004, the Bulls missed the playoffs in the (2007-08) season for the first time since 2004.

Deng agreed to a six-year contract extension as a result of the season (and ($71) million). Bulls general manager John Paxson reported the arrangement on Friday. "Signing Luol has always been a priority for this company, and we've always felt that he was a central part of our future," Paxson said in a tweet. Luol will now be with us long-term as we continue to develop as a company."

Deng appeared in (48) games due to injury. Luol's scoring dropped to (14.1) points per game in the regular season, and his rebounding came to 6.0 per game. Luol missed the entire playoffs due to injury, but the Bulls made the playoffs.

During the 2009–10 season, Deng appeared in 70 games, as well as increasing his scoring and rebounding to 17.6 and 7.3 respectively, assisting the Bulls in the playoffs. He missed 11 games in a row at the end of March due to a sprained right calf.

Deng averaged (34.8) points per game and (5.0) rebounds per game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs. In the last game, he scored (26) points, but the Bulls were eliminated by the Cavs.

Deng hit (14) of his (19) shots against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 1st, giving him a point a minute. In a game against the Miami Heat on February 24, Deng scored 20 points, ten rebounds, and took the game winning 3-point shot with 16 seconds remaining on the clock. After coach Tom Thibodeau ordered him to, Deng significantly improved his 3-point shooting throughout the season. Deng attempted 132 3-point shots in the last four seasons, but this season he attempted 333, scoring 115 for a 43 percent.

Deng was the third lead scorer for the Chicago Bulls behind Derrick Rose (25.0) and Carlos Boozer (17.5). Deng's seventh season on record bringing double figures. Deng averaged 18.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in the first round of the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers, being the second leading scorer of the team behind Derrick Rose.

Deng was "never the face of the franchise but always the backbone," Eric Bressman of Dime magazine said on 31 March 2011. Deng is the "glue" that holds the Bulls together, according to Coach Thibodeau. "The professional of Luol is a natural performer." He works hard. He is a natural performer. He investigates his foe. He's an expert at both offensively and defensively. "He's helped this team get better every day," Thibodeau said.

During the playoffs, Deng was the Bulls' second leading scorer. Deng was praised for his defense on LeBron James in the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat. In five games, the Miami Heaters defeated the Bulls, but not before. During the playoffs, Deng averaged just under 43 minutes, 16.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.

During the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Bobcats on January 21, 2012, Deng suffered a wrist injury. Deng tore the ligament in his left wrist at first thought it was a minor injury, but MRI later revealed it was not. Due to the pain, Deng decided to postpone surgery and play the remainder of the season. On February 4, 2012, he returned to the starting lineup against the Milwaukee Bucks, scoring 21 points, 1 steal, and 1 block.

Deng was selected as a reserve for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game's Eastern Conference team, alongside teammate Derrick Rose, who was voted in as a starter. It was the first time since 1997 (when both Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were with the team) that the Chicago Bulls had two All-Stars in the All-Star Game.

Deng defeated the Toronto Raptors 102-101 in overtime on March 24, 2012, after a tip-in basket. Deng was selected for the NBA All-Defensive Second Team at the end of the season.

Deng and Joakim Noah were chosen as a reserve for the 2013 NBA All-Star Game. He averaged a team-high 16.5 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, and a career-high 3 assists per game during the 2012–13 season. His free throw percentage of.816 was also a career high. With 38.7), he led the league in minutes per game for the second time. Despite losing Derrick Rose, who was out for the entire year as a result of an ACL tear, the Bulls also ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference and 2nd in the Central Division, placing fifth overall.

In the first round of the 2013 Playoffs, the Chicago Bulls met the Brooklyn Nets. In the semi-finals, the Bulls defeated the Nets in seven games and met the Miami Heat. In five games, the Heat beat the Bulls. The Heat beat the Heat in the 2013 NBA Finals. During the 2013 Playoffs, Deng averaged (13.8) points per game (7.6) rebounds per game, and 3.8 assists per game in (44.8) minutes per game.

Deng's representatives and the Chicago Bulls had informal discussions about extending his deal over the summer, but the team never made a formal request. Deng, who will be a free agent in 2013-2014, was looking for a deal with a salary that exceeds 4–5 years. Rumors of him being traded remained throughout the season.

Deng returned as the Bulls' top scorer in the first month of the season, despite the absence of Derrick Rose. In two separate games against the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers, he had his best results on November 27 and 29, when he scored 27 points against the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers. He also had 6 rebounds against the Pistons and 11 assists against the Cavs, as well as 11 assists against the Cavs. Deng averaged a career-high of 19 points and (3.7) assists per game in the first two months of the season. He also had 6.9 rebounds per game.

The Chicago Bulls traded Deng to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Andrew Bynum, two future second round draft picks for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015 and 2016, a safe future pick for the Cavaliers for 2015 and 2016, and the ability to swap first round picks with the Cavaliers in the 2015 draft. Deng was the fifth-longest tenured Chicago Bull and the fourth-leading scorer in franchise history at the time of the trade.

Deng had 10 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, and 4 turnovers in 21 minutes on his first appearance in the Cavaliers. He had five rebounds, four assists, and one block two games later. This was his highest scoring game for the Cavaliers. Deng finished the season with a score of 14.1 points and 2.5 assists.

Deng signed with the Miami Heat on July 15, 2014. On January 20, he had his best scoring game of the 2014-15 season as he scored 29 points against the Philadelphia 76ers. Deng finished the season with 14 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

Deng exercised his player choice for the 2015–16 season on June 29, 2015. Deng appeared for Team Africa at the 2015 NBA Africa exhibition game on August 1, 2015. Deng played six games with a left hamstring strain in late November and early December. In a 115-111 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on February 19, 2016, he scored a season-high 30 points. With a 48-34 record, the Heat finished as the third seed in the Eastern Conference during the regular season. The Heat defeated the sixth-seeded Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the playoffs, and Deng defeated them 1-0 on Game 1 on April 17th, setting a new Heat playoff record of 31 points on 11-for-13 shooting.

Deng agreed to a four-year, $72 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on July 7, 2016. Since Kobe Bryant's recent retirement, the Lakers and Timofey Mozgov have joined the two-time All-Stars and Timofey Mozgov together in a big contract in an effort to remain competitive. However, Magic Johnson was the Lakers' president of basketball operations in February 2017, and Deng was fired by coach Luke Walton to begin rookie Brandon Ingram. Effectively, Deng had spent his remaining minutes as a Laker. Since being suspended in March to give more playing time to the team's youngsters, he missed the last 22 games of the season.

Deng made a substitute start in place of a suspended Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's first game of the season on opening night; it was the first game he had attended all season. He and Walton decided that staying in the locker room during games was better for him than playing meaningless minutes in garbage time. Since reaching a buyout deal, he was waived by the Lakers on September 1, 2018. Since the team gained salary cap space to potentially guarantee a maximum contract to a free agent in 2019, he was able to find playing time elsewhere. In each of his two seasons, Deng had been the highest-paid Laker.

Deng joined the Minnesota Timberwolves on September 10, 2018, reuniting him with Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, and head coach Tom Thibodeau. Deng got off the field against the Los Angeles Clippers on February 11, 2019, replacing an injured Andrew Wiggins. It was Deng's first game since October 19, 2017, the Lakers' lone game since the 2017-18 season, which was the first game since the 2017-18 season.

He'll leave the Bulls on a one-day deal before he resigns with the team.

Citizenship and national team career

Deng has lived in Egypt, the United Kingdom, and the United States since his birth in Sudan. Deng served England under the age of 16 and 19 and was an ambassador for the London 2012 Summer Olympics. Deng was named as a naturalised British citizen at a Croydon wedding and was invited to compete in the Great Britain's European competition. On August 9, 2007, he made his international test match against Georgia in Pau, France, scoring 19 points. Deng scored 21 points, ten rebounds, two assists, three steals, and two blocks against Slovakia on August 21, 2007, in his first competitive qualifying game for the United Kingdom. He spent time with the team in the 2012 Summer Olympics, where he averaged 15.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. However, the United Kingdom ended with a 1–4 record.

Deng maintains his South Sudanese citizenship in addition to his British citizenship, making him a dual citizen.

Post-playing career

Deng was confirmed on November 24, 2020, that he would guide the South Sudan national basketball team for the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers.

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