Luol Deng
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Position | Small forward |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Team | Chicago Bulls |
| Nationality |  Sudan / United Kingdom |
| Born | April 16, 1985 (age 21) 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 Sudanese-British professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls, where he plays small forward.
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[edit] Early life
Luol Deng was born in the Dinka tribe of Sudan. Legend has it this is where he killed over 20 wild lions with his bare hands. When he was at a young age, his father Aldo, a member of the Sudanese parliament, moved the family to Egypt to escape the Second Sudanese Civil War.[1] 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. [2][3] 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. [4] 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. [5]
At the age of 14, Luol 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. Deng was also named a Tri-Captain at Blair along with Charlie Villanueva and Roberto Alfonso Felipe. 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, in which he performed at a very high standard and impressed many top NBA players. [6] 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. Deng averaged 11.7 points per game, playing in 61 games. On February 8, Deng recorded a double-double, including 30 points against the Dallas Mavericks.
In his second season, he posted strong performances throughout March and April to help the Bulls earn their second consecutive playoff berth. His offensive statistics improved in his sophomore season, increasing his scoring to 14.3 points per game, and increasing his rebounding to 6.6 per game, up from a 5.3 average his rookie season. Deng had four straight double-double performances from February 28 to March 5, with at least ten points and rebounds in each game. In the playoffs, the Bulls faced off against the Miami Heat in a best of 7 game series. Deng came off the bench in all six games, averaging ten points per game.
For the 2006-07 season, Deng has been a regular starter for Bulls, and has played in every single game. His scoring continues to improve, and as of April 7, 2007, he averages 19.1 points per game, second only to Ben Gordon on the team, while leading the team with a 52.1 field goal percentage, besting his next closest teammate by 4.4%. He also averages 7.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game.
On December 27, 2006, Deng was driving the lane when Miami Heat player James Posey grabbed him and slammed him to the floor with intention to injure, causing concern that Deng may have re-injured his wrist. Posey would be called for a flagrant foul, and would be ejected and suspended for one game as a result of the incident. Deng scored 32 points against the Cavaliers just three nights later, however, resolving concern that the wrist would be re-injured.
On March 26, 2007, Deng posted a new career-high 38 points to lead the Bulls to a home victory against the Portland Trail Blazers. Deng was in rhythm finishing with a spectacular 18-of-25 from the field.
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." [7] "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."[8]
[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.[9] His scoring continues to improve, and as of December 29, his scoring average has increased to 19 points per game, second only to Ben Gordon.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ http://www.nba.com/playerfile/luol_deng/bio.html
- ^ 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 Podkolzin | Viktor Khryapa | Sergei Monia | Delonte West | Tony Allen | Kevin Martin | Sasha Vujačić | Beno Udrih | David Harrison |
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| 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 |
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