Luol Deng: From Desolation to Inspiration

You would think that it would be easy to spot Chicago Bulls small forward Luol Deng; not only is he one of the NBA’s most famous faces but his 6ft 9” frame makes him stand out in most crowds. Yet, as I wait to be introduced to the Brixton-raised star in the Four Seasons hotel in Miami, I struggle to spot Deng, who is surrounded by a throng of reporters desperate to get his opinions on LeBron James.

The Brit has a fascinating story to tell, but right now the American press wants to find out what it is like to try and stop one of the most talented players in the league, and a future hall of famer, LeBron ‘King’ James. Deng has a difficult task on his hands, but considering the struggles he faced to make it in the NBA, playing against the likes of James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh is a relative walk in the park.

Born in Sudan, Deng and his family were forced to move to Egypt to escape the Second Sudanese Civil War, before being granted political asylum and making the move to Brixton, South London. It was here that the 26-year-old discovered his love of basketball, having initially wanted to carve a career as a professional footballer. I’m sure Premiership defenders everywhere are glad they aren’t marking a 220lb forward.

Playing football and basketball for his school, it was not until his teenage years that he discovered his talent on the court. “It all started as just a bit of fun as when I was 12 it was all about football for me and basketball was always on the side,” recalls Deng. “I played for the school and we had a break away and I dunked it. It was the first time I had ever dunked and everyone went crazy. I realised that this was my shining moment and that was how I fell in love with basketball.”

Already over 6ft at this stage, Deng could still only dream of turning his raw talent into a career. There where very few basketball camps for the youngster to attend in England and instead his family had to save in order to pay for him to move to the United States where he played for his high school.

Voted the second most promising high school senior in America, behind a certain LeBron James, Deng attended Duke University and eventually entered the 2004 NBA draft where the Chicago Bulls signed him. Having helped rebuild the franchise – the Bulls had struggled since losing the likes of Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen – Deng quickly established himself as one of the most talented players in the league and was rewarded with a new six-year deal in 2008 worth $71m.

Becoming the iconic face of the Chicago Bulls has certainly raised the players profile, and while he can walk the streets of London in relative anonymity, time in the Windy City is spent signing autographs and having his picture taken - something the amiable Deng is always happy to do, even if he would prefer the quiet life.

“In Chicago I wear my hat right down and I will be driving around in my car but somehow people recognise me. I don’t know how they do it. My brother often comes over and he is taller than me but he looks just like me. Every time he goes out people ask him for autographs and he has to explain it’s not him, he hates it.” You would think he would enjoy the attention but Deng admits his brother only pretends to be him when there are “pretty girls around.”

Deng’s profile has been raised even higher after the Bulls made it to the Eastern Conference Finals against the Heat. Despite Deng’s side losing the series 4-1 you can be sure that he will once again return to the UK where he runs a successful basketball camp for hundreds of awe-struck kids.

“When I was a kid it used to upset me that basketball didn’t really get much attention and I used to wish there was somebody from England in the NBA, so I’m glad that I am in that position now. The camp is there to promote the game but I always do it for the kids,” admits Deng, who speaks with genuine enthusiasm about the project.

“When I was in England I had to fly over to the States to go to camps and I was away from my family and I could have got in to trouble. When they get in trouble at my camp we punish them, but I kind of understand them doing it. Every time we put on a camp on it is as much for me as it is the kids, I really enjoy spending time with them.”

It is hard to believe just how down to earth Deng remains. He is polite, eloquent and is happy to take time away from his hectic schedule to speak to the small number of British journalist who have made the trip to Miami. Besides his basketball camps, he has his own foundation and in 2008 won the United Nations Refugee Agency Humanitarian Award.

Deng was also handed the honour of being the first sportsman to be invited to the White House by US President Barack Obama, who revealed the Brit to be his favourite player and praised him for his charitable work. Despite all of the glowing eulogies, Deng refuses to be consumed by such adulation and admits he rarely reflects on all he has achieved.

“I’m not the type of guy who gets on high on all that stuff,” declares Deng. “I think one day when I’m done I will look back, but it is all about enjoying the moment as I never believed [playing basketball] would take me here.”

While Deng is happy to play down his accomplishments, he should be prepared to receive even more admiration. Next year he will be the face of Team GB when they compete in the 2012 London Olympics. There, the former Londoner could face a number of fellow NBA stars, including team-mate Ömer Aşık who represents Turkey.

“We have been drawn in the same group as Turkey, so I have been telling Ömer that we have something for them,” jokes Deng. “I never thought that I would get the opportunity to play in the Olympics and the fact that it is in London makes it even more special.”

Should Great Britain perform well in 2012 then Deng can be sure that he will have even more young fans looking up to him. Luckily these youngsters will be able to hear from their hero, with Deng a big fan of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

“I love to hear from kids who message me and I always try and respond. I have been there and I know how exciting it is to hear from people you look up to. If I can inspire just one kid then that really makes me happy.”

In a society where footballers make the news for all of the wrong reasons, young fans will struggle to find a better role model that Luol Deng.

To follow the NBA in the UK, with all the latest news and photos, visit www.facebook.com/nbauk

Luol will be back in the UK this August to run his summer basketball camp. For more information please visit www.dengcamp.com

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