Bulls to Play in London: Deng Set For Home Appearance

¹²³ · Mar 25, 2009

Luol Deng will get the chance to pull on the famous Chicago Bulls singlet in front of his home crowd when the Bulls host Utah Jazz in a pre-season match in London.

The NBA announced on Wednesday that the Bulls, six-time NBA champions, will play the Jazz at the O2 Arena on October 6.

And London-raised Deng, who played a key role in helping Great Britain qualify for September's EuroBasket tournament, admits the game will hold special significance for him.

"It has always been my dream to play for the Bulls in London," he said.

"They were the team I supported as a kid growing up and I am looking forward to playing in front of my family and friends.

"We will put on a great show for the fans, whilst having the opportunity to show my team-mates the culture that London has to offer."

The Bulls also boast another London-born player in Ben Gordon and will come up against a Jazz side containing 2008 Olympic gold medallists Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer.

Deng, who agreed a multi-million dollar, six-year contract with the Bulls last July, will however, undoubtedly be the star attraction.

The 23-year-old forward has averaged 14.1 points this season with the Bulls, although he has been sidelined by a shin injury for the past fortnight.

In his absence the Bulls have struggled to hold onto a play-off place, with coach Vinny Del Negro admitting Deng's injury could force him to miss the remainder of the season.

If so, that could also become a major headache for Great Britain ahead of the EuroBasket tournament.

Deng has, however, already said he will ignore advice to rest the injury through the summer in order to play.

October's game will mark the third consecutive year London has played host to an NBA pre-season match. A capacity crowd watched New Jersey Nets edge Miami Heat 94-92 last year while the Boston Celtics beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 92-81 two years ago.

Tickets for the game are on sale now.
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¹²³ · Mar 25, 2009

Nice BBC article.

London-bound Deng eyes 2012 glory

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