Luol Deng returns to London as South Sudan Federation President in full circle moment

Luol Deng is returning to London as the president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation, as his Olympic-bound side gears up to play Great Britain in the Subway Summer Slam this Thursday at the Copper Box.

The GB Olympian who suited up at London 2012, returns to the same Olympic Park he played in for GB, but in a new role, with a country he has put on a meteoric rise in global basketball since becoming the President in 2019.

“It means a lot to me (to lead a South Sudan team playing in London against GB),” Deng told Hoopsfix from South Sudan’s training camp in Rwanda.

“Great Britain, who I represented in the Olympics, is the country that gave me asylum – I’m very thankful for that and I had an opportunity to learn so much about the game there.

“I came back to my home country to teach what I’ve learned and now we’re back full circle, playing Great Britain while preparing for the Olympics.”

Players from DENG Camp will appear in both sets of jerseys, with GB featuring no less than nine players on the training camp roster who played in London editions that used to be held at Crystal Palace, testament to Deng’s impact on the youth.

Two of Deng’s London Olympic 2012 teammates, Daniel Clark (General Manager) and Kieron Achara, are now part of Great Britain’s federation set up themselves.

“I’m really proud of them. To see them taking a lead and pushing forward basketball in the United Kingdom is amazing to see. I also believe in them and I know they are going to do great work.”

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The two-time NBA All-Star spent 10 years at the Chicago Bulls as well as stints at the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves but still remains grateful to Great Britain basketball.

“The process was amazing and the camaraderie in my teammates. It’s something that will stick with me forever and I am forever thankful for every opportunity I had.”

His home nation gained independence in 2011, and in 2019 he took over as the South Sudan basketball president – with no indoor basketball in the country.

Deng has invested millions of his own money in the South Sudanese federation and it paid off when at the 2023 FIBA World Cup the Bright Stars would earn their first Olympic berth by finishing as the best African team in the tournament, having now gone from 127th to 31st in the world in the FIBA rankings.

Before heading to Paris they will face off with Great Britain at the Copper Box Arena, GB’s first home exhibition since 2017, on July 18 before the women take on Germany on July 21.

“It’s a super special occasion,” added Marc Steutel, head coach of Great Britain national team.

“It’s one that I would encourage all of our fans to come out and get behind the Great Britain national team but also, hopefully, show Luol Deng the respect that he deserves as a legend of the British game – someone who has contributed a lot to the British game and is now focusing on doing the same with South Sudan.”

Tickets are still available for Thursday’s game against South Sudan (7:30pm tip) at the Copper Box – use code HF20OFF for 20% off tickets courtesy of Luol Deng and his Foundation.

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