British/South Sudanese · Wau, South Sudan · Born 16 April 1985British-South Sudanese basketball player who became two-time NBA All-Star and Great Britain Olympic captain, earning MBE for services to basketball.
Luol Deng was born in Wau, South Sudan in 1985 and moved to London as a child. Chicago Bulls selected him seventh overall in the 2004 NBA Draft. His 15-season career produced 13.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game along with two All-Star appearances and the All-NBA Defensive First Team selection. He was the primary scorer and defensive anchor for Chicago Bulls teams that competed without Derrick Rose across multiple injury-riddled seasons — carrying the franchise almost single-handedly through the 2013-14 season. He captained Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics — the first professional team in Great Britain's Olympic basketball history. He was awarded an MBE and later a knighthood. He was the most important British basketball player in NBA history and a significant figure in the globalisation of the game. He founded the Luol Deng Foundation supporting South Sudanese refugees and education. His defensive intensity, professionalism and willingness to play through significant pain — he played the 2014 All-Star Game while suffering from a spinal tap illness — made him one of the most respected players of his era.
Two-way versatility, defensive excellence, and leadership for Great Britain national team
How They Played
Versatile forward with strong defense, mid-range shooting, and leadership
Lasting Impact
First British player to achieve NBA All-Star status and Olympic captain
Career Honours
- All-Star 2x
- All-NBA Defensive First Team
- Olympic captain (Great Britain 2012)
- Knighthood
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bulls | 2004–2014 | 705 |
| Miami Heat | 2016–2017 | 135 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 2018–2018 | — |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 2016–2018 | 112 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 2018–2019 | 22 |
 Great Britain | — | 39 |
British/South Sudanese Athletes