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Quote:GBR ââ¬â Deng upbeat about British chances
LONDON (EuroBasket) ââ¬â Luol Deng hasnââ¬â¢t played for the Chicago Bulls since February 28 because of a leg injury but heââ¬â¢s optimistic about representing Great Britain at EuroBasket 2009 and fully expects his national team to be a force.
The star of Britainââ¬â¢s qualification campaign has been sidelined with a stress fracture in his right tibia but come September in Poland, Deng hopes to be available when his adopted country goes up against world champions Spain, Serbia and Slovenia in Group C.
"Again based on last summer's experience and success, we have every right to remain optimistic about our chances in Poland", Deng said.
"No doubt, it will be a much tougher challenge but we have a very talented team and a very well organized and prepared coaching staff.
ââ¬ÅI have a lot of belief in my teammates and I know with an extra year of experience under our belt, we will be sharper and more prepared coming out of training camp in the summer."
Great Britain recently announced plans to host a ââ¬ËGame Onââ¬â¢ - a warm-up tournament at Londonââ¬â¢s O2 Arena with Slovenia, Israel and Turkey from August 14 to 16.
The 23-year-old Deng, who was born in Sudan but moved to London as a small boy with his family, said: "Having ââ¬ËGame Onââ¬â¢ at the O2 will help us tremendously.
ââ¬ÅThe tournament gives us a chance to go up against very talented and well organized teams in Europe.ââ¬Â
[url="http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/29691/arti.html"]http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/late...29691/arti.html[/url]
Die Liebe wird eine Krankheit, wenn man sie als eine Heilung sieht.
: BASKET-SPOT : - Global Basketball
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Quote:GBR ââ¬â Deng hopeful of recovering in time to play for Great Britain at EuroBasket
CHICAGO (EuroBasket/NBA Europe Live) - Great Britain star Luol Deng hasnââ¬â¢t played for the Chicago Bulls since February 28 because of a leg injury but he hopes to be ready to lead the Brits in September when they compete at the EuroBasket in Poland.
The 23-year-old averaged more than 24 points and almost six rebounds per game last summer as Britain finished top of their qualifying group.
ââ¬ÅI feel that I will be fit (for Poland) as of right now,ââ¬Â he said on Wednesday afternoon.
ââ¬ÅI think my recovery is going well. My rehab is going well. Iââ¬â¢m feeling a lot better. But to be honest, Iââ¬â¢m not going to know until Iââ¬â¢m on the floor playing.
ââ¬ÅItââ¬â¢s one of those injuries, how my body responds to it when Iââ¬â¢m playing, when Iââ¬â¢m full speed. Right now I feel that Iââ¬â¢ll be able to avoid surgery and be fit.ââ¬Â
Deng thought he had a bruised shin and ââ¬Åjust sorenessââ¬Â but examinations by doctors showed something else.
ââ¬ÅThe MRI revealed that I have a very small stress fracture, not a major stress fracture but a beginning of a stress fracture,ââ¬Â he said.
ââ¬ÅMe and several different doctors, including my Bulls doctor, felt that in order for it to heal right, I had to take some time off to rest it instead of making it any worse and also to avoid surgery.ââ¬Â
The 6ft 9in forward says he is likely to start running again this week.
Dengââ¬â¢s status has his Great Britain coach Chris Finch and his teammates who are with their club sides all over Europe and North America concerned.
When asked by FIBA.com if heââ¬â¢d been in touch with Finch, he said: ââ¬ÅIââ¬â¢ve been talking to Chris Finch back-and-forth by email and my teammates and other guys that are involved with the British team.
ââ¬ÅIââ¬â¢ve been able to just keep them informed and let them know. Theyââ¬â¢ve all been very supportive. Coach Finch has been very supportive.
ââ¬ÅThe talk has just been about what the outcome will be; if I will be able to just rehab and be back which is what I think is going to happen.
ââ¬ÅBut I think everyone knows how I love playing for the national team and how badly I want to play. I donââ¬â¢t think thatââ¬â¢s the question.
ââ¬ÅItââ¬â¢s something that we have to deal with. The injury has come at the wrong time. Itââ¬â¢s an injury that you never want to have. It is what it is, and itââ¬â¢s just time to rehab and get better.ââ¬Â
Deng also offered his thoughts on the possibility of his London-born Bulls teammate Ben Gordon playing for Britain.
ââ¬ÅWith Ben Gordon, to be honest with you, I donââ¬â¢t know what Ben is going to do,ââ¬Â he said.
ââ¬ÅI think being in the European Championship and the summer that we had and everything, I think it caught his attention and I think he wants to be a part of it.
ââ¬ÅBut at the same time, Ben Gordon is in the summer of his contract year and I donââ¬â¢t see him going to play without a contract. So I think that is going to play a major role in his decision, also.ââ¬Â
Deng was speaking to journalists in a conference call following the announcement that Chicago will play Utah in a NBA Europe Live game in London in October.
[url="http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/29715/arti.html"]http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/late...29715/arti.html[/url]
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24 players who will be invited to the training camp where named:
Kieron Achara (Fortitudo, ITA)
Rob Archibald (Unicaja, ESP)
Andy Betts (Aris Thesaloniki, GRE)
Eric Boateng (Arizona State, USA)
Flinder Boyd (Leicester Riders, GBR)
Matthew Bryan-Amaning (University of Washington, USA)
Dan Clark (Estudiantes, ESP)
Daryl Corletto (Melbourne Tigers, AUS)
Luol Deng (Chicago Bulls, USA)
Germayne Forbes (Nyon, SWI)
Joel Freeland (Gran Canaria, ESP)
Nick George (Gravelines Dunkerque, FRA)
Ben Gordon (Chicago Bulls, USA)
Randall Hanke (Providence, USA)
Jarrett Hart (Keravnos, CYP)
Dzaflo Larkai (L'Hospitalet, ESP)
Mike Lenzly (Harem Scafati, ITA)
Steve Leven (West Brabant-Giants NED)
Pops Mensah-Bonsu (Toronto Raptors, CAN)
Richard Midgley (Everton Tigers, GBR)
Nate Reinking (Mons Hainaut, BEL)
Justin Robinson (Rider University, USA)
Andrew Sullivan (CSK VVS Samara, RUS)
Tafari Toney (Newcastle Eagles, GBR)
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will the NBA team, in this case Bulls, will let their player Deng, to play in the eurobasket competition, when he was half season long injured ? Can't imagen this happening <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wacko.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=' ' />
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[url="http://www.talkbasket.net/news/pops-mensah-bonsu-goes-to-poland-1929.html"]Pops Mensah-Bonsu goes to Poland![/url]
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