GBR - Deng, Archibald and Midgley inspire Brits

BIRMINGHAM (EuroBasket Division B) - The Luol Deng era began with a resounding win in Great Britain when the Chicago Bulls star scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a resounding 77-52 victory over Slovakia. 

The Sudan-born Deng, who moved to Britain at a young age and only recently received his passport, missed four of his first five shots in the EuroBasket Division B game on Tuesday but once he got on track, Slovakia had no chance.

The 22-year-old was at the heart of the run which saw Britain blow the game wide open.

Midway through the second quarter, Deng scored three consecutive baskets with two ferocious dunks sandwiching a jump shot to give the team a 37-20 lead.

Encouraging for Britain was the play of two others with American connections: Englishman Richard Midgley and Scottish big man Robert Archibald.

Midgley, 24, played college ball for the California Golden Bears and was a menace all night against Slovakia, finishing with 14 points on seven of 10 (70%) shooting, including two of five (40%) from three-point range.

Archibald, 27, a four-year letterman at Illinois and 2002 second-round draft pick by the Memphis Grizzlies, also scored 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds.

The 6ft 11in Archibald showed no signs of the ankle problems that have plagued him in recent weeks.

"This was all about getting my legs back," he said. "I felt good out there but I was still getting tired which is all down to sitting out those 10 days with the injury.

"But we got the win, it was a good performance and now it's up to us to carry that forward next week against the Netherlands."

Great Britain now have a week of training ahead of their second qualifying game at Holland in Almere on August 29.

The Dutch will be fearing the worst because Deng did not play against them last year in Scotland but even without him, Britain rolled to a 63-39 victory.

FIBA