GBR - Deng back, Stafford working hard

CHICAGO (Olympics) - There have been encouraging developments for the Great Britain men's and women's Olympic teams of late.

Luol Deng played on Saturday for the first time since hurting his wrist a couple of weeks ago and looked very good in helping the Chicago Bulls trounce Milwaukee, 113-90.

Meanwhile, Natalie Stafford, who suffered a broken foot while playing for the Sydney Flame's in Australia's top flight three games into the season, is working hard to get in shape for London.

Deng, Britain's leading scorer and rebounder (24.6pts, 9.4rbs) at EuroBasket 2011 in Lithuania, was outstanding against the Bucks on Saturday.

He made nine of his 19 shots from the floor and scored 21 points while also corralling nine rebounds.

Doctors had warned Deng he could miss between four and six weeks of action and he admitted it took a while to get into the flow.

"I felt a little hesitant," Deng said.

"I was a little worried about getting bumped and falling in the beginning of the game, and I kind of missed those layups.

"But I took the hit in the fourth quarter, so just keep that in mind that it's fine."

The 35-year-old Stafford is very important to the British women's team.

She averaged more than 30 minutes per game at the EuroBasket Women in Poland last year.

"My main focus now is with GB and getting stronger," she said.

"I have been doing weights four times a week and I have really adjusted my diet.

"I am eating a ridiculous amount of protein in the hope that I will get some muscles.

"I am even eating tinned tuna for breakfast - not the nicest meal, but wonderful fuel for my body."

FIBA