GBR - Injured Deng aims to cheer GB to success

LONDON (EuroBasket 2009) - Luol Deng has emerged as the face of Great Britain basketball in the last couple of years, but a leg fracture will reduce him to the role of cheerleader at EuroBasket in September.

The Chicago Bulls star was left off coach Chris Finch's squad released on Monday as he has failed to overcome a stress fracture in his right leg, suffered in February.

But the early signs suggest Deng is going to be every bit as accomplished at spurring on his team-mates as he was at leading them on the court.

"I think we're going to be able to go over there and compete," said a clearly disappointed Deng as he discussed the GB roster. "How it's going to turn out I'm not really sure but I really believe that we will surprise a lot of people in the tournament."

Deng believes a squad that includes the likes of Robert Archibald, Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Joel Freeland is plenty strong enough to make some noise in Poland this September.

Deng singled out a handful of players as likely stars of the tournament, but said GB's greatest strength is the team ethic that Finch has instilled despite a massive overhaul of the roster in the last couple of years.

"I know there's a lot of focus on me (not being there), but there are a lot of guys that stand out," he said. "Pops Mensah-Bonsu is someone to look out for, Andrew Sullivan has been playing and has been committed to the team for many years now, but it's just such a team game. Chris Finch just does such a great job of making us play together, and we enjoy playng together. It's going to be tough sitting there and watching.

"I know there's a lot of attention about me not playing, but those guys are going to do such a great job and put on a great show."

Archibald is returning to the squad after a lengthy injury absence of his own, and Deng is convinced the experienced Unicaja center will give the team a huge lift.

"With 'Arch', it's going to be great," he said. "When I played with 'Arch' two years ago, I learnt a lot from him, and it's really going to help our young big guys. He's always talking on the court, he's always grabbing guys, trying to tell them what to do. He's a good guy to be around too, a funny guy that gets everyone going. 'Arch' is one of those guys who's a coach, he's playing but he's helping the guys.

"It's really going to be great for our bigs in terms of just experience and helping the team."

But while Archibald and company complete their final preparations for EuroBasket, Deng can only continue his rehabilitation and dream of future tournaments down the road, starting with the goal of qualifying for the FIBA World Championship in 2010.

"Growing up in England, all I ever really wanted was to be playing in the European Championships, the World Championships, the Olympics," he said. "A lot of people didn't believe that GB had the talent or the pieces to participate in these tournaments one day.

"However, I really believe that there's so much talent within the GB team that we are capable of going to these tournaments and competing. That's why I'm really heartbroken that I'm not able to participate this summer, but our team is going to get strong every year, the guys are getting better and the commitment level is stronger."

GB will warm up for EuroBasket with a tournament including Turkey, Israel and Poland in London in mid-August. Even though he cannot play, Deng plans to be on hand to cheer on his team-mates.

Watching up close will not make his inability to play any easier, but Deng revealed the decision to sit out the summer was his own and he is convinced it is the right one.

"It's a very tough decision not being able to play, but it was just a tough year last year with my injury," he said. "I'm very committed to the program as everybody knows.

"The fracture of my leg was such a serious injury that I need all summer in order to go full speed and I'm not at full speed yet. I'm almost there.

"Right now, it's the right decision. Hopefully it will come out as a small sacrifice for my future with the Bulls and my future playing with GB."

FIBA