Decision Deadline on Deng & Gordon this Friday

By Sam Neter on August 1, 2011

British Basketball are urgently trying to resolve the issues regarding Luol Deng and Ben Gordon’s insurance cover for this year’s Eurobasket campaign and have given themselves until this Friday to find the money.

FIBA struck the deal that allows NBA players to compete for their countries this summer last week, but any player choosing to play during the NBA lockout does so at their own risk.

The problems arise with the cost of insuring the Chicago Bulls’ Deng, whose contract is valued at $71 million, and Gordon whose in the midst of a $55 million five-year deal with the Detroit Pistons.

British Basketball performance director Chris Spice, talking to press agency Sportsbeat said:

“It is a case of good news on one hand and bad news on the other. On the face of it there are no obstacles for Luol and Ben playing but our concern is making sure that all players are covered and that cover is affordable for British Basketball.

“We trying to find the best deal possible to get both of our guys to play. We are working to get insurance within the realms of our budget.

“We are in constant contact with the players and their agents and it’s a complex issue.”

With team chemistry being at the forefront of the coaching staff’s mind, Spice has said a decision will be made by the end of the week:

“From the point of view of preparing the team, we have until this Friday to decide, so it’s still a very live issue.”

Head coach Chris Finch is also understandably frustrated:

“We’ve always viewed this summer as a vital part of the preparations for next year’s Olympics, not just with the EuroBasket finals but the other matches we have, in particular the London 2012 test event.

“Integrating Ben was key this year, so next year there would be no surprises for him or us, so that only adds to our frustration.”

Everyone else is currently at camp which officially opened on Saturday, in Cobham, Surrey, except for Robert Archibald, who is reportedly joining late following the birth of his child.

GB will face Netherlands in their first friendly of the campaign this Sunday, before taking on Nigeria on Tuesday 9th August. Both games will be played behind closed doors in Cobham.

Read the full article at Eurosport.

What do you think? Will GB be able to find the money to cover the two stars?

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