Despite Wrist, Deng Determined to Play in Olympics

Despite the wrist injury that has affected him all season long, Luol Deng has said he is determined to represent Great Britain at this summer’s Olympics.

Talking to ESPN Chicago after the Bulls’ first round exit at the hands of Philadelphia on Thursday night, Luol said:

“I’m looking forward to playing in the Olympics, I’m excited about it. It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid, and I’ll prepare myself for it.”

Deng has delayed having surgery on the torn ligaments in his left wrist, sustained in January, to help Chicago compete for a championship. With surgery expected to keep him out at least 3-4 months, the GB star said if he opts to go under the knife, it will be after the Olympics:

“I’ve got to see how my wrist feels, right now, going into the Olympics, and then right after the Olympics. I’ll make the decision, whether if my wrist is good enough I don’t need the surgery, or if I’ll need it. I haven’t really ruled out not getting the surgery or getting it. I just haven’t made that decision.

“I just know I’ve got the Olympics ahead of me, since I was a kid growing up, it’s something I always wanted an opportunity to be part of. The fact that it’s in my hometown that I grew up in a country that gave me opportunity to even be here, I’m looking forward to it.”

Luol finished with 19 points and 17 rebounds in Game 6 but it wasn’t enough as the Bulls became the fifth number 1 seed to be knocked out by an 8 seed.

Read the full article at ESPN Chicago.

What do you think about Luol’s injury? How will he fare at the Olympics? Let us know in the comments!

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