Luol Deng Needs Assurances Before Considering a GB Return

By Sam Neter on January 26, 2016

Great Britain and Miami Heat star Luol Deng has said before considering a return to the GB team, he needs assurances on the vision and direction of the British Basketball programme.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Star last week, Deng said until he can see there is a plan in place, no player can make an informed decision about whether or not to suit up.

“It would be hard for anyone right now to say: ‘Yeah, I’m going to play’ when we don’t know exactly what we’re trying to accomplish,” Deng said, after confirming he has spoken to Head Coach Joe Prunty about a plan needing to be made.

“We’re back in Group B now, the thing is getting back to Group A and also what guys are committed to playing.

“But before we commit we want to know exactly how much of our summer we are giving up, what is the plan, where we are trying to go, where we are training.

“All that needs to be put forward for the players to decide, because in the past obviously I had my contract but a lot of players sacrificed a lot to play for the team.

“Now it’s time the players should know what they’re going into before they make their decision.”

Deng, who hasn’t played for Great Britain since the 2012 Olympics, added that playing for the National Team actually helps him prepare for the NBA season.

His comments come after new British Basketball Federation Independent Chairman Nick Humby has said he is trying to re-engage Luol with the programme, following the star’s public criticism of the backwards step British basketball has taken since the Olympics.

Read the full interview at the Daily Star.

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