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» Friday, June 22 2012

The Detroit Pistons guard is being non-committal about the Olympic squad, citing the need to rest after the NBA season. "We are never in a position to give ultimatums," Great Britain coach Chris Finch said to the Telegraph. "We are going to give Ben all of next week to let us know what his intentions are and then we will map out whether we go forward with him or without him but there comes a point when we have to move forward and make the best decision for the team." FIBA.com

 

» Thursday, June 21 2012

Earlier this week British Basketball Performance Director, Chris Spice commented on some further updates to the roster in Houston: "Ben Gordon is continuing his training in Detroit and has not yet joined the GB squad this summer. His situation will be reassessed in a week's time when we will be in a position to comment further. Great Britain Basketball

The GB men face their first test of the summer tonight as they play Nigeria. GB prepared for last year's EuroBasket Finals with a game against Nigeria in Surrey and GB ran out comfortable 95-80 winners, they will be looking for a similar result this evening. Chicago Bulls forward, Luol Deng has reported to GB camp in Houston but will not play in tonight's game. Great Britain Basketball

 

» Wednesday, June 20 2012

Mark Woods: Bobcats F Byron Mullens not at GB camp in Houston I understand.. Arrival not ruled out but absenteeism becoming farcical. Time to move on? Twitter

 

» Monday, June 18 2012

The Bulls are disappointed Deng is planning to wait until after the London Olympics to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist. Really, though, missing the first month or two of next season is irrelevant in the long run. The Bulls have plenty of love for Deng. The issue here is being backed up against the luxury tax and trying to create flexibility for the future. Arlington Heights Daily Herald

 

» Friday, June 15 2012

Luol Deng will participate in Britain's Olympic training camp, which began Thursday with players arriving in Houston, where coach Chris Finch is an assistant for the Rockets. Chicago Tribune

Deng consistently has maintained his plan to play in the Olympics despite the injury. He will make his decision on offseason surgery in August. Former Bull Ben Gordon, who was born in London and has played a cat-and-mouse game for years with British officials regarding international participation, was an early no-show at camp. Chicago Tribune

 

» Thursday, June 14 2012

 

» Wednesday, June 13 2012

Mark Woods: Luol Deng is expected on Day 1 of GB basketball camp. Only other possible absentee is Pops MB who just left Turkey today after season end. Twitter

 

» Tuesday, June 12 2012

Sittingbourne basketball star Ryan Richards is at the eye of an Olympic storm after defecting from the Great Britain set-up to join Jamaica ahead of the London 2012 Games. The former Medway Park Crusaders star - who was drafted by NBA giants the San Antonio Spurs in 2010 - ended the season playing in the Georgian SuperLeague in a bid to prove his fitness and form before the Olympics. However the 6ft 11inc forward has decided to swap TeamGB for the nation of his father’s birth after winning seven senior caps last year. The 21-year-old confirmed to the KM Group: "I’m not involved with GB anymore," but question marks remain about his eligibility under FIBA rules having represented Britain at senior level as well as under-20s. Kent Online

 

» Saturday, June 9 2012

Among the players, there is a swell of support for maintaining a single GB team – at all age levels – that might maintain the momentum of recent years that has brought international respectability. While plans to restructure the sport, including the establishment of a semi-professional women’s league, also hang on a unity pact. “I think a lot could be done with basketball in the UK, period,” said Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng. “Even with what’s being done now, more can be done. I could never tell you I’d know what direction they’re going to take. I just hope they realise the talent that they have. A lot could be better by just making this sport more important.” MVP 24/7

 

» Tuesday, May 29 2012

The Chicago Bulls player had wanted the 27-year-old to have surgery on a long-term hand injury at the end of the NBA season, despite having let him play for them with the problem for some months, but Deng is insistent he wants to play at the London 2012 Olympic Games. He also has an existing back problem, which adds to his already high insurance premium. 'Our medical expert opinion remains that his back is no worse than others in the NBA but we have had to continue to cover this as we are contracted to do,' said Spice. Metro.co.uk

'Unfortunately, we have had no support from the NBA regarding this issue which remains a constant disappointment. 'His wrist situation will make this exorbitant premium even more expensive and we will have to make sacrifices to all our other programmes if we are to make this happen. 'It is difficult, but there is only one Luol Deng and there is only one London 2012 Olympic Games.' Metro.co.uk

It is reported that the insurance bill may be as high as £300,000. 'In basketball terms we are a small and emerging nation with not a lot of resources but we have huge pride and great ambition. 'I am optimistic that we will find an affordable solution so that the best basketball player Great Britain has ever produced by some margin is able to take his rightful place alongside his team-mates in the London 2012 Olympic basketball tournament.' Metro.co.uk

 

» Saturday, May 26 2012

Luol Deng is hugely committed to the British Basketball programme and he has maintained this stance despite recent pressure for him not to play after injuring his wrist during the highly-demanding shortened NBA season. We admire and support his stance. Luol is a true professional and manages his body extremely well as shown by the high amount of minutes he was able to play for his club after sustaining the injury in January this year. Great Britain Basketball

 

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