The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Luol Deng Foundation, a non-profit organisation that uses basketball as a tool to give hope to those in Africa, the US and the UK, will again collaborate to support the DENG Camp TOP 50 led by two-time NBA All-Star Luol Deng (Miami Heat; Great Britain; born in South Sudan).
The DENG Camp TOP 50, a four-day residential basketball camp for boys ages 18 and under from across the UK, tips off today and runs through August 22 at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in London. The NBA will provide sports apparel and prizes for the participants, who have been selected by a panel of national and club team coaches.
The camp will focus on basketball development and teaching the values of the game, including teamwork, discipline, dedication, fitness and healthy living.
“We have always looked at doing a camp for the most talented kids in the UK, and now seems a better time than ever to do it,” said Deng. “The selected players will take part in a three-day camp to give them an idea of what the next level is like. I’m excited about the camp, and I truly believe this will have a huge impact on these players and UK basketball.”
“The NBA is thrilled to partner with the Luol Deng Foundation once again, and we are inspired by Luol’s relentless commitment to grassroots basketball development here in the UK,” said Neal Meyer, NBA Senior Director of Basketball Operations, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
“Luol is an inspiration to young basketball players across Great Britain and for the second straight year the NBA will support his Foundation’s efforts to attract more youth to the sport while also teaching the values of the game.”
Deng was born in South Sudan and became a British citizen in 2006, having moved to London with his family in 1994. The 6’9’’ forward was drafted seventh overall in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. In 2006-07 he was the only Bulls player to start all 82 regular-season games.
He joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in January 2014, during which time he was voted the 2013-14 winner of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, presented annually to the player, coach or trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community. He is currently a forward with the Miami Heat. Earlier this month in Johannesburg, South Africa, he captained Team Africa in the first NBA Africa Game, where he won co-MVP honours.
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