Deng adds All Star quality to basketball squad as Archibald makes final cut

Friday 6 July 2012

Luol Deng, the NBA All-Star, is the headliner in Great Britain's Olympic basketball squad.

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The Chicago Bulls forward was yesterday announced in a 12-man roster that also includes Scotland's Robert Archibald .

As expected, there was no place for Ben Gordon, who has yet to play for Britain despite being included in squads since 2008, after he failed to arrive at the recent training camp in Houston following his trade to the Charlotte Bobcats.

Deng's presence, however, will ensure Great Britain retain hope of qualifying from a group that includes 2006 world champions Spain.The 27-year-old this year became the first British player to be named an NBA All-Star and is looking forward to spearheading Team GB."We have all worked very hard for this opportunity and to have the final 12 named is exciting," Deng said."The next few weeks will fly by and I can't wait to step on the court with my team-mates at the Games. We plan to make Great Britain proud."After spending the past week at a camp in Loughborough, Pops Mensa-Bonsu, now at Turkish side Besiktas, added: "The experience at the camp has made us all realise that the Olympics are just around the corner. I am proud to be a member of this team and can't wait to represent my country on the largest stage."Great Britain will open their Olympic campaign against an as-yet undecided qualifier on July 29.Performance director Chris Spice added: "I would like to congratulate all those who have been selected and to pay tribute to those players that have just missed out. It's only through building our depth that we can continue to compete at the highest level of international basketball and I hope those who just missed this time around will be with us on the road to Rio."Team GB squadKieron Achara, Robert Archibald, Eric Boateng, Dan Clark, Luol Deng, Joel Freeland, Kyle Johnson, Andrew Lawrence, Mike Lenzly, Pops Mensa-Bonsu, Nate Reinking, Andrew Sullivan.olympic games Deng adds All Star quality to basketball squad as Archibald makes final cut

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Deng adds All Star quality to basketball squad as Archibald makes final cut

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