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Luol Deng: A Brief Biography
Luol Ajou Deng is a British professional basketball player who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Deng began his career playing at the Brixton Basketball Club in South London. Playing for England's squad in the European Junior Men's Qualifying Tournament at the age of 13, he was named MVP of the Tournament, averaging 40 points and 14 rebounds. He played in the European Junior National Tournament and led England to the Finals. He averaged 34 points per game and was again named the MVP of the tournament.
Luol moved to the United States at the age of 15 to play basketball at Blair Academy in New Jersey. Deng decided to play his college basketball at Duke University. In 32 games, he averaged 15.1 points per game in 30.1 minutes per game helping the team reserve a berth in 2004 Final Four. Deng was drafted as the 7th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns. He was immediately traded to the Chicago Bulls.
In 61 games, Deng averaged 11.7 points per game helping the Bulls return to the Playoffs. He was named NBA All-Rookie First Team. Deng improved his game in his second and third season, averaging 14.3 points and 18.8 points per game respectively. In 2007, Deng was lauded with NBA's sportsmanship award. Before the start of the 2008-09 season, Deng agreed to a contract extension for six years and $71 million.
In 2010, Deng scored a career-high 40 points, hitting 14 of 19, against the Portland Trail Blazers. In the first round of the 2010 NBA Playoffs, Deng averaged 18.8 points and 5 rebounds per game as the Bulls lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the first round of the 2011 NBA Playoffs, Deng averaged 16.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game as the Bulls were eliminated by Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals in 5 games.
In the 2013 NBA Playoffs, Deng averaged 13.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game as the Bulls lost again to the Miami Heat, this time in the Semi-Finals. In the 2013-14 season, Deng averaged a career-high of 19 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Mid-way through the 2013-14 season, Deng was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 2014 offseason, Deng signed with the Miami Heat. In 2016, Deng signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2018, Deng signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
