South Sudan’s Deng named Basketball Africa League ambassador

South Sudanese-British Luol Deng on Tuesday was named as the Basketball Africa League (BAL) global ambassador.

Deng, 34, is a former US NBA league player having represented the Chicago Bulls from 2004 to 2014. As his playing career wound down, he played for Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and finally the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“I am honoured to represent the BAL as the league’s Global Ambassador,” said Deng.

“We have a tremendous amount of talent in Africa, and I am excited that some of that talent will be showcased through our new league. I look forward to following some of the top African club teams when the inaugural season gets underway next month and supporting the BAL in expanding its footprint around the world.”

Bal president Amadou Gallo Fall said: “I am thrilled to work with Luol in his new role as BAL Global Ambassador.

“He has been a great leader and an inspiring role model. His remarkable basketball journey includes an extraordinary 15-year NBA career, two All-Star selections and participation in the 2012 Olympic Games. Luol has been an integral part of our youth development efforts and has taken part in many of our initiatives across the continent since 2011. We look forward to working with him to establish the BAL as a world-class professional basketball league.”

The first BAL season will be played across Cairo, Dakar, Lagos, Luanda, Rabat and Monastir.

In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo