Luol Deng did not win the title he wished at the beginning of the season when he was still a player of the Bulls – a ring NBA-. But, the British winger of Sudanese origin, who will not compete for play-offs, will neither have bad memory of his passage within Cleveland Cavaliers. For his implication in the community, Deng received last Tuesday J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. This prize – of the name of the second commisioner of NBA history – is awarded every year to a player or a coach of the league for his investment – humanitarian – with the community.
« This trophy represents what I am and where I come from », explained in a communiqué the native of Wau, refugee in his childhood in Egypt « It is of what I am proud the most: having done the most possible on and out the pitch, having helped my community and others’ life. » And the winger of the Cavs who succeeded to Kenneth Faried continued: « I wish I could wake up tomorrow and nobody needs a help. But we know all that it is not going to happen. I am just happy to be in the position I am, capable of doing what I do. » He is the third player of Cleveland after Austin Carr in 1980 and Eric Snow in 2005 to be honored.
Very active in social actions through his foundation « Luol Deng Fondation » and EnoughProject.org, Luol Deng puts a lot into basketball development in Great Britain and in Africa also with the building of of basketball court equipped with modern wardrobe.
Source: Africa Top Sports
Original text by: Roger ADZAFO