Luol Deng can now focus on Great Britain's qualifying games this summer

By Rob Dugdale

NBA star Luol Deng is focused on Great Britain's summer's programme after wrapping up a lucrative new deal with the Chicago Bulls.

Deng recently signed a six-year deal worth £6m a year, making him one of Britain's richest sportsmen.

"I'm happy that's out of the way and I can focus on basketball," he told BBC Sport. "I'm happy I'm still going to be in Chicago and it's a solid deal."

Great Britain are attempting to qualify for next year's European Championships.

Still not guaranteed a host's spot at the 2012 Olympics, GB must prove they are competitive at the top level and a place at next year's finals in Poland will go a long way towards securing that.

Great Britain will take on Israel, Bosnia-Hercegovina and the Czech Republic for a place in Poland, with other high-profile tournaments in Italy and Turkey acting as preparation for the qualifiers.

I got closer to the guys as the games went on and I'm looking forward to seeing them again Luol Deng

"I didn't know what to think of our opponents this season," admitted Deng. "I know they're great teams.

"Chris (Finch) and the whole staff does a great job of scouting other teams. When the camp starts we'll be picking the best team. I'm really excited for it - I think all the guys are."

Last season, Deng averaged 25 points per game as GB crushed their Division B rivals by an average of 25 points in reaching promotion.

"What we did last year was great," he said. "Now we're in Division A I think we have a chance to go on and win that group.

"And all that would do is keep raising the attention on the game and more people will tune in to it."

Deng is likely to miss the team's camp in Belgium to fly back to Chicago after making an appearance at Wembley for his sponsors, Nike.

Missing when GB's camp assembled was Deng's Chicago team-mate Ben Gordon, whose contractual status with the Bulls has yet to be resolved.

"I wish the best for Ben. I know how difficult negotiations can be - the two sides have to meet somewhere," said Deng.

"Hopefully they'll meet because having Ben, he's a great player and we'd like to have him back."

Deng added: "I think with GB we just have to build on what we did last year and keep focusing on what we're doing.

"I got closer to the guys as the games went on and I'm looking forward to seeing them again. We kept in touch - most of the guys - all year."

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