Luol Deng says Great Britain deserve credit for their performances at this summer’s Eurobasket.

And he thinks he and his team-mates should get more respect from basketball commentators as
they head towards next year’s Olympics.

Great Britain lived up to their seeding in Lithuania by finishing fourth in a group that featured
European champions Spain, hosts Lithuania and World Championship silver medallist Turkey.

Deng said: “I think sooner or later all the basketball geniuses will start respecting us.

“We’re working very hard and we’re trying to get there.”

With only two teams certain to qualify for London 2012 from Eurobasket, with four others
advancing to an additional qualifier, talk among the Press in Panevezys had suggested Great
Britain’s performances – particularly in the 29-point defeat to Turkey – were not of Olympic
standard.

But Deng added: “It’s a process. For anyone who thinks it’s an overnight thing, it isn’t.

“We know a lot of people are not respecting our basketball right now.

“But we’ve got a lot of confidence and are going to come back next year with a better team. We’ll
compete a lot better.”

Deng’s desire to carry a young team on his shoulders seemed almost painful at times but he
insists it was nothing more than he expected.

“I like playing in Europe. I like playing with the national team

Luol Deng

The Chicago Bulls player said: “I’m all right with the team I have to work with. Everyone in the
locker room deserves their place.

“There are young guys but, hopefully, this has been a good experience for them. We’re not quite
there yet in terms of experience and the little things that win you games.”

Great Britain could still add the shooting of Detroit Pistons guard Ben Gordon for London 2012,
together with the expected return of Pops Mensah-Bonsu, forced out of action this summer after
shoulder surgery.

Deng said: “The guys that are not here are great players and they’re going to make us better.