Deng will defy coach to play for Great Britain

LUOL Deng is set to defy his Chicago Bulls paymasters to play for Great Britain in this summer's EuroBasket.

NATIONAL DUTY: Luol Deng insists he will play for Great Britain at this summer's EuroBasket - despite injury worries

Britain's men have qualified for the European Championships in Poland for the first-time, thanks in part to the performances of the Sudanese-born Deng.

The 23-year old has been besieged by injury problems in recent years, missing 19 games this year despite penning a new £51 million six-year deal in the close season.

Personal trainer David Thorpe has advised him to sit out the summer in order to recharge his batteries for the new NBA season.

But he revealed his advice has fallen on deaf ears.

"I recommended to him that he take the whole summer off and not even train with me," he said.

"But Luol told me that was not acceptable. There is no way he is not going to help GB in some capacity. He will maybe not play as many friendlies.

He will maybe adjust his schedule after consulting with British head coach Chris Finch and coming up with a plan that makes sense for everybody.

"Luol feels a sense of duty as far as GB is concerned but he also loves playing for the team and in the style that coach Finch plays.

"That's what's driving Lu on and as soon as he is healthy, we will sit down with doctors from the Bulls and from GB to come up with a plan."