Deng expects big star Gordon to join him at London 2012

Chicago Bulls superstar Luol Deng is certain Britain will qualify for the London 2012 Olympics and he expects his big-name team-mate Ben Gordon to be there with him to aid the host nation's cause.

Role model: Chicago's Deng

Deng, born into the Dinka tribe in Sudan before becoming a naturalised British citizen in 2006 following his childhood asylum move to South Norwood, is a household name in the States.

Put it like this. He is more famous than David Beckham, LA Galaxy and all, and he is currently playing hardball after turning down an initial $50million, five-year offer from the six-times champions.

Britain's hopes of qualifying for the London Games rely much on his commitment to the side, his ability to stay fit and his powers of persuasion in tempting an A-list player like London-born Gordon to Team GB. Having been promoted into Eurobasket Division A last summer, coach Chris Finch's team face Israel, Czech Republic and Bosnia home and away in their group games this September.

Finishing top of their group, or as one of three out of four best runners-up, will see them reach the finals in Poland next year and almost certainly the 2012 Games.

But they also have the safety net of another such process in 2011, plus the prospect of being invited to play at the London Games anyway as long as their reputation has reached a certain undisclosed level, which the inclusion of Gordon would no doubt help.

'I have spoken to BG (Ben Gordon) two weeks ago and he sounded like he really wanted to be a part of it,' revealed Deng.

'He said the most important thing right now is for him to sort out his contract with the Bulls. But even if he doesn't play this summer, I really believe Ben Gordon will play soon for the GB team.'

'It will be great for us if he could make it this summer, but I also understand that he has never played for GB before and he might just be a little bit worried about his contract and taking care of that first. But whether he plays or not this summer, he told me he'll be in England when we play and that he'll be there.'

The importance of competing in London is clearly not lost on Deng, who at 6ft 9in ironically plays as a 'small forward'.

He appears a dream role model both for the NBA's continuing push into Europe and British basketball in general. Whoever suggested him as an official ambassador for London 2012 made a wise choice.

Luol Deng is working with
EA SPORTS on the launch of
NBA Live 09, out this autumn.