According to an interview with Ian Whittell of the British-based website “Basketball 24/7,” Luol Deng’s trainer says that Deng will definitely play for Great Britain in this summer’s Eurobasket tournament.

Deng is currently suffering from a stress fracture in his leg, causing him to miss NBA games. Much to the consternation of the Bulls organization, Deng appears to be committed to his national team.

The Bulls will no doubt fight Deng’s decision, perhaps requiring Britain’s governing sports body to front all the remaining $62 million that remains on Deng’s $72 million contract.

Great Britain has only qualified once for Eurobasket, way back in 1981. However, Britain is committed to sporting competitive teams in every sport for the 2012 Olympics to be held in London.

Joining Deng is Toronto Raptors’ Pops Mensah-Bonsu, as well as British-born players Kelenna Azubuike of the Golden State Warriors and Ben Gordon of the Chicago Bulls, have also committed to joining the team this summer in hopes of bolstering Great Britain’s national team chances.

Other notable players include CSK VVS Samara’s Andrew Sullivan, CB Gran Canaria’s Joel Freeland (whose NBA rights are held by the Portland Trailblazers), Aris BC’s Andrew Betts, and Fortitudo Bologna’s Kieron Achara.

The competition will be hosted by Poland from September 7 to September 20, 2009.

Links and Resources: Deng to help GB in “Some Capacity” this Summer (Basketball.co.uk), Luol Deng ready to defy trainer by fulfilling national duty (Times Online), Great Britain National Team (Interbasket)